Geneva on fire

O democracy, our fickle friend

A peaceful crowd gathered outside the Palace of Nations today to protest Vietnamese presence in Cambodia. Also present protesting today were groups from Iran and Egypt.

Where speaking two languages is child's play

las NN.UU.

l'ONU

the UN

联合国

الامم المتحدة

ООН

Around Geneva

Aside from it's snow capped mountains, open country sides, to-the-minute bus lines, lake, parks and small towns that surround it; Geneva leaves one with a refreshed feeling for another reason. A high contrast can be found when arriving in Geneva from Spain. The most apparent difference between Geneva and the average Spanish city is the high quantity of nationalities packed into one small city. The different languages, food, and mannerisms allow one the simple luxury to be different, not fit in a set mold. Naturally, a city that houses the United Nations is going cultivate this type of environment. Above all this is what I first found most interesting and quite refreshing. With all the diversity the city seems very oddly American; like the European version of California.

La Acogida

I continue to be blown away by generous loving people in this world. This past month my sister and I were traveling in southern Spain for 17 days. I say traveling, but it was more like an interim period before we attended World Youth Day. For this reason, we did not plan our weeks very precisely; rather we trusted our days and stays would work out in one form or another.

As it turns out, words can not express how well things fell into place for us every step of the way. We owe it all to the kind people who opened their homes, fed us well, and were excellent loving company. As a result we ever so smoothly passed our last days in Spain. My lasting thought is that I have the opportunity hope to return these acts of pure selfless giving with the same enthusiasm as was done unto us.

The various welcoming souls we found on our journey:

Isabel and Sr Antonia

Mila and Jiame

Maggie with Juan and Ana (Pedro, father of the family, not pictured)

!Gracias todo!

Humbled

As I near the end of my time in Sevilla I've been thinking about the impressions I have left on others, impressions left on me, and if perhaps anything has changed at all. I think that most people would like to feel that they had made a difference in a place were they spend five hard working months of ones life. The feeling of not leaving anything or not having accomplished anything is quite daunting. As of now I can not account for an impression or mark that I am leaving in Sevilla. Rather, I note the mark that Sevilla and Spain has left on me. That mark is one of true humility.

Since diving into the Spanish language not only I have learned a lot about Spanish, but also volumes about humility. It is something easily learned from the persistent snickering of kids that comes with one’s mispronunciation. Or it can be found in the assignment to "act" as a group leader, but not actually be permitted to do anything because the other group leader thinks one does not understand. Expressions on people’s faces when one tries to explain something, the parenting of something that one understands completely, and the general sentiment that you are destined to be a follower in life – also all humbling. Over the past five months I spent many moments feeling like an immigrant from a third-world country; and not feeling like useful volunteer.

For all this humbling, I AM grateful. I am grateful to feel a little more, and grateful to feel for others a little more. Never again will I look at someone and assume that they should understand the words I am speaking simply because they are in an English speaking country. Neither will I falter when it comes to helping someone understand protocols and norms. I will have a special eye out to make people feel comfortable to speak their mind. Above all I will search for those who NEED a smile to remind them that we are in the game of life together.

Sunflowers that fill the countryside of Spain during the summertime.

Went for a Walk; Calle Magdelena, Sevilla

On my Sunday morning paseo last weekend I was doing my normal wandering through the streets of Sevilla when I heard the very typical Andalucian band music This music can be heard all year long throughout Sevilla. (I say typical but actually it is quite striking, strong and beautifully specific to processions in the area.) As the music got stronger I turned the corner to find a “paso” taking place for Corpus Christi.

Of course, with a paso also comes a cloud of incense and the well-dressed Spanish families to view the procession. Pasos go out all during the springtime for different celebrations; and apparently go out during summer as well. Having seen and been a part of numerous of these processions, to this day I remain enamored by the music, smells and people that makeup a paso.

When viewing it is a highly interactive experience. I feel like I am stepping into a dream sequence as the music starts expelling vibrations of pride and tradition. Then when one gets a whiff of the incense and Spanish commentary, no more can be done than to enter this surreal world.

