Sentiments: doble

It's funny how time changes our perceptions--and our memories as well.

My first week in Xela seems like eons ago. And I remember my perception of the city then...how things looked, where things were, the general vibe of the neighborhoods, etc. And those things have all transformed in my head to new perceptions...and perhaps will continue to morph. I was walking today on the street where I live and I saw another Spanish school/internet cafe that I used to go to now and then. The place had such a different vibe to me before I lived two blocks away from it. weird.

Today, I went to Parque Central to read for a bit. It was very refreshing--the sun was strong, the breeze was cool, and the park content. I was reading a book by Henri Nouwen and really enjoyed some quotes/thoughts:

"Just as words lost their power when they are not born out of silence, so openness loses its meaning when there is no ability to be closed." Here he was talking about the need to "protect the mysteries of our lives" and not reveal all through "empty chatter, easy confessions, hollow talk, senseless compliments, poor praise" etc.

While quoting another story, he made reference to the treasure house that is inside each of us. We often look to others, books, relationships, etc to be the answers to our questions and to give us advice. While those can be good resources, we often miss out on the treasure house we each have in us that can be opened through solitude, prayer, reflection, etc. All too often, we fill our empty times and spaces with entertainment, surface-deep communication, busy-ness and pressures. We are "driven"--a word that is often recognized as positive, but really can be a hinderance to our freedom (what are we driven by? what is controlling our lives?) By making time and space to search our own hearts, to confront ourselves at our very core, we then protect and nurture the mysteries of our lives--the parts of us that make us unique, the deep dreams and hopes, and the good that God has put in us to pour out to others. As he quoted Rilke, "What is going on in your innermost being is worthy of your whole love."

It's a good book so far.

And now for some recent photos:

1. The view of Santa Maria from a street near one of the schools that I bike to: La Cuchilla

2. I walk down this street a couple times a day...sometimes it's beauty gets overlooked.

3. Dinner by candlelight in a restaurant is common when the power goes out. Cabro is a local beer and this particular bottle was lucky enough to get two stickers.