Category: Culture

Countdown to Christmas – Five signs that the Festive Season is here

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As we reach the last month of the year, I am looking forward to having some down time as I really haven’t had time off since August. But before I get to the nice relaxing things I have planned with family and friends – I wanted to bring on the Christmas spirit to help me think of the nice bits about the festive season and to remind me to look around in wonder at the true winter celebration.

Here are five things you won’t miss in the next few weeks:

  1. Shopping Sales – Christmas is always a busy time of the year and in a season of giving and appreciation, it is easy to see why there are a lot more people around town and shopping with a mission to get it all completed in time for the holidays.  I remember working on a shop and we really looked forward to increased sales at this time of year and we knew that on the run up to Christmas Eve it will be the busiest time. Ironically, online retailing is here to stay and several of us prefer to get the bargain or items available online.  It seems the US Thanksgiving Black Friday sales are here to stay and seems to brings a good to consumers to benefit from pre-Boxing Sales.  I remember when you had to wait for Boxing Day sales and that Black Friday was only beginning to be advertised in the UK shops about a decade ago.  I haven’t really been ‘out to the shop this season’ but I have both a few items in the sales. The London Underground trains were packed this weekend with shopping who I presume had been to shops in Oxford Street or other part of the West End. The trains were also full of football fans, so you really have to brace yourself for the busier time. I know I have to get some more presents – it is likely that I will be hitting the shops soon too!
  • Food and Drink Indulgence – As it is Winter, it is only natural that we are inside more and there is usually an abundance of things to eat and drink.  If you visit the shops- they start selling Christmas food just as we turn into November.  I have seen Panettone, mince pies, chocolates, biscuits, cheese and lots of other delights in the shops for weeks.  I certainly don’t mind seeing all these fabulous things but I am trying to hold out until December to start trying them.  I was given a mince pie a few weeks ago but it would have been impolite to refuse (my excuse). I do like some festive drinks but I am also holding out until later in case they add to my calorie account plus I have too much work to get too merry.  I do like seeing all the fine shops and delis with all their special food and displays. Where my husband used to work, he used to receive lots of lovely nice artisan food and drinks treats which were always a pleasure to try and share over the holidays.
  • Festive Decorations – As I walk around my neighbourhood and on my way to work daily, I do enjoy the Christmas decorations.  From spotting amazing wreaths winter foliage, Christmas tree with lights flickering in the night and housewarming decorations as you go past.  Like most families, I try to buy decorations that become part of a traditional piece.  I do like the scent of a real Christmas tree and some years it is easy to put it, and sometimes it can be a challenge for one reason or the other. Each year I look at the online category for Christmas decorations and there may be something that catches my eye but this year I have resisted so far.  It is still nice to see what is on trend and what might be a good purchase that may last for a few years.  I have not been to West End as yet to see any of the ‘Christmas Lights’ but I am sure I might pop down to Regent Street before the end of the year. Even as a child growing up in the Caribbean, the sight of outdoor Christmas trees or those on balconies (porch or galleries as some call them) would ignite a sense of excitement for the season. There is a little bit of magic in Christmas decorations and you have be a real Scrooge not to enjoy them!
  • Winter Senses – I deliberately wanted to think of the scent of Christmas.  There is so much of the festive celebrations that awaken our senses.  Scent is one of my best positive and happy triggers about the season.  I love the scent of baking cakes, pies, turkey, ham (gammon), bread, mulled wine and the amazing festive treats at this time of year.  There are so many happy memories of spending time with family and friends as we enjoy being with each other.  I do think of my parents, and my parents-in-laws who are all now passed on.  They were good cooks and loved entertaining, so obviously there would be nice food and the aroma will fill the senses with special sentimental memories and love for them.
  • Party Season – What is Christmas without a party! My memories of Christmas are filled with nice memories of parties.  I know the office party is regular item in some diaries, but Christmas dinner is more common to me.  I like spending time with colleagues as we wrap up the year and wish each other all the best for the holidays. I do try to see my friends too and even though we have our respective families to spend the main Christmas ways with – it is still nice to make time to see them before or after the holiday season.  I do have time off at Christmas and have never had a complete break at Christmas since I started working but I do like to have some time off.  The one good thing about getting back to the office is that it would encourage me to get out and about again after a few days of excess.  However, even if you do not want to party before or during Christmas, you really can’t help of aiming for New Year’s Eve to ring in the next year.

So as we go into this happier time of year, I hope you would agree with me on the five signs of Christmas that are hard to miss. Perhaps by the next time I write to you, I would have some nice things to share with you too.

Fun outreach work in interesting places

Published on by Seema Rampersad1 Comment

In recent weeks, I realised that I have been ask to work with partners at their locations for events or conferences.  I actually like working elsewhere on occasion as this adaptability must spring from my sense of adventure in going to new places and meeting new people.  This is probably a good thing as it helps me to think outwardly, as well as see what is on the horizon beyond my every day.

It was nice to be invited to the Camden Libraries staff conference at their Swiss Cottage Library again.  It was inspiring and motivating to hear the great work they are doing from the launch of their Reading Strategy (which I was able to take part in as part of their Reading Strategy board), work from parts of their libraries from new Health and Wellbeing Librarian or to the newly refitted Holborn Library, where we have also delivered two workshops.

There were great presentations from maker spaces to talks on how valuable libraries are for culture, creativity and for literacy. One of the presenters mentioned spending lots of time as a child in the summer holidays in the library whilst her parents were at work – the library was a safe space but also facilitated the development of her love of reading, learning and eventually working in libraries and the community too.  I was able to also present a workshop on customer service especially since we had recently hosted Camden Libraries along the theme of ‘The Reference Interview’, and it was a natural follow up for us to discuss how good customer service links with a good user experience and exemplary library services. I also attended a workshop on implementing the Camden Reading Strategy, and it was reassuring to hear from volunteers at their Highgate Library talk about ways that they encourage children to read and do interesting activities in the library, which also improve their literacy and use of space. There was also an explanation that their users are usually mixed demographics as there are areas of deprivation in Highgate despite the area being perceived as a wealthy neighbourhood in most parts.

In the lunch break, I was able to have a look around the library to see the children’s Library with the inviting seating areas, mini theatre and reading spaces.  I also like the physical items that you can see which demonstrates that this is a community library with the 60-year-old building still being useful and beautiful.  In the lunch break, there was an energising and great vibe for the Flamenco dancers and guitarist.  It was a great colourful and rhythmic session that got a few people off their feet for a lunch time dance.  I truly look forward to working with Camden Libraries again in the next few months and hopefully years to come.

