Today was the second day I woke up to gray skies and wet ground. That almost never happens in Sevilla. It was also the second day I ditched class. All for the best however, I've never once gone to school on Thanksgiving, and well I just don't think it's appropriate to start at 21. I suppose I already celebrated. As most know I had about 13 people over for a thanksgiving celebration the past Saturday and it was really nice but it wasn't exactly Thanksgiving.
I've been in Sevilla for 2 months now. Renting an apartment for two months, buying groceries for two months, but not really living. For example, I don't have a single English book to read, I don't own a long sleeve shirt here, and I haven't been doing my homework. However, this morning I got through about 4 weeks of homework - mission partially accomplished. Then headed into town intending to price items (like books and clothing) that I would probably later buy at the outlet mall.
Instead when I arrived to lock my bike at Plaza Nueva there was a book fair. Therefore, I didn't have to go to the English section of the corporate book store after all. I found three books and am looking forward to reading them. One was given "to George with love" in Germany in 1953. Then I window shopped and wandered until I arrived in my favorite barrio of Sevilla. There I stumbled upon a second hand store. The best second hand store I've been into yet, it actually had clothes more than a decade old. It is also apart of an NGO project to raise funds for volunteers in Africa. I bought three awesome shirts that were certainly manufactured in the 70s and a sweater. Then I spent about 30 minutes speaking with the proprietor. He's from Cameron, speaks six languages and moved from London to Sevilla in August to open the store. I'm going back next week to volunteer. While I was speaking with him Syvlie (you are the best) called me to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving. My phone never rings, and even when you think you're all alone, you never are. I shortly left the store and I had a pleasant walk back to my bike and bike ride home. When I arrived home Raffa had pasta on and the three of us were able to eat together, that almost never happens. What a nice Thanksgiving dinner it was after all.
I had the best day. I have the best friends. I have awesome roommates and great plans. What a wonderful world to be thankful for.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Leaving Salamanca
I have long said that the life gives what you need. Actually... I haven't long said that at all - it just feels like it.
It has been about four months I've said this, and since I arrived to Europe I've become convinced of it. If I were to go through my journal for you I could find you hundreds of examples when things just “worked out.” Worked out, just as I needed them to work out, without any real concerted effort on my part - at all.
Life gives what you need. Some people might attribute it to something divine. I don't even know what I think about that. Normally I tell people "I'm not at all religious" if they're brave enough to ask. I'm 21 years old and the subject of God evades me.
At any rate, I do think, that if you simply breathe, and just look at things through the right lens, everything just works out. I'm not sure how I can believe that given what I just said in the previous paragraph, but I do. It has been proven to me, time and time again.
What I needed today was a cafe with a good study atmosphere. Instead, I got a bus. I'm coming back from a most wonderful weekend in Salamanca. I have a 7 hour trip home, a bus, and a lot of homework to do. On this bus however, I am seated next to the window. The window has a grand, albeit rolling, view of a beautiful autumn day outside. I have a one-euro pastry, my laptop, two old women discussing family life, and the conductor has chosen (a most rare choice) of classical music for the trip and, I already drank my cafe this morning.
When life can turn a bus into the most beautiful and quaint cafe, I'll believe it gives whatever we truly need.
Smile, try to enjoy what is handed to you, it's probably exactly what you need.
It has been about four months I've said this, and since I arrived to Europe I've become convinced of it. If I were to go through my journal for you I could find you hundreds of examples when things just “worked out.” Worked out, just as I needed them to work out, without any real concerted effort on my part - at all.
Life gives what you need. Some people might attribute it to something divine. I don't even know what I think about that. Normally I tell people "I'm not at all religious" if they're brave enough to ask. I'm 21 years old and the subject of God evades me.
At any rate, I do think, that if you simply breathe, and just look at things through the right lens, everything just works out. I'm not sure how I can believe that given what I just said in the previous paragraph, but I do. It has been proven to me, time and time again.
What I needed today was a cafe with a good study atmosphere. Instead, I got a bus. I'm coming back from a most wonderful weekend in Salamanca. I have a 7 hour trip home, a bus, and a lot of homework to do. On this bus however, I am seated next to the window. The window has a grand, albeit rolling, view of a beautiful autumn day outside. I have a one-euro pastry, my laptop, two old women discussing family life, and the conductor has chosen (a most rare choice) of classical music for the trip and, I already drank my cafe this morning.
When life can turn a bus into the most beautiful and quaint cafe, I'll believe it gives whatever we truly need.
Smile, try to enjoy what is handed to you, it's probably exactly what you need.
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