an afternoon in Hackney central

 I had my first neighborhood visit today, a walking tour around Hackney Central. 

Whenever I’m in a new land, my self-guided tour always begins with a museum. Hackney Museum is small, yet well-organised and informative, with historical milestones presented in a neat and compelling narrative. I lingered for a while at the story about Vietnamese boat people and other refugees who arrived in Hackney in the early 1970s. The photos were deeply poignant, especially viewed from the lens of a Vietnamese. And it wasn’t just this chapter of Hackney’s history that witnessed the drama of human fates. Long before, the land was popular as a destination for travellers and nomads, etching to every alley the exotic charms, cultural vibrancy and a quiet melancholy. 

Walking down the town’s central path, I carried an indefinable mix of feelings, slowing down to the old church. It was closed today, so I simply stood there and looked up to the bell nestled in the concrete tower. I was only me, feeling small but protected.