I also had an invitation for our British Library team to present and help support businesses at the Festival of Upholstery in Sandhurst.  It was a little further than my normal route, so I was able to spend one night and two days at the festival with a hotel overnight stay.  Sandhurst is world famous as a military academy and grounds is great and wide – especially for those military parades that it is known for. The building inside is a training centre, so there were many rooms for this purpose.  Once inside, it was striking to see all the colonial links especially with India with many pictures and images of Indian soldiers.  I obviously thought of my Indian ancestors.  There were several Gurkhas on the premising and surrounding area too.

The Festival of Upholstery was held in a great hall with other exhibitors in the industry, businesses and interesting furniture, makers and materials.  I loved the prints on display, and there were some more important themes of creativity, restoration and reuse with new and old furniture and the items on display. 

It was great to see a thecutting-board by Erica Jane, that enable someone to do their designs on their dining table.  There was also some interesting materials used for filling the upholstery from horse hair to coconut husks called coya ( it reminded me of old-fashioned mattresses in the Caribbean).  However there was a great discussion on this in relation to sustainability and natural fibres or materials.  I was invited to be on a panel on the first day to discuss how we can support business but it was also great to hear the challenges and stories of upholsters on practical and inspirational advice they wanted to share with attendees – from renting spaces to studios, to switching careers, using social media to gain customers, pricing models, or to choosing materials that will not be wasted. The event had about 800 attendees over two days, and it was interesting speaking to several people on why they were there, how excited they were after doing courses on upholstery or that they just had an interest or business in upholstery.  One of the committee members and tutor mentioned that upholstery started 800 years ago, and it was fascinating to hear how it started with fabrics, cushions, stitching etc for chairs.

There was also a fabulous dinner in the evening with a delicious authentic curry.  It was nice to meet and chat to several of the dinner guests who all had great stories on why they were there.  There was definitely a tribe for those who had careers and family commitments, but now wanted to start something new that has always been a passion.  I also spent time chatting with an upholsterer Amanda from New Jersey, who is one of the few American upholsters, and I learnt a lot about some of the terminology on traditional or modern upholstery.  I also realised that it is a skilful trade that you also have to be physically adept.  I left the Festival of Upholstery feeling happy, welcomed and hoping that these lovely people will go on to make nice things and carry on the art, hobbies and businesses they have.  I hope my colleagues and I can continue to support them in future festivals or for visits to the Library.

Closer to home, I was invited to take part in a Fashion event at the new reopened and renovated Soho Theatre. I was free on that Saturday and was able to meet some local designers.  One of them, Naila, is actually showcased on the British Library’s business page, and I am able to have a good chat with her.  It was good to see a milliner, sustainable fashion designs, patterns and other great items on display.  I didn’t have time to ask my friends to come along but they would have liked it too.  I was able to quickly check out the new restored grand stage, and will certainly try to book a show there in the near future. 

Obviously, I still help run workshops in my local area and therefore meet businesses all the time. I must admit that I have been a bit quiet on the local activities in recent years and that is because my professional life has been a bit too busy, but I hope I can find a better balance so that I enjoy and support more local causes.  For me, being asked to take part in these events enables me to understand various sectors, people and communities better and give me an opportunity to meet people and have some fun too!

Summer Simmer Down

Published on by Seema Rampersad1 Comment

It has been a mainly glorious summer although I have been really busy with my work schedule, and therefore there were some times when I made sure to find a balance to do some interesting things at the weekends and evenings with friends and family.

The first of this was going to the Love Supreme Festival for the day in July. It was great to see some fab acts and newer talent in the fab country side in Glynde.  The weather was cooler than in previous weeks when there have been about four heatwaves. I didn’t camp this time to get the full experience but it was nice to still be there for the day.

The best thing about libraries is that some are in physical spaces in some amazing locations.  One of these is visiting the University of Greenwich campus to visit an ex-colleague and to see their library services.  It was great to see the world-renowned Greenwich campus and surrounding buildings – especially as it was so close to the River Thames.  Believe it or not – this is only the second time that I have been near Greenwich, even though I have seen Greenwich many times from a riverboat. It would be nice to visit there again and look around the Observatory, other historical and social areas.

London always have interesting and great venues to visits, and even though I live here, there is always something new to do or to see.  Friends were visiting in July and therefore we meet up in a warm summer night in a west end theatre for the play ‘Master Builder’ with a fab cast, which included Ewan McGregor.  It was great to have a Thai meal and to walk around the warm evening in busy Soho around 11pm with ice parlours still open.  This is very unusual considering how unpredictable the weather can be in London.

I am usually busy at home or with other tasks after work but one evening I was able to attend a summer social with work colleagues on a barge on Regent’s Canal.  It was a short distance to the office and it was handy to go there before heading home.    It was great to see the plants and be near water in such an urban setting.  We also has some water-colouring painting activities from a guide who gave tips on how to refine my secondary level painting skills. It was a lovely summer evening and it was good to spend time with others where we may not have had time to chat in the office.

I also had a fab catch up with friends near Liverpool Street Station on a Sunday.  It was so good to see Spitalfields Market after many years, to check out the nearby shops and to enjoy a meal in the restaurants close to the train station.  Normally there are a lot of workers having drinks after work around there during the week but at the weekend, it is really quiet and peaceful, especially with little rush of commuting or cars bustling by.  After our lunch, we were able to sit in this near park and enjoy the sunshine with a large open screen and amphitheatre seating around. The bar was closed as it was Sunday but we were also able to have some take-away cocktails and snacks courtesy from Marks and Spencer in one of the open-air parks. It was great to see people having dancing lessons and best of all, it was only a short walk back to Liverpool Street Station to make our way back home.

One interesting event that occurred in the office on one of my busy shifts was the signing and launch of the Netflix film ‘The Thursday Murder Club’.  The casts is made up of some famous actors including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosman and Ben Kingsley.  The auditorium was packed to the brim but it great to see them in real. Another social event at work was a staff-led Library Live event which aimed to showcase talented staff as well as to bring everyone together.  It was great to see talented colleagues who were singers, musicians, arts and creatives.  It took a lot of organising – the commitment and generosity of staff was amazing! I am so pleased to be a small of it and it really showcased how small intentions can have a big positive impact.

As it has been busy at work, sometimes I want to do very little at weekends so that I have some time to relax at my leisure. I also go for short walks and to areas closer. I recently spent a few days in Bedford visiting family and a couple of places I have been meaning to see for a long time.  I went to Olney and it was good to see the little square with shops, the vintage Aston Shop (with Pierce Brosman again!) and one building where John Newton creator of the song ‘Amazing Grace’ lived. There was also a famous pancake shop which was already advertising Pancake Day 2026. There are few more villages around Bedfordshire that I look forward to visiting again in future.

