Thursday, 18 September 2008

Summer #1 - London before Pakistan and China

I had about 8 hours in London before flying out to Islamabad and Jen flew in from Berlin to meet me and show me around - Jen, that was so, so good.

We went to see the ancient manuscripts collection of the British Library - I was a pretty happy guy. The highlight of that for me was seeing Codex Leningradensis, the manuscript which the Hebrew Bible I read psalms out of is based on.












Jen took me to a gallery to see the "Life Before Death" collection - pictures of people in a care home in Germany (I think) before their deaths and immediately after. Each photo was crystal clear, about 3 feet by 3 feet, and mounted on a white background. We just drifted and stared and pondered - to say we were deeply moved seems too cliche for what it was like. It was a profound way of meditating on death, and of course on how we live in light of that reality.

We had a yummy meal (smoked salmon on a salad of greens for me, and apple cider) in one of the tube stations, and then it was time for goodbye. Love ya, Jen!

4 comments:

Valerie Ruth said...

Wow - i had no idea you went to the life before death thing. it sounds incredibly sacred.

Anonymous said...

I loved spending that time with you Dave, it was very special. My memories of being with you in London seem sort of like a dream now! The intensity of seeing that life/death exhibition made it all the more vivid. ejn

Anonymous said...

Did you know that 'ejn' is 'jen' -- she tells me she writes it that way when she's tired!
Beautiful pictures -- that exhibition sounds like quite something! love MOM

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you packed a lot in during your day in London! We're hoping to get to the British Library sometime while we're here, because of your recommendation, but we haven't made it yet. It sounds really fascinating.