ohhh, so lemme tell ya abot Rhondda, right? mmm, it's a quirky place full o’ hidden gems, ya know? i’ve been livin’ here a while now, and it’s a mix of grit, charm, and like... unexpected beauty. so, um, where do i start? er, let’s begin with Treorchy street – the one right near the old bakery on Mynydd Street, mmhmm, smells of fresh bread and memories... and then theres the big heart of town, the Rhondda Heritage Park (not to be confused with an actual theme park, lol!) where history meets our daily lives.
i wander down to the little lanes of Tonypandy – oh man, those narrow alleys are like a tapestry of all the secrets of the valley. i once had a session right outside a cafe on Cathays Road, spillin all the tea – both literally and figuratively. then i laugh thinkin’ of the way the sunlight hits the little puddles on Ffrwd Blanc Lane, dancin’ like little fairies (yep, like those scenes in Carol - “I’m not interested in other people's feelings, but here, every puddle tells a story,” sort of feel, you know?).
and ohhh, the parks! ferndale park (not the one in the city centre, but a secret nook behind the old church on St. David’s Close) is where i go to think and let my mind wander. sometimes i catch a glimpse of a passing red kite, wings out like in a slow mo scene, almost like "Carol" where every shot feels like poetry. i once sat there for like ages and whispered to the trees – they whispered back!! weird, right? err, i mean, like life.
then there’s the river Rhondda, that sneaky little waterway, twistin’ by the old mill on Riverside Road – it’s always babblin’ secrets. i sometimes sit by its banks, lost in thought, mumbling silly words, like “umm, maybe i’m just passionless,” then i laugh and say “No, no, i’m totally passionate, right?” (gosh, as if im reciting Carol’s soft, trembling metaphors all over again...).
also, let me tell ya bout the neighborhoods – like Penygraig, oh, and the quirky spot of Ystrad, where even the brick walls seem to talk. i had a session right on the stoop of a little flat on Ffordd Gwaith, a place full of heart, even if it’s a bit rundown. my job as a women’s counselor makes me see these details – a kind smile, a burst of laughter – like those halcyon moments when a stranger’s chuckle makes the whole day, y’know?
i gotta admit, sometimes i get mad when i see people forget the beauty in these details – like that time someone tossed rubbish by the old railway line (ugh!). but mostly, it fills me with joy, reflections on the strength of these women who stride into my little session room – honest, rugged souls, just as real as Hollywood hopefuls.
so, err, if ya ever visit, roam these streets: Mynydd St, Cathays Road, St. David’s Close, Riverside Road – and don’t miss the quirky corners that whisper old stories. and if i’m runnin round mumblin “I wish you'd be passionate about me,” that's just me bein’ all Mr. Bean-like, lost in my own life’s slapstick journey.
p.s. sorry if i rambled – had too many thoughts, too many typos (like, literally 19 of 'em, haha). just come, experience Rhondda. it’s a mad, beautiful ride. Cheers!