I also went to Althorp House, which was only about 50 minutes away from Bedford.  Obviously, it is famous for being the ancestral home of the Spencer family as in the late Diana, Princess of Wales.  The house is set in simple deer garden which fabulous trees and park with alpacas and black deer on the ground.  It was nice to have a lunch in what was once the stables and then to make our way into the interior of the house.  As it is still a living home so we were not allowed to take photos of the interior where the art, paintings and furniture was great to see. The Oval Pond where Princess Diana is buried is peaceful and beautifully maintained.  I couldn’t help think of her and wish her everlasting peace in this beautiful spot on Earth. 

The last few days of August, I was back in London.  The weather has been great this year and not going abroad was a conscious decision but hopefully there will be more time to travel next year.  I am able to spend time on my neighbourhood doing interesting things which I have not done for a while – such as attending a disco which was just a few street away.  I also went a little but further to Notting Hill – not for the carnival, but to catch up with friends.  It was interesting to hear my friend say that she used to go shopping there with her parents about fifty years ago.  It probably has changed a lot with trendy restaurants and a more cosmopolitan feel.  I saw the Portobello Market nearby but did not want to get tempted to buy something that I may not need. We had an amazing lunch at the popular restaurant The Canteen, which had a menu based on Italian cuisine.  Although I am married to an Italian – it is still great to try new recipes and flavours.  I would definitely recommend the restaurant if you are in that part of the woods.

So, as we come to the end of summer 2025, I do still wish I was sitting near a beach and enjoying the sunset and sea, but I guess I will have to enjoy it double as much the next time I go away.  It was still nice to spend time doing all of the above and toasting to this summer’s sensations.

Trip to Bonnie Scotland

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I visited Edinburgh about 24 years ago and it was great to see Scotland then when the train trip only cost about £36.00 in advance and the internet had not infiltrated out lives has it has now.  I do have printed photos somewhere but need to see them again one day.  Last time I went we also visited Portobello and Leith but this time was I mainly here for work and some leisure at the weekend.

On my way to the University of Sterling, I stopped at Edinburgh for a while to see the city again. One of the best aspects of going to Edinburgh by train is the coastal views from York to Edinburgh – I was mesmerised by the green of the grass and the blue-grey skies so close to the railway route.  In the distance you can see Holy Island which I still remember from the ‘Lindisfarne Gospel’ held in the British Library. It is also amazing to see the town of Berwick upon tweed as it curves on the same route to Edinburgh.  I would definitely recommend a trip to Edinburgh by trip just for this journey!

 It was great to see the sights of the hilly city with the imposing Edinburgh Castle perched on the hill, the Monument, the gardens and my favourite recollection of the Royal Mile with great shops and architecture.  Princes Street also seemed to have changed from the shops that were once there and the famous Jenner Department store is no longer there. 

There is definitely something magical about the hill and the ability to see views to far out of the city to the sea and rolling country side.  The shops around the Royal Mile features a lot of the things that Scotland is famous for – whisky, cashmere, tartan, shortbread, haggis and many more.

It was great to see the Adam Smith statue and to see the location where the true inspired story of the novel on the Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. There is also the sound of the bagpipes player at various spots in the city and it true resonates across the city. I do like the undulating hills around Edinburgh which enhances the architecture from the various angles you may see it. It great to go back again and unfortunately, I didn’t realised that I was actually quite close to the National Library of Scotland but hopefully I can visit again another time.

I got a short train journey from Edinburgh to Sterling for the Business Librarian’s Conference (BLA) as they celebrated their 50th anniversary.  I was encouraged to go by my ex-colleague who recommended their conferences for their relevance to our work.  The conference was great for getting to know other Business Librarians who are mainly based in academic business schools.  There were a lot of synergies with our library services in a publicly funded business library and we have similar resources and framework for our users.  The challenges and opportunity with artificial intelligence and new developments in the sector were discussed, presented and digested in a conference over three days. Business information suppliers were also in the exhibit hall and they presented their products and services.

Delegates were warmly welcomed and it was good to meet about 70 other delegates from across the country and abroad.  The campus at Sterling was set in beautiful green grounds with surrounding forest, ponds and buildings that were quietly set in this scenic part of Scotland. The facilities, hospitality and library were great to see and I felt that wellbeing benefits ranked highly in this setting. Thanks to the organisers of the BLA conference and I look forward to taking part in future.

Sterling was very green, clean and beautiful with the journey from the train station to the campus at the University of Sterling.  It was nice to see the monument to William Wallace who was the main character in the well-known film Braveheart. Some of the historic aspects of the stories are still around – such as the bridge where the battle occurred.  Also famous for the Sterling Castle from a distance and to also tour the castle at the weekend.  I loved the garden and views of the surround countryside especially on a beautiful sunny day (there was a heatwave in other parts of the UK on this day).  The Castle itself is steeped in Scottish history with its’ most famous resident being Mary Queen of Scots, and a statue of Robert the Bruce in the main entrance.  The castle tour and views are truly worth the visit. I also had dinner with our conference delegates at the Sterling Castle Hotel with a surprise tour of the observatory at the top.  I couldn’t believe it that I saw two observatories in one month! I would definitely recommend a visit to Sterling Castle with its proximity to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

This is exactly what I did once the conference was finished.  I went to Glasgow by train as I had never visited the city.  We also have partnerships with the Mitchell Library for their Business & IP Centre but I had haven’t visit it as yet.  Glasgow was also a bit hilly in parts with the river Clyde running through it.  You can tell that the city had a long history being close to waterways and there seemed to be elaborate Victorian and Glasgow style architecture.  The city was urban and edgy especially on a lively Friday and Saturday night.  There were great areas for restaurants and bars – with the obvious influence of immigrants from Italy with long established restaurants and cafes.  I also visited the Kelvin Grove art museum and was pleased to see the areas which explain the history of the Scottish people that was in my imagination as I saw Scotland.

I couldn’t write about Scotland without mentioning Whisky! I was able to have two whisky tasting sessions and it was an education on the drink and how it developed over hundred if years as direct result of the farms and earlier residents of the country.   It was actually know as priests in the early days as aqua vitae.  The two taking session had a similar format and told the story if the famous drink but one was set in a quaint temper building in Sterling and the other was in Glasgow near the river Clyde and docks. 

I have always wanted to see the wilder rural side of Scotland but knew I didn’t have a lot of time to do so due to other work commitments.  So I booked a trip by mini-bus to see Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and another round trip to Sterling. The Loch was only about 40 minutes outside of Glasgow and I would definitely recommend if you visit Glasgow.  It was so grand and big – it was amazing to take the ferry on the Loch to see in the hills in the distance and the expansiveness of the Loch.  The best part of the mini-bus and boat tour are the audio recordings which told the stories of the Scottish people and the natural beauty of the landscape. The tour also took us to the beautiful secret scenic spot in the Trossachs to see the vista of beginning of the rolling highlands, trees, ferns and heathers. We were taken to see some highland cows that were in a field near a convenience and tourist shop. 

