I should perhaps mention that I have in fact visited this city before – on a number of occasions.
Manchester University continues to host the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) service. This is a technique which can give information about the location of electrons on molecules, and one I used extensively during the time I worked for the University of Edinburgh.
I used to arrive in this city by train on a Sunday, and work Monday-Friday at the service, spending my evenings on “Curry Mile”, sampling the culinary delights of the area. To give an idea of time, I remember seeing the first of the “Star Trek” “reboot” movies, at the IMAX cinema. That dates my visit to 2009, possibly the last one I made here before my contract ended.
I have very fond memories of this city during those times, and in fact it may well have been the beginning of the sense of freedom I enjoy now when I make my solo visits to all of these interesting places.
This all being the case, I took a light breakfast at a cafe next to Oxford Road Station, before heading south on foot in the direction of said “Curry Mile” and the university buildings. There I found it was graduation day, and there was a large screen showing the graduation to anyone with the bravery to sit outside in the rain. I watched for a few minutes as young people in their early 20s – “prime of life” took the stage as proud parents, carers, and family members applauded. One chose to make a statement by unfurling a large Palestinian flag with the slogan “No Class of 2024 in Gaza” on it, as they walked back to their seat. The cheer from the crowd was very noticeable and indicated significant agreement with the sentiment.
Given the rain, it made sense to seek indoor entertainment, so I made my way to Manchester Museum, a little further down Oxford Road. There I enjoyed a number of galleries, the highlight for me being one about the South Asian diaspora, and their culture. They are a large community here in Manchester, with a history connecting back to the British Empire, and the partition of India in 1947. The scars of this painful history are still very much felt, and seen today. The gallery explored music, art, and history, and I felt I learnt a lot.
I tend to be less interested in the traditional museum artefacts of pots, skeletons, and stuffed animals, but I was pleased to see that that a lot of thought had gone in to the presentation of these objects. I felt it was recognised that their inclusion and retention in museums such as this is potentially controversial in the modern world.
Unusually, there was a gallery of live animals – namely frogs, and lizards as part of a breeding and conservation effort in the University. Anyhow who knows me, will know that these are my favourite animals so I very much enjoyed playing “spot the yellow frog” in the midst of all greenery, and water in their various tanks.
Further south, I revisited said “Curry Mile” with a reminiscent air. I tried to remember exactly which establishments I had eaten in all those years ago and did indeed recognise a few. I bought some baklava, and sweets from an outlet I did remember, and enjoyed them with a coffee in Whitworth Park. A local secondary school had just finished business for the day so I watched the teenagers cavorting about with a smile, knowing that they won’t realise the full joy of what they’re doing now until much, much later.
After a quick “pit stop” back at the apartment, I ventured north, and east towards the “Gay Village”. Here I found Sackville Gardens, a park with a number of interesting exhibits including an AIDS memorial, and a statue of Alan Turing. I was very pleased to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves, given his own tragic story, and years of historical marginalisation. I took refreshment outside “REM Bar”, a watering hole nearby, feeling encouraged by the visibility of the LGBT+ community here.
Dinner was taken at “Red Chili”, a restaurant specialising is Beijing and Sichuan cuisine. The spicy cucumber, and shredded pork with pancakes was very well received.
The evening entertainment replacing Ms. Nicks was to be “The Importance of Being Ernest”, at the Royal Exchange Theatre. This play was written by Oscar Wilde and first performed in 1895. The theatre in question was extremely impressive as it were a circular shape in big open space. One could circumnavigate the space before entering, as I did before entering through door 4 to take my seat in row D, seat 42. This is a play that I had only previously seen on film, never on stage so I was excited to have this particular experience, albeit somewhat unexpected.
The performance was excellent. It was directed as to work well in the unusual space, and had many nods towards the 21st century. Diaries became ‘phones for example and Lady Bracknell went from being a Victorian matriarch to a modern-day “boomer”, trying to mould her family in the image she wanted to portray. I left with a profound sense of happiness, and a big smile.
My way home was taken via. canal Street, where I enjoyed the lights, sounds, and smells of a Tuesday evening in Manchester’s Gay village. I enjoyed a cup of tea back at my apartment before retiring for the night.