Londinium.
a travel documentary written by Odón Nicolau, with observations on his first trip to London in 2023.
published on February 3, 2025
1. “strolling to the airplane”
wearing Kenzo long coat, red Margiela shoes, black pants
I had to wake up at 3 AM in order to board this flight from Barcelona to London.
Went through a few anxious concerns, related to the baggage, specifically because my duffle bag (brown leather) is clearly of greater dimensions than the ones corresponding.
2. “the air hostess looks amazing”
she has a slavic expression and a youthful complexion
my outfit selection consists of white button-up shirts, three of them, full of acrylic paint to be specific.
two black trousers, one plain and the other painted.
two coats, one is long and grey, the other one is short and heavy in beige cotton.
a pair of Margiela replica sneakers.
3. “boarding has begun”
I’ve been seated in the middle chair, which I dislike but don’t care
it’s unbelievably great, the fact that I’m staying with a person whom I haven’t met before.
she just asked, in some anticipated manner, whether she could make the bed for me.
in fact, I’m quite tired, having slept only 3 hours. so that’s lovely.
4. “pilots deserve our trust”
only a few minutes left before we land in London, a new, marvelous chapter awaits.
a rough landing, lots of winds, but thankfully we made it.
I played music, slept, and went through a photography collection during the flight.
interestingly, I also spoke to the air hostess, the amazing-looking one, her name is Gabriela.
5. “adore the ever-growing nature”
there’s an air of friendliness in this train headed towards Victoria station.
I’m impressed by the green landscapes, some very ancient trees thrive in this dense urban forest.
funny enough, I sat in the train’s 1st class area, obviously by mistake, the type of mistake I allow myself to commit for being my first time here.
6. “sighting of forest bugs”
wow!! this city is ultra rich.
people, architecture, shapes, services, a maze of human-made beauty, as well as ugliness.
I expressed gratitude as I took the bus to Dalston, the town I’ll be staying in this time.
7. “the imagination of Duchamp”
came to visit the tate modern, first thing on my mind, culture.
impressive artworks in exhibition, from some of my favorites like Miró and Man Ray.
the museum is huuuge, so huge that I managed to sneak into a sold out, yayoi kusama show, unnoticeably.
8. “the perfect fashion exhibit”
about to close my day for a well-deserved evening of rest.
I’m considering the option of adopting a frutarian diet for the ten days in London.
nevertherless, there’s also amazing vegan food options, so I feel tempted to try them out.
my designs have caused some flattering interactions at tate.
9. “the universe is our link”
feeling an extraordinary sense of connection with the environment at the house I’m staying.
the people are amazingly gifted and purposeful in their lives.
Anca, the woman I’m staying with is such an inspiring figure. we spent the evening revealing personal truths to each other.
I already feel especially, and eternally grateful for being here.
10. “nature is instinctively freeing”
meeting the infamous Oto cafe which, interestingly is a short walk from the house. the place breeds creativity, there’s a subtle melody flowing in the space.
I’m having a Japanese tea, it’s called yame genmaicha, tastes like the place, earthy and subtle.
Anca freed a pigeon that was stuck on the cafe’s vitrine, and it left a feather behind, which she caught midair.
11. “illuminated by the motherland”
memories are everlasting, the relics of our past a perpetual light on the conscience of the present.
in fact our intemporal souls preserve the unchangeable truths of our existential origin.
the alkebulani identity is forever imbedded in my glorious creative actuations, forever illuminating the innate language of my soul, the dance of my breath.
12. “we are what’s left of us”
we’re watching a film exhibit from Julianknxx at the barbican centre.
he’s illustrating and expressing in very memorable ways, the creative powers, sentimental experience, and futurist vision of the modern Alkebulani people.
despite the resonating sorrowful tone, which I feel deeply, I appreciate the experience for it’s spiritually expanding motive.
13. “Óm”
y si la vida fuese eterna?
como el planeta que nos nace cada mañana.
como la sal, que se forma en millones de años, y se consume en momentos de placer instantáneo.
que hace que la vida perdure en nuestras manos?
el paradigma de vivir en un estado de renovación, transformación y renacimiento.
14. “time is running out”
the nighttime in London is a wonderful maze of vibrant, youthful, and in parallel insightful for the knowledge seeker.
it’s 8PM we’ve attended a showcase discussion of environment-conscious watchmakers, they’re into hempseed so I loved it.
now we’re at a loud and delicious food market called the boxpark, a literal box.
15. “coffee is the new black”
today’s been a more integrating day. I’m at the somerset house, a grandiose place with a culturally stimulating history.the exhibitions in display are related to modern alkebulani artists and designers.
witnessed some extraordinary visual work, renvindicating femininity, coffee beauty and power equanimity.
the staff lady was amazingly appreciative of my designs.
16. “beauty can be made timeproof”
at last, visiting the British museum where humanity’s wealth is found concentrated to a degree of worldly extinction.
it’s the nighttime and the lower floor, where alkebulani art is exhibited, is closed. I’ll return prepared to study it in great depth.
for now, I’ll pay my respect to the Enlightenment’s era of creation.
17. “nature dances in the city”
it’s Sunday and I’m seated on one of the most impressive public seats I’ve seen, made out of a raw tree trunk. there’s a poem inscribed on it.
the incessant waters of the thames river flow in front of me, and I’m reminded of a how the sun energises me.
yet to adapt to the new weather.
18. “dreams reflect the vision of freedom”
I’m aware that ever since arriving in London, I’ve been experiencing a different quality of dreams, the type of oniric, lucid trips that reveal dozens of realities and fantasies residing within my subconscious universe.
I perceive this as an indication of how restful my sleep’s been in this spiritually appeasing room.
this is the first I’m writing in the morning to document my experience in bed.
19. “protection harms humanity”
surrounded by the relics of Alkebulan, a dense and grounding visual experience, with an undertone of hideous secrecy.
these works represent to me, the genesis of an expressive past that’s been unequivocally suppressed from flourishing.
this vision, manifested in shapes, colours, and themes shall eternally be preserved and exposed to the sun.
20, “view of the divine”
the epiphany of creation (art) is impact.
cultural, emotional, social.
the eyes extinct from humane observation cause the onlooker to succumb away from the divine nature of our world.
21. “clothes can solidify”
my perception of how the smallest of choices in regards to what goes inside our bodies and the people with whom we associate can significantly affect the underlying morals and intuitive costumes is expanded.
there’s a fine blend of geniality and madness here.
22. in life, we rejoice”
out of all the masters, Picasso has got the answers. an incessant child-like pursuit for the realest state of spirit, love.
love for the expressive uncertainty that provokes enormous leaps of imagination and intuition within the all-accepting heart of the artist.