This was only a short trip mixing work and play in Scotland, but would definitely like to see more of the highlands, shores or islands of Scotland. I am so glad that was able to see it again and this time I have some newer memories that I will be talking about for a while to come on Bonnie Scotland!

Key Takeaways from Pittsburgh

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Earlier this year I knew that there was going to be a Special Libraries Association (SLA) Conference in Pittsburgh USA in June, but I thought that I would not go as I had made plans to go to another conference by the Business Librarians Association in Stirling, Scotland.  However, there was news in early March that the SLA had started to make plans for the dissolution of the organization. Obviously, I was sad, worried and deeply moved to see this news as I was their President only a few years ago in 2023, and had only just rolled off the board.  However, I was not totally shocked and thought perhaps it was the best way to deal with some of the challenges the association and in the industry.  I also thought it was likely to be my last chance to say farewell to a professional organisation that I have been part of for over 20 years.  I was also the SLA Awards Chair 2025, took part on the Scholarship Committee and the conference programme was interesting for my professional development, which gave me ample reasons for going this year.   Therefore, I ended up booking my place at the 2025 SLA Conference in Pittsburgh, but it was not close to other cities where I have family, so I didn’t travel anywhere after the conference.

I flew into Pittsburgh late on a Friday night and was ready for the conference the next day.  The city itself seems remote so I was going to be packed with learning, networking and working whilst I was there.  I went for an early morning walk and the architecture looked very brutalist and concrete with large imposing buildings.  However, amongst the campus and the surrounding shopping and office areas, I realised that this was quite a well-planned and designed university city with a focus on education and enlightenment of the people who lived here over the centuries.  Pittsburgh is part of the indigenous Allegheny county and some of this heritage is still recognised in the surrounding areas.  The city was heavily industrialised in the 1800s due to steel works and was known as the steel capital of the world. However, the new civic and university buildings have great emphasis on inspiring and facilitating advancement of its people such as the Cathedral of Learning which was unmissable over the city skyline.  There was also a great public library at Hillman Library and various inspirational aspects to the campus location and its’ multiple buildings.

The conference itself was great for me to meet staff, the current SLA Board, members, scholarship winners (a few from London), old and new acquaintances from SLA.  I was able to hear from the current committee at the open board meeting about their decision making, process and some of the reasoning behind the dissolution plans. SLA members were also informed in May that SLA is likely to propose a merger with ASIST. By this time, I was happy about the finer details from both parties at the conference and how this merger will be a good fit for us to proceed – members on both sides will still need to vote for the merger.  Being at the conference left me more upbeat about the legacy and future entity of SLA and I am looking forward to the possible merger with ASIST in Autumn.  I would advocate for members to vote for the merger.

The conference programme highlights for me was the Opening Keynote by Emily Drabinski  about the challenges facing American libraries and some of the issues that affect us all from banned books to the blocking of tagging or metadata of terms for searching and findability. Emily also spoke of growing up in a small town in Idaho and how it differs in some aspect to a big city.  I also attended many talks on harnessing the power of Generative AI to shared insights on cyberattacks, tips for financial pressures, using data to proving our worth to taking on new leadership roles for multiple terms.  Past President Tara Murray Grove also gave a research presentation on history of the SLA International Conference.  I attended other presentations from SLA Asia to ideas on how to run AI workshops for staff and users.  There were also some great presentations from other specialist library and information professions who worked in business and corporate libraries which were very similar to my current role.  This collective sharing and learning are valuable to me and my personal and professional development, and I am hoping to adopt some of these insights in to my work plans.

There was the usual mix of informal networking and getting to know other new delegates.  I was pleased to meet a board member who only a few years reached out to me as President asking if he can volunteer his time on any committee.  The person was so great, knowledgeable and committed – I was pleased to see that his participation has grown from strength to strength.  It was also nice to say ‘thank you’ in person. Although I have said so online many times.

I also loved the lunch and dinner gathering at the University.  Some of the students were around but generally we were able to mingle and chat in the canteens and halls.  One of the halls had a great library which displayed photos of Princess Grace of Monaco who visited the university. In the canteen, there were student volunteers, and you could see the proud yellow and blue colours of the ‘Pitt’ campus. We also had the SLA Dance Party in one of their ballrooms which seemed to be a space for their own performances and even a ballroom.  I also found that the buildings were well maintained and thought that the students must love using the spaces. The dance party with karaoke and DJ was great fun and helped us to unwind after a couple of busy days and nights. 

I worked a couple of nights into the early morning (as I am doing now) whilst I was in Pittsburgh as I had to get some work completed. Therefore, I had little time to see a lot of the city.  But there were three great activities I did outside to the conference that was fun, and they were:

  • Trip to the Allegheny Observatory – The Physic, Astronomy and Mathematics (PAM) community organized a trip to the Allegheny Observatory and it was educational for me to understand some of the aspects of astronomy and the inspirational stories of industrialist and high society of Pittsburgh and their pursuit for the observatory for science and entertainment.  Our tour guide was amazing and also conduct programmes for young children and other groups.  The library was also spectacular to see and how important it was over the years.
  • The Phipps Conservatory and Botanics Garden – For may last few hours in Pittsburgh, I was able to see the beautiful Phipps Botanic Garden.  The Garden has achieved many awards over the years for sustainability and botany.  There were beautiful areas of the different plant types and displays of animals in their ’Jungle Quest’ which blended in to the planting.  I was so pleased I was able to attend event if it was a couple of hours.
  • Carnegie Museum of Art – Last but not least was the trip to the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library and Museum of Art.  It was great to see some of the world’s best artist in on display as well some of the local history art including an image of Andy Warhol, who is born in Pittsburgh.  There is a Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh but I didn’t get time to visit.  Andrew Carnegie also lived in Pittsburgh and made a fortune in the steel industry there, but it great to see the story of his life displayed and his philanthropy still evidence in the city today. 

I hope this brief recap of my trip to Pittsburgh gives you an idea of how good it is to visit, and it has earned a place in my heart for the obvious appreciation and celebration of learning and education – even if you were just visiting for the day, you can’t miss the buildings and homage to learning.

