Shallow Pockets Brimming with The Life Malaysian

I miss city life. I miss the buzz. I miss the eccentric inhabitants. I miss the tall buildings and the lights and the smells and the haunting balance between proximity and ambiguity.
I miss city life.

Adam and I went into Manchester last night and I finally had the chance to veer away from the touristy shopping district and away from the clubs and the nightlife and truly see a little glimpse of the city itself, in the daylight, vulnerable and uncostumed. There was a festival going on along the canal and they were featuring a "float-in movie" along the water. We honestly had no idea what to expect- the event link Adam found was a bit cryptic to be honest- but wow was it lovely. Something only a city would host on a Thursday night, the location peppered with college students and hip couples and urban families. It was so alive. I felt so alive.

On the way over from the train station I got to see the locks in action for the first time. I was wide-eyed watching the first boat enter and park but my eyes all but popped out of my head when a second barge pulled in! Such a skinny, skinny entrance with two larger than life vessels... it looked like it was going to be a mess of torn wood and broken rudders but the skill of the drivers! Effortlessly the boats glided in beside one another and patiently waited for the water level to rise. It was incredible! I see them parked all the time but I think this may be the first time I've ever watched them in action.

After a bit of wandering, and some pride swallowing to ask for directions, we made it to the 'theatre'. The set up was so well done! A little red carpet for the aisle with benches and lawn chairs facing the screen [the back wall of a parking deck], and AstroTurf for late-comers and beanbag-chair-bringers. It was very hipster-picnic-chic.

 
It was catered as well! But not your regular, run of the mill movie-goer food. There was a tent set up featuring a local Malaysian restaurant. The food and drink choice was a bit limited but it was undeniably delicious. Adam and I scarfed everything down in mere moments and it took every restraint to not go back for seconds, thirds, fourths... They did not have any desserts, which was good for my waistline and lack of self control, but they did have kegs upon kegs of Stella. Brits really like Stella... haven't figured it out but there are worse beers out there, I suppose.

No idea what it's called... couldn't pronounce it. But YUM all the same.

The only downside was that the restrooms were a trek away... but the view was worth it. There was this very cool photo-collage wall along one of the streets that the Manchester University art students put on for a project. Also- just look at the movie set-up from this angle. See what I mean? Cities. Wonderful.

 

Alright, to be honest... the screen size was a bit disappointing for the size of the wall, haha. But it was still nice. There had been a contest to decide which movie would be shown, some Twitter-based battle between Finding Nemo, The Life Aquatic and Jaws. All very different movies, all very different audience members.

The winner ended up being The Life Aquatic. Adam was hoping for a little Nemo but I've heard such good things about Aquatic... I was kind of excited about the outcome. It did seem to have the potential of being a really good movie but... we were idiots that forgot our coats and man does it get nippy when the sun dips away! We ended up abandoning the film halfway through to find bathrooms, warmth and pool.

 Europe has so much more street art... I love it. I love that graffiti artists are just that- artists. No gang tags, no vandalism- just beautiful pieces to pause and consider. I thought the painting of this woman was absolutely possessing.

Adam and I may have had a miserable, miserable showing for pool skills but look at the happy surprise! Home[ish]! Oh Georgia, no need to remind me. I miss you enough.

City. City. City. More Manchester nights, please&thankyou.