Having spent a weekend selling books at a Living History event, and reading the newspapers when trade was quiet, my mind has been a jumble of significant historical events and Princess Diana. I still remember where I was when I heard - standing in a towel on my doorstep as my partner of the time arrived and relayed the news in incredulous tones. I’m sure many others do too.
This got me thinking about other notable where were yous, and how much they defined society at the time. JFK. 9/11. Man on the Moon. The end of WWII. What a day that must have been. One of joy, relief, regret, remembrance. The world caught up in a time of change.
The words ‘time machine’ probably conjure up different things to different SciFi fans. For most these days I expect it’s Doctor Who. Being able to travel back in time to any period of history intrigues and mystifies me. I mean, if you could go anywhere, where would you go? Where would you start?
Going forward in time is perhaps an easier task. Maybe only a few weeks - if not only to find out the lottery numbers. (Call me a charlatan, but I’m not sure I want to fast forward 50 years the rate we’re going.)
But going back in time, there are so many things I’d love to experience, witness. Perhaps I should make a list. Give myself boundaries and encourage others to make their own.
1) The building of the pyramids, Egypt. When travelling there a couple of years ago, I was amazed not only by the unequivocal beauty of what I had seen, but the sheer capacity of mankind in the face of adversity. I mean, these people made pillars as wide as Olympic swimming pools.
2) The first journey of the Orient Express - imagine being able to see such landscapes in such luxury. The wonders, the excitement, the hustle and bustle.
3) The discovery of America, with Christopher Columbus. Aside from the Great Potato Discovery, of course, to have travelled so far, and to see this new land on the horizon…
4) The age of the Samurai - Japan during this time and the men who governed and fought for their country intrigue and in many ways inspire me. The castles, the gardens, the armour, the customs. Such devotion and dedication is perhaps unequalled.
5) London, the 1920s. The lifestyle, the style. Decadence and delight.
6) Notable mention - The Brat Pack years. Sinatra, Martin. Vegas, New York. Could anyone be any cooler than Ol’ Blue Eyes?
Of course, beyond these wonderful worlds of adventure, there is one time and place I’d give anything to go back to. Nepal, 1998. The best two weeks of my life. Hiking through the Himalayas with my late father. Sometimes there’s just nothing better than family and a great view.
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OK, I'm just adding in my main one: I would give my arm to live in Rome, 50BC to about 14AD (OK I'd have to live to a ripe old age by their standards, and avoid the regular riots, illnesses, proscriptions etc, perhaps tricky with my luck, but I'd give it a go). How amazing to see what actually happened at the end of the Republic, knowing how it is remembered and discussed 2,000 years later. To hear Cicero orate, Pompey, Caesar, Clodius, Octavian, Livia...aaaah, what a (dangerous but enthralling) time. (Also might then pop to Roman Jerusalem towards the end of that period and hope to survive a few more years... or is that two requests?)
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