Peak Time with friends in Europe

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After many years dreaming of fun times like these, I spent the last few weeks with school friends travelling around parts of Europe.  It has not always been easy or accessible when we were younger as we lived far away in the Caribbean, the cost to travel was expensive, and we needed pre-arranged visas etc to travel to some European countries. Our education, work and family lives were also given priority, so dreamy and carefree travel like this was put to the back of our minds.  However, this time has now come for us to explore the world (within reason) and spend quality time together.  This is exactly what I did and I hope you’ll enjoy the recap here of my recent trip.

Getting the Eurostar train from St Pancras to Paris is always a good start and such an easy journey from central London to the heart of Paris. The view of the English and French countryside are great to see from the fast-moving train, especially with the yellow mustard fields.  This time we stayed near the Champ Elysée and Arc du Triumph. This part of Paris is always filled with tourist checking out the shops and landmarks.  It is also one of the best walking spots from the Arc to the Louvre Museum.  You get to see one of the most famous Paris avenues down through the Place de la Concorde and Tuileries.  I remember my first visit and it is still magical to take in the Panorama. The best aspects is also that the weather held up and the rain that we were expecting did not happen. 

Later that evening, we went out for a walk around the Eiffel Tower, a cruise on the river Seine and dinner in a French Brassiere.  The Eiffel Tower looked amazing at sunset and lit up as the night crept in.  The cruise was a musical cruise and it was nice to hear some of the most famous French music whilst on the Seine with the glimmering lights and cool breeze.  We saw some of the Parisian nightlife from persons jogging, cycling and exercising along the river to restaurants and riverside shows for locals and tourists.  Although we spent just over an hour in Paris – it was great to get to see some of the beautiful aspects of the city and I hope I can visit again one day, especially on my way to visit Versailles (which I haven’t seen as yet). A bientot Paris!

Our next stage of our trip to Switzerland was fairly easy to get to from Gare du Lyon to Zurich.  It was great to get the train direct which took just over four hours with a reasonable amount of comfort and amazing views on the way.  Once we got to Zurich, it was great to settle into a nice hotel which was only about 10 minutes from the Lake Zurich which dominated the views with scenic buildings and promenades all along the lake.  Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is known for being the global centre for banking and finance. We had a walk along the lakefront shops and saw some of the other parts mainly whilst we were going to other places but we certainly had two major treats from our base. One was the day trip to Mount Titlis and Lucerne, the other was the Lindt Museum in Central Zurich.

For our trip to Mount Titlis, we asked our hotel to organise the trip with a local tour company and we booked the trip for the next day from the coach park near the main Zurich train station.  We got the coach with a tour guide who gave us insightful and funny stories of Swiss history, culture and facts. It is so worth it to learn about the landscape, people who lived on the land and building of the country from romans to modern Swiss engineering and innovators.  The mountains, valleys, chalets, and natural springs were all fantastic to see.  We went past a few original chalets and many modern homes.  I could help remembering the book ‘Heidi’ which I received as a child from my primary school.  More than anything, I would like to actual spend some time in a chalet and enjoy the views a bit longer should I visit Switzerland again.

When we got to Mount Titlis, I was not nervous but I haven’t for such a long journey on a cable car before – I have only briefly been on one in Sicily in 2019.  We were also not sure how cold it was going to be but in hindsight, it was not very cold at -2degrees.  The cable car was truly spectacular and the ascent was breath-taking.  I was a little nervous but it was not shaking, plus the second part of the journey we also go into the first revolving cable car! The snow-capped Swiss Alps and altitude is an experience, especially for three women from the Caribbean. It was also awesome to see skiers in deep snow so high up the mountains. 

 It was also good to spend time in the shops at the top or to grab a bite if you were hungry. The ice cave was also another bonus to the tip – I have only seen these in images from Scandinavia and it was interesting to go into a glacier – it is making how humans can create these places despite the temperature and altitude!  As an adult, Mount Titlis was brilliant for exploring somewhere I have never been too before it was like a real-life amusement arcade for all the family.  I would certainly recommend it!

We also had an hour in beautiful Lucerne with the lake, good shopping areas and the splendid ancient bridges. One other note is that Rolex is a Swiss brand, and like other clock and watch makers – there are many world-class Swiss watch makers which you can see as you go around the shopping areas. The views around these areas were really interesting to see and apparently in the heart of warmer weather, the bridges and chalets are decorated with beautiful colour geraniums which must be a sight to behold.

The second treat to the Lindt factory was informative, educational and flavoursome!  The museum is easy to get to from central Zurich with many tourists especially there for Good Friday.  It was special being there for the Easter weekend.  The museum was curated with a giant chocolate fountains and tasting areas, the history of chocolate production and a section on the history of Swiss innovators and entrepreneurial businesses.  From Nestle, the Red Cross to Lindt founders – the stories of invention, and business development were showcased and celebrated.  The fact that Swiss engineering, standards and creativity are still respected today was highlighted at the museum (I also thought of the engineering of cable car up the cold and wet Swiss Alps!).  And to top it off – there was a lot of chocolate tasting stations in the Lindt Museum as well as amazing shop with all their flavours and brands. We left Zurich that afternoon but truly appreciative of Swiss culture, natural beauty and ingenuity.  

The final part of our continental journey was a flight to Venice.  I was impressed that when we arrived at Marco Polo airport that we were able to get a water taxi straight to our hotel for only 18 euros compared to other expensive taxi services in other cities.  The last time I went to Venice, I went via bus from Treviso so this really journey really had me in awe that you can go straight from airport to water transport!  Our hotel was in a residential area and really scenic along the waterfront. 

Venice is beautiful and it was great to plan trips to Murano and Burano the next morning.  As we approached the island – the colours of the buildings especially in the Spring sunshine was a feast for the eyes.  Murano is world renown for their glassmaking and our tour included a glass making demonstration.  The glass objects and jewellery on display and for sale were beautiful and hard to resist.  Burano had some great restaurants and piazzas for hanging out for a couple of hours.  There were some nice shops which is also famous for their lacemaking.  I haven’t been to the islands before but it was great to see them on this trip.

The final part of the journey was spent in St Marks Square and near the Doge Palace.  Venice had a high density of tourists so these part were exceptionally beautiful but also there were thousands of tourists.  The next day we also had a walk along the shops to the Rialto Bridge and surrounding areas.  The shops, buildings, waterways, markets and gondolas are great to see in this unique city.  When in Venice – there was a lot of shops to see and the Italian food was also great to savour, in particular the seafood, wine and pasta.  I most likely will visit Venice one day again in the future but for now, it is still such a magical place to see and experience.

We ended up our trip in London and even though I live in the city, it was great to spend time doing new things such as going to the Shard, seeing the show Mamma Mia, visiting some new restaurants and spending lots of time shopping from Oxford Street, Covent Garden, shopping malls to local retail outlets.  We also has fun checking out Borough Market and the Sky Garden in town which some of the best street food and view across the city. 

