I expect you to recognise this pattern on the left if you live in London and take Central Line everyday. This is probably what you would be gazing at when you are commuting on the tube. Or maybe not if you take the tube when it's really busy as this would be hidden from your view.
I'd never noticed it until last Thursday when I took Central Line. It was about 11 o'clock in the morning and the carriage was fairly empty. My journey isn't usually that long, so I listen to some music instead of reading a book. That morning I forgot to take my iPod with me, so I was...doing nothing. Then I suddenly noticed this Christmassy pattern on the seat.
I first thought London Underground had managed to organise themselves (for a change) to re-upholster their tube seats into something seasonal - some candle light and fir trees. But then when I kept on looking at it very carefully I realised that the pattern is vaguely familiar. Yes, it's featuring London tourist sights.
When something (normally meaningless trivia) gets into my head, I have to know what it exactly is (but not in great depth). After I got home I googled 'new tube seat London' and there it is on BBC website! I'll leave it up to you to investigate the story, but it was apparently designed by a two-woman design company called WallaceSewell and they designed London iconic structures into patterns. I think the design is quite sweet :) but I have a feeling that it would soon be trashed with chewing gum and some other food people eat on the tube...
Talking of which, have you ever eaten Kimchi before? It's a sort of Korean pickled vegetable. It's garlicky and very very hot, as you can see from the red hot chilli colour in the picture above. My son and I love it, though. The only problem is that it's using raw garlic and it's pungent. It would be unethical to eat it if you have a social engagement afterwards.
Ingredients (for 1-2 people):
50g (or more, if you like) Kimchi, roughly chopped
1 to 2 portions of cooked rice
a couple of spring onions, thinly sliced
2 to 4 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
Put your wok or non-stick frying pan on high heat. Pour the oil in the pan and add chopped spring onion. Add Kimchi. Stir around a bit and add the rice. Mix everything very quickly, dribble some soy sauce, and season to taste. Enjoy with some cold beer :)
Another Korean spicy rice dish: Bibinba
