 |
| Photo courtesy of Visit Manchester |
Manchester, for the shopping trip took second place, to the vastness of the city. A place of tall buildings and side streets. We went to the Arndale Mall and I was slightly overwhelmed by it all. Big shops, tons of stuff, we did M&S, Selfridges and Zara not forgetting the Japanese shop that did natural materials such as cotton, silk and linen.
I now own three over shirts kitted out with pretty lace vests, this is what my daughter decided was 'me'. She treated me to all the shopping saying she was so glad to finally have me around.
I was fascinated by the designs, M&S is predictable of course, but Zara had lots of tall young skinny females swanning around, the styles from Japanese silk to large collars, frills and ruffs. Young toddlers were wheeled around in their buggies, drink in hand and a tablet to follow the latest cartoon to keep them amused.
One thing stands out starkly, there are beggars who come up quickly but disappear just as quickly. Also what I took to be a load of rubbish outside one shop, turned out to be a homeless female beneath a large black tarpaulin, one eye peering out on the thronging world that walked by next to her face. There is always that quandary, what to do, we all walk past of course, for there is a whole lifetime to workout for that poor woman, she presents the face of need and we must do something about it, but what?
We eventually picked Lillie up from her nail appointment and went in search of lunch. Do not search for food at lunch time! Forty-five minute wait in one restaurant we had pinpointed, we decided to look elsewhere and went through the fish market, surfaces covered with gleaming silver fish and of course every sea food under the sun to a restaurant there but full once more. It was only after we turned down a side street and found an empty pub that we managed to get something to eat, it was delicious, a pile of mushrooms, halloumi cheese and salad on brioche.
Shopping is an extravagance, highlighted by the two gleaming Porsches that stood outside one store, did someone mention £40,000 for one and compares cruelly with someone sleeping on the street. Two ends of society and apparently the rich get richer and the poor poorer and we allow it!
It is difficult. The best homeless charity I know of is the St Martin's in the Fields one. They provide small grants to people who can use them properly, and not just in London. 'The Vicar's Relief Fund' always makes me inwardly snigger like a schoolboy though, I have to admit.
ReplyDeleteIt is always difficult Tom because there is no answer, but the quiet charity of other people.
DeleteWhat a brilliant photograph and piece of descriptive writing Thelma.How it must have contrasted with your life style of only a week ago.And such food for thought - the material in the Japanese shop - I would love to see that - the lunch - I could eat that. Savour it all and keep telling us about it. The thoought of the homeless is disturbing - Tom's charity sounds interesting - I shall investigate.
ReplyDeleteYes Pat, I soak up experience, my mind becomes a camera snapping the unfolding pictures trying to make sense of them. The Japanese colours were also pale and less patterned as well, they were quite understated after the exuberance of the other shops. Don't get started on food for goodness sake;)
DeleteWow, it sure was busy. Nice that you found some shirts for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt saddens me to hear of the beggars and homeless but where to start and how to help is confusing.
I am very compliant when I go shopping with others Ellen, my daughter found most of the stuff, I tend to get overwhelmed by racks of clothes.
DeleteManchester -I wish I could like the city, but it never seems to gel. I volunteer for a charity which focuses on tangible help for homeless and vulnerable people - I write lots of their communication and publicity material and their website for free - it's a way I can put my skills to use for others. You can see it here https://passitonofficial.org/
ReplyDeleteThe buildings are immense and very civic was my initial thought. I went and looked at your link, as always people coming together to help which is inspiring. My daughter says the homeless are drawn to Manchester like a magnet because there is a lot of help there. And we know Andy Burnham the mayor also gives part of his salary away to charity.
DeleteIt is so hard to pass the homeless when one has plenty. Even harder to know what to do.
ReplyDeleteWe can only give money or time is I suppose is the answer Hart.
DeleteLike Mark, I've never liked Manchester, and I lived there for a couple of years once. It must be dreadful to be homeless there - or in any city.
ReplyDeleteI could never live in such a large city, we have only done one quarter of it, another portion remains for another day!
DeleteThe photo of the mall reminded me of how much I prefer to stay home. My last venture into such a venue was at least 5 years ago when a dear niece steered me about to find two pairs of shoes. Shopping for clothes these days is mainly about finding upscale brands at the local Goodwill shop. If I go with my daughter she vetoes some of the items I hold up for inspection.
ReplyDeleteInteresting--I didn't realize ruffs and frills were 'in' again. Linen, silk and fine cotton are pleasant fabrics to wear in spit of the extra care needed.
This era of small children requiring screens to keep them amused at all times is mind boggling!
Must admit I have always done catalogue shopping, so one of the first things I realised Sharon was that M&S had so much more instore. Luckily my tendency to wear jeans dictated the tops I can wear so there wasn't much of an argument. Design of clothes are funny, it goes round in a circle, old fashions pop up which you recognise from yesteryear. Fashion is just a game of course.
DeleteOh the contrast is heartbreaking. Here, so many homeless have mental health problems as well. It is very sad.
ReplyDeleteEven my daughter was surprised to see the young girl so centrally spaced. Apparently it is 'spice' which is the common drug. Addiction whether it be alcohol or drugs sends them off on a road of misery and the pieces always need picking up.
DeleteHow busy that center is. Ours are dying away.
ReplyDeleteIt was busy Joanne, but Manchester is second to London, one of the great Northern cities.
DeleteI love Manchester. My daughters live there. When I visit from Sheffield I feel I’ve traveled from a small quiet town by comparison.
ReplyDeleteThe art gallery, the library, the tram - all fab.
Well we didn't do the cultural side Anne but did go past the cathedral which we will do another day.
ReplyDelete