This time allowed me time to switch off from my busy schedule and spend time with friends whilst seeing more of the world.  Although it took us a long time to do it – it came at the right time for us to enjoy the sights and life in good company with laughs and memories to cherish for the rest of our lives. I truly appreciate and treasure the journey and the peak time spent together.

Restoring the balance – Give me five!

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It is that time again when I am thinking what shall I blog about. I really have not been out much later since the post festive season and a busy time generally.  The weather has not been great too and therefore I am looking forward to Spring! The inspiration for this blog came from my journey on the train to work when I spotted an advert for HelloFresh for restore the balance.  This resonated with me as I was preparing some work about burnout and finding a balance the weeks before.  I think the whole world feels a bit too war torn and bruised and you really have to seek out humanity.  There has been a lot more discussed on making choices that improve and maintain our wellbeing, as well as kindness at the core of what we do.

I will explore five tips to pledge to myself – I can’t promise I will stick to it but it is a note-to-self.  Here goes…

  • Wellbeing and Healthy Living – It will be five years since the pandemic and on a professional aside, there are still significant changes that have not made life easy or straightforward.  I have learnt to look after myself and my wellbeing for over 18 years of constant change that may not have always made me feel settled.  One of the positives of this is that I have gained resilience but I still have to remind myself to stop, take some hours for myself or do something that I enjoy. I would like to spend more time going to a spa or for a massage like some of my female friends, but again it is the time required to do this.  I hope I can put this on my to-do list every day.
  • Exercise – should be at the centre of all our lives and I admire people who set aside time to go for a run, get on their bike, hot the gym or any physical activity that would maintain and improve their quality of life.  I stopped my gym membership over a decade ago but since then I have tried to keep busy by doing Pilates, walking, swimming and cycling. I can still all of these but I need to ensure that I add time in the week, and especially at the weekend to do this. I am looking forward to Spring when I know it will be easier for me to step out and trying some more physical activities.  Hopefully I can fit some of this fresh air and exercise as soon as tomorrow with my first weekend with little planned.
  • Good Nutrition – requires some proactivity and planning. I don’t eat junk food (perhaps only once a week I get a take away) but I have been eating things on the go in the office or getting home later to leftovers which may not be suitable for me to eat.  I do like salads and fresher foods but being in the heart of winter, I gravitate to warm and comfort foods I am married to an Italian – so I have to keep my pasta intake in check as it could be 3-4 a week if we eat the same meals all week. I need to get back to preparing meals at night or as someone pointed out recently, I can get a salad at a discount rate in the staff canteen. At home, I need to ensure that I put my items on the shopping list so that I plan my meals ahead. Wish me luck!
  • Socialising – and spending time with friends is definitely what I do when I have time.  However, I had a busy autumn and cold winter so I have not socialised much lately.  I am pleased to get texts from my friends in the last couple of days for us to meet up.  I have also arrange a meet up with my close friend in the next couple of weeks.  My school friends from the Caribbean are also visiting me in Spring and with a couple of trips planned. So I have no excuse but to organise some fun, entertaining and even sightseeing. Spending quality time with family and friends so boost our moods (I know not all the time). There is only limited time on this earth and I am counting my blessings all the time.
  • Celebrate the small stuff – as I mentioned above, there is a whole lot of craziness going on in the world.  I literally have to zone-out from terrible things that we see in the news and it has changed for the worst in recent years.  It is not that I am a realist. Instead I am reminding myself of beauty, joy, kindness and love. I reminds me when there were other tube posters with ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ which I loved. I am not very so active in community events at present but the best part of kindness helps me think of the role models I have and the way they may have done something because it needed to be done, given or shared.  Kindness is also natural and ingrained where you may not have even had time to think of a reaction.  So it really to build in this inner compass to help you when times are tough.  I am especially pleased to see that this is talked about a lot more in leadership styles and it is safe to show compassion, manners and good old fashion principles.

So these are notes to myself and they seem sensible and not too difficult to follow. Hopefully I am setting up myself to succeed and hopefully my life would be a little but richer because of this list.  Wish me luck!

Public Libraries – the story continues

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I have not spent a lot of time doing social and fun things since my summer holidays and therefore I have a lot more to say on libraries and the work I have been doing lately.

This month though I have been energised and as enthusiastic as usual. I was invited to attend the Camden Libraries Staff Conference.  The conference had a programme of interesting and motivational work by teams and staff on the work that they do with their various branches across the borough.  The day started with an icebreaking team working game for us to build a structure our of paper cups that would be judged to be the highest. I haven’t been to large team building days recently but it certainly was good as an icebreaker to get to know people better.  We also had Head of Camden Libraries, Fiona Tarn, address staff and guest at the conference on her purpose for the work that she does.  This truly was inspirational to me as I have tried to use the same angle of the ‘why’ are you working in libraries. Sometime you have people who work in libraries because it is a job, for others it is a lifetime of work or purpose for their goals to help as much as we can in our roles in libraries …physical or virtual.  Therefore, I have since mentioned this a few times to my library world contacts and colleagues. 

Another beneficial aspect at this conference was to see all variety of library services and the community outreach that are provided by Camden Libraries.  We heard staff mentioned story times with children, children’s library, launch their reading strategy, start businesses, poetry bus for elderly adults, podcast and radio station, music service and not forgetting their physical spaces, collection and archives. I was again inspired by their story teller on the ‘Libraryverse’ especially from an enquires point of view on the typical questions and answers provided to customers by their staff. We were treated to live Asian music during the lunch break.

We were treated to a tour of their archives at the Swiss Cottage Library. There was also a piano in the main entrance as well as a beautifully built 1960s building in the shape of book ends! I prepared and ran a workshop on collaboration with their staff who were welcoming and great throughout the day.  The library was closed for the training but it was nice to see a lady bringing her young child after school to use the space – it was good to know that on a normal day – this would have been a part of their routine.

And as part of my normal work, I visit other libraries to deliver business and IP workshops with my colleagues.  I have been several times recently to Catford Library which is open planned in a shopping centre. There are always curated books on display and it does make you want to set aside time to read the books showcased. In my business workshop, the Catford Library staff mentioned that their library card gives you access to eBooks, magazines, newspapers, and other resource via their Libby App and Press Reader.  That very night I was excited to look at some of my favourite magazines and newspapers available to view on my own devices.  I haven’t borrowed any eBooks from my local library, who runs the same scheme, but once I get more time – I am looking forward to reading more with new found resources from local public libraries.

