Orient-ation

I packed up my suitcases this morning ready to change my accommodation. I’m moving to the Oriental Club for the next three nights, trading the cosy faded grandeur of the University Women’s Club, to something a little fancier. It’s still located in Mayfair but in an area that has a bit more life around it. I chose to walk between the clubs but regretted that decision fairly promptly. Manoeuvring two cases while using google maps to guide my path was a challenge. Here’s the exterior of the club:

The Oriental Club was founded in 1824 as a gentlemen’s social venue for those who had lived or worked in India. I started off with a good wander around the club, checking out all the spaces. It’s big - two bars, a large dining  room, a few drawing rooms and a billiards room. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to take photos here, so have sneakily snapped a few, manoeuvring my phone in my handbag so the camera is like a periscope. I feel like I’m in a spy movie and wish I had saved the spy lamppost story for today’s post. 

Venturing outside, I explored a bit of the surrounding area, which is very much a shopping district as compared to the residential area of my last accommodation Grays Antique Market was a good place to wander, although I have no requirement for a tiara or a giant silver epergne. It’s a complete maze in there and I definitely I missed some stalls and looked at others three times without realising. I think I’m tired! It’s a beautiful sunny day and there are crowds of people, and the chaos that goes with that. I was intrigued by an interesting section in Super Dry, a whole floor of second-hand vintage Ralph Lauren clothes, saved from landfill. Hundreds and hundreds of items for sale, all in colour and style groups, for example “blue vests”, or “green shirts”. 

Returning to the club, I took advantage of the lovely afternoon and headed to the outdoor terrace for a glass of wine. The terrace was full but inside in the Calcutta Lighthorse Bar was nice too. 

I’m struggling a bit today. Partially tiredness but also that disorientation that comes from new surroundings, new rules, the loss of the familiar. I was comfortable in my little safe haven at the UWC. I knew the people and the streets and how it all worked. I’m now in an unfamiliar environment, on my own, and feeling vulnerable. I’m an experienced traveller and I KNOW that I’ll settle in by tommorrow, but today…. today I’m fragile. 

I never know whether to include this stuff in the blog- it’s quite personal. I don’t want to make people uncomfortable or for them to be sorry for me. I much prefer to write about the interesting or amusing aspects of my travels. I’ve left it in to acknowledge that even I - extroverted, confident, experienced - have moments of uncertainty and doubt. 

I opted for an early dinner, in the Calcutta Lighthorse bar again as the restaurant was booked out for a function. The function crowd is currently having drinks on the terrace with an excellent Saxophonist playing. I’m having a daiquiri to lean into the summer vibe. The bar menu is mostly Indian menu, with a smattering of English items like potted shrimp and roast beef. I went for the “Vada Pav Burger”. A crispy, spicy Indian potato patty. It was good. 

The real win today is that my room has aircon, so I’m looking forward to a better night’s sleep tonight.