Tea and Biscuits

"Il Dolce Far Niente" - the Italians say that there is a particular sweetness in doing nothing. I have to agree, whole heartedly. There is something so charming about the Mediterranean culture. They're all about the food - enjoying absolutely fresh produce like seafood, olives, cheeses and the list goes on - and being laid back, like taking a siesta.

Over the last few years, I have taken an interest in and have been introduced to the Mediterranean way of living. What I was most amused by was how they are in no hurry to get to places (unlike here), or to stress themselves out over petty matters that would usually send someone into a frenzy - they live by simplicity, which I think lacks in a lot of lives these days.

Let me explain further. There used to be a time in the day where I'd sit to have tea. It was something of a treat everyday, or at least a few times a week. Not being quite a tea-drinker myself (as you can tell from the coffee post), it was more about the whole biscuit experience - you know, dunking your biscuits into your tea.

For many in my family, tea time is an event. I kid you not. There are cakes, doughnuts, savoury snacks of all types (with nuts, potato sticks, puffed rice, etc.), croissants, toast with various spreads and really anything that you can have with tea. Biscuits with tea is something I've grown up with - you know, good old Rich Tea Biscuits, dunked in tea, until they become all soggy and bend to an almost fall before you eat it - is one of the most yummiest sensations ever. This soggy, wet, soft, mushy and warm mix is just so comforting. And its only certain biscuits you can have that with. It's the similar feeling you get with milk and cookies - after obviously dunking them for a while until they become all soft too!

However, since starting the gym, and going into University and all sorts of other things, I realised that I rarely sit down to enjoy a nice little treat with myself, in the quietness of my company or in the middle of the day when the whole country is at it's peak of busy-ness. I spend most of my afternoons in the gym, leaving me an evening to my laptop (where I spend hours applying for jobs, etc.) and then by late night, I'm spent. Although I do this in the comfort of my own room, it's really not in the "quietness of my company".. I hope that soon, I find time to indulge in the sweetness of nothing. Whatever that may be.

I miss that quiet and comforting treat.

And as per usual, a song to end a perfectly comforting read.