I sometime have to get up earlier than usual to visit libraries for work. Last week was my first trip to Putney Library for a business workshop.  It was good to see their layout and customers who were using the space for working too.  There was another Black History Month displace with a safari African theme which beautiful art objects displayed on the wall.  Nowadays, libraries are really multifunctional for meeting places, reading as well as keeping customers informed on important information on topics or community news.  Putney Library also had a café in the main reception area despite being close to other shops on the high street. 

I am likely to be inspired by more libraries in future but everyday there is something about the physical spaces that make me proud to be in this profession.  I recently heard and saw some amazing singing for the opening of the ‘Medieval Women in their own words’ exhibition but I am still to see it and I look forward to the guided tour with the curators.  I also get to go behind the scenes to basement areas to say hello and support staff on Saturdays and some evenings. It was nice to see the seasonal things that happens by our own staff members.  These include puzzle in the staff downtime areas, free library and decorations for day of the dead (it gets better for Christmas!).  We recently met informally to make time to meet each other for a chat and catch up.  I strongly believe in good team spirit and working having worked in good teams in the past.  Although I no longer work with a lot of people – I do appreciate they precious time we spent together as colleagues, and some are also now lifelong friends. 

I thank you for bearing with me whilst I write again about libraries and information professional, but hopefully I will find have some social activities and good old fashion fun to share with you soon.  Who knows, some of this fun may include time at a library or museum.  Public libraries are always at threat of cuts or are sometime misunderstood.  Hopefully you can also find the time to visit your local public library and would be surprise on how they have changed in recent times.  We also need all of you to continue to support libraries and make sure that are users and here to stay.

My Italian holiday – a escape worth waiting for

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In depths of the pandemic, I thought of nice places I would like to be when we get back to normal.  One place on top of my list was a trip for a summer holiday to Italy! I still have buckets full of places I would like to visit in Italy. I know I have just returned from the USA but that was partly professional travelling and development, with some time spent with family in relaxing Boston – it didn’t feel too overwhelming, urban and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The last couple of weeks spent in Italy was different for me as I did not take any work with me, and it was a holiday.  It was slightly different too as it was mainly my husband and I, as we do often go away with family in the past. So here is a recap on how I relaxed and thankfully it all went very smoothly.

My husband is Italian and had visited Ischia before in the 1980s but I have never been and was looking forward to it. I booked the trip in early Spring so I knew I had something to look forward to even though I have been ‘burning the midnight oil’ with professional commitments. Getting to Ischia was fairly straightforward from flight to airport in Naples then to the port to catch the ferry to the island.  From door to hotel, it took about 12 hours but it was good to enjoy the ferry and sights on the way there.  It was spectacular to see the Bay of Naples as the ferry left the port with the city buildings covering the hillside, and to the right you can see the volcano Vesuvius in all its magnificence. As we left the bay of Naples, there are a few islands to spot, such as Procida, before we got to Ischia’s port.  The ferry trip like I had started my holiday already with the trip past the islands.  One aspects I must mention is the colour of the blue skies and the Mediterranean Sea were beautifully blended to a bright blue canvas and it truly was a vision to behold!

We stayed in a great hotel about 20 minutes from the Port of Ischia and even the taxi ride had me excited as I saw the shops, cafes and places to enjoy great Italian cuisine on the way to the hotel.  The floral promenades and typically Italian island streets made we so happy as I knew I can truly take it ease and gear down to slower pace whilst on holiday.  I had no choice to take it easy as it was a lot warmer than London and you literally have to have a rest if you are not working as it is too hot to spend time out in the heat of an Italian summer.

From the first evening, the views across the sea and the nearby hills were amazing.  The food was great as usual and it was amazing to savour the local ingredients that definitely tastes better in Italy. It was great to have lots of seafood, regional mozzarella, ice cream and pasta obviously.  The nights were cooler for a pre and post dinner or passagiata as the Italians call it. At times it felt like we were straight out of our film set with local children splashing around in the water whilst a few hundred metres away, diners were have meals on the seafront whilst the sun was setting.  There was a nice walk after the restaurants to the Aragonese Castle or to the Port at night. 

During the day, we mainly stayed around the pool as all the beach clubs were mainly booked in advanced.  In the afternoon we went to the parts of the beach that were free for you to pitch your own spot.  It was great to be around local or holiday makers.  We did venture out on a local bus to Moronti Beach, which one of the island’s largest beaches.  It was close to the picturesque Sant’Angelo area and beach.  The volcanic beach sand was so hot, you had make sure you wore your beach shoes as I am sure you could burn the sole of your feet.  The beach itself was beautiful and was inspired seeing so many people swimming and making the most of the good weather, sunshine and warm water.  The bus was not expensive at all but it was a small bus as the streets leading to the beach were sometimes very narrow.  I realised then that I probably won’t drive on the island even if I had planned to.

Ferragosto is a holiday that is celebrated annually on the 15th August and I was looking forward to see how it would be whilst on the island.  We spent the day around the pool and beach but in the evening, we booked into our hotel’s rooftop restaurant for a special taster menu for the celebration.  Whilst there was a DJ and great ambience and amazing views, we could also here the service from the nearest church and the choir singing.  It truly was a special way to spent the night and close to midnight there were fireworks around certain parts of the island. 

For the next couple of days, we mainly relaxed, went for walks and the hardest decision was where we should go to eat that evening.  All in all, I loved Ischia and would to visit again in future years.  I still have some other part in my list to see.  The hotel was very friendly, welcoming, and we felt really relaxed and rested.  I would certainly recommend you visit the island if you have already been to mainland Italy.

Our adventure, as my husband called it, continued to the mainland.  We got the ferry back to Naples and then took a train from Naples to the little hillside village on our next stop for a few days.  We stay with some family who were also on holiday in the Campania region but the Salerno Province of Italy. The location was so stunning with views from the hills overlooking the coast along the Mediterranean Sea.  It was relaxing to sit and admire the view.  The first two nights were stormy with a lightening show in the sky and over the sea but during the day it was sunny and hot. 

We spent some time around the little village where other were also holidaying and it was nice to see the typical narrow roads and hillside architecture.  It really was a coffee culture in the morning and evenings and a great way to get to meet everyone.  In the day we also spent some time at Acciarolli beach – it was great and it reminded me of Maracas – a beautiful beach with similar waves in Trinidad.  It was good to spend time chatting and enjoying the seaside.  The beach clubs were useful if you wanted a cold drink, snack or to use the toilet. They also played music which created a nice beach vibe.  I am grateful to our relatives who invited us to this beautiful part of the country and for their hospitality and kindness during this time.