Surprise - I'm Catholic

The other day I went to mass at the school where I taught English this past spring. The mass celebrated the last day of school before the kid’s summer vacation. What I find interesting is the look on one of the student’s faces when I went up to receive communion. The girl looked at me, pointed, and said “you too!?” . Later that day, in class, she came up to me to ask if I was Catholic. She seemed pleasantly surprised to find out that I am Catholic.

This makes me smile for two reasons. The first reason, is that she assumed since I speak English that I am not Catholic. Which is such an innocent, yet scary assumption. Her assumption is insight to how people start to form think of other unfamiliar people and cultures.

Second, this 10-year-old’s reaction was so genuinely delighted to find out that people from other parts of the word share in the same faith as her. Of all commonalties we shared during our classes this seemed to bring her the most joy.

Little wild woman

Sor Antonia, 73 years young, is the embodiment of a good laugh. If she is not talking she is laughing, hiking or sleeping.

This is a woman who laughs at herself when she trips and laughs when others trip. At the dinner table, or when turning the corner, she will try to catch your eye to drag a giggle out of you.

She gives away her scarves and fans the second someone is cold or hot. Sor Antonia sings her heart out in the chapel as if she is starring at Dios right in the face and sending him praise. This woman absolutely lights up when she sees anything that has do to with nature.

In her size five shoes she sets out on our hike along side a river in the sierras of Andalucia. Her tiny legs move so fast to try and maintain with a pace that matches my slow stroll. Through the brush Margaret, some older women, and I follow her lead to leave the walking path and dive amidst the brush to get a closer look at the river. This hike is made comfortable as she trailblazes, with her walking stick, all that crosses our path.

Antonia will keep going and going, and talking and talking … but when she stops, she is out. Sitting down on the sofa, with her pastry in hand, she powers down and is out like a light.

Here are some pictures of the sierras.

Margaret Marie

Kiddies playing in the river with daddy

When these goats passed us Margaret said they smelled like milk. They had the biggest utters in the world wish I had a picture to show you.

Sor Antonia with her frogs in hand.

Maria Luisa Park, Bikes

This day was particularly lazy. I think I saw more people stopped with their bikes than actually moving on them.

Maria Luisa Park, The way of life marches on

Post-Feria and Semana Santa the mentality for fiesta and relaxation is ever present in Sevilla.

Talk about a way of life; Feria de Abril, Sevilla

Feria de Abril in Sevilla is the place to eat tapas, dance the night away, wear flamenco dresses, and drink rebujitos. It is a stunning display of tradition and a vibrant culture.

The Art of a Line Dry

The roof must be my favorite place in the house. From the roof of Sor Eusebia one can enjoy a view of the city on one side and a view of the countryside on the other side. Sun, wind and the sky are also in abundant supply up on the roof. But the best thing about this roof is the laundry. As opposed to dreading the task of doing laundry, hanging laundry up on the roof gives one a chance to gain perspective.

Yes, obviously I have seen a line a line dry before. I am simply in aw of the view of the city and all the elements. Now it's clear to me that this luxurious method to tend to your cloths. On the roof one feel the wind, take in the cool air, and infuse cloths with the warmth of the sun. All this in while doing a "chore". Not to mention with the view one can reorient ones mind to others in the world.

Freshly ruffled by the wind, line dried cloth are lively and fragrant.

Center of Sevilla, Monday; Semana Santa

A paso is a procession displaying figures of Jesus and Mary in an elaborate manner. They are constructed by different hermandades (which are like fraternities for different churches in Sevilla). The pasos have candles and flowers. The men in the hermandades carry the pasos on their shoulders; many men are needed to carry one paso because they are so big.

Well dress sevillianos line Serpentes, the main street for pasos in Sevilla.

Literately thousands of nazerenos lead the paso.

The crowd quiets as upon the arrival of Jesus and the Virgin.

Here you can see the men's feet who are carrying this paso on their shoulders..