tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62574752276455562312024-03-13T11:01:28.381-04:00jud dolphin adventureAfter 40 years working with social change organizations, I retired and joined the US Peace Corps. I served in Konotop, Ukraine (2009-11) and Skopje, Macedonia (2015-16) helping NGOs become more sustainable and capable in helping marginalized people. Now I live in Washington, DC. I volunteer for positive social change, teach English to new immigrants, create watercolor art, travel and enjoy my family and friends. Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-32608535212562167172023-09-08T14:14:00.005-04:002023-09-08T15:16:03.135-04:00Traveling Again...<p><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieskEmoZeYvHfjQQXOu3nPU8-cU1hRmFgO9LQSd_CgRXoCDl3V-HyNQitMqDJrCgmnG8-fgdXJT75xzTFMTXbUDjEcOxJE25I8kKGUtvKuVRGkYJ6yBCGSNcAktSmroi6myLhGKTvN0BTaAtzIXXnTZBWPtcSSUjzvyK69xeqzQmpdfxqib3u7IuHZT0g/s2408/Ajijic%20and%20man.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2408" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieskEmoZeYvHfjQQXOu3nPU8-cU1hRmFgO9LQSd_CgRXoCDl3V-HyNQitMqDJrCgmnG8-fgdXJT75xzTFMTXbUDjEcOxJE25I8kKGUtvKuVRGkYJ6yBCGSNcAktSmroi6myLhGKTvN0BTaAtzIXXnTZBWPtcSSUjzvyK69xeqzQmpdfxqib3u7IuHZT0g/w299-h320/Ajijic%20and%20man.jpg" width="299" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here
we go again. Bags are scattered across the bed. My
stuff is</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">being
packed for a </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">month
return to Ajijic Mexico. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
I’ll be teaching adults in the neighboring </span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">traditional</span></span></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
town of San Juan Cosala.</span></span></span><div><br /></div><div><u><a href="https://chapala.com/san-juan-cosala/">Learn more about this Pueblo</a></u></div><div><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I
awake at 4:30 am. My mind swirls with last minute details. Don’t
forget this or that. So I’m rushing around my DC apartment. And
just as </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">bread pops from the toaster for
breakfast,</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> the airport taxi arrives.
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">It’s </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">10
minutes early. Yikes!</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">The
driver asks me, “Where are you going? Business, Vacation?”
“No,” I say, “I’m going to teach English in Mexico.” He
tells me about his experience of learning English when he came from
Egypt. I congratulate him on his success.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">With
this snippet of conversation, I’m reminded of the value of teaching
English as a Second Language </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">(ESL)</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">.
Since 2009 when I was in the US Peace Corps in Ukraine, I have been
teaching. I’ve taught in person and more recently via Zoom. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I
even had a chance to participate in a US State Department 12 week
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">teaching </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">seminar.
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Helping others learn a second language
is such a privileged.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-x-MvSXoPWtEd1oyrj5yjtdm_KJKIs65OiYNSx430SIpu4ZoY9ryJQS_c0F2jidQ7NB3I_hySiM58goWyw_JlQuqJrcLvFhy5rzUOJkwqaIJxXBl2TVREfMobdBYV_c6oRpZRqCX-aZpdrfgUnfSuhez4mY9tcaxb3VpvFjx_xNDQv2Wmb8GAUa5EY0/s2839/Intern'l%20friends.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="2839" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-x-MvSXoPWtEd1oyrj5yjtdm_KJKIs65OiYNSx430SIpu4ZoY9ryJQS_c0F2jidQ7NB3I_hySiM58goWyw_JlQuqJrcLvFhy5rzUOJkwqaIJxXBl2TVREfMobdBYV_c6oRpZRqCX-aZpdrfgUnfSuhez4mY9tcaxb3VpvFjx_xNDQv2Wmb8GAUa5EY0/s320/Intern'l%20friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">And
a</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">wonderful
benefit is the good people I’ve met along the way. Recently, a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">few
days before my departure, former students organize a farewell brunch.
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">What fun! Hours of</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"><i>
English</i></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
conversations. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Thank
you, Mahmoud, Jehan, Abid, Haanna and Dzung. You’</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">ve
become</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
good friends.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">At
the airport, I lug my bags towards check-in. I have 35 pound</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">s
in a</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> trunk, a carry-on suitcase, a
backpack and a magic stick. It’s a new addition to my entourage.
Some might call it a walking stick </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">or
cane</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">, but I prefer the idea of a magic
stick.</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">My
magic stick bestows benefits. The check-in agent seeing my struggles
offers to wheel my bags down a long hall to the drop off spot. Then
she arranges for a chair to take me through security. A special
passage-way </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">brings </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">me
to the front of the line. My age and the magic stick wave me through
requirement for shoe removal and belt inspection. At the plane
entrance, I’m invited into early boarding. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I’m
the first to enter. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">It’s like magic.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Yes,
I’m not as agile as I was during my Peace Corps Service (Ukraine
2009 – 2011 and Macedonia 2015 - 2016). Mild arthritis and tight
leg muscles have made walking a bit painful.</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">My
good friend, Darryl, who’s a personal trainer, has shown me </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">some
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">leg stretches that are making a real
difference. Those routines </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">keep me
going along with </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Aleve and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">pain</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
creams </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">when needed. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">O</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">f
course my magic stick </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">has become a
silent helper </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">too. Like we use to say
during my AARP days, “I may be getting older, but it beats the
alternative.” I’m so fortunate.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">The
trip is uneventful until I land in Dallas. I check my phone messages
and see that we are landing just a few gates from my connection.
Great. I can easily walk </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">to the next
gate </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">with time to spare.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">But
then, I </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">begin wondering. W</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">hy
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">isn’t my </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">connecting
flight showing on the marque. Oh no, it’s a dreaded </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">gate
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">change. Thank you, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">not</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
American. Not only is </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">the flight at</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
a new gate, but it’s in a new terminal. No time to get a chair so
I’m hoofing it. Terminal A to Terminal C. Ugh, what a walk!
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">But, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I make
it...barely. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">This time, I’m </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">the
last to get on the plane. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">The two
passengers sharing my seating row sigh as I fill the remaining seat.
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s1p0SciGh1WxDmPdwPMKO85bGE3zv1fMMldE45X_3rqqhtj6Fs36NcWwMlsgLWhxLTe-cVkkFlTNE7h6v0LXPyt7pGcnsuN47YdP7WtzPIY3BRnhqSCnF3mkTzTotjO1mkkXR3ezkwtY8ZKbhh0iVHeCYpO3tSGM04RdEnPMLUK0FPwwpGo7_1LJilc/s259/Ajijic.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s1p0SciGh1WxDmPdwPMKO85bGE3zv1fMMldE45X_3rqqhtj6Fs36NcWwMlsgLWhxLTe-cVkkFlTNE7h6v0LXPyt7pGcnsuN47YdP7WtzPIY3BRnhqSCnF3mkTzTotjO1mkkXR3ezkwtY8ZKbhh0iVHeCYpO3tSGM04RdEnPMLUK0FPwwpGo7_1LJilc/w320-h240/Ajijic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Bienvenido
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">a</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> Mexico.
I’m met by a very energetic personal assistant. As I get into the
chair, he says, “Okay, senior, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">R</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">apido.”
And we’re off. We zoom through </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">a</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">labyrinth of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">hallways
making o</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">u</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">r
way towards Immigration.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">He
takes care of the paper work and </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">brings
me to </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">an imposing podium. But no
worries. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">The official know</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
my personal assistant and they joke together. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">“Americano,”
and with a quick passport check, I’m in Mexico for the next 4
months. Indeed, it’s </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">RAPIDO.!</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I thank him with a generous tip and get
into </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">taxi.
</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I’m </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Ajijc
bound.</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKvPviMSeEO9keqWlJ8Is1DElgWQRoKtmcbzoF-N0dM9Hy4tPcJmGevRJmDHpJanoXANzY-_hsUeRx642GnILpoVeCImJ_v-75njtXaTaTFs0W-fn9CEBqI7BLteX7OEGCdK-_warS_UU1yst1M0dih_3tn4c3pH40r8GjcFS-sOO54sfh3XJ8x4eqgE/s1022/word%20collage.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1022" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKvPviMSeEO9keqWlJ8Is1DElgWQRoKtmcbzoF-N0dM9Hy4tPcJmGevRJmDHpJanoXANzY-_hsUeRx642GnILpoVeCImJ_v-75njtXaTaTFs0W-fn9CEBqI7BLteX7OEGCdK-_warS_UU1yst1M0dih_3tn4c3pH40r8GjcFS-sOO54sfh3XJ8x4eqgE/w400-h199/word%20collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"><br />As
o</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">ften happens….</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">When
I say that I teach English, a </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">conversation
starts. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">My driver tells me in a mixture
of Spanish and English that he wants to learn more. I compliment him
on pronunciation and tell him a want to learn </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">more</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">
Spanish. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">But it’s difficult. “Not
for me,” he smiles. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">Back and forth we
converse in broken English and broken Spanish. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I
say, “I’m tu maestro de ingles and you are my Spanish teacher.”
We both chuckle at the idea of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">teaching
each other in</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;"> a taxi </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">from
the airport</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">. Amazing.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">I
offer to send him my guide for Independent ESL Learning. I developed
it during the Covid years. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #0c343d; font-size: 12pt;">L</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">earning
any language requires planning, practice and persistence. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">It’s
the big 3 Ps of tackling any challenge. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">With
the Internet, we no longer have to </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">depend
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">on
a class or </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">teacher.
We can become our own teacher using all the resources </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">t</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">hat
are just a click away.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Of
course, there's a problem. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Hours
can be wasted searching the Internet. That’s why I created my
I</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">ndependent
Learning </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">G</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">uide.
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">It
curates links and gives descriptions of what can be found </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">behind
each.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">
Students can choose a comprehensive multi-week course or mix and
match. They can focus on any one of the basic skills – listening,
speaking, reading, writing with </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">videos,
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">games,
songs, movies as well as more traditional worksheets and
instructions.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">If
you or someone you know would like a copy </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">of
this Independent Learning Guide, e</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">mail
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">m</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">e
at juddolphin@gmail.com</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">We
arrive in Ajijic too soon. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Our
lessons end. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">
I hope to hear from Abraham again.</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">He
promises to update me... in English.</span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUTgbVf2YkFGYUktaLRas8tW_4Bkdc3qAaGkdIRvsuF4GshNxFjw_Cvq_f81B01-22otTg7XuCfRtvodWVX8v9Vof2KyhtTPrlZOkY2d_q0VXaYMKjrJ8X2kuWamvUKxcebLg9tVA8qELPqYTx4JQVu-FoSkVR1ZObnNVxvJ4W6S1GUdN6sKeRBjTgdA/s960/Airbnb.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUTgbVf2YkFGYUktaLRas8tW_4Bkdc3qAaGkdIRvsuF4GshNxFjw_Cvq_f81B01-22otTg7XuCfRtvodWVX8v9Vof2KyhtTPrlZOkY2d_q0VXaYMKjrJ8X2kuWamvUKxcebLg9tVA8qELPqYTx4JQVu-FoSkVR1ZObnNVxvJ4W6S1GUdN6sKeRBjTgdA/w400-h266/Airbnb.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="western" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My
new apartment is located about two blocks from the main plaza on a
side street. It use to be a hacienda. The young owners have
converted it into an Airbnb. It’s charming. A large main room has
a wall of windows including some with stain glass. Lovely. Another
wall includes an ample kitchen in front of a dinning table. Chairs
and a small sofa complete a conversation corner. Hooray, I’ll be
able to entertain friends. For me this space has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui">Feng
Shui</a>. I feel positive and creative here. Wonderful. </span></span>
</p>
<p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">But
now for some rest. It’s been a long day and I’m in a good place
with memories to be made and savored. Yes, I’m traveling again….</span></p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5boAWnNsy3dmTFh5pYHRK0-dBCfzTwWcxW4e2O8qGkGPRPGMeoIOx-KarJaVRQD7SgqsIWGU3WyJlmak-ll2zY0znFxnP-171O4ZTI53h0P819CzSDkuQjHjMaGARE0FhOV-Mt2P5M4pgRqTgppiUgGz0rYLU-TklmRSMyR1tYx7cr0AU_KsOopfk3M/s969/chapel%20ajijic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="835" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5boAWnNsy3dmTFh5pYHRK0-dBCfzTwWcxW4e2O8qGkGPRPGMeoIOx-KarJaVRQD7SgqsIWGU3WyJlmak-ll2zY0znFxnP-171O4ZTI53h0P819CzSDkuQjHjMaGARE0FhOV-Mt2P5M4pgRqTgppiUgGz0rYLU-TklmRSMyR1tYx7cr0AU_KsOopfk3M/w552-h640/chapel%20ajijic.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><br /><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
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</p></div>Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com3Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico20.2996995 -103.2637074-59.55063095054075 116.11129260000001 90 37.3612926tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-8505093096792837382022-12-21T22:01:00.004-05:002022-12-21T22:08:17.226-05:00Ukrainian Holiday Memories<div style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><i>"Do
you have a holiday memory or reflection you are willing to
share?" </i> The
email was inviting me to prepare a talk for the
weekly gathering of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">(LCUUF). <br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Immediately, I thought of my time in Ukraine as a peace
Corps Volunteer. I have so many memories. What
a great chance to reflect and share. So I got to work and began
crafting my talk. </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_HQ_1JruCKDjXv2iInq0N6XRrrGJlZ_mNymzIWUl68rFiITPXlzyVzvRGU7e5LqdvlF1xYLIiPAzbmsg3sNa_MyExLJ_jHMQJDhYtLm7qcAouizVJcmPsErwa0ZMHdN5wCR9BjW2evLbK3LwFsDCT6ywvNoQ0RzJtznLrIX-WnR6BpkVMzhicCkL/s1400/LCUUF_VIGIL.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1400" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_HQ_1JruCKDjXv2iInq0N6XRrrGJlZ_mNymzIWUl68rFiITPXlzyVzvRGU7e5LqdvlF1xYLIiPAzbmsg3sNa_MyExLJ_jHMQJDhYtLm7qcAouizVJcmPsErwa0ZMHdN5wCR9BjW2evLbK3LwFsDCT6ywvNoQ0RzJtznLrIX-WnR6BpkVMzhicCkL/w400-h230/LCUUF_VIGIL.webp" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">LCUUF during a Social Justice public demonstration</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">LCUUF
characterizes itself as, ..."</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><i>brave,
curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in
faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire
to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing
on the side of love, justice and peace."<br /></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span>I presented my talk on December 18th, 2022. And with
their encouragement, I’m posting it here. The text is below and at the end there’s a link for a
video presentation. I hope it's meaningful to you. </span><span> </span></span></div>
</div><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p align="left" class="western" style="font-size: large; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">_______________________________</span></p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">After
40 years working with social change organizations, I retired </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">from
AARP </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">and
joined the US Peace Corps. I went to Ukraine. What an adventure. </span></div><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Now come with me as I recall </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">holiday</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
memories from </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ukrainian
</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
reflect on their meaning.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFU0kq-Uu4Zj1IUVHGs-aqIQ5oUhGDRwD3fqvoq8OTEaiXCbKYa88D-T9lqsOt0Hld3p54J_BCFx8YjIW9qdbVIYRw2CWOgF7heLEhNQDJLq3dbkSTUSkY1lFi_SnGji0iQ3o3RDQ3lwKM9vphZNtKPuxbsSnQj7NMLzb4iacHgt3v6__4HQBLleh/s150/mother%20of%20heaarts%20of%20love.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="150" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFU0kq-Uu4Zj1IUVHGs-aqIQ5oUhGDRwD3fqvoq8OTEaiXCbKYa88D-T9lqsOt0Hld3p54J_BCFx8YjIW9qdbVIYRw2CWOgF7heLEhNQDJLq3dbkSTUSkY1lFi_SnGji0iQ3o3RDQ3lwKM9vphZNtKPuxbsSnQj7NMLzb4iacHgt3v6__4HQBLleh/w320-h239/mother%20of%20heaarts%20of%20love.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Resourceful & Courageous Mothers</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I’m
working with mothers in a new nonprofit. It’s called Hearts of
Love. Their mission is to change the way disabled children - their
disabled children – are treated. During Soviet times, they were
shunned. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Why?
Because t</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>hey
didn’t fit the Soviet ideal of strong healthy comrades. They were
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>the
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>flawed
ones. Kept at home and out of sight. No special services. No
playground activities, No friends. Nothing.</span></span></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>But
when the Soviet system crumbled, </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>a
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>group
of courageous and resourceful mothers said, “Nyet, No more.” They
created the Hearts of Love Center. Regardless of disability –
physical, emotional or mental – children were welcomed. They
were coming out of the closet and into the light of day. </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGaXEEaEmn5Bxn1zhcBfnahfueoGsju6NWqtwwX4Np24XLa9DtHbHMXXI_PcTnn9BQfYUM65faqvkiejUYbZwGmHYJYRVe7lRZEh1vDIbVWbtNKWzCFSeS_PUhMrFm8ge9Eol5WHKsnrmusTaZyNkokkJ7jH_ejo9UXL-lHLAFVNTD_73sLE88NMK/s150/hearts%20of%20love.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="112" data-original-width="150" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGaXEEaEmn5Bxn1zhcBfnahfueoGsju6NWqtwwX4Np24XLa9DtHbHMXXI_PcTnn9BQfYUM65faqvkiejUYbZwGmHYJYRVe7lRZEh1vDIbVWbtNKWzCFSeS_PUhMrFm8ge9Eol5WHKsnrmusTaZyNkokkJ7jH_ejo9UXL-lHLAFVNTD_73sLE88NMK/w320-h238/hearts%20of%20love.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hearts Of Love Center</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s
Friday. That means Art Day at the Hearts of Love Center. It’s
become a popular activity to paint with the American. That would be
me.</span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Since
the holidays are approaching, I make a huge Christmas tree by taping
together blocks of copy paper and painting branches. I explain, with
some help from my interpreter, that our art project is to decorate
this holiday tree.</span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">All
ages and levels of ability soon get busy. Some children draw with
careful details. Others are mostly scribbling. No matter, all are
handmade and all will adorn our tree.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">I
tell my young artists, “Your art is unique. Claim it with your
name. When you sign your name, you’re telling the world, I made
this….LOOK!”</span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">One
boy with a muscular palsy surprises me. Instead of his usual
scribbles, I see him concentrating with all of his attention.
Slowly he produces a design. Wow!</span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Proudly,
he shows it to me. I dig deep </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>into
my language learning </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>for
the right Russian words to say - </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>O</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>tlichnaya
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>R</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>abota!
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>O</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>tlichnaya
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>R</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>abota!
Good Job. We both smile.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">As
I put away art supplies, a little girl bursts into the room. “Chi,
Chi !” she insists. Time for tea. I follow her to where a party
is being laid out.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qYNiM6hxsTOgCobALws7tYT5b6mZIw5_cy57KzkoRCfjmVR7So8B2DGRQuJB3uPfh7eS5VGBO2Ucih2mOGwKTK0GCCVrgb_mvuGTBDUCu5Q7KfKkGi2dyMRo78ib1Kws7Unal-5AM_Y1i5lK7EILuW8OMYHHUUywCIWysTTnF9jHlXG_ayT_nmo1/s1600/Girl%20in%20Red%20Dress.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1146" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qYNiM6hxsTOgCobALws7tYT5b6mZIw5_cy57KzkoRCfjmVR7So8B2DGRQuJB3uPfh7eS5VGBO2Ucih2mOGwKTK0GCCVrgb_mvuGTBDUCu5Q7KfKkGi2dyMRo78ib1Kws7Unal-5AM_Y1i5lK7EILuW8OMYHHUUywCIWysTTnF9jHlXG_ayT_nmo1/w286-h400/Girl%20in%20Red%20Dress.jpg" width="286" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Birthday Girl</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">No
Styrofoam here. China cups and plates encircle the table with pots
of peppermint tea. It’s the little girl’s Birthday. She’s 8
years old. Her mother has brought in a small cake. It’s a very
special treat.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>As
we settle around the table, a wonderful Ukrainian ritual is repeated.
People begin sharing birthday wishes. These are not quick clichés
like those printed on a Hallmark card. No, the people share stories
- intimate stories about a person’s character, talents and
goodness. </span></span>
</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Each
person takes time to tell their story. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>N</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>o
hurry </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>when
you’re celebrating a birthday.</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
I love the way Ukrainians are not embarrassed to express kindness.
It’s a lesson to copy.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">I
look at the little girl. She’s wearing a red dress. Red is
considered a most beautiful color in Ukraine. This little girl is so
sweet and beautiful.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>The
Birthday Ritual continues. G</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>entle words of appreciation accumulate like dozens of gifts – but
only more valuable. I am touched when her older brother speaks. I
don’t know all his words, but I understand his tone and body
language. He admires and loves his little sister so much. We all
should be so blessed.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Soon
it will be New Years. For Ukrainians this holiday is more like our
American Christmas, but without all the commercial excess. It’s
family time centered around a shared meal. I’m honored to be
invited into this family</span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhn3WsdHHqcI6f9n3NanySO4sQDeukJBuGCLk4fcIN3cuRlW7xT7CTldr_eyUWdrENr23aHm1wUUWW_2ipolkIWk8G0nu27q1UbcvdWDhy3pPfQPntR4GoCJ6a3t3JWN9NsIg4e43aPCmpuYzrZkW8HtYKRurvjws7qrfyJCztaEmeRFZ-ocm69yM/s400/Dinner%20table.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhn3WsdHHqcI6f9n3NanySO4sQDeukJBuGCLk4fcIN3cuRlW7xT7CTldr_eyUWdrENr23aHm1wUUWW_2ipolkIWk8G0nu27q1UbcvdWDhy3pPfQPntR4GoCJ6a3t3JWN9NsIg4e43aPCmpuYzrZkW8HtYKRurvjws7qrfyJCztaEmeRFZ-ocm69yM/w480-h640/Dinner%20table.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A whole roasted chicken</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br />We’re
gathering at Babushka’s home. Like most Ukrainian celebrations,
the living room has been rearranged to accommodate the generations.
A grand daughter is so excited to show me the table with food laid
out. She especially wants me to see and take notice of “an entire
roasted chicken.” I smile and do take notice.</span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">But
then...I wonder why does she seem to cherish it so much? Could there be deeper
significance - “an entire roasted chicken?”</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe all people carry collective memories. I learned during Peace Corps
training that food shortages are a Ukrainian memory. When the Soviet
empire collapsed there were long lines at markets. During the World
Wars, Ukraine was the landscape of countless battles. The fertile
farm land was scorched over and over again and families were left to
sift through ashes.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">And
even more, Ukrainians endured the Holodomor. Holodomor? Have you
heard about it? Like most westerners, I didn’t know. I was
ignorant.</span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Holodomor
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">is
a </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Ukrainian
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">word
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">for</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">death by forced starvation</i><span face="Arial, sans-serif">.</span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCYkxkYHRa32EwHGv4umdjA5wQG2HmLxGebpKS39nXU7Zn7wExYEvCwl5jAW9jkLD8UIfWMCm3kCdne8psqhE0Zi1R-ZDxrcBDpgLWBXE0VgA3qx4nVW-WmzdBmeuJTbuPOkbjiUayQd5XO1qTarwN93wiumRAYgT8WZpmr1FvG1ET_k6uovZ7jmF/s288/Holodomor-Chicago.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="220" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCYkxkYHRa32EwHGv4umdjA5wQG2HmLxGebpKS39nXU7Zn7wExYEvCwl5jAW9jkLD8UIfWMCm3kCdne8psqhE0Zi1R-ZDxrcBDpgLWBXE0VgA3qx4nVW-WmzdBmeuJTbuPOkbjiUayQd5XO1qTarwN93wiumRAYgT8WZpmr1FvG1ET_k6uovZ7jmF/w306-h400/Holodomor-Chicago.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">In
the early 1930s, Stalin targeted opposition for extinction,
especially in the </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">rural
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">farming
communit</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ies</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
As a result </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">about
6 million</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
men, women and children were slowly killed - starved to death in a
man-made famine engineered by </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">t</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">his
totalitarian regime.</span></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;">Amazingly,
we remember the Holocaust, lest we forget, but shame on us. The Holodomor is
mostly forgotten. Yet among Ukrainians...they never forget.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: large;">So
maybe, there is a deeper significance in collective memory - a <i>whole roasted chicken</i></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">We
begin our New Years meal. And the first of many toasts is made.
Toast</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ing
has </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">a
rich heritage going back to Cossack times. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Each
one is offered with eloquent words, a heartfelt speech and a shot of
Vodka, of course.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>M</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>y
family shares five rounds of toasting. First and second rounds are to
welcome everyone and honor our friendship together. The third to
honor women. The forth to honor men. The fifth is to give Glory to
Ukraine. There can be more, but often five shots of vodka is enough. Don't you think?</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
we celebrate, a Surprise </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">bursts
into the room.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKRaY-m12AGAsxv2j7IOa6Wa0iau5YV-xCdIhRzRsoKGhv1e_Za0Wz2R0l-3HhxKqcXyw6gu7OdBhEfg9D4qzSRCfEabTtoP6-zAkxi6TZdLBEWxk8647Bk7MZnNUgB9CL_TTLa46827ATE3dCJITCAbSd9l6G4XoOnocu2Yqc9-gcqzm3T4RrCpe/s400/Balloons.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKRaY-m12AGAsxv2j7IOa6Wa0iau5YV-xCdIhRzRsoKGhv1e_Za0Wz2R0l-3HhxKqcXyw6gu7OdBhEfg9D4qzSRCfEabTtoP6-zAkxi6TZdLBEWxk8647Bk7MZnNUgB9CL_TTLa46827ATE3dCJITCAbSd9l6G4XoOnocu2Yqc9-gcqzm3T4RrCpe/w320-h240/Balloons.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Surprise!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A
bouquet of balloons is brought to the table. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">The
granddaughters have inserted poetic best wishes into each balloon.
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Everyone
selects </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">one
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
squeezes it until it explodes. With a loud bang, out pops </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">a
truly hand-made blessing. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">What a splendid activity. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">It
costs next to nothing, but is filled with warm regard and love. </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">So
simple </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
thoughtful and </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">lots
of fun </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">too</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Annya,
an older granddaughter gives me a handmade card. I </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">think
she composed the kind message inside. I </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">read
it…</span></span></p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdYI8c7Sy6O-XJX1-TK0DYcP_yD2UMoVrUY0je7m34yehG-osRCs5PDOhkz73OC72AY14FfYrRa74JxmSYBW7nwR3oeRskhlMBTDscY_x6K2oq6n_IyskvM4sEg3wH6ObJYkqAZ_qHzSwcdlL6ZOfD2rwkYi11WtvzHiJ_o_Sq1bzuOR8MS3ZinUw/s400/Jud%20and%20Annya.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="400" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdYI8c7Sy6O-XJX1-TK0DYcP_yD2UMoVrUY0je7m34yehG-osRCs5PDOhkz73OC72AY14FfYrRa74JxmSYBW7nwR3oeRskhlMBTDscY_x6K2oq6n_IyskvM4sEg3wH6ObJYkqAZ_qHzSwcdlL6ZOfD2rwkYi11WtvzHiJ_o_Sq1bzuOR8MS3ZinUw/w320-h229/Jud%20and%20Annya.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jud & Annya</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_54258750221453132341"></a>
<em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
wish you health...so you may enjoy each day in comfort.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
We wish
you love of friends and family...and piece (sic) within hearts.<br />
<br />
We
wish you beauty of nature ...that you may enjoy the work of God.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
We
wish you wisdom to choose priorities...for those things that really
matter in life. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">We wish you generosity so you may
share....all the good things that come to you.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
We wish you
happiness and joy...and blessings for the New Year.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0.49in;"><em><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We
wish you the best of everything that you so well deserve.</i></span></span></span></span></em></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
I leave this loving home, it begins to lightly snow</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
Nostalgia drifts into my mind and heart. I remember </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">home,
family, and friends. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Many
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">memories
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">from America and now </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">more</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
are here in Ukraine. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's
a Wonderful Life….</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">May you too be blessed during this holiday season and cherish the deeper significance of your memories.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em></p><p class="western" style="line-height: 150%; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;"><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGhij8L40eQ">Link for the LCUUF Service 12/18/2022</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></em></p><br /><p></p>Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-4685786770947148022022-12-19T18:58:00.006-05:002022-12-20T09:29:45.894-05:00Keeping Sane During COVID<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="color: black;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJux8vUlSKHCJTn_FUhLSjBqEagTwQYwYQbZT3HOqEgiJAcH-Avlj_VAlkxVIcQAhbeU23dqNqLVQdRJQ0R-5JfU1FF5EbL84AsMePTWvgdgUHYoyyaHK-9ukTllQfP-knzf1MDy0BilEW-gtdyfgk2c_mRW4BbzBJmYddtapav1BthvVsXRrFeDr/s2304/IMG_20210204_151101701.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJux8vUlSKHCJTn_FUhLSjBqEagTwQYwYQbZT3HOqEgiJAcH-Avlj_VAlkxVIcQAhbeU23dqNqLVQdRJQ0R-5JfU1FF5EbL84AsMePTWvgdgUHYoyyaHK-9ukTllQfP-knzf1MDy0BilEW-gtdyfgk2c_mRW4BbzBJmYddtapav1BthvVsXRrFeDr/w150-h200/IMG_20210204_151101701.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">For
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">more
than </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">two
years, I’ve stayed close to my home, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
Washington, DC</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
In fact like many, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">you
might say I'm cocooning</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">No impromptu visits </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">with
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">friends.
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">No
dinner parties. No crowded restaurants. No human contact </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">except
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">from
behind </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">a
mask </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">wh</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ile</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">peering
into eyes </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">of
others at</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
the supermarket. You never know where COVID might be lurking. I'm</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> trying </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">to
live a sanitized and vaccinated life.</span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I think going digital is keeping </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">me
sane. </span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>My
passion for teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) has </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>beamed me into a </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>new
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>online
world. </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I've </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>become
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>digital
with Zoom.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Of
course there is a learning curve. I had never used Zoom and now I’m
about to use it for teaching.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>F</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>irst
I had to teach myself so I went to “Google University.” </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>That’s
my name for the plethora of </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>information
delivered via </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>text
and videos online. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Since
I’m mostly a self taught ESL teacher, I’m accustomed to learning
new skills on line. </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFCHSs1EdFib8G1anvQp-xMMqw32geCZ6yx7lj5R8HeZ4jauc5we7BI2MoiZNUT5biGROOxgfoA9d7o6pcKMUiBcBAaWjmS-6aleHJ3glJLU9-kV8zaFRq0fyvHJaC63dyXWaH9qlL8zdhWHxriZZK7ZEgmxf4oR3OqzhvyrtT-iG9n6ol1OUq-Lp/s4000/ELK3BPDU4QI6VLM3EVHMTGMTXQ.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2706" data-original-width="4000" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFCHSs1EdFib8G1anvQp-xMMqw32geCZ6yx7lj5R8HeZ4jauc5we7BI2MoiZNUT5biGROOxgfoA9d7o6pcKMUiBcBAaWjmS-6aleHJ3glJLU9-kV8zaFRq0fyvHJaC63dyXWaH9qlL8zdhWHxriZZK7ZEgmxf4oR3OqzhvyrtT-iG9n6ol1OUq-Lp/s320/ELK3BPDU4QI6VLM3EVHMTGMTXQ.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Before
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>too
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>long
I’</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>m
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>creating
break-out rooms, projecting videos, </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>using
online games, sharing my whiteboard and </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>testing
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>students
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>via
a </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>chat
box. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>That’s
kind of good for an older guy like me if I do say so myself.</span></span></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Oh
sure, </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I
ma</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>k</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>e
plenty of mistakes getting lost </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>o</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>n
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>the
various </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>levels
of the software. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Several
times, I click on </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>the
wrong </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>icon
and end </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>a
Zoom</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
meeting abruptly. Fortunately, my students kn</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>o</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>w
enough to rejoin.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I
try to celebrate mistakes in class. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I
tell my students, mistakes are the doorway to more learning. </span></span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>My
first group of Zoom students </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>motivate
me. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Thank
you Dzung, Ahn, Fang, Mahmoud, Jehan, Abid, Quinquin, for your
patience and encouragement. We </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>discovered</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>that
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Zoom
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>English
and </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>friendship
can connect us beyond national boundaries. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>It’s
a </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>wonderful
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>blessing
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>during
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>this
age of COVID.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAiK9Z3Pnf38fG97WSO4cyAUu6t2S-xPshDzHc-d9yl6b8EOwYqhQs29dpyd7j_gy5_YrklNzmBKsWXBxT_VGYGQs-ROWgT9sh3K5DaRFxpwXH_10iefxBwdhsApOSKiubsL_Hz7ye6tbj1zr_oSgupIc92TdfcWZkzK0MjLDXSWIsCCt96t3GcjA/s4000/Mx%20sunset.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAiK9Z3Pnf38fG97WSO4cyAUu6t2S-xPshDzHc-d9yl6b8EOwYqhQs29dpyd7j_gy5_YrklNzmBKsWXBxT_VGYGQs-ROWgT9sh3K5DaRFxpwXH_10iefxBwdhsApOSKiubsL_Hz7ye6tbj1zr_oSgupIc92TdfcWZkzK0MjLDXSWIsCCt96t3GcjA/w488-h225/Mx%20sunset.jpg" width="488" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sunset on Lake Chapala, Mexico</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span><br />Since
October I have been teaching ESL </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>in
Mexico. This time it’s </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>in
person! One of my classes has 8 students from the local Technical
School (like a community college). In order to graduate, they need
to pass an intermediate level test and give a speech in English.</span></span></span></span><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>I’ve
been promoting the idea of becoming Self Guided Learners. Instead of
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>a
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>teacher,
I </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>introduce
myself as a </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Coach.
I </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>explain</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>,
“J</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>ust
like a coach, I can help </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>you
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>learn
to play the game.</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>And
o</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>ur
game is English.” I supply curated links on the Internet </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>and
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>show
them how to </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>maximize
practice time.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>I
found a great video that </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>set
in motion </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>a
lot of </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>quality
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>practice.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>It’s
called JAM or </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0qT4cK-wtk&t=407s">“Just
A Minute.”</a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Students
select a random topic – travel, friendships, favorite foods or
whatever. If they get stuck for a new topic, they ask Google to
produce “topics </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>for
conversations.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>”
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>After
all, they are becoming Self Directed Learners.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Then
with no preparation, they set a timer for 60 seconds and start
talking without </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>pausing.
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>
The genius of this activity is that it forces a learner to stop
mental</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ly
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>translat</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>ing
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>and
start using English to think. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>Sure
it’s hard to stretch the mind in this way, but thinking </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span>in
English is an important step towards fluency.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Recently,
I started a new project. It emerged during </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>a
Zoom conference about refugees </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>with
Unitarian Church leaders.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi7n3hC2erBupfaczf8pmDZpqBgFoSK1X1ptQLD07hGJEMfZbSIBE_drM0m8JWhJBTgMnPN4DSXirRmvC1oPovkXnSb59TVtA2MyqKOByzEhbysdlHhkucnKjFss3fv2gS-A4fsA1K9nLHNt5tj0OmMKLxueaSQDs7BwGzV-weuUgICSHr6UDOci9/s285/marketingimages1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="285" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi7n3hC2erBupfaczf8pmDZpqBgFoSK1X1ptQLD07hGJEMfZbSIBE_drM0m8JWhJBTgMnPN4DSXirRmvC1oPovkXnSb59TVtA2MyqKOByzEhbysdlHhkucnKjFss3fv2gS-A4fsA1K9nLHNt5tj0OmMKLxueaSQDs7BwGzV-weuUgICSHr6UDOci9/w330-h197/marketingimages1.png" width="330" /></a></span></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Many
Afghan refugees are coming into the Washington, DC area. Typically,
the men know some English since they worked with Americans in
Afghanistan.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But the woman do not. They stayed at home and now are
in a strange land with an even stranger language.</span><div><p></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Of
course when they heard of my ESL experience, they wanted to set up
tutoring sessions. I soon realized that one on one tutoring or even
a class was not a sustainable solution given the numbers. </span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> I got to
thinking how do people learn a new language?</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>Often
they hope for magic. If only we have a class or a tutor….they say
to themselves...</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>we’ll
understand. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>
But </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>in
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>reality,
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>there
is no magic, rather it’s a </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>slow
steady process that relies </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>more
</span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>on
their own </span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span>practice,
patience and perseverance.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">That’s
when I decided to produce </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">a
guide. It’s entitled </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Yes,
You Can Learn English</i></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I
began sharing it with churches and agencies. My hope is that
refugees and new immigrants will be empowered to become Self Guided
Learners. </span></span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">If
you would like a copy </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">to
share with others</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">,
email me and request </span></span><a href="mailto:juddolphin@gmail.com">“Yes,
You Can Learn English.”</a><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">My
only request is that you share it freely.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">During
these COVID years, I’ve learned that we can in fact turn lemons
into lemonade. We pause and assess the situation. We see where
there are still needs and discover ways to help. We risk making
mistakes and learn a few new skills. Along the way we find
unexpected friendships. </span></span></p><p align="left" class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> I think we’re not only keeping sane, but
we’re finding ways to thrive.</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</p></div></div>Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-35068053877007269932022-08-20T16:33:00.001-04:002022-08-20T17:09:01.846-04:00Sunflower Metaphors<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
like to think it started with my resident cardinal flicking a
seed from the winter bird-feeder. Fortunately, the seed found a
place to germinate in a corner of my patio flower bed. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.3333px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAHKSce7fK0gi-vmVuyI-ORCtyq0mhcLO2A2DzCYQH5gT-RanbeULnR79jAZ2DO5Va11ocj2aecMx5beRRYwkFugWMU1FXdd6-m_m4mW7fzzAX63NFxetSFI-eWqILn4-QriMrzyKWwMyQw7J55MZEg8UhI1b7TNBYMnQEjmGLnKWO0FDoZbePXx_/s2304/2022%20sunflower%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAHKSce7fK0gi-vmVuyI-ORCtyq0mhcLO2A2DzCYQH5gT-RanbeULnR79jAZ2DO5Va11ocj2aecMx5beRRYwkFugWMU1FXdd6-m_m4mW7fzzAX63NFxetSFI-eWqILn4-QriMrzyKWwMyQw7J55MZEg8UhI1b7TNBYMnQEjmGLnKWO0FDoZbePXx_/w480-h640/2022%20sunflower%201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />I <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.3333px;">discover it during Spring cleanup. I'm thinking, "Is it a weed?" But then, it doesn't look like one. So instead of pulling it out, I decided to let it grow. </span><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Wondering.</span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;">Soon the seedling grows. It reaches upwards towards the sun. I'm measuring its growth against the bricks of my apartment building. Each day it's a brick taller. That's more than 3 inches! By July it's reaching towards my upstairs neighbor's balcony. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: left;">Wow.</span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">There's
no doubt that my cardinal planted a sunflower. Its tall stalk
supports a large central flower head reaching for the sun. Bright yellow pedals encircle a core of new seeds.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Delightful </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvUy5RlNoVrRzAHPLkmih_ndpwzA5b107pl2cJJZ-pXIcwP3qX4SKu0spTuL9HnIbIR--g-_f3whjmwkflO2WrxGeeJzC-QhisNjD-w_e1s9ra3D4NQpaR21fSXE-jm6rvFhlCqko49tym1sieoogG19KImwR5iolp6UBTa3a72tqHUMQp1xrPehh/s3465/2022%20sunflower%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="1363" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvUy5RlNoVrRzAHPLkmih_ndpwzA5b107pl2cJJZ-pXIcwP3qX4SKu0spTuL9HnIbIR--g-_f3whjmwkflO2WrxGeeJzC-QhisNjD-w_e1s9ra3D4NQpaR21fSXE-jm6rvFhlCqko49tym1sieoogG19KImwR5iolp6UBTa3a72tqHUMQp1xrPehh/w252-h640/2022%20sunflower%202.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><p></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I'm
thinking, "How can I protect it?" Frequently, Spring winds and storms
howl through my patio. The sunflower could be damaged. So, I go
looking for stakes to support it. I settle on one that's about 6
feet tall. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> I joke with friends, "It's a Jack-in-the-beanstalk
happening."</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Golden moments</span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But
then, a squirrel comes. The large golden flower is too much of a
temptation. The squirrel climbs the stalk and has a hearty meal. The flower is gone. Only scraps remain scattered on the patio below. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Disheartening.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Days
turn into weeks. The beheaded sunflower is no longer growing. The
stalk broke off under the weight of the squirrel. The leaves still
spiral upwards but there is nothing to frame and show-off. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"> So sad.</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But
then, I notice small buds. They are forming between the remaining
stalk and the spiraling leaves. Soon yellow flowers appear. A
friend comes by and together we count more than a dozen new flowers
where there had only been one. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Amazing.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aBD-1L0H1TtzPi1FXp3E6u9VDvT2wChbk8MxS7qO-2Uyh4FleWAbWp9lFrFR4jckvr3BVrcyHFVgTo6pP6GjHO-Hyxt_lO2djmLhmyjOiziQH_KhhfCWE8q_-Hphy8nfElqvcjeaiFdtp25mvLGZSsnhvavKgSsiJioVxdP1GWCz4t1vhgEF9BoC/s3410/2022%20sunflower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3410" data-original-width="2508" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aBD-1L0H1TtzPi1FXp3E6u9VDvT2wChbk8MxS7qO-2Uyh4FleWAbWp9lFrFR4jckvr3BVrcyHFVgTo6pP6GjHO-Hyxt_lO2djmLhmyjOiziQH_KhhfCWE8q_-Hphy8nfElqvcjeaiFdtp25mvLGZSsnhvavKgSsiJioVxdP1GWCz4t1vhgEF9BoC/w470-h640/2022%20sunflower.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">The
theologian in me is pondering. Out of serendipity emerges wonder. When destroyed, it re-emerges in a dozen new ways. I think, "What
else can be understood this way?" Metaphors for living drift into consciousness.</span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Today,
I'm admiring the many sunflowers from my window. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">Oh no. I see another squirrel. I bang on my window. He looks startled. I bang some
more. He scurries away. But you know, squirrels always return, don't they.
Another metaphor for life.</span> </div>Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-66545528574473027452020-09-07T12:02:00.014-04:002020-09-07T15:05:50.453-04:00Waiting on the World to Change<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Happy
Labor Day.</span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s
the end of summer, the start of a new school year and a time of rest
before it’s back to work...if only we were living in normal times.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>But
of course, we aren’t and haven’t been for more than six months.
Covid19 leaps </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>from
nation to nation, </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>group
to group, person to person. We feel helpless. It’s like </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>the</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>
song that’s become an International Anthem for healthcare workers
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>during
this Epidemic</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>W</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>e
are all </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span><i>
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>
</span></span></span><span style="color: maroon;"><span face=""><span><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBIxScJ5rlY">Waiting
on the World to Change</a></i></span></span></span></span></p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHB0emcDiMAj15q1AW3P6jVfrTAUhVaiLKzZeFoE17HrQZsXorwcqghbV7oRYQsZz5q0-TYyHf45tf-GqLOs-UVVqB3HIzlG7ZAniTZI8S_JP93QH6Hg9zOsLP2a765vOOSp2QAxtSlM/s724/six+feet+apart.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHB0emcDiMAj15q1AW3P6jVfrTAUhVaiLKzZeFoE17HrQZsXorwcqghbV7oRYQsZz5q0-TYyHf45tf-GqLOs-UVVqB3HIzlG7ZAniTZI8S_JP93QH6Hg9zOsLP2a765vOOSp2QAxtSlM/w400-h266/six+feet+apart.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div></span></span><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>Meanwhile, I avoid people. I’ve stopped making multiple
trips to the grocery store. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>Even when I go, it’s a quick in and
out. Returning home, I always wash my hands from thumbs to elbows and face too. I keep singing Happy Birthday to time the washing just as the CDC recommends. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span face=""><span>My
local Giant </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span face=""><span>has
retrofitted plexiglass at checkout counters. </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span face=""><span>Precautions
are in place for both shoppers and employees. </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span face=""><span>Signs
urge distance – at least 6 feet to be safer. Masks are required
and thankfully people </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><span face=""><span><span style="font-size: medium;">comply</span>. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrsMQfMMR-4">Fortunately,
no Kens or Karens are throwing tantrums here</a>.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>Yesterday,
I went on a walk – solo. As I rounded a corner I saw a neighbor.
She lives on the same hallway as I do. Yet, I had not seen her since
before the Epidemic. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>Obviously, both of us have been avoiding human
contact. Even in this chance meeting, we step back 6, 8 maybe 10
feet. But still, talking through our masks, we try to connect.
It’s like a moment of human warmth without touching. </span></span></span>
</span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="">I
talk with distant friends via Zoom. I try to have a few calls every
week so that I don’t get to feeling too isolated. That can be a
danger when you live alone. It helps a lot, but honestly, it isn’t
the same. </span><span face=""> </span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MlpX-HYDivxoTktAr2UwJhBH8byWrtXLSF4elyL8jTgy-NelDbOrVvr4kNVFViANYC8YydBrDOsFGZTylk16ccEsGYq8Is4EnSauvpa2oe4b3uNe4FYFZqagjXRgzi1EsrKetnmhD5s/s2048/Happy+garden.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MlpX-HYDivxoTktAr2UwJhBH8byWrtXLSF4elyL8jTgy-NelDbOrVvr4kNVFViANYC8YydBrDOsFGZTylk16ccEsGYq8Is4EnSauvpa2oe4b3uNe4FYFZqagjXRgzi1EsrKetnmhD5s/w400-h300/Happy+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Risking
a little exposure, I’ve started inviting friends in pairs and
threesomes for wine time on my patio. We avoid hugs even though we
all want to embrace. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We sit apart. We admire the garden. We pretend all is well. But,
it’s not.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sometimes,
wine time turns into whining time. Between sips, we unload the
stress. It’s not just the little annoyances, but also about the
mega issues. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This epidemic has become a pandemic with economic,
social, and political crises. Disasters scream for attention.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>We
talk about lost jobs. I don’t know exactly how they make
calculations, but numbers keep growing. “Did you see that story
about Food Banks being overwhelmed?” So many people are in need
that the social safety net is shredding before our eyes.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUXRIOgigHBZcn3KLmYsfE9pi_BbNihJ_eFEUPCSGU5GHDewhoYd3-KPxYyPk9VeWe81Hk9pvCrh4qg9_qpPz2KUM9EgOn08yPCbAeAGsik9fBuldW2EGMWWEwPNXIxW8vvYLhzB3gxo/s1536/childhood+hunger.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUXRIOgigHBZcn3KLmYsfE9pi_BbNihJ_eFEUPCSGU5GHDewhoYd3-KPxYyPk9VeWe81Hk9pvCrh4qg9_qpPz2KUM9EgOn08yPCbAeAGsik9fBuldW2EGMWWEwPNXIxW8vvYLhzB3gxo/w400-h200/childhood+hunger.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Years
ago I was part of a Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. We had success
expanding nutrition programs for children and their families. But
now, gains have been canceled and it seems like a lost cause. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Don’t
we still realize that families without income grow more and more
desperate? And children go hungry…in America.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We
talk about racism. Who can avoid it? Every week brings news of
another black person shot by police. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The nation is shocked to see in
Prime Time the murder of George Floyd. “I can’t breathe,” he
says crying out for his mother before a final gasp.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isjxPSxny30"><span style="color: maroon;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">An
eye witness shares what he saw...lest we forget.</span></span></span></a></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyNjXT1qYgCOE8VpVHf9X4KFpOwGWFBS8ZiRzKEAryuF_95bIfjn5Pssy0BduziBry4ylUDs__h2hKB0y8yHjiAnt7cyjukfSwUgWa6fZIlnzp1vFKIKHYP7lv6ojeSFY4X34cJN613c/s2048/BLM+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyNjXT1qYgCOE8VpVHf9X4KFpOwGWFBS8ZiRzKEAryuF_95bIfjn5Pssy0BduziBry4ylUDs__h2hKB0y8yHjiAnt7cyjukfSwUgWa6fZIlnzp1vFKIKHYP7lv6ojeSFY4X34cJN613c/w280-h400/BLM+2.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span>Last
month, a friend told me about a Black Lives Matter demonstration in
which she and her husband were participating. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span> I decide to join them
at the busy intersection of Wisconsin and Western Avenue.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I
felt safe going to this demonstration since we each had our own
street corner. Maybe there was some exposure in taking a Metro to
get there. But with only 2 or 3 people in the Metro car, I figured
it was worth the risk. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After all, I’ve been waiting a long time for change and
here’s a chance for me to say, “Enough is ENOUGH!”</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZdj9f6tL2EFpHmNoeQztXiinvZZr5tWbGNfosYUZBfXzFv30f66KtV32-y2FhYfGUmveUl64MHFaYieE7zAmtpsKCxAYNUxCAjshKYiA9g7dln75fYpal4OxwCB42o4UF21K9HGstwE/s2048/BLM.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1110" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZdj9f6tL2EFpHmNoeQztXiinvZZr5tWbGNfosYUZBfXzFv30f66KtV32-y2FhYfGUmveUl64MHFaYieE7zAmtpsKCxAYNUxCAjshKYiA9g7dln75fYpal4OxwCB42o4UF21K9HGstwE/w216-h400/BLM.jpg" width="216" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So,
I hold up my homemade sign – Black Lives Matter. </span></span></span><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Surprisingly, passing cars honk and people flash thumbs-up in support.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Increasingly, I feel human goodness bending that arc of
history towards justice just like Martin Luther King once predicted. It's inspiring. </span></span></span><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A
few weeks later, a friend and I replicated the demonstration on
Connecticut Avenue. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Every Thursday we hold up our signs. Again, cars honk. Passengers gesture support. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">People walking up the Avenue thank us. Some
ask if we need water. We invite them to join us. Maybe some will,
but if not, we’ve all had a moment of affirming life no matter the color. Is America
changing?</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">What
are we to do as we wait on the world to change?</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I
keep thinking about a weaving metaphor. It’s like our times are
calling forth a weaving of a new human cloth. Could it be a reckoning of people first? As
strands of yarn are shuttled back and forth, magic can happen.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPBXaIw13N0AotMoDbptOSecThL5_N5yuaUO1iWfbCLfKp-QRxL4jb9zogy81mcvXBLHaZKR762TtyuzpBV4qjTrarU9GrkIUl2-YMqvluN9TQKH_6qOOEL6KtmPXynjeRvHdm9BzZsM/s640/handmade_floor_rug_make.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPBXaIw13N0AotMoDbptOSecThL5_N5yuaUO1iWfbCLfKp-QRxL4jb9zogy81mcvXBLHaZKR762TtyuzpBV4qjTrarU9GrkIUl2-YMqvluN9TQKH_6qOOEL6KtmPXynjeRvHdm9BzZsM/w400-h300/handmade_floor_rug_make.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Colors
mingle together like a rainbow of humanity - red, yellow, black,
brown and white. What's it going to take to see one human family? </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Textures make us want
to stop and feel the pain as well as the joys of others. Surely we can care
and love more. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Weaving together thoughts and prayers, causes and demonstrations, acts and plans. Each strand portraying dignity and worth. It's a beauty. </span></span></span></div><div><p></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Black
Lives Matter </span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">started
</span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">in
2013 </span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">with
three community organizers. They were outraged by the acquittal of
</span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">T</span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">rayvon
Martin’s murderer. </span><span face="" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">They
took that outrage and wove it into a new thing inviting others to do the same.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Now
people in America and </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">around
the </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">world
are engaged in change</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">.
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">There
so much work </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">to
be done and so many talents </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">needed</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Ending r</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">acism
and building justice </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">is
no quick fix. It'll take more than signs and demonstrations. But let's begin (again?) A</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> new cloth is being woven by people like you and me – one strand
at a time. </span></span></span></span>
</span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Martin
Luther King called </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">this
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">the
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">work
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">of
</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">a
Beloved Community. </span></span></span></span>
</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpT0TEk6jvba_dece_je1uRm2Qa-BfLco1VmwvuXie8SfkGt2MGbX-r47aie7KdeL0qZAacNLo8JVvZiwO77sZc-mMhr_MoNMC_-V05GKw7CTCRQSp23vl15q0l441OG4rH2vIPVSYYQ/s600/King+quote.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpT0TEk6jvba_dece_je1uRm2Qa-BfLco1VmwvuXie8SfkGt2MGbX-r47aie7KdeL0qZAacNLo8JVvZiwO77sZc-mMhr_MoNMC_-V05GKw7CTCRQSp23vl15q0l441OG4rH2vIPVSYYQ/w625-h336/King+quote.jpg" width="625" /></span></a></div><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For
King, “The Beloved Community was not a lofty utopian goal to be
confused with the rapturous image of the Peaceable Kingdom, in which
lions and lambs coexist in idyllic harmony.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“<span face=""><span>Rather,
The Beloved Community was for him a realistic, achievable goal that
could be attained by a critical mass of people committed to and
trained in the philosophy and methods of nonviolence.” - </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: maroon;"><span face=""><span><a href="https://thekingcenter.org/king-philosophy/">The
King Philosophy</a></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span face=""><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Thank
God </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">these
are not </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">normal
times. </span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">It’s
t</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">ime
for weaving….</span></span></span></span></p></div>Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-63076065941942908572020-04-24T12:37:00.002-04:002020-04-25T08:57:57.972-04:00Garden of Metaphors<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So
here I am looking out the window into my patio garden. Even in a
light rain, it’s a delight...maybe more so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCduXebbWqjHyQv3MCUz954iYf90Mih-XidbId9rMX7zgKvoN6AMbDuvzR4QMQ5v2b0SA2y7GjIfZGkoVrCmEO68e4G9NNyYQDE7b1mPbv8eYv7dvnEP_A993Hz-LLaCA2lCTJafu8Sw/s1600/20200424_111702_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCduXebbWqjHyQv3MCUz954iYf90Mih-XidbId9rMX7zgKvoN6AMbDuvzR4QMQ5v2b0SA2y7GjIfZGkoVrCmEO68e4G9NNyYQDE7b1mPbv8eYv7dvnEP_A993Hz-LLaCA2lCTJafu8Sw/s640/20200424_111702_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
perennials are alive and well. They’ve rejuvenated from a their
winter’s sleep. How dependable. And yet, it’s a kind of
miracle when you think about it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDL7VTnNjd6bUmoCtXoaMrL-LzfNjYsn-4zjewED9-dUJ68XcqnSO5VFnzV9tB_H9FTTuB7aa682aI51mOXyNIdSVCMBN1EEt2401DsWoeB4jxtTszfbQZM5_1RxE72PZWOFIbccBDPQ/s1600/20200418_122045_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDL7VTnNjd6bUmoCtXoaMrL-LzfNjYsn-4zjewED9-dUJ68XcqnSO5VFnzV9tB_H9FTTuB7aa682aI51mOXyNIdSVCMBN1EEt2401DsWoeB4jxtTszfbQZM5_1RxE72PZWOFIbccBDPQ/s400/20200418_122045_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
Hostas are dressed in a pale spring green. They’ll get deeper and
darker as the days grow longer and warmer. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The Gloriousa Daisies
have reseeded and show great vigor. I’m looking forward to their
blooms by the 4</span><sup style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of July. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZCslZnxrYu62Z9CCJII5OY9NNcFPnp0nQG_MJfVme4fYTLjo5M6OB9fj8OfX8eSmv2A3WY4uxi56cWct_rDmY8_rSY8Hqlm2N5OKFLR9XrHcvWEoYTf7ne2i4SccQSDyT1P_r5g7yTY/s1600/20200423_135546_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZCslZnxrYu62Z9CCJII5OY9NNcFPnp0nQG_MJfVme4fYTLjo5M6OB9fj8OfX8eSmv2A3WY4uxi56cWct_rDmY8_rSY8Hqlm2N5OKFLR9XrHcvWEoYTf7ne2i4SccQSDyT1P_r5g7yTY/s640/20200423_135546_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Royal Purple Clematis has
been busy climbing all over the trellis. Already buds are shooting
out from the vines and flowers are bursting forth. So early and so
welcomed. </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VxE_gVPG3oyarANTx3607ImiG6y-K5FEuB8C8x0uYbTV2iXxDO-bH46KmfMytLC6k_lp8RKIAKjSpYeM07w8b96f4i2wtuULtIKxcpMw1ofe-X4MVKjKJo-pCStmy8Qo0OrzBhxfOFc/s1600/20200418_122200_HDR-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VxE_gVPG3oyarANTx3607ImiG6y-K5FEuB8C8x0uYbTV2iXxDO-bH46KmfMytLC6k_lp8RKIAKjSpYeM07w8b96f4i2wtuULtIKxcpMw1ofe-X4MVKjKJo-pCStmy8Qo0OrzBhxfOFc/s400/20200418_122200_HDR-1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My
coral bells, which never fully die in winter, are perky again. Their
reddish maroon color compliments the predominant green and yellows of
Spring. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I started with 1 plant several years ago and now they are
filling 6 large planters....with a little help from the Master
Gardener, of course!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bee
balm is spreading again. A friend gave me a single sprig. It’s an
old fashioned flower that my mother had in her garden. Each Spring
the Bee Balm expands and expands again. Enough is enough. Where’s my
hoe to set limits to their wayward ways? </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYghfYcrTHLwWk6DCGa-54F_IVcHR71jcW-pnCZjOy8aYfoq9NbBFaBhP6IHTJ8fhQwNs4Om7bKf5qTkcXEn14pmbd4LzxOOl31dFv5SbSOHNHYE3l8_F1ULp5r4mbGBlJGrrg5_Fnjw/s1600/20200418_121924_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYghfYcrTHLwWk6DCGa-54F_IVcHR71jcW-pnCZjOy8aYfoq9NbBFaBhP6IHTJ8fhQwNs4Om7bKf5qTkcXEn14pmbd4LzxOOl31dFv5SbSOHNHYE3l8_F1ULp5r4mbGBlJGrrg5_Fnjw/s400/20200418_121924_HDR-1.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They’re
just like those goose necks. In my great garden plan, they are
meant to occupy a corner space under a large shrub.. They too
started with a few roots from friends in Maine. They mentioned that
they might be invasive, but I wasn’t worried. After all, they’re
in a corner. </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
this winter they conspired slowly sending out spies through
underground tunnels. Now that it's Spring, they are showing
themselves in unexpected places. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Invasive indeed! Where<b> is </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">my
hoe?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxH_RO9jXZfC2FSwRs0jJezqvMahICDgGuTODkMC2hOwlXLYFcYZ6zxcrv3dbOfqlWMxjJ_Q5BLHn6fTpkTZwsOvkNV1Qj1q3BRbcTM3vgeyF-EJbm3GuvFrL1VCtaLfA8h74RcehDxc/s1600/20200418_122116_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxH_RO9jXZfC2FSwRs0jJezqvMahICDgGuTODkMC2hOwlXLYFcYZ6zxcrv3dbOfqlWMxjJ_Q5BLHn6fTpkTZwsOvkNV1Qj1q3BRbcTM3vgeyF-EJbm3GuvFrL1VCtaLfA8h74RcehDxc/s400/20200418_122116_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
love my pot of Mint. I use the young leaves in tea and salads….yum.
Last summer, it was looking shabby, but now it’s filling the pot
with lots of young shoots. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’m reminded, “Never judge a Mint by
last year’s pot.” </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo0BQyQs21DeLwpPZ1ieiE2OikV0epbJgpg6AQJIkpp4trY23edLtgwQcPFHQIcV2OSi1ik3vJ2QbS_am2iY4c2LQfmpjG7NZQSGxb7rR6_iuJbwc2yZxfhSgy5Uaj8Hcpn9ol-BbpNA/s1600/20200418_122020_HDR-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo0BQyQs21DeLwpPZ1ieiE2OikV0epbJgpg6AQJIkpp4trY23edLtgwQcPFHQIcV2OSi1ik3vJ2QbS_am2iY4c2LQfmpjG7NZQSGxb7rR6_iuJbwc2yZxfhSgy5Uaj8Hcpn9ol-BbpNA/s640/20200418_122020_HDR-1-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Along
a half wall, Asiatic and Oriental Lilies poke their heads skyward.
They compete to see who can grow tallest. Last year that one on the
end was about 7 feet tall and covered with flowers. So proud she was
of those blossoms. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But
tall and big are not the only attributes to admire. Some lilies have
a wonderful sweetness in their scent. Others are remarkable in the
shading of their petals. Some are early bloomers while others wait
around until back-to-school time. All are grand in one way or
another. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
say, "Celebrate the Lilies in all their diversity."</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin4UKkkit5l2SLByJiSQ_pHE_rmfYjauY6MPZsqvy2eTcxkKcflHMqOovpd8cqrh4J0adVaWmiTox8SZJ2NvxPzBYZaH1SBIOqn__14TKVBfKHLAFfakvoiYOot0GtOcHga_aSFkDSck/s1600/20200423_135629_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin4UKkkit5l2SLByJiSQ_pHE_rmfYjauY6MPZsqvy2eTcxkKcflHMqOovpd8cqrh4J0adVaWmiTox8SZJ2NvxPzBYZaH1SBIOqn__14TKVBfKHLAFfakvoiYOot0GtOcHga_aSFkDSck/s400/20200423_135629_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marigolds take root<br />It's going to be a marigold summer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lining
the back wall, clumps of Burning Bushes are spreading themselves into a
billowing back drop. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How deceiving they are. From shades of green
now, they’ll burst into scarlet red by the first frost. Growing older can sometimes be colorful. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So
many metaphors are in the garden. I like to sit here letting my mind
wander. </span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Every
year the garden says, “Look at me. Remember, from debris and
decay, comes reincarnation, resurrection, nirvana or whatever you
call the mystery. Yes, soak in the mystery of life. </span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's
especially welcomed since my friend, Ron Scott, died a few weeks ago.
I like to recall that we met at Vacation Bible School at the
Presbyterian Church when we were 5 years old.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My long time friend is
gone but remains part of memory – mine, his wife and many friends.
It’s like my mentor at Seminary, David Buttrick, said, “We all are
side-stepping into mystery.” I’m reminded of the movie, Coco.
Love you, Ron. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5M8xR-rQ8mfzkNyjc5VSUVMxmNtLX9fw678U_FwA1moLlCUZCenmq4AKI06ULL6QvaHrCnck_noDYPXJeNqOpgD1MRKHSKOn9m2sFEWUK0JPB7WQWJziMq9fX6JIBBcyhwrkxg3VQRA/s1600/20180118_120557_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5M8xR-rQ8mfzkNyjc5VSUVMxmNtLX9fw678U_FwA1moLlCUZCenmq4AKI06ULL6QvaHrCnck_noDYPXJeNqOpgD1MRKHSKOn9m2sFEWUK0JPB7WQWJziMq9fX6JIBBcyhwrkxg3VQRA/s640/20180118_120557_HDR-1.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Surprisingly,
from the corner of my eye I see red wings. Cardinals are visiting my
feeder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">According
to superstition, if you see a cardinal, one of your loved ones wants
you to know that they're watching over you and that you're not alone.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My
cardinals scatter the sparrows and take over a spot meant just for
them. Always, I'm delighted by their visits...especially in the afternoons around wine time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">They go for sunflower seeds while I
sip Cabernet. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's
a good deal for all.</span></span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So
here I am sitting by the window wandering through the garden. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then serendipity...this poem comes into my email from Unitarian friends in Ajijic, Mexico. I want to share it with you....</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://patschneider.com/pat/the-patience-of-ordinary-things/">ThePatience of Ordinary Things</a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It
is a kind of love, is it not?</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
the cup holds the tea,</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How
the floor receives the bottoms of shoes</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or
toes. How soles of feet know</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where
they're supposed to be.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've
been thinking about the patience</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of
ordinary things, how clothes</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait
respectfully in closets</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And
soap dries quietly in the dish,</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And
towels drink the wet</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">From
the skin of the back.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And
the lovely repetition of stairs.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And
what is more generous than a window?</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.94in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 3.94in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-
Pat Schneider.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-27244744793794491002020-03-27T14:39:00.000-04:002020-03-29T16:35:45.980-04:00AJIJIC, MEXICO IN PICTURES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is one picture worth a thousand words? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's give it a try....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL-tkWjVTBuMiM0P-czZirtjIrJKxk4zyAGJtoeQVm49QI_QRk0X-mLe2Pge6D1uazrAzyg4k6h98WM4ny9PEpRhGYEjpcQC2BZ4tP2eM3PUnyIkWph8rrK2BR6T-b0pRTISYw97xKHY/s1600/20191010_192758_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL-tkWjVTBuMiM0P-czZirtjIrJKxk4zyAGJtoeQVm49QI_QRk0X-mLe2Pge6D1uazrAzyg4k6h98WM4ny9PEpRhGYEjpcQC2BZ4tP2eM3PUnyIkWph8rrK2BR6T-b0pRTISYw97xKHY/s640/20191010_192758_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcUO0Pr8EVzHVtnNTlD3xAOFPfvfsOMIfKAYrszB_O8CzqRctc2dXbHnaCYCpqbdg2uyQjuHEK1zS0QMFOx_ZHmVmuzQdGU_XudYIUDidzyN_Ex8uSv9CYTWRriWA4rNzcHONTY-_viw/s1600/20200205_132323_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcUO0Pr8EVzHVtnNTlD3xAOFPfvfsOMIfKAYrszB_O8CzqRctc2dXbHnaCYCpqbdg2uyQjuHEK1zS0QMFOx_ZHmVmuzQdGU_XudYIUDidzyN_Ex8uSv9CYTWRriWA4rNzcHONTY-_viw/s640/20200205_132323_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lake Chapala from a mountain vista </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Central to my adventure is Lake Chapala and the village of Ajijic on its northern shore. Aijic emerged from the lives of indigenous tribes. In ancient times, Ajijic meant a "place where water springs forth." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even today, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lake Chapala is still the largest lake in all of Mexico - 14 miles long. It's about 40 miles south of Guadalajara in the central region of Mexico. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Long before the Spanish came, a</span><span style="background-color: white;">ncient peoples inhabited the lake area and came and went as the waters rose or receded. They fished and raised their families here. Much of their culture remains. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3FZOnbTDOONXufgjmWw7EOBbxwmvOak4sN1SR1S-hc_5lz4-hrvkuTZrvT8Q7aQRMI0WW1NXy9MQg6oJuqgnGSWeChUNrC4XioJFgoH1xO3uQAobeq8B3oUEngefNXJfGVQKAlf0n54/s1600/20191027_184036_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3FZOnbTDOONXufgjmWw7EOBbxwmvOak4sN1SR1S-hc_5lz4-hrvkuTZrvT8Q7aQRMI0WW1NXy9MQg6oJuqgnGSWeChUNrC4XioJFgoH1xO3uQAobeq8B3oUEngefNXJfGVQKAlf0n54/s640/20191027_184036_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Often I walk the lake shore in the evening.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_4oGahdpwx1PXiq7gC3AYGj7jfmcKt8pauFVvntxsqw1uwwad7rKw-RcVgAXPz-UqyfXZ0Y_sEwxfgH6sHYVhJi44pRJ21oOFVJ7h1NL3TE2tfM0_yAbnejlN7BqknnbCDmhrul5nqw/s1600/20200107_182014_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_4oGahdpwx1PXiq7gC3AYGj7jfmcKt8pauFVvntxsqw1uwwad7rKw-RcVgAXPz-UqyfXZ0Y_sEwxfgH6sHYVhJi44pRJ21oOFVJ7h1NL3TE2tfM0_yAbnejlN7BqknnbCDmhrul5nqw/s640/20200107_182014_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sunsets never disappoint</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the 1920s, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">intellectuals and dissidents came to Ajijic mixing with native people. Another influx began in the 1950 - 60's. And still another is happening now as mostly Canadians and North Americans look for retirement places. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Art and Creativity are abundant companions </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">in Ajijic.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o84tC_MVWE0JNrkeXwgvvQlk8hlRTFlTVt1IEobcrA8DUjxGXO00DfodugLhTfwPkhLcy_h3ZHBZMT-po_3gdpWKNAFhTikWwH277HT1yCRVzeuAd6HVu7B9oEjBhmdpyppkeRBIcuE/s1600/20191218_153543_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o84tC_MVWE0JNrkeXwgvvQlk8hlRTFlTVt1IEobcrA8DUjxGXO00DfodugLhTfwPkhLcy_h3ZHBZMT-po_3gdpWKNAFhTikWwH277HT1yCRVzeuAd6HVu7B9oEjBhmdpyppkeRBIcuE/s640/20191218_153543_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Community beautification </span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHpmhty5oDwvAtOp4pD0B3J12BuB55zQiwzOU0ql3nBBmpFTxxx3wQg4bbOfZdLQO9Ta8JMbjxH8ALtozcFeWPc1pTyU3KSgQGUzedTh4A8Mm382xYhNQ3cfpGuIZBQI_doAPViuSJ7I/s1600/20190928_164920_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1473" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHpmhty5oDwvAtOp4pD0B3J12BuB55zQiwzOU0ql3nBBmpFTxxx3wQg4bbOfZdLQO9Ta8JMbjxH8ALtozcFeWPc1pTyU3KSgQGUzedTh4A8Mm382xYhNQ3cfpGuIZBQI_doAPViuSJ7I/s640/20190928_164920_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Giant Lizard keeps watch</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_FpBfeFhJko1DjHa1OiAC-CSTZ5tr8ZZCttZECJkpOPerJrD1XDMfVYHoTYORrD_GYyLgWCjWRpZ0SHzlm541m-V8yTSdzaKvvWJm9aJ1VYev7M9sPOvhx5nezc_YPiP6la2Rhlj-00/s1600/20191012_191933_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_FpBfeFhJko1DjHa1OiAC-CSTZ5tr8ZZCttZECJkpOPerJrD1XDMfVYHoTYORrD_GYyLgWCjWRpZ0SHzlm541m-V8yTSdzaKvvWJm9aJ1VYev7M9sPOvhx5nezc_YPiP6la2Rhlj-00/s640/20191012_191933_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Fanciful Imagination enlivens a bare wall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qJ42-sp6zT082ijlmVJzsRIJivbTosyHBhn9Y48C6v2eXnRC_aK94CLrXa2ZyeUJ6zHvlU8nP3ROhuh3UMvcc8e18aVDMXcAvv6wcp6RtsC5ZZEr7DRn_q8QDSR-MQVD3vcUhBcJYTQ/s1600/20191025_174133_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qJ42-sp6zT082ijlmVJzsRIJivbTosyHBhn9Y48C6v2eXnRC_aK94CLrXa2ZyeUJ6zHvlU8nP3ROhuh3UMvcc8e18aVDMXcAvv6wcp6RtsC5ZZEr7DRn_q8QDSR-MQVD3vcUhBcJYTQ/s640/20191025_174133_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Striking a pose in front of the Cultural Center</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmVneSJ46vBnv-ouAjuPeccibtdhUAU8D2COpnsrEs_XcnAUxls-Z-cVHUhv44jUuYShEh45LAL25qqf-naEhdxgTj38pph7xWZ8fmzgM5RXegEdYEld8GFlUp690BHfOStwG3_Ss-dE/s1600/20191030_135048_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="683" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmVneSJ46vBnv-ouAjuPeccibtdhUAU8D2COpnsrEs_XcnAUxls-Z-cVHUhv44jUuYShEh45LAL25qqf-naEhdxgTj38pph7xWZ8fmzgM5RXegEdYEld8GFlUp690BHfOStwG3_Ss-dE/s640/20191030_135048_HDR-1.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Carved from a log and painted by a local artist</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">More sunsets reflect across Lake Chapala. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It's a beauty</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU7wlB_mVHvPYNCEOm1fCgCpGATNZkDGb84FO059BWY9MAAIli02Dc-UAi_rBz1ZsOJyB1cqFk2ZEJtGp6NxbK9HG4lLIF8zYwcEx-eOgZ5Gw_0hvieVAnWGUkEaYlUoggi2kmD4Wrjo/s1600/20191007_195925_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU7wlB_mVHvPYNCEOm1fCgCpGATNZkDGb84FO059BWY9MAAIli02Dc-UAi_rBz1ZsOJyB1cqFk2ZEJtGp6NxbK9HG4lLIF8zYwcEx-eOgZ5Gw_0hvieVAnWGUkEaYlUoggi2kmD4Wrjo/s640/20191007_195925_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy music, dance and more</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbEhOtLS7iAxXIuAUfgAwPHZf3OkcpyYWzxiC2n-zlh8ugNRHVVEm7P50j2VKgNCDgtNYboYfCqSycJZFncsou6wS30xZv8gdVhHbxt-HxrlfRiuuU7CX-uNUeQW4JtCgGa-7PnUZ35w/s1600/20200102_174705_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbEhOtLS7iAxXIuAUfgAwPHZf3OkcpyYWzxiC2n-zlh8ugNRHVVEm7P50j2VKgNCDgtNYboYfCqSycJZFncsou6wS30xZv8gdVhHbxt-HxrlfRiuuU7CX-uNUeQW4JtCgGa-7PnUZ35w/s640/20200102_174705_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After school, students practice in the park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A few ESL students share a song</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizALf_65-Wo73XHfHldB5z-ovz6SJv7pXbwSpNxvmzomJVq7Sxw7z6JpzZYdLJUc1MVv1JbAqclJ1pjQDnBzbwkeprzzxgDGpvjKT7UVy8h4Dmyhmn7PYzXJBDBX9WaubhSeTSaF1Ig1I/s1600/20200101_143538_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizALf_65-Wo73XHfHldB5z-ovz6SJv7pXbwSpNxvmzomJVq7Sxw7z6JpzZYdLJUc1MVv1JbAqclJ1pjQDnBzbwkeprzzxgDGpvjKT7UVy8h4Dmyhmn7PYzXJBDBX9WaubhSeTSaF1Ig1I/s640/20200101_143538_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Almost every month parades <br />and festivals flood through the streets</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrowZHZHeQmHKuM8l8wDJHN49H1Qof0aOhHkOnQ2IIjm9lmQqJeK_0nebgRjLPQo9_-b2p0OScavZrmmD1qg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ancient ritual reenacted</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqVHpdn-YmPZ4vq-_o9-zRdOBUsl1TwjOz6j2GYpkoVmfZOImSQ3H0eed0n1UgtkYvj6fp7Uzw_e0hQ0I6aS6uNQa_6FDhOWDnak5AxCfqgUGWVN6dDty3XuF0SC-FTHtvByhdJObpyM/s1600/20191027_174840_HDR-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqVHpdn-YmPZ4vq-_o9-zRdOBUsl1TwjOz6j2GYpkoVmfZOImSQ3H0eed0n1UgtkYvj6fp7Uzw_e0hQ0I6aS6uNQa_6FDhOWDnak5AxCfqgUGWVN6dDty3XuF0SC-FTHtvByhdJObpyM/s320/20191027_174840_HDR-1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Mariachis are the soul of Mexican music</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxBc4OauiRN4yX8jXk1aI1WkR3dKUdSNZu5XWMigE20mkcTcnkQBMhyTeECL5zaNjiXffF-Kfecy4PLRHhD1Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Original from Ajijic</span><br />
<h3 class="LC20lb DKV0Md" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 4px 0px 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Danza de los Voladores - Dance of the Flyers</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danza_de_los_Voladores" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danza_de_los_Voladores&ved=2ahUKEwj5jOiww8DoAhXFj3IEHbo5AW0QFjAUegQIAhAB" style="background-color: white; color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"></a><br /></span>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MR6qRUKTOp4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MR6qRUKTOp4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Additional video from YouTube</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3yqTtunsgL3mmirPubyu9MPwmXqB9GB1yhoDEy-aor5yfckTmHtFpBLRLGmdlqKtEkzl6OfzFcTkVO9jkDmrJhyM2uiHaQ0syHpc9ItmIdBgGeKPlNYmNTZVHFHk4sbu8h_sb59j5eU/s1600/20191005_174337_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3yqTtunsgL3mmirPubyu9MPwmXqB9GB1yhoDEy-aor5yfckTmHtFpBLRLGmdlqKtEkzl6OfzFcTkVO9jkDmrJhyM2uiHaQ0syHpc9ItmIdBgGeKPlNYmNTZVHFHk4sbu8h_sb59j5eU/s320/20191005_174337_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Overlooking Ajijic Plaza </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">where friends and family gather</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-26462916023484225412019-12-27T15:07:00.001-05:002019-12-27T18:12:11.291-05:00A Xenophobic Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A friend encourages me to go to Church on
Christmas Eve. “Great music, It’ll put you into the Christmas
Spirit.”</span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm already moving in that direction.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGfXpkRmYM5hJ1DIl6Y0QxAymOY17fvscameipCz67S3dvyTygdg_yNGtiWAFiRlD_pSmtiFl5S-xKJSbP-s4K-1QZF8vbqQ3EhbPrml3Ne9N8MI6Dz_C2Tzpl4thPrCAS50mZZt789A/s1600/op-fed-123a_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="525" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGfXpkRmYM5hJ1DIl6Y0QxAymOY17fvscameipCz67S3dvyTygdg_yNGtiWAFiRlD_pSmtiFl5S-xKJSbP-s4K-1QZF8vbqQ3EhbPrml3Ne9N8MI6Dz_C2Tzpl4thPrCAS50mZZt789A/s400/op-fed-123a_orig.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Earlier
in the day, I travel to a neighboring
village and help <a href="http://www.operationfeedsjc.org/">Operation Feed</a>
provide a hundred families with food
and gifts and toys for their children. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkeaQLC-U7dprDPxFiDDOfz1pUw_Kz7TQXWbfhHF16S-2GmgYI5btZ543pMqpBNuXInt6kr6EpU9aFkQsypdwMwjc-QiSZbtvx0JMdBfzrGnSuKU0YHYM2alqKlwDgSBaf__rqZnCg6Q/s1600/20191224_115821_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkeaQLC-U7dprDPxFiDDOfz1pUw_Kz7TQXWbfhHF16S-2GmgYI5btZ543pMqpBNuXInt6kr6EpU9aFkQsypdwMwjc-QiSZbtvx0JMdBfzrGnSuKU0YHYM2alqKlwDgSBaf__rqZnCg6Q/s400/20191224_115821_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Families gather at Operation Feed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> The program is a
collaboration between Mexicans and expats. A local Mexican leader
and restaurateur spear-heads this
and many other weekly projects.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-KFKhb14deP-zgxc0RBmqvhCsczockNFDkU6FXzqb0Wju2aZs_1WNIzlPTDzE1FYajSmyHKGSyMLK_Oq8fiCLxkQx9t6ChB3Sv9Hmdn66Su5zgML_PcyNQDPf_fYAP8tebb2rUp8rek/s1600/20191224_124646_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-KFKhb14deP-zgxc0RBmqvhCsczockNFDkU6FXzqb0Wju2aZs_1WNIzlPTDzE1FYajSmyHKGSyMLK_Oq8fiCLxkQx9t6ChB3Sv9Hmdn66Su5zgML_PcyNQDPf_fYAP8tebb2rUp8rek/s400/20191224_124646_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Augustine and volunteers become a Christmas message</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
meet two women who tell me more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“We’re the egg ladies,” they
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">announce</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">.
“We help sort eggs for distribution out into the village.”</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They
tell me it’s a volunteer job but they pay 200 pesos each time for
the privilege. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine paying to
volunteer. “It’s egg money,”
smiles one of the women. “How else
can
we have money for eggs?”
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn49nyFOM0aE5AIcyXKs9olCnE1qOOg15YvnAlxaOH0u7uxI8LP3toRUZR_F8sSX9B3u0QC9UbcGoYBWlzcnYxHNVr3zwGxi6wk_sw9afBIFeMW768CsUfprPsWu8BLKFjUh_VI3KpG8/s1600/20191224_122904_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn49nyFOM0aE5AIcyXKs9olCnE1qOOg15YvnAlxaOH0u7uxI8LP3toRUZR_F8sSX9B3u0QC9UbcGoYBWlzcnYxHNVr3zwGxi6wk_sw9afBIFeMW768CsUfprPsWu8BLKFjUh_VI3KpG8/s320/20191224_122904_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
organization’s motto is... </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stop The Hunger - Start The Hope. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a wonderful Christmas message, I think. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
hop on a crowded bus and make my way to music and Christmas eve
worship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As expected, the music is
grand. Harmonies mix with congregational singing. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
sing O Come All Ye Faithful – all 6 verses.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdgiMtacXL1aXvajJz1JIl6TlLLHeZ-UrS8dbs06Zk8CpJgazQNyYqeaTJi-AgMFnwlqcDGz_Xu4tfsgMuMITS3VvjePjErUcgbu3MVuQ49BqVwufzxsZlvgFEMP4RYjbPXwxFXL5-7A/s1600/20191225_173220_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdgiMtacXL1aXvajJz1JIl6TlLLHeZ-UrS8dbs06Zk8CpJgazQNyYqeaTJi-AgMFnwlqcDGz_Xu4tfsgMuMITS3VvjePjErUcgbu3MVuQ49BqVwufzxsZlvgFEMP4RYjbPXwxFXL5-7A/s640/20191225_173220_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nativity fills the Plaza at Ajijic</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sermon starts with a light
hearted joke and promises to be brief. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A story unfolds of expats celebrating
a first Christmas in Mexico. “We
had no church, but we made a large
living space feel like church.” </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We settled into traditional Christmas worship even though we all had been transported from our homes to Mexico. It felt good to be with other expats.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards
continues the Pastor,
“we decide to go into the town to see how Mexicans celebrate
Christmas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had images of a
Mexican
procession moving slowly
towards the Church with candles in hand,”
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wjgiQoJ1QFr8g6158nn6CN8zY7R9ZahqnACOlHR0TIAVMVRcgRMJCKU08Kna10D6q0olQ49SxoqotR1oQf5iMECmr7MYrFqbjrQPt_U1Uyqn4pb_vPoiwSJbUNh9RBWJFfumfcilTUM/s1600/posada+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wjgiQoJ1QFr8g6158nn6CN8zY7R9ZahqnACOlHR0TIAVMVRcgRMJCKU08Kna10D6q0olQ49SxoqotR1oQf5iMECmr7MYrFqbjrQPt_U1Uyqn4pb_vPoiwSJbUNh9RBWJFfumfcilTUM/s400/posada+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Posada in Mexico</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But
in stark contrast, we meet
“utter chaos.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Raucous, loud,
alcohol out-of-control masses are some of the derogatory
words used. Negative caricatures follow in describing this Mexican Christmas celebration. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It jolts me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
sermon continues
poking fun at Mexican behaviors. A few congregants begin to snicker. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
feeling more uncomfortable. To me, it
sounds xenophobic. W</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hy would a sermon poke fun at Mexicans on Christmas eve in Mexico? </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It must be something unconscious – maybe an ignorance saying that our way is the better
way. Could that be why some of the people
around me are now
laughing and not growing
more uncomfortable as I am. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
sermon concludes with Church bells says the Pastor. “At first, a single bell rings
out. And then others join in. Soon many
bells are
filling the town air and
quieting the Mexicans,” reassures
the Pastor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He ends the sermon with a
broad smile. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next
is passing the Peace of Christ.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">People
clasp hands and a few hug one another. An older woman quickly
clasped my hand and then just as quickly turns away. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99aeOSHLQoV-L4zZavBklv0YPiP2Uc7cLP2EXI1eZ9ohsW8v9qFFlD8LPSpMWeEt1JiwlcVVRYl9VHZYUppZ-FDRjO1Op_4puRpAzykfpo8X79qjTnLYfEBKVAoo9Mrdj3zmbiSyZrP4/s1600/peace-1897318_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99aeOSHLQoV-L4zZavBklv0YPiP2Uc7cLP2EXI1eZ9ohsW8v9qFFlD8LPSpMWeEt1JiwlcVVRYl9VHZYUppZ-FDRjO1Op_4puRpAzykfpo8X79qjTnLYfEBKVAoo9Mrdj3zmbiSyZrP4/s320/peace-1897318_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What's it like to be an outsider?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Huh? I look around towards others, but no one returns the glance or
makes an effort.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even
the Pastor, when he comes down the aisle, skips my row. I’m not
sure why. But it does make me feel like an outsider. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s then
that I decide to leave before Eucharist is
served. I think, “It’s not a
place for me.”
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On
the bus ride home, the sermon still rumbles within. I
need an antidote.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
regain some comfort in seeing ordinary Mexican men and women with
children in tow making their own way home. A guy plays his guitar and fills the bus with song.
I pass him some money. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOnXtFuPzsYlLhjtKpqaVeERJzwohp_F9LtaCAFm1VwCQj0cLvZfCbVWCHADby8O4xjEvaURuydc0Z_Eiq8rN1TgeuESK_7AgE8vM2TqYuNnaRf4TF5LGg_ST7pKQCXABbpasOFfYEUw/s1600/20191108_152726_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1044" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOnXtFuPzsYlLhjtKpqaVeERJzwohp_F9LtaCAFm1VwCQj0cLvZfCbVWCHADby8O4xjEvaURuydc0Z_Eiq8rN1TgeuESK_7AgE8vM2TqYuNnaRf4TF5LGg_ST7pKQCXABbpasOFfYEUw/s400/20191108_152726_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A young man stands to give up his seat. I
shake my head, not necessary, but with a smile, he insists.
Unexpected kindness on a crowded bus.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I get home. I watch a new movie, <i>The
Two Popes</i>, and regain some
perspective. I surf the net for
sermons and Christmas messages.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In
spite of my recent experience, I’m
reminded how lively Christmas
Spirit can be. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Congregations do act with kindness, justice and peace and not just
at Christmas time. They stretch
themselves to welcome the stranger
and embrace the forgotten.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure,
the sermon was unfortunate. But ironically, it opens a broader
reflection into the insidious persistence of xenophobia. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It
can slide into conversations and sermons without awareness. I
feel a new urgency for the message of Christmas...especially here in
Mexico.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWV8EySpHKizUak6Wi34uIX_Zm2BvMoU5fWGDrFbTDyqqAlZssTNYX1-XJtOGK5j0BDXClR3BjNv6WYUjZ2_W4CPUGWuEq3WSNpWYE5LmS8OHqqryJrawzYWs4I0Ck21gegny4a0vdzA/s1600/w1240-p16x9-010119_migrants_mexico_border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWV8EySpHKizUak6Wi34uIX_Zm2BvMoU5fWGDrFbTDyqqAlZssTNYX1-XJtOGK5j0BDXClR3BjNv6WYUjZ2_W4CPUGWuEq3WSNpWYE5LmS8OHqqryJrawzYWs4I0Ck21gegny4a0vdzA/s400/w1240-p16x9-010119_migrants_mexico_border.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Tear gas used on Mexican families at the border</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Too
many cruel and hate-filled images of Mexicans are
in our media and on the lips of our
leaders. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Insistently </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Xenophobia seeps into awareness smearing good people who just want to live... a little differently.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeB98lgU8bI80h_2R4eNE8cc3AHOKhICGlGXGSucbhBrZEXKfqrt2XhSXqw1x3-OZBd894N50TYEVRisE0lzPr_8lkL733pTl238QrYBOCQ2KmHetcB7QMUAZUU_RQanINM-Q4RCAjvw/s1600/20191219_101433_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeB98lgU8bI80h_2R4eNE8cc3AHOKhICGlGXGSucbhBrZEXKfqrt2XhSXqw1x3-OZBd894N50TYEVRisE0lzPr_8lkL733pTl238QrYBOCQ2KmHetcB7QMUAZUU_RQanINM-Q4RCAjvw/s640/20191219_101433_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Singing with some students at a Christmas party</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
want to keep my focus on
the kindnesses
I’ve experienced here and
embrace human differences that
surround me everywhere in Mexico.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So
when the bells ring out tonight for Christmas eve,
I’ll be thinking of angelic words proclaimed to ordinary
shepherds.</span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peace on Earth and
Good Will to All.
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqAVEGX6TE-uzfbr44ruEIFAAkIq2JYhtE1ncriTS4op06vuXIN0F1WuBOB44WGvytulvdE6eL72suOzah8fb20lw2xh4PZm3ZPXTR3VpgXo1PuEupxhnxtPpjMVxExj038cd8iY2kfM/s1600/20191224_124730_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqAVEGX6TE-uzfbr44ruEIFAAkIq2JYhtE1ncriTS4op06vuXIN0F1WuBOB44WGvytulvdE6eL72suOzah8fb20lw2xh4PZm3ZPXTR3VpgXo1PuEupxhnxtPpjMVxExj038cd8iY2kfM/s320/20191224_124730_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Older women belong here</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ll
keep remembering expats paying to volunteer and a Mexican leader who cares for the
poor and lives the Christmas message every
week... </span></div>
<div align="center" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">End The Hunger. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Start The Hope</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAiKKR8ja2HxnrhfNt_2k7MX1bpfMqkB2EvPCP5j0YGFHU_qXONhDDlAO79tEZQ990J-ncSWucfXl60Vdxx0NQ-4tFN2Hvjf1Jd9mVMAWQW97BsDSSztrCTThGZ4O8UmXvTye1GGD3qA/s1600/operation+feed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAiKKR8ja2HxnrhfNt_2k7MX1bpfMqkB2EvPCP5j0YGFHU_qXONhDDlAO79tEZQ990J-ncSWucfXl60Vdxx0NQ-4tFN2Hvjf1Jd9mVMAWQW97BsDSSztrCTThGZ4O8UmXvTye1GGD3qA/s320/operation+feed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<u style="color: navy; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u style="color: navy; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u style="color: navy; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.operationfeedsjc.org/">http://www.operationfeedsjc.org/</a></span></u></u></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-36658357933290765152019-11-14T15:28:00.002-05:002019-11-14T18:06:08.872-05:00Deeper into Dia de los Muertos<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Sometimes
reality get</span><span style="color: black;">s
</span><span style="color: black;">obscured...if
only for a moment.</span></span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%;">
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
5:30 am. I know because I glanced at the time just as the nearby
Church bells clang into my consciousness. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8_BDPam8-XGZfNzpusaACZxsTx-rNZctXhen1N8O6udTYMmccj34RiNGcwIAfM0xok0lHDPXkAySXC5Wtt-itR7vlDez4ryen16SmWCb2fGjBag4cdVJhIhVehwYHA1imbq99s0xi-0/s1600/20191101_121017_HDR-1-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1130" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8_BDPam8-XGZfNzpusaACZxsTx-rNZctXhen1N8O6udTYMmccj34RiNGcwIAfM0xok0lHDPXkAySXC5Wtt-itR7vlDez4ryen16SmWCb2fGjBag4cdVJhIhVehwYHA1imbq99s0xi-0/s320/20191101_121017_HDR-1-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Todos somos calaveras <br />We are all skeletons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I lay there in a dreamy
state remembering that today, November 1</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><sup>st</sup></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">,
is my </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">B</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">irthday.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
smile thinking the bells are for me. Egotistical, for sure. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then
adding to it from the court yard below, a Mexican brass band trumpets loudly-very loudly. Wow, as if that’s not enough,
overhead a volley of rockets explode in rapid succession.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
awake.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
Still,
in my mind, I play with the egotistical fantasy of bells chiming,
brass band playing and rockets exploding for me. When in reality,
it’s the Church calling the faithful to Dia de los Muertos or Day
of the Dead.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmeQDCzuo21udPStOxwPbI8u4aO_r3j_7_L4eggr97bqINGoFSNJm5HDT0_5Bw_qVBZ1d9G7OSdWHTufWdemkn_b63K5enNnywdaDSHS4LDiUtEubLo6xuqawWIiJILIX_cb62uHVmjc/s1600/20191101_132336_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmeQDCzuo21udPStOxwPbI8u4aO_r3j_7_L4eggr97bqINGoFSNJm5HDT0_5Bw_qVBZ1d9G7OSdWHTufWdemkn_b63K5enNnywdaDSHS4LDiUtEubLo6xuqawWIiJILIX_cb62uHVmjc/s640/20191101_132336_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Designed from marigolds<br />and colored sawdust</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwvPLnTU-_jrjj6XtJ8UuKAoF5D22F1niqF2RUFA9SAnu0ezww9Qe4jtHul4zWwswfIonJUzcFdGgUI1GpfVyH5k5lDHoiNinwr_lji3YgHz-RbstFEJn13i7M8qtoocWu5wXriOD_uE/s1600/20191101_133325_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwvPLnTU-_jrjj6XtJ8UuKAoF5D22F1niqF2RUFA9SAnu0ezww9Qe4jtHul4zWwswfIonJUzcFdGgUI1GpfVyH5k5lDHoiNinwr_lji3YgHz-RbstFEJn13i7M8qtoocWu5wXriOD_uE/s320/20191101_133325_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="224" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Cathedral in Morelia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today,
I'll go to Morelia about a four hour bus ride from Ajijic. It’s a
beautiful city adorned with monumental buildings from Spanish
Colonial times.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ll
be joining a small tour group. Our guide promises a deeper glimpse
into the ritual of Day of the Dead as Mexican families again remember
and even welcome deceased loved ones back into their lives.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">We
go to a small indigenous village – Cuanajo. A family who recently
lost a loved one, welcomes us into their home. Before us stands an
altar known as an Ofrenda. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
Pictures </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">of
the deceased and their treasured objects keep their living </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">spirit
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">before
us. It’s not worship of the deceased but more of a co</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">mmunion
w</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">ith
them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEOgTK6XtdwqAOshhfQiuo2W_6fp4hCuS9rOVnZRqS_zrJ0d-SkQnIdgQA2Z5xKY-FY3LfxIigyFu8Y8wjaWacWn6phFyYHfMNV1CAQk8Lq3hnJPgcIgwekS66mCGmY_8HFetXvKYUYU/s1600/20191101_200917_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEOgTK6XtdwqAOshhfQiuo2W_6fp4hCuS9rOVnZRqS_zrJ0d-SkQnIdgQA2Z5xKY-FY3LfxIigyFu8Y8wjaWacWn6phFyYHfMNV1CAQk8Lq3hnJPgcIgwekS66mCGmY_8HFetXvKYUYU/s640/20191101_200917_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Being with a loved one at the Ofrenda</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">N</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">eighbors
bring gifts of food. Fruit and </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">bread
baskets </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">spill
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">across
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">the
floor. Our guide says that the food is meant for sharing in a festive
celebration of life and death. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">W</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">e
are encouraged to leave our tourist mentality behind and become
participants with all the others.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TgBXkkTCbiFLRRTn6qS7fR0gSBpNd-dEzSFEGG9lZViP4WI4gs7WFTCdWpsAbUIxyHu3r5cHp0-CpfYW6xOPSorCZqm0PWhbebsjywrnFWBcg2UkRm1rRxPa0iGNUVvshLe0v7cAsp4/s1600/20191101_191958_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TgBXkkTCbiFLRRTn6qS7fR0gSBpNd-dEzSFEGG9lZViP4WI4gs7WFTCdWpsAbUIxyHu3r5cHp0-CpfYW6xOPSorCZqm0PWhbebsjywrnFWBcg2UkRm1rRxPa0iGNUVvshLe0v7cAsp4/s400/20191101_191958_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">To light the pathway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I’m
welcomed into the family with hot chocolate and a cluster of buns
especially baked for th</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">is</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
occasion. As I dunk the bread in to the chocolate, I look around.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Candles
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">glow</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
everywhere. I learn that they are considered essential to light the</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> pathway for the deceased. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Likewise
marigolds - flowers and petals – have a special meaning. Their
color and scent </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">guide
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">the
departed to</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">wards</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
the party...if only for this day and night.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A
group says a rosary. Another gathers in lively conversation. A
cluster of older men quietly reminisce or at least I think they are.
Children run about. Cups of hot Atole (corn based drink) are shared.
And another tray of </span></span></span><em><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Frijoles
de la olla </span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">(bean
soup) circulates. </span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Lots
of food.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And
within the party, there seems to be a presence. Have the
departed returned? It's not a scary spooky thing. This
community joins not only in a time of remembering, but also in being
together.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Imagine,
if the dead and living were more inter-dependent. Mexican
people say, "Y</span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ou
die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit
later on, when your name is said for the last time." </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">If
you haven’t yet seen the </span></span></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCz4mQzfEI"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Disney
movie, Coco</span></span></span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,
see it and you’ll understand.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s
a powerful experience sensing the attachment that exists between
living and deceased. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY3y_ePqCb3_k3xi0_aWOmW0RnkVGJZHnFXyLq9EIT-2WeqaISxJTK11PpxvAjFhcJMuVF1Ih_zEuFvDE2XKfQK_Vd4rPKyeTvfyo_ATo03B5hR_zj48yP61kgCUUl7aF_pt92Ot0Fs4/s1600/20191101_194131_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTY3y_ePqCb3_k3xi0_aWOmW0RnkVGJZHnFXyLq9EIT-2WeqaISxJTK11PpxvAjFhcJMuVF1Ih_zEuFvDE2XKfQK_Vd4rPKyeTvfyo_ATo03B5hR_zj48yP61kgCUUl7aF_pt92Ot0Fs4/s640/20191101_194131_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Life is short, and death keeps
going on.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Learn
more </span></span></span><a href="https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-day-of-the-dead-offering/"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span lang="zxx"><u>https://www.inside-mexico.com/the-day-of-the-dead-offering/</u></span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9WKEjr7456xRHVTHDKq4Y70b8IHQFQe08JKH4wC_bkTWOK3Ci_VJmdkI80uES-4F_foCN-cjIeJfszBfnwrbFIy3TGkMQMhYnVQi2G2ZycBiG24QU1fR-5WbGHkC7bgtB6-RFF3QqF4/s1600/20191101_234955_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9WKEjr7456xRHVTHDKq4Y70b8IHQFQe08JKH4wC_bkTWOK3Ci_VJmdkI80uES-4F_foCN-cjIeJfszBfnwrbFIy3TGkMQMhYnVQi2G2ZycBiG24QU1fR-5WbGHkC7bgtB6-RFF3QqF4/s400/20191101_234955_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In
the dark hours of the night, we make our way to Tzurumútaro<span style="color: #444444;"> </span>and
a Church’s graveyard. It’s a steep climb up a series of hills. At
9000 feet, we can stop and catch our breath – as often as we want.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We’re
told that the original Mexican people - Purepecha or Tarascans
to the Spanish conquistadors – considered this space
sacred. They did not build temples, but came here to bury the
dead and connect with Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
Spaniards appropriated the space in the mid 1600s and later built a
Church. They worked at Christainizing the natives. Still indigenous
beliefs survived. In fact the entire notion of Day and Night of the
Dead comes from these ancient sacred spaces and the Purepecha people.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Come.
let’s walk into the grave yard.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI_Mrm_2P_Qu3KeTfIu_HYdwFITYQtQapXPCWRsrPu7O_gHhrJLkPzoz-_c3GQkUs9amnn216FiE1c7ye7iDLYitelqk9_ng7ntlepuY47JdyovbHvAxK2e4VSmjg39NQbVUxtsxAVOY/s1600/20191101_233833_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI_Mrm_2P_Qu3KeTfIu_HYdwFITYQtQapXPCWRsrPu7O_gHhrJLkPzoz-_c3GQkUs9amnn216FiE1c7ye7iDLYitelqk9_ng7ntlepuY47JdyovbHvAxK2e4VSmjg39NQbVUxtsxAVOY/s640/20191101_233833_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Groups
cluster in a kind of vigil. Some are talking quietly. Other stand in
silent contemplation. Tourists, like us, take pictures and try to not
be too conspicuous. It is a sacred space.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNEF46z5GEqkACFwCwQ0s_G49ND2qqe7H3V0-rjV8aCxJtbNJ_IhaT4XHbbBvUE0706xPpkYoFgo231n-0DFQlM69ppyKGApll0OLyJiQmSTQ8q_joXgoFBALoW-NYt2XSZJTmgQQ_0/s1600/20191102_000107_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1094" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaNEF46z5GEqkACFwCwQ0s_G49ND2qqe7H3V0-rjV8aCxJtbNJ_IhaT4XHbbBvUE0706xPpkYoFgo231n-0DFQlM69ppyKGApll0OLyJiQmSTQ8q_joXgoFBALoW-NYt2XSZJTmgQQ_0/s400/20191102_000107_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="272" /></span></a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR3UKaXOPHVlrrJyY1r-r_0CD9raJw_dOYhDsimnSEZXmU9VG74BkqDkVEiOnyhYlRNGIECBDNVhdMT-akRWUHxqXv8zAxlHbNn6af_ZO9oOxm5t30d54g07t34g5hN-cgANTH9gmwBI/s1600/20191031_183921_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR3UKaXOPHVlrrJyY1r-r_0CD9raJw_dOYhDsimnSEZXmU9VG74BkqDkVEiOnyhYlRNGIECBDNVhdMT-akRWUHxqXv8zAxlHbNn6af_ZO9oOxm5t30d54g07t34g5hN-cgANTH9gmwBI/s400/20191031_183921_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Candles
illuminate and marigolds glow. Knowing the story, I can imagine the
deceased finding their way towards us. I mention this to a fellow
tourist, and she starts crying. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Her father had died.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vgeuc0UxZaQJ4IuONt88RzarunDXatDm_ggBDnHlTmMjEPDeXYJCdt77aP_r1bebJ01FU5GRFzSAJ6ApA0C_VREIBwEzEBE812fBNlKBNWeSYyhhNzlhQ0nroutN1JeokBjRmv5socQ/s1600/20191102_204410_HDR%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vgeuc0UxZaQJ4IuONt88RzarunDXatDm_ggBDnHlTmMjEPDeXYJCdt77aP_r1bebJ01FU5GRFzSAJ6ApA0C_VREIBwEzEBE812fBNlKBNWeSYyhhNzlhQ0nroutN1JeokBjRmv5socQ/s640/20191102_204410_HDR%255B2%255D.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Skulls recalling the beloved <br />of Ajijic's communit</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">y </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
begin recalling family and loved ones who have died </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">also</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. I ask my
inner voice to visualize antidotes – the ones that are funny or
typical of their lives. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I stand there for a long time...
imaging as if seeing a dream... surrounded by the glow of candles and
scent of marigolds. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="western" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If
only, the barrier between life and death was more porous. Maybe then,
there would be a kind of reunion. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Dia de los Muertos....</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See you again</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-24842693609434388832019-11-03T21:02:00.001-05:002023-09-15T14:09:11.240-04:00Ajijic, Mexico Adventure Begins<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
here at the Guadalajara airport. A plane full of people and I await
the portable steps to disembark. It won’t be long. I see several
workers bringing the stairway across the tarmac.</span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2jfsFg15hWJBG8iwA57Sm4W14ClBI6GzS4QEF0E7USct0pCBXqTdA7NnGmlw_bO7oInz33UWn4syfCRSOXvznBlTcSSMEQisnPmgi5yPs3ZAfPW2XYwdhGSw3RjQ93tF06uFpvQtEg/s1600/20191015_194716_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1081" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2jfsFg15hWJBG8iwA57Sm4W14ClBI6GzS4QEF0E7USct0pCBXqTdA7NnGmlw_bO7oInz33UWn4syfCRSOXvznBlTcSSMEQisnPmgi5yPs3ZAfPW2XYwdhGSw3RjQ93tF06uFpvQtEg/s640/20191015_194716_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Destination: Ajijic on Lake Chapala</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Now unexpectedly my first adventure begins. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
gaze down the steep and rickety stairs. “Oh well, one foot at a
time,” I say to myself. It’s going to be slow, but that’s the
way it’s gotten to be these days. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The people behind me will have
to be patient – not that anyone is complaining. I’m grateful. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And
then surprise. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Out
of nowhere, an attendant motions me towards a wheelchair. I demur
thinking not me. Am I really looking that old? But with gestures,
the man insists. “Senor, por favor.” </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
take a seat. Quickly, we make it towards Customs. He ushers me
from counter to counter. When you’re in a wheel chair, there’s
no zig-zagging in lines. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A wheelchair person goes to the head of
the line. What can be an arduous process is
complete in record time. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Senior privilege.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
get up to thank the attendant and be on my way, but he jesters - No
No, Senor. I’m captive to his hospitality. It’s onward to
baggage claim and then towards a taxi...right to the curb.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUQn7KlPUuiMOD28XIn5sMIuAQfGQj2eexWfxjdl3HKlRNj2Nys7uGERRPSBgaGmo4sXEvdXRgeKTaT2YokxE9oL4uA_hg6xsYCynsgCZXS2W28-Q9zbPXMVoqXQNnZ1LlDVWqRab8xE/s1600/20191005_174337_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUQn7KlPUuiMOD28XIn5sMIuAQfGQj2eexWfxjdl3HKlRNj2Nys7uGERRPSBgaGmo4sXEvdXRgeKTaT2YokxE9oL4uA_hg6xsYCynsgCZXS2W28-Q9zbPXMVoqXQNnZ1LlDVWqRab8xE/s400/20191005_174337_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Overlooking the Plaza in the center of Ajijic</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Of
course, there are friendly and caring people everywhere, but I’m
especially thankful for this hospitality tonight. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> I can’t help but
wonder if his kindness might be an omen of good things to come. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
next morning I’m eager to re-acquaint myself with Ajijic. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
was here last year for 3 months teaching Adult ESL English and now I’m
back for 6 more months. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love teaching and feel like I’m able to
give back a little especially with all the rancor Mexican people have
endured from our American politicians.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My
Ajijic home is a two room apartment. It’s like Peace Corps living
all over again. It’s a family run hotel about two block away from
the main Plaza. It’s called Hotel Italo. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI9bUA66x2qxma0IewlO75XUwae4lbKqfo9SvmXDa9jdMP6oC4gCoQBks_Nbpw0ttl3UAdqA80N6MtD2chRv_3XPMODbGhmpvoPEoFcIUt8RZtNP90PtOYvBqmRj4Z0RdeJbsdp65k40/s400/20190928_154149_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="223" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Some would say it’s
rustic and it does show vintage age, but my two rooms are spacious
and have everything I’ll need. There’s even a wall of windows
flooding my space with light...wonderful. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Outside
is a patio. It’s like an extra room. Butterflies and humming
birds skip from flower to flower sipping nectar. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’m delighted. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> A
row of pigeons stand guard on the walls of the neighboring church. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHoT2QSPHtsJ6AQFlCQkNwKY_qWaNmi6Cx8tV3zqXHulPTKH7v1d8DtsH_Tk0tVt5YoYsqvCpMjBYUqS_r6yul9h29zGmvSAxuHq-BDouazYBL0zCzXXJUmRVS_bc0EI7kxFP1B-wFwA/s1600/20191024_171753_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHoT2QSPHtsJ6AQFlCQkNwKY_qWaNmi6Cx8tV3zqXHulPTKH7v1d8DtsH_Tk0tVt5YoYsqvCpMjBYUqS_r6yul9h29zGmvSAxuHq-BDouazYBL0zCzXXJUmRVS_bc0EI7kxFP1B-wFwA/s640/20191024_171753_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="424" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Look closely on the left , <br />behind the turret is the hotel where I liv</span>e</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">San Andres Church is rooted in the Spanish conquest of indigenous people around 1530. Soon afterwards, the Catholic missionaries followed and began converting. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Because Ajijic was a fishing village, they named the new Church after Andrew, one of the disciples who Jesus called fisher of men. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hotel Italo was
squeezed in a plot of land next to the Church around 1975. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a charming view of the bell
tower about 50 feet away from my patio. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine the surprise that awaits me each
morning as bells announce early mass and the start of the day.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DONG!
DONG! DONG! Dingaling dingaling dingaling! </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So since it’s easy to get up early in Ajijic (Does anyone have a choice?), let’s get ready and greet our day. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ocNkceaY61Q5mndS6_2COH5mLAiIurVgO3l-joBQB2G01aVEa6uzenpUgnM-Zt4gqQLrYkUmvo7qXD2d4iCm8cbGVAOmsCmjnxVcbZKLW8NWxRrO1khRXRpQh6_MIeBQl7_YkiZ5whU/s1600/20191019_175134_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ocNkceaY61Q5mndS6_2COH5mLAiIurVgO3l-joBQB2G01aVEa6uzenpUgnM-Zt4gqQLrYkUmvo7qXD2d4iCm8cbGVAOmsCmjnxVcbZKLW8NWxRrO1khRXRpQh6_MIeBQl7_YkiZ5whU/s320/20191019_175134_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Typical street scene</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Walk down the cobble stone streets with me. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq3nYqwToJsjnkwQRPr2sDaWFrI-8ONoYGGkHgaAvh3BSs-JJp8wXqDi9Q_TXP7Ly19NWx4joFPi0J_MGLNA3qjcf3qfXTzyPeR5n540hLLRqEUJ4x8IZVH1c_1uEfmr44vRf2XuaUMA/s1600/20191012_131710_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq3nYqwToJsjnkwQRPr2sDaWFrI-8ONoYGGkHgaAvh3BSs-JJp8wXqDi9Q_TXP7Ly19NWx4joFPi0J_MGLNA3qjcf3qfXTzyPeR5n540hLLRqEUJ4x8IZVH1c_1uEfmr44vRf2XuaUMA/s320/20191012_131710_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Happy colors every where</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Notice the small
homes painted in ever so bright colors. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8-L5qL84OSbMR3W1R8PdyJULKrXfFLoCSscxjkVeXNJ2P1-Fd4m-U4ND7biip7wTXlM4BEyV-KzJjdagIk4E6iESy4hMEL1vZz82xLhZa7rg9SrnMufgl8nhStoPTiqDDLbha0Vkk-g/s1600/20190928_164920_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1473" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8-L5qL84OSbMR3W1R8PdyJULKrXfFLoCSscxjkVeXNJ2P1-Fd4m-U4ND7biip7wTXlM4BEyV-KzJjdagIk4E6iESy4hMEL1vZz82xLhZa7rg9SrnMufgl8nhStoPTiqDDLbha0Vkk-g/s320/20190928_164920_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">aking up a 4x8 foot wall space, <br />this Lizard looks friendly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Street art is carefully
painted onto empty wall spaces. What do you think of this colorful
lizard?</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often
metal gates, like large garage doors, hide beautiful garden spaces punctuated with quaint casitas inside. Mexican people love their gardens.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjQJYME6KbdyBOkAA48JggEiEGabRlAOtZiFVqAuyhQ7PvyVLmcQEPrLDxSyr-zPhRpYVphixKXl0r9Z3xtK47mqaapeuiTd1Z7xuzk3YI9XgtCeNKB59t7T9AWhpeSsKAljkl3drdy0/s1600/20191030_155610_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjQJYME6KbdyBOkAA48JggEiEGabRlAOtZiFVqAuyhQ7PvyVLmcQEPrLDxSyr-zPhRpYVphixKXl0r9Z3xtK47mqaapeuiTd1Z7xuzk3YI9XgtCeNKB59t7T9AWhpeSsKAljkl3drdy0/s640/20191030_155610_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lush gardens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJxLHrfJo-u4jfEiIklTIcQvNdXgS23l-iBUuAKFgD-RhS76ccz8BNjZGZ9OzGCUNGy0GFXt4scrO2d9vMEvqnaS3CVEK3psWYHaogkQqxiQV2ipNId1wLpU8IjO9H89a46W1JQf3Qn4/s1600/20191025_181458_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">People
say that the weather here is nearly perfect. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJxLHrfJo-u4jfEiIklTIcQvNdXgS23l-iBUuAKFgD-RhS76ccz8BNjZGZ9OzGCUNGy0GFXt4scrO2d9vMEvqnaS3CVEK3psWYHaogkQqxiQV2ipNId1wLpU8IjO9H89a46W1JQf3Qn4/s640/20191025_181458_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="360" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Looking across Lake Chapala</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Average day time
temperature ranges from mid 70s to mid 80s year round. Rarely does it get into the 90s or fall below 70. And when it rains, it’s most often at night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 5,000
feet surrounded by mountains and nestled in a valley with a 14 mile
long Lake Chapala, it seems nearly perfect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Locals make a joke asking "so where's that perfect place?" </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
like taking long walks and have a goal of strolling all the streets
of Ajijic during my sojourn here. I’m, doing about 3 miles a day –
not bad for an older guy! </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrnve8iO82nibMrZyHHYlTDFu5fvuVH_QKAXhWO9dzNqEEhtYhF7SixorlbTtnwa5vUu0O4pDBI7m9BZrMzcqNw9zFnTt7vqlfRK0oXMNWws4iaAUZN9N-aeJUFgARsLpbgV-GHtCME8/s640/20191017_161500_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">While wandering to the end of the road,<br />I discovered this sight</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Along
the way, I take picture and imagine how I might turn the images into
watercolors.</span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">As
I pass people, I'm greeted with an “Hola or Buenas Dias.” People are genuinely friendly.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhVvK6Dv2TLrMXDxl5S9UlRxwICmlF-u3BDmqLAuPe-UR81dhDQimpSCYdNNDSZOJvzSlj7UYqkPx7YsLFvVli1MnuNCVbCGfsFQZ2i8vkIqadwqsOSu7wldM7zOQqnsfBHwjP73gEw/s1600/20191021_112202_HDR%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rhVvK6Dv2TLrMXDxl5S9UlRxwICmlF-u3BDmqLAuPe-UR81dhDQimpSCYdNNDSZOJvzSlj7UYqkPx7YsLFvVli1MnuNCVbCGfsFQZ2i8vkIqadwqsOSu7wldM7zOQqnsfBHwjP73gEw/s640/20191021_112202_HDR%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I meet these women - sisters and mother, I believe. <br />Weeks later I meet the older woman again.<br />She insists on a lengthy conversation holding my hand the entire time.<br />I don't understand the Spanish but I do feel the human warmth. <br />She will be 100 years in January.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Often, people pause and say, “Como esta?” asking, “How are
you?” It’s like a mini- conversation making strangers feel
connected and welcomed. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
love it. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It
reminds me of Satchmo Arstrong’s beloved song, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>What
a Wonderful World.</i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddLd0QRf7Vg">Take a listen to this version</a> sung by young and old from around the world. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bookmark it for restoring hope and goodwill when</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ever you feel the need. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="__DdeLink__190_397526395"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's great to be here. My life in Ajijic is beginning again. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOPxIgJ3Y5iNIXHJFyc1StQS2gotLgiSypznoHsPpnPPbrySAVxwWk4RdMQHNIMrn1VLvGCY8WhoeDqf3gLqXS7eWMSul-kLciJP44PGz3yCz5unGGg6yfxA6CK56R1-PKDVUFaihKY/s1600/20191007_195002_HDR-1%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WOPxIgJ3Y5iNIXHJFyc1StQS2gotLgiSypznoHsPpnPPbrySAVxwWk4RdMQHNIMrn1VLvGCY8WhoeDqf3gLqXS7eWMSul-kLciJP44PGz3yCz5unGGg6yfxA6CK56R1-PKDVUFaihKY/s640/20191007_195002_HDR-1%25281%2529%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-92060152583808089692019-06-02T20:01:00.000-04:002019-06-04T11:14:55.005-04:00Curiousity - Buddha, Violence & Fanaticism <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Travel
can be more than pictures and places. Often, it can trigger
curiosity.</span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtIs3d0NMiBMOoqzvU35mTnuQo3uLEMSPdyXAFatgQPE1AZl7HC_ZRjbVrs451cMF6yF9X5ZiRzAlDrCH5wh-CHaCI4tF4gMwoAvNaR9wvyzFFqq4FHItRK8fuX5xalnB8QaY5LmwvWc/s1600/chart+of+religions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="686" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtIs3d0NMiBMOoqzvU35mTnuQo3uLEMSPdyXAFatgQPE1AZl7HC_ZRjbVrs451cMF6yF9X5ZiRzAlDrCH5wh-CHaCI4tF4gMwoAvNaR9wvyzFFqq4FHItRK8fuX5xalnB8QaY5LmwvWc/s400/chart+of+religions.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">What
happened here? </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Why is this place important. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">What’s the context - political, social, etc? </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">How
does this history and place connect with us? </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Travels
through Sri Lanka is leading me into deeper understandings. I
especially want to know more about Buddhism and its role in Sri
Lankan history.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">First
stop is Buduruwagala Temple. The name Buduruwagala is derived from
the words for Buddha ( Budu) image ( ruva) and stones ( gala). </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcNn0tKcpkJ0jEc2ZNSn8J4_Q7xVgmDCbL9xCBRqjpmJmA9VXfcETy2M-GCn-sziMO_P1xJZrQDjJbUBPisHKx-ztvhnZs3MDZfNiOa2swTSQcxk8uPfWjXqzLN1vs4uCE642u5-XeZU/s1600/20190414_120027_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcNn0tKcpkJ0jEc2ZNSn8J4_Q7xVgmDCbL9xCBRqjpmJmA9VXfcETy2M-GCn-sziMO_P1xJZrQDjJbUBPisHKx-ztvhnZs3MDZfNiOa2swTSQcxk8uPfWjXqzLN1vs4uCE642u5-XeZU/s640/20190414_120027_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">One
thousand years ago, devotees of the <span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mahayana
school o</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">f
Buddhism </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">carve</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">d</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">colossal
image of Buddha </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">into
a natural stone wall</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span></span></span></span> Imagine the tools and engineering it
took. It’s not primitive. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">To
get there, we leave a two lane highway and take a scenic side lane.
Our driver navigates ruts and curves. As it becomes more narrow, it
also becomes more beautiful. </span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdSdhxbJ6DxrF_mNS41MiPctS1nb0XjvHtXQB7S71FDQxQ79fFjGJjvwR1F119FmFrLIysRqOAwA85f0F_OSc_FGknpDZDB5tlOguCqy0khptD_wlrKXZ0mpMgOJ1atO0UdFJFSHmD5E/s1600/20190414_123748_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdSdhxbJ6DxrF_mNS41MiPctS1nb0XjvHtXQB7S71FDQxQ79fFjGJjvwR1F119FmFrLIysRqOAwA85f0F_OSc_FGknpDZDB5tlOguCqy0khptD_wlrKXZ0mpMgOJ1atO0UdFJFSHmD5E/s640/20190414_123748_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArt8hyhTCj5b9enMrsdPvLZ9GkPNGu1KzqoBW_eKsa6p-1ovAxER7htx6i4eqlDOfRO32fQGqZfW6vT1m6OW6hxqG_IriYULIeaYAedELh90MaTjUU5rYrHfOcQgNphW-M3Cdjn_6SKs/s1600/20190414_123320_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArt8hyhTCj5b9enMrsdPvLZ9GkPNGu1KzqoBW_eKsa6p-1ovAxER7htx6i4eqlDOfRO32fQGqZfW6vT1m6OW6hxqG_IriYULIeaYAedELh90MaTjUU5rYrHfOcQgNphW-M3Cdjn_6SKs/s640/20190414_123320_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
There’s
a small lake and a grassy Stupa or burial mound where sacred relics
are often deposited. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzme5-aQ1G_9jj4XhUjgp7bigG2pojf0i2uOxq25mLr1jLBEoKtiiQ5-VWKjSRkrJ0Q91amFb7WwXbytfJ3koHoDE1bMSVKUzVTTbT63gAGBNfOU86tgxroz2eRupxZvWL9k2dfO8n0/s1600/20190414_123902_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="956" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBzme5-aQ1G_9jj4XhUjgp7bigG2pojf0i2uOxq25mLr1jLBEoKtiiQ5-VWKjSRkrJ0Q91amFb7WwXbytfJ3koHoDE1bMSVKUzVTTbT63gAGBNfOU86tgxroz2eRupxZvWL9k2dfO8n0/s640/20190414_123902_HDR-1.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These places have drawn pilgrims for more than 1000 years to meditate on the human condition. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zCDFi5IO6zv66eIZ1yOUVz_TSnhvfpmvN0ib0UGb9QISLYrKbYnb0pLB0ahPC3uKAyitD437kX8O8fU87MgG6aAqdDfnn3waY-Oqdts98b2Jw9H0F783d5d8BWQkKpUuE5f4LA9Tma4/s1600/20190414_115243_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zCDFi5IO6zv66eIZ1yOUVz_TSnhvfpmvN0ib0UGb9QISLYrKbYnb0pLB0ahPC3uKAyitD437kX8O8fU87MgG6aAqdDfnn3waY-Oqdts98b2Jw9H0F783d5d8BWQkKpUuE5f4LA9Tma4/s400/20190414_115243_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Through
a grove of teak wood trees, we catch our first glimpse of the
Buddha. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It stands <span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">51
feet high. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
been carved into the rock face. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Remnants
of color</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ed</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
stucco </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">reveal</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
a once colorful </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">persona</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Other figures are flanking the Buddha on the left and right. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">They
are believed to be important for </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Buddhist
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mahayana
worship.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPK6x-8FIK2wpicQ893f-Wi4A3yD1ZoC1-Wggl4FsgIBGxkEzSo__xI9c23gGALh-xXvlm1KkFqskpkBwcLavvSLYpzYEYTNLkwOhWU83S0BD6ePrbjTxIwOgjQvkSFGYLQvmo5xoarE/s1600/buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPK6x-8FIK2wpicQ893f-Wi4A3yD1ZoC1-Wggl4FsgIBGxkEzSo__xI9c23gGALh-xXvlm1KkFqskpkBwcLavvSLYpzYEYTNLkwOhWU83S0BD6ePrbjTxIwOgjQvkSFGYLQvmo5xoarE/s400/buddha.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Buddha welcomes al</span>l </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Notice</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
the fingers pressed into the palms. It’s a gesture of welcome
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">beckoning
us to come to the Buddha. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">please
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">r</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ead
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
sign. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
request</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">s</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
visitors </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">to
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">be
respectful.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No
pictures taken with backs to the Buddha. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Buddha welcomes </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">everyone
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">–
face to face. </span></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
</span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADaBc4qOmubJvyVh6j8vLi832UWsvaxGDX4QPfjF-ACkXDT6OzqMPGgUmlmtS6yr8txoqxZP-jP5EJUL2eIiOMgY0gv_wdRCdMXDRZGzuuKhKBTEMz8ov2FLRFrsmoFWFfqnyGIV0lfs/s1600/20190413_092448_HDR-1-1%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="651" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADaBc4qOmubJvyVh6j8vLi832UWsvaxGDX4QPfjF-ACkXDT6OzqMPGgUmlmtS6yr8txoqxZP-jP5EJUL2eIiOMgY0gv_wdRCdMXDRZGzuuKhKBTEMz8ov2FLRFrsmoFWFfqnyGIV0lfs/s400/20190413_092448_HDR-1-1%255B2%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Temple complex with the gold roof of the central building</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Onward
to Kandy. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
the center of Buddhism </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
Sri Lanka </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a
most important pilgrimage site for </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the
relic of the Sacred Tooth of the Buddha.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gautama
Buddha is said to have died around 543 BCE. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">From
the ashes of his burial pyre, f</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ollowers
vied for relics including a tooth. </span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">According
to tradition th</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
one tooth, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">enduring
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">over
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">thousands
of years </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">of
travel, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">eventually
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">came</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to Kandy, Sri Lanka. It’s become not only an object of religious
veneration, but also </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a
symbol of governmental authority. </span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Whoever
has the “tooth” has power. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
a blending of religion with government. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">W</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hile
modern Sri Lanka confirms freedom of religion in its Constitution,
Buddhism is given special status as State Religion. </span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">W</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">e
go towards the sacred place. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
gleams in the morning sun. Vendors sell floral arrangements that
will become offerings. </span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
</span></span><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NHFC3cSEFZ2T4wgYMUPyEKi5wnol173F5lFM1yOkTHzCQK1XJgepqDM4wVaNy0v-9GEWutRsl4RzZdIqMLELhW7HNdltCTYkTLPnC4VEfRThOB140mwT9aYBt0jgvX8Q70Z_IWnxEhk/s1600/20190413_100250_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NHFC3cSEFZ2T4wgYMUPyEKi5wnol173F5lFM1yOkTHzCQK1XJgepqDM4wVaNy0v-9GEWutRsl4RzZdIqMLELhW7HNdltCTYkTLPnC4VEfRThOB140mwT9aYBt0jgvX8Q70Z_IWnxEhk/s640/20190413_100250_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvVDRSVOJPfIDHmhLfvP_jYomWEpo8L_nUgoSb1BOe1h8I9d276jaHNz1W0KwV8nW7f5j6SiRGh2Zcj1Q-fN-tBjPZ_7BQjXBvfz6ZBi4iQaDIZDBRBaFeBH2qTF4mf7VWd4YzRgMUwU/s1600/20190413_100930_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvVDRSVOJPfIDHmhLfvP_jYomWEpo8L_nUgoSb1BOe1h8I9d276jaHNz1W0KwV8nW7f5j6SiRGh2Zcj1Q-fN-tBjPZ_7BQjXBvfz6ZBi4iQaDIZDBRBaFeBH2qTF4mf7VWd4YzRgMUwU/s640/20190413_100930_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Inside,
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">drummers
announce a time of worship. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Overhead gold ceilings gleam. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Ornamentation</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> rivals western cathedrals.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Visitors crowd the Main Hall viewing
images on the walls. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGRWuwIO2wmWkTcWEmQtxUL0fiHH4KAufLArkO8rogLvNuIVTypokyn984Qzh2d2jt4D1zyk5iLabyFyzH8ri77V6PSbAtajmiJIlmb36i1vXSFGeOnT7QrBJsNPGVRupoOA7DCNYf98/s1600/20190413_104629_HDR-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGRWuwIO2wmWkTcWEmQtxUL0fiHH4KAufLArkO8rogLvNuIVTypokyn984Qzh2d2jt4D1zyk5iLabyFyzH8ri77V6PSbAtajmiJIlmb36i1vXSFGeOnT7QrBJsNPGVRupoOA7DCNYf98/s640/20190413_104629_HDR-1-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmHyCQa1OiL0nJEmAx40xOTpMynEltOxuiPLyhxzlpkqavwU8fbwFGtc-Oj1AQG5wtuiKnAKk7VKtr8l3t5lq8pZD0ovaN1M4DERh1VRwubjh1o2UTFYDv57DMu4H-aesFKCDWQw3JqU/s1600/20190413_102101_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1328" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmHyCQa1OiL0nJEmAx40xOTpMynEltOxuiPLyhxzlpkqavwU8fbwFGtc-Oj1AQG5wtuiKnAKk7VKtr8l3t5lq8pZD0ovaN1M4DERh1VRwubjh1o2UTFYDv57DMu4H-aesFKCDWQw3JqU/s640/20190413_102101_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Buddha presides in the Main Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZOgulECfxFDrOsoqTepK8N0qcomLguf-agJ89qr240Brj02AgVKic9k0fZYGyMfNpg2Zzz9muV0cVK9o0tOhBGEkKbC9o5XxTjnwFfonG3c_ebNsa5eNevRYmjz40pIPRsZNvsqC8PM/s1600/20190413_110205_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZOgulECfxFDrOsoqTepK8N0qcomLguf-agJ89qr240Brj02AgVKic9k0fZYGyMfNpg2Zzz9muV0cVK9o0tOhBGEkKbC9o5XxTjnwFfonG3c_ebNsa5eNevRYmjz40pIPRsZNvsqC8PM/s400/20190413_110205_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Wall of Waves</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
we leave, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">notice
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">decorative
wall. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
pristine white with stylized holes to hold oil lamps. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Delicate
and beautiful, i</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">t’s
known as the </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Wall
of Waves.</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sadly
in 1998</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
</span></i></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I
learn that </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
truck bomb </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">exploded
at this </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">exact</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
sight. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed responsibility.
This Hindu group had been fighting a bloody 17 year civil war with
the mostly Buddhist Government. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknTbQLTT-RLZNDQkz1S2e0Wn_QTskxIK9ksiVJxZ4QCcd5t2U6_reJpxiHt349lBN7jSP9tJFJXeMltpnCDH97opa5ERuGN0-PLVkE7In3U6LY5Pe7UiUTBmaVTltzZvC5hhcq1LHfPc/s1600/Buddha+tooth+attack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="275" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknTbQLTT-RLZNDQkz1S2e0Wn_QTskxIK9ksiVJxZ4QCcd5t2U6_reJpxiHt349lBN7jSP9tJFJXeMltpnCDH97opa5ERuGN0-PLVkE7In3U6LY5Pe7UiUTBmaVTltzZvC5hhcq1LHfPc/s400/Buddha+tooth+attack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">VIOLENCE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">According
to Wikipedia: </span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">"On
25 January 1998, the LTTE exploded a massive truck bomb inside the
Temple of the Tooth premises.</span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Three
suicide LTTE </span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Tigers">Black
Tigers</a> </span></span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">drove
an explosive laden truck along the King's street (Raja Veediya),
firing at soldiers manning road blocks around the place, crashed
through the entrance and detonated the bomb around 6:10 am, local
time.</span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Two
explosions were heard. The truck contained 300–400 kg of high
explosives.</span></i></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">16
people, including the 3 attackers and a 2-year old infant were killed
in the incident.</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Temple_of_the_Tooth_attack">Learn more about this bombing and the Sri Lanka Civil War.</a></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku2yq6WfT5uq-Fm6C9djUjcf017n4gWzwUF3vMcgRZvlPb-MQI6U2SZMyKzoadqtFSIVJiyhGRG2NgpxbQiqa4vt2Tct-ty0xNJfsMIwrjEGWV3JzhhWZOBvxZePCCCYqt8-5ZPChdTQ/s1600/20190413_170603_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="910" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku2yq6WfT5uq-Fm6C9djUjcf017n4gWzwUF3vMcgRZvlPb-MQI6U2SZMyKzoadqtFSIVJiyhGRG2NgpxbQiqa4vt2Tct-ty0xNJfsMIwrjEGWV3JzhhWZOBvxZePCCCYqt8-5ZPChdTQ/s400/20190413_170603_HDR-1.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hindu Shrine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
we turn towards home, we stop at a Hindu roadside shrine. It’s
festooned with golden figures. I don't know much about Hinduism and vow to learn more. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I see some families enjoying the tranquil surroundings. I try to take
a couple of non-intrusive pictures.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing this Hindu shrine so close to Kandy, the Buddhist Center, gets me to thinking...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it's possible for people of different religions and walks of life to live in harmony. Tolerance could replace endless violence. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">After-all, fanaticism is always toxic even if presented in religious or ideological garb. Hatred begets violence begets
retribution begets more hatred begets more violence and so forth. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mohandas Gandhi is quoted as saying, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole
world blind." There must be a better way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi8OVTg3Y5DaACT1Supf_SDtmyULJYg2OwYOuBt0oAPUwGmwVRcsH4dG9_sPbj00lC3rkTDW-iUaxDycfvmEKcl8kTJzIk8P1oDa8kXMtAAuChaiLJjuoglpFN5iCTc11TGG3K6o5Bz8/s1600/King.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi8OVTg3Y5DaACT1Supf_SDtmyULJYg2OwYOuBt0oAPUwGmwVRcsH4dG9_sPbj00lC3rkTDW-iUaxDycfvmEKcl8kTJzIk8P1oDa8kXMtAAuChaiLJjuoglpFN5iCTc11TGG3K6o5Bz8/s320/King.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1966 Martin Luther King wrote, "Only a refusal to hate or kill can put an end to the chain of violence in the
world and lead us toward a community where men can live together without fear. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Our goal is to create a
beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change
in our lives." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://occonline.occ.cccd.edu/online/cmcgaughey/Nonviolence:%20The%20Only%20Road%20to%20Freedom%20by%20Martin%20Luther%20King,%20Jr..pdf">Non-violence: The Only Road to Freedom</a></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
a few days, I'm off to Hanoi, Vietnam. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
a young man, I remember chanting on the National Mall in Washington,
DC, "All we are saying is give peace a chance" as I protested the Vietnamese War. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cV_91oM5zYo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cV_91oM5zYo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now
we are at peace with Vietnam though we are still capitalists and
they are still communist. Why did we fight for so many years? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Curiosity leads
the way...</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-35854843777370610692019-05-13T14:27:00.002-04:002019-05-14T10:15:57.117-04:00SRI LANKA ROAD TRIP<br />
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXGUXf8S6MqmxZdSMNg6o6Et_PuE_F2RKhbjkPXG-rxXQr4F77PG4-1nOSToVk0VNs52rQA7ZeoCMKen8SQ3MUD4MyZEIJFO0GJ2k1sQLTqRkOX9ceDym5gL7JdDjMZ7KPqZWP3DiKME/s1600/srilankarap+map+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="518" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXGUXf8S6MqmxZdSMNg6o6Et_PuE_F2RKhbjkPXG-rxXQr4F77PG4-1nOSToVk0VNs52rQA7ZeoCMKen8SQ3MUD4MyZEIJFO0GJ2k1sQLTqRkOX9ceDym5gL7JdDjMZ7KPqZWP3DiKME/s320/srilankarap+map+crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">You
gotta be brave to drive in Sri Lanka. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">The traffic gets intense and
everybody is driving on the wrong side of the road (British left). </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg81nmWmASql1VGGFElFQ2eIOYs7OnIZF25xyxB1OHvEjL3wcXvr8u34pf46zPkvX-wG4hPp9_VRF8AyydMI3enbrtcLY2KwnmpHqgdj8LufxyI81M5lM4TB_NihoRBVDBe74-7k9wM4s/s1600/tuk+tuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1023" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg81nmWmASql1VGGFElFQ2eIOYs7OnIZF25xyxB1OHvEjL3wcXvr8u34pf46zPkvX-wG4hPp9_VRF8AyydMI3enbrtcLY2KwnmpHqgdj8LufxyI81M5lM4TB_NihoRBVDBe74-7k9wM4s/s320/tuk+tuk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I’m
in my first tuk-tuk. It’s a three wheeled vehicle. The name is onomatopoetic given the sound coming from the small motor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">There are more than 1.2 million tuk-tuks on the island with a population of about 1.2 million. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Wow, so many. Take a look...It's as if you are here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p_uShyNyrQk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_uShyNyrQk?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Beep
beep, here we come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"> We weave through traffic </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">often
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">with
less than 12 inches between our fender and the next. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">One lane
streets become three lane highways as tuk-tuks slice between cars and
vans and motor cycles squeeze into the gaps. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">I want to squeeze my
eyes shut.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEzkA9Zb1NJ0TpGEuehKu4LLkafvWJhMSwsj7YSaobmhu005rKrl-Uw6vSpXh33JvVvOGp2ImqiXxFOgnx9h9Oa63hih4N_XVRmR5OfzytTNceQoteDwVIAHfU8dLHFxWX9g1WEaoVb0/s1600/20190413_170618_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1314" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEzkA9Zb1NJ0TpGEuehKu4LLkafvWJhMSwsj7YSaobmhu005rKrl-Uw6vSpXh33JvVvOGp2ImqiXxFOgnx9h9Oa63hih4N_XVRmR5OfzytTNceQoteDwVIAHfU8dLHFxWX9g1WEaoVb0/s200/20190413_170618_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jenny checks plans with our driver</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">My
niece, Jenny, and husband, Shannon, have arranged a grand road trip </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">to
see the sights of Sri Lanka. Aidan, my <i>Great Nephew, </i>will join us too.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Our driver is Priyantha. He arrives in a
mini-van. He’s a native and I'm hoping he's accustomed to the
driving style here. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Off</span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
we go...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Pinnawala </span></span></span></span></span></span><em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Elephant
</span></span></span></span></span></span></em><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Orphanage</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Started
in 1975, the Orphanage provides safe space for 60 elephants of
all sizes. </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">It’s
an important breeding site </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">with
its second generation of elephants. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkigqeZeELL28tKH1cLAD53WzyzkW_GC1Dd41A9gO3jR_hbxCWpkZWa9Zo1hiGdKQIIgmy67H8Dr_CtwnX4yW6Q5-DZ6YdgsFJXvhdFiR_VT8JC2gMmUkYyDDclLYVZ4I8v0z2E9gP8x0/s1600/20190412_121301_Pano%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkigqeZeELL28tKH1cLAD53WzyzkW_GC1Dd41A9gO3jR_hbxCWpkZWa9Zo1hiGdKQIIgmy67H8Dr_CtwnX4yW6Q5-DZ6YdgsFJXvhdFiR_VT8JC2gMmUkYyDDclLYVZ4I8v0z2E9gP8x0/s640/20190412_121301_Pano%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rainy season is late and water levels are quite low</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">In
the morning and afternoon, they are free to roam a wide swath of the
river bed. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7vLI4gingodlYrUuyFFwa_1krS2TGI3Vfh_TCXUdyYUmEXHA89ALITbq0RJP3i4Nu4T_Xf2dc-Iwb1F9sbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">Around noon they are guided up a hill past rows of
souvenir shops to an area where they are fed. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJkUIJYxuSVTUELuTE818u5SSn6svOBv63KSNq-gHTaoE8CAK-uBmET5Ocf5PX1vJgVj0-vt1ZxU7DtqnYc3Vosq3u20SlMFj82r2L7rxFKwxPxCD5KcyJoakZaTSVvwxOV4vyMZUcE4/s1600/20190412_125707_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJkUIJYxuSVTUELuTE818u5SSn6svOBv63KSNq-gHTaoE8CAK-uBmET5Ocf5PX1vJgVj0-vt1ZxU7DtqnYc3Vosq3u20SlMFj82r2L7rxFKwxPxCD5KcyJoakZaTSVvwxOV4vyMZUcE4/s400/20190412_125707_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We eat lunch on a veranda overlooking the elephants</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">It’s
not elephants in the wild, but then again it’s not a small zoo. We
get to see the elephants and babies up close. It's wonderful. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">They appear </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">relatively free </span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">and
well cared for</span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">.</span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tdGD-gQHK6E3heaQzhRtURTHlcj4CpOvv_wMxgnFqtpg3agLZxQlqKadfUJ6sjT1rfvhxLHGZYYEz2dIjTXYVNMspW1i9B1DC-C6WZeuybyhsslO_cjmtl0hcRBQX0iCiD2qovsqYuM/s1600/20190412_131600_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tdGD-gQHK6E3heaQzhRtURTHlcj4CpOvv_wMxgnFqtpg3agLZxQlqKadfUJ6sjT1rfvhxLHGZYYEz2dIjTXYVNMspW1i9B1DC-C6WZeuybyhsslO_cjmtl0hcRBQX0iCiD2qovsqYuM/s320/20190412_131600_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fresh Paper</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
discover a shop where they are making paper from elephant poop.
That’s right, poop! </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L3qRDrZse_o7Y0ZoaZPyMzTAld8CSja7PpG4Sg8j7ijWhfrJgM1kbGlamQwwK63Qd_QeRAhrD04xGi3i9ldVHG8PRRRwbhMPdm84cXYIAdzuLbPWx6jRIGtXayX0i43uuwfrIMydKik/s1600/20190412_131542_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L3qRDrZse_o7Y0ZoaZPyMzTAld8CSja7PpG4Sg8j7ijWhfrJgM1kbGlamQwwK63Qd_QeRAhrD04xGi3i9ldVHG8PRRRwbhMPdm84cXYIAdzuLbPWx6jRIGtXayX0i43uuwfrIMydKik/s320/20190412_131542_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Slurry made from</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> elephant poop </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Since
elephants eat a high fiber diet, their poop can be dried, sifted and
boiled into a slurry pulp. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">From there it’s made into paper.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">We
watch the entire process. </span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
pick up a package of the elephant "poop paper."</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> No, it does not smell. It
looks to be of high quality. I intend to use it in a
watercolor or for some other art project.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Examples
are for sale throughout the shops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcq8WDJc0SIieder3Qp7RKdXSBVQsKMfeEeSIkqdJCxW2ddXOpnTM_aYGUbmceuXzRBIQ0aQAZoESuTCh1CeqyX0wex0bz2JUFTDjsYZQdVCF3wy1paBfv5XxJoEz0a9icl_2oclss3k/s1600/20190412_132440_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcq8WDJc0SIieder3Qp7RKdXSBVQsKMfeEeSIkqdJCxW2ddXOpnTM_aYGUbmceuXzRBIQ0aQAZoESuTCh1CeqyX0wex0bz2JUFTDjsYZQdVCF3wy1paBfv5XxJoEz0a9icl_2oclss3k/s640/20190412_132440_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Mountains
and Vistas</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Are
we there yet.” As children we wail these words from the back seat.
But as adults we soak in the sights hoping for lasting inspiration. I'm not disappointed.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmu8u9qYU0DxEXSxaJPzmxPnrPIWUbrawLngE6-Kgu_rwDE3XfNbQF6Vbrt9ACrl4Bwda9iCsmxMTi5NIC-pohpA2g1OG2TDZnsoQbg_uaKWexLwP2zxmtYDV3Mx46HaU-A4HjX1YRtM/s1600/20190412_141502_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmu8u9qYU0DxEXSxaJPzmxPnrPIWUbrawLngE6-Kgu_rwDE3XfNbQF6Vbrt9ACrl4Bwda9iCsmxMTi5NIC-pohpA2g1OG2TDZnsoQbg_uaKWexLwP2zxmtYDV3Mx46HaU-A4HjX1YRtM/s640/20190412_141502_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Leaving
the coastal plain of Colombo, we travel into the Hill Region. The
road is single lane and winds around mountains and through valley plains. There are steep curves with many nearly 360 degrees. Thrilling and more than a little scary...I must say! </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Look out the window. What do you see? </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqLnGurYW0TL1IWnmD0OS1dEKzb6QOGbSBpoHQCchrnLj4WFG-37iNTu3iN2R2UFRU2lL0zXXh7jy-xLb6ZMknk_JGJjSRcY2OrnQknh_TxJ45vH3hvLiKa7ea3KH98m4CiAMbQYxRH4/s1600/20190414_102156_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqLnGurYW0TL1IWnmD0OS1dEKzb6QOGbSBpoHQCchrnLj4WFG-37iNTu3iN2R2UFRU2lL0zXXh7jy-xLb6ZMknk_JGJjSRcY2OrnQknh_TxJ45vH3hvLiKa7ea3KH98m4CiAMbQYxRH4/s400/20190414_102156_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny skies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ibbMlh3zrq93TgHkwN5r71NFWr8KeNQw_LgpIJtuyeeQGOPPY1n3S32_gQ74PIaC-Dp2i6gkvCOqTMwIcmS2vaYqtqJLG8SHHAU4JL4UsX1PFCrQv3zfHup8JyJuict1V9hz1Gpca5k/s1600/20190415_141144_HDR%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ibbMlh3zrq93TgHkwN5r71NFWr8KeNQw_LgpIJtuyeeQGOPPY1n3S32_gQ74PIaC-Dp2i6gkvCOqTMwIcmS2vaYqtqJLG8SHHAU4JL4UsX1PFCrQv3zfHup8JyJuict1V9hz1Gpca5k/s400/20190415_141144_HDR%255B2%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cascading water falls everywhere</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97H001pM4dgPNU8pHoJ_Hs5aAFJJ126CL3bw8nf0y1sM8Bfe_0dgXIM0H6uKkkt7vJLE5uEFdmbRZxF-HL9aG804RLFMqGZYpCMBGqTvPzSKb2X7gxiuisd7Rqb2CHclsL6zhOulCiyg/s1600/20190414_102137_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97H001pM4dgPNU8pHoJ_Hs5aAFJJ126CL3bw8nf0y1sM8Bfe_0dgXIM0H6uKkkt7vJLE5uEFdmbRZxF-HL9aG804RLFMqGZYpCMBGqTvPzSKb2X7gxiuisd7Rqb2CHclsL6zhOulCiyg/s640/20190414_102137_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rolling hills and mountains</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyNbzt9NVIb7VuTm_lDGL_RgOcmBrRrRFhz52r9b3Syg6wstW7BYJO4GcgzH2qfqFJorC7-5iIacWa9UXUbirdf9dg2TmwOkJB3AkR9XZpZczkRAKxHuiwdovrijfvGx8XBb9eyrUow/s1600/20190413_151931_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="994" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyNbzt9NVIb7VuTm_lDGL_RgOcmBrRrRFhz52r9b3Syg6wstW7BYJO4GcgzH2qfqFJorC7-5iIacWa9UXUbirdf9dg2TmwOkJB3AkR9XZpZczkRAKxHuiwdovrijfvGx8XBb9eyrUow/s400/20190413_151931_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tea plants terraced up a hillside</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANwhj4tnkWyJVmJbWKG3hXXU6TJcunezYuJUBEqAOLhcA4ams5lRw6W1T2XVLwOVRRyclp5O9RBeOZ46ng5y6x5CAXAVQlEAaWevwF_C-6wbITX2N8byp9DsmVNVAIHRtCOftFZEA8xA/s1600/20190415_133143_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="997" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANwhj4tnkWyJVmJbWKG3hXXU6TJcunezYuJUBEqAOLhcA4ams5lRw6W1T2XVLwOVRRyclp5O9RBeOZ46ng5y6x5CAXAVQlEAaWevwF_C-6wbITX2N8byp9DsmVNVAIHRtCOftFZEA8xA/s640/20190415_133143_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 25% of the world's tea grows in Sri Lanka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl8Z1IegbXAB2HTVC4bzGBAAiMOubQHWW4mal0_Ucinr40c0ErLOZTwFxh_-_8PPD08GvfgWyZSsR5UQixpzHE8ruRy6xbhjRNWgmD8cfaAf_9oJ3nUlxHe9YZg0kluZLD97368-5Ohk/s1600/20190414_123748_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl8Z1IegbXAB2HTVC4bzGBAAiMOubQHWW4mal0_Ucinr40c0ErLOZTwFxh_-_8PPD08GvfgWyZSsR5UQixpzHE8ruRy6xbhjRNWgmD8cfaAf_9oJ3nUlxHe9YZg0kluZLD97368-5Ohk/s640/20190414_123748_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspiration for a watercolor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcQP8FsiYIcwCnmyTZipxxoQKWUL5jleaxZgWaKHbnYfXTzyIF0QZR1J5riSPQfSyU6vhXW-4DsdZWt05ByphJDM085Ik4TwEUOA5ErBN3Pu9IUkjqNZfVGI435ORbQsxPknR3SxdYMw/s1600/20190413_170321_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcQP8FsiYIcwCnmyTZipxxoQKWUL5jleaxZgWaKHbnYfXTzyIF0QZR1J5riSPQfSyU6vhXW-4DsdZWt05ByphJDM085Ik4TwEUOA5ErBN3Pu9IUkjqNZfVGI435ORbQsxPknR3SxdYMw/s640/20190413_170321_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roadside Hindu Shrine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUDwXMpmZby_YYKOtBdDC36j8SZ9C4wad-spqc7BuieRwJTaGHK_AAxvAzaGALphevcjIZY-FEJ0v21ar-VQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJabi9KNLrmIBYJiqu4BDCar92bsGSanFigMkC-B06o0a9hDHGfVUNRG4B8Wv9pWgK2rG-QGlYwIgv3iegrMR5OodVsDtULo-LyzeAnKBjeM74GWPzzfgXr7dOZvovFnDP41tI2iaHZM/s1600/20190413_133116_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJabi9KNLrmIBYJiqu4BDCar92bsGSanFigMkC-B06o0a9hDHGfVUNRG4B8Wv9pWgK2rG-QGlYwIgv3iegrMR5OodVsDtULo-LyzeAnKBjeM74GWPzzfgXr7dOZvovFnDP41tI2iaHZM/s640/20190413_133116_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Kandy
– </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cultural and Spiritual Center</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxmm3rgYOxE8VP6pucMk0PR_caeE0gOuH5pY0pREfL12D6tFjyLG2BuNDF6i7VMMcgf2r5A3qBmY06VjOSBKkTE6W4AhiUEIGYR0rmeFbKZt2wlVhyJNZ8L3wdDUMOtRBsXXW2OO59_Y/s1600/20190413_092455_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxmm3rgYOxE8VP6pucMk0PR_caeE0gOuH5pY0pREfL12D6tFjyLG2BuNDF6i7VMMcgf2r5A3qBmY06VjOSBKkTE6W4AhiUEIGYR0rmeFbKZt2wlVhyJNZ8L3wdDUMOtRBsXXW2OO59_Y/s400/20190413_092455_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">s
we drive into Kandy, the transmission on our van acts up.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
fully aware of the problem, w</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">e
take a spin around </span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">a
beautiful</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
lake </span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">in
the town center.</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tAeG0i2UqVCTAphLz0oPSHV17lMWVfzK0tmc6kkKPTAvAJnexAjTEMl9XynkAAkNW95pLL5_ms-SdHU0q_BbMYlPGUcAU3IBLs86WjcQ_Md12x7pxNN6e8tj-JDMwne2kHngrCZbbww/s1600/20190412_163344_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tAeG0i2UqVCTAphLz0oPSHV17lMWVfzK0tmc6kkKPTAvAJnexAjTEMl9XynkAAkNW95pLL5_ms-SdHU0q_BbMYlPGUcAU3IBLs86WjcQ_Md12x7pxNN6e8tj-JDMwne2kHngrCZbbww/s640/20190412_163344_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Before the Brits took over in 1815, the last King, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> S</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">ri Wickrama Rajasinghe, construct a lake from a marshy area. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">It
was an extravagant project showcasing the adjacent </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">ancient
Temple of the Sacred Buddha Tooth </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">which
is</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">considered
the source of all ruling power in Sri Lanka</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">.
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tJKsP5BL-_M/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tJKsP5BL-_M?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"> We
walk towards a </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">pavilion</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
where a cultural program takes place. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"> Immersed in ancient mythologies, drummers pound out rhythms while dancers
introduce us to their culture. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">It’s mesmerizing especially
when lit torches are juggled and fire eaters perform. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA20PGE9L4TorAsrTLcPsYhC1WthEAP_vSX8m92CmsU1DzQ7TkW3yxEHkc1D45IFQQThLldVk7K8kpniRAZsQHiq3Cc0yTK8UGDIRHr_J6U0OCnEVVxF2LeuJJnLuviC9up_67edz3YU/s1600/fire+eayer+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="940" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA20PGE9L4TorAsrTLcPsYhC1WthEAP_vSX8m92CmsU1DzQ7TkW3yxEHkc1D45IFQQThLldVk7K8kpniRAZsQHiq3Cc0yTK8UGDIRHr_J6U0OCnEVVxF2LeuJJnLuviC9up_67edz3YU/s400/fire+eayer+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">How do they do that?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Afterwards, we face a big problem. Our struggling van has finally whimpered to a stop. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Yikes! </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">After
some worry, maybe a lot, we’</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">re
rescued by tuk-tuks. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Imagine that! Our driver arranges for two tuk-tuks to take us to our hotel. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
climb into the backseats and take a wild ride. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Meanwhile, our
driver </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">makes
arrangements to get a </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">new
vehicle </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">from
Colombo</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">As they say, "Alls well that ends well." W</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">e all agree that our van troubles will become one of those stories to tell and re-tell. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXI8RRDv2XzyCi5C9cY25ExQvY7Eqf4RlQrjbVmFfLOgaaMlIf4F6SLWUeNADIYLamMwH7jSk7Fws2xCYiFJBP9WQcZYDWMTotU_Q2UK1e-obeLIoDRtR-YDTUmSZkXEGTosbum-0v6Q/s1600/20190414_054900_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXI8RRDv2XzyCi5C9cY25ExQvY7Eqf4RlQrjbVmFfLOgaaMlIf4F6SLWUeNADIYLamMwH7jSk7Fws2xCYiFJBP9WQcZYDWMTotU_Q2UK1e-obeLIoDRtR-YDTUmSZkXEGTosbum-0v6Q/s400/20190414_054900_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The
next morning I’m up before dawn. I take time to watch the sunrise
through the mountain mist. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s so delicate, thought provoking and inspiring...a great way to greet a new day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The adventure continues....</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-21207252808968023082019-05-06T00:20:00.000-04:002019-05-06T11:39:38.016-04:00ANOTHER ADVENTURE - SRI LANKA and VIETNAM<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m not OCD or at least I don’t think so. But there are times when a good list can help. This is one of those times. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This 74 year old is going on a Far-East Odyssey to Sri Lanka and then on to Hanoi, Vietnam. My niece Jenny and her family recently relocated to Sri Lanka and I’m taking advantage of this family connection to visit. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/map-of-sri-lanka-picture-id521536136" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/map-of-sri-lanka-picture-id521536136" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you’re like me, you may not be clear about the location of Sri Lanka. It’s an island Country. It’s beyond the Mediterranean Sea, beyond the Middle East and sits on the point of India nearly on the equator. It’s halfway around the world from Washington, DC. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka">Please take a moment to learn more.</a> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With my list in hand, I’m getting organized. Clothing folded. Shoes and sandals. Check. Electronics categorized and art supplies readied. Check again. Do I have too much…not enough? What’s missing? It’s the usual self-doubt I get before a new adventure. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then taking a break, I begin thinking.…</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why do I welcome adventures? Often people who read my Blog ask me this question. I wonder why...</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since retiring, there’s been Peace Corps service...twice, teaching English in Mexico and lots of travel in Europe, the Balkans, Alaska, Japan as well as numerous trips to visit my grand-kids and their wonderful parents. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indeed, I've developed a proclivity for adventure. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s not always been like that. I come from an ordinary American family. My parents lived in the same community all their lives. But we children moved away from coast to coast and in-between. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have our love for one another as well as our dysfunctions. And for me early on, life threw a big challenge.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As an 11 year old, I struggled with a dislocated hip that needed to be pinned back into place. Healing took a long time. It required three years on crutches just as I was entering Junior High. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yikes. No fun. In a way, I felt like a cripple and I was.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even when I got fixed, the negative self-image lingered. Like a lot of kids, if not many, I stumbled through teen years. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, what you face as a teen is not necessarily what you can become. Out of feeling broken, I developed empathy for the marginalized in society. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No wonder, I joined the War on Poverty and served in the barrios of El Paso Texas. I found meaning and purpose. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was drawn to Seminary during a time for social change. I read Liberation Theology, learned about the biblical roots for the “Social Gospel” and discovered Saul Alinsky as my hero for community organizing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seminary in the 60s was a place for free and challenging thinking. I was growing and beginning to find myself. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Along the way, I picked up self-help books because I didn’t want to get stuck. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A book entitled, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Artist%27s_Way">The Artist Way,</a> was most valuable. It provided a structure of “Morning Pages” to dialogue with myself. It encouraged wholeness, creativity and spirituality in all aspects of living. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each morning I wrote 3 pages of free association - whatever came to mind. Soon I was discovering hidden facets of my personality. I was coming out to my strengths and dealing with weaknesses. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I discovered a very active self-critic – an internal voice that’s quite good at limiting life. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The critic says, “NO, NO! You’ve never done that before. You’re not capable. You’ll probably fail” and so forth. I was accumulating a lot of hesitancy and regret. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But slowly I managed to quiet the negativity. I overcame fears and discovered the wonders of stepping "outside the box" - a cliche for sure, but not without its truth. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB9K2SBsdAWPtsLG8TLmKmsfZN69HPbNRlUDCu1Z3Vt6deoLTuLTfr8PYSb2vYkDVy1Y2gn1__bfFtVddvl7tXcw80yAs4F-XJkvCEJjyskyJ16bbXg2z4ZLTSrrj371Yvlprw1sc2bw/s1600/20190312_162932_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB9K2SBsdAWPtsLG8TLmKmsfZN69HPbNRlUDCu1Z3Vt6deoLTuLTfr8PYSb2vYkDVy1Y2gn1__bfFtVddvl7tXcw80yAs4F-XJkvCEJjyskyJ16bbXg2z4ZLTSrrj371Yvlprw1sc2bw/s320/20190312_162932_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taming the critic meant saying, “YES, this is going to be an adventure. I don’t know what will happen, but it’ll be an experience not to miss.” I found myself becoming less “risk averse” and more empowered. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">A dear friend introduced me to Mind Mapping as a tool for more self discovery. I used it to clarify "what I really wanted" in living. Now I'll turn to it when I'm feeling stuck and want to move on. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">You might want to give it a try. </span><br />
<a href="https://simplemind.eu/how-to-mind-map/basics/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn more about Mind Mapping here.</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here I am again. I'm on a plane and this time to Sri Lanka. I’ve been on row 31F for a night and half-a-day. It’s a long long trip. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PKJjOPrNo1dFEXyPl7jxXAM-I0w9QBjsqM6qcNTj8in9-FkJAyx_mMUZskgtpx5JDh5gxD9gAwJUEqtrAssukYMROvCltrvKsPJEd-y1sEn2jh774o1DEfaMa9SXM1aMFHdtZCbZdss/s1600/20190410_055945_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PKJjOPrNo1dFEXyPl7jxXAM-I0w9QBjsqM6qcNTj8in9-FkJAyx_mMUZskgtpx5JDh5gxD9gAwJUEqtrAssukYMROvCltrvKsPJEd-y1sEn2jh774o1DEfaMa9SXM1aMFHdtZCbZdss/s400/20190410_055945_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Out the window, dawn is breaking over Dubai complete with a morning star. Beautiful. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I begin imaging...</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Opportunities for meeting locals, discovering the culture of a new country and welcoming the adventures of each new day. All of this and more awaits me. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #073763; line-height: 1.295; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I smile to myself. This 74 year old is doing it and I've got a pretty good list to show for it.... </span></span></div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-52381963087330666472018-11-06T20:30:00.001-05:002018-11-06T20:45:49.732-05:00LIVING INTO DAY OF THE DEAD<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHENeSgHimKBelPdFf83UAxsXV-ptx2joY_WDcM7-atG0nw7EWT_iZaq9HkOzNlXoH1wc_cJFLUacGT4WqQRiS62v8LIheEzmdJhYYpzK72jtH3a0cLZVXXkZoMVaoiuN4iP35QCeSYhU/s1600/20181102_162730_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHENeSgHimKBelPdFf83UAxsXV-ptx2joY_WDcM7-atG0nw7EWT_iZaq9HkOzNlXoH1wc_cJFLUacGT4WqQRiS62v8LIheEzmdJhYYpzK72jtH3a0cLZVXXkZoMVaoiuN4iP35QCeSYhU/s320/20181102_162730_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As if the deceased are among us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Day
of the Dead is observed in Ajijic and across Mexico