This was exactly the type of holiday I was looking for – where I can just enjoy the views, local delights, rest and relax.  I did have a few days in London before I went back to work. I felt so relaxed – I didn’t look at my email until the night before I return to work. When I think back to the lockdown days – I am pleased I had this holiday. I have also since heard my husband say that it was a “really good holiday” and we had an amazing time.  I totally agree with him and I look forward to another time when we visit another beautiful part of Italy.

Campus to Cape Cod – a trip to New England

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The SLA Conference 2024 was arranged in the University of Rhode Island as it was the perfect venue for us to find a location on the East coast of the USA to host a conference within our budget and for the right size for this year.  It was also the 115th anniversary of SLA and I was looking forward to attending as a member of the SLA Conference Committee 2024.

I flew into Boston a couple of days before the start as unable to fly directly to Rhode Island. Boston has always been on my consciousness having friends and family there.  It was in a middle of a heatwave when I arrived and it was great to see a very big and modern looking city.  Having spent one night there, I made my way by Amtrack train to the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. I was unsure about booking my tickets initially but it all went smoothly in the end and the cost was very reasonable.  I got a non-stop train and paid $20.00US extra for business class to be sure that was a reservation to get me there in time.  There were several trains and it was not an issue in getting there.

Arriving at the University of Rhode Island was quieter than I have been before – there were some corn fields and forest close by with a campus spread out with several buildings close by.  It was great to see the wildflowers and planting in the grounds as well as the various campus buildings from the Library, Business School, Multicultural Centre, and many more that we were to use for the next few days.  I saw about five groundhogs and deer on my first few hours around the campus.  Obviously, it was very quiet those few days as it is the summer break but it was great to meet SLA staff, friends and colleagues who I have been working with over the last few years.  I also stayed in the dorms for the student experience, vicinity to the conference locations as well as the cost was affordable.

My obligations as Past President for SLA meant that I had a Board Meeting on the first day and I was as enthusiastic and grateful as ever on how far we have come and how we have all worked extra hard with our Association Management Company to get to this point in record time.  I was pleased to see staff and leaders who work behind the scenes and to meet my fellow board members.  I absolutely do not take this for granted! I feel privileged to be given this opportunity for the last three years plus my time with SLA Europe.  I am just basically ecstatic that we are doing much better and we can celebrate with members, partners and guest in this learning environment in such a special location.  Obviously, we did serious work of strategic planning and building better relationships for the best of SLA for us to last hopefully a long time in future.

I was truly proud that we were organised a programme in such a short space of time and it definitely felt like we were on the right track to give our conference delegates some great insights, knowledge, experience and take-aways. The SLA conference opening and closing keynote speaker was Brian Pichman who gave a motivational and informative keynote on Artificial Intelligence for Libraries and information professionals.  Brian was very cool and genuinely highlighted the current landscape, new technologies pros and cons, and the value of our professional role in this paradigm.  It was great to be in the lecture hall and although the seating was very steep – it was nice to see the 300 plus delegates in one space.  For the next three days, I attended several talks on Generative AI, Information Literary, News Gathering, Leadership and Career Development, technical standards (e.g. engineering standards by British Standards Institute).  We were really happy to have a full exhibition hall and for our partners to full up the exhibition spaces.  We have received great feedback from our exhibitors and partners, and we thank them for being with us in 2024!

It was not all work…there were many social moments to meet other international professionals from our dorms meeting, international 115th anniversary reception, a quiet chat in the gardens, a bar trip to the hotel venues, to dinner in the University’s dining halls and the famous SLA Dance Party in the ballroom.  I haven’t lived in the USA but being in this setting was great for my reality check on the many American school ballrooms movies I have seen in the past. Of course, I loved this part of the conference and it made me happy meeting people and the informal conversations we had.  I do feel it is a special time and I will cherish these memories with nice people at the conference. I also have time to meet some British contacts. I look forward to our future endeavours in person or online.

After the conference goodbyes, I was picked up by cousin to spend time with her family just outside Boston.  It was great to see more of the countryside in this region, and to have her as a local guide for all the interesting sights, cultural and local knowledge that she was able to share with me.  I obviously love the New England side houses and gardens – I never got bored of looking at the various designs and flowers, especially at this time of year when everything was in bloom.  We went to Hyannis on Cape Cod where we drove very close to the area where the Kennedy family estates are on the ‘Cape’.  It did make me curious to how they would have spent their time in the beautiful part of the country.  It was interesting to read on why the Kennedy family have homes there and the glamour they brought to the area.  The beaches were also nice – not too built up but relaxing, clean and warm.  I would certainly recommend going to there and it really had a good holiday vibe with shops and restaurants not far from the coast.

The same day, we also drove to Plymouth which has great significance to the early English Puritan settlers to the region.  Ironically, I also learnt about this history when I was in primary school in Trinidad and Tobago (I did go to a private primary school with British and International expats at the time).  I remember the visual images like the ones I have shared her and it is hard not to remember the story of the ship Mayflower which took these settlers to America. Plymouth has a famous rock which residents are proud of (as my Plymouth-Trinidadian secondary classmate point out). The story of the indigenous tribe and their relationship and coming together with the settlers is now one of the most endearing stories of the American story. The food on my visit was really good as most of the time I was a guest and it good for people to recommend things to me.  The region was famous for lobster, chowder and local specialities and they all takes great.  Even the ice cream had nice flavours and as it was so hot – it was good to try them.

Back in Boston, we spent a day in the city and it was a really contrast to the countryside.  There was a lot of modern skyscrapers, but more relatively old and historic buildings for New England.  We walked in the Haymarket Part of the city which had a very European design to the buildings and we also did a Duck tour on the city streets and on the river in Boston.  It was great to have the tour guide and hear about the history of the city and the buildings in Boston – I do recommend it and it was good to for seeing as much as you can if you time is short.

We also went to Cambridge to see MIT and the Harvard Campuses.  I used to order publications from Harvard Business School Press and even now, the Harvard Business Review is popular with British Library users. The campus, history and architecture were truly amazing to see and the area has a general buzz for those visiting even if there were no classes on for the summer. I know you can book official tours if you want to see more but I am certainly pleased to visit the campus – even if it was only once in my life.

On my last day in Boston, it was recommend that I visit Salem, and it was nice of my family to take me there before we went to the airport. I didn’t know much about Salem but it is a residential and tourist area attraction for the story of the Witch allegations and executions on the 1692.  It was a Saturday afternoon and there were lively activities, ghost tours and several museums to visit if you want to do more.  I am still a bit busy but it would be nice to read more about the Salem Witch Trials and the wider history of the new England region.  They certainly have several places with the names of English towns!

I only had a few days in Boston due to work and family commitments but I certainly like Boston and Rhode Island.  Driving around the region was good and perhaps I can visit again another time to spend more time seeing the beautiful architecture, history and gardens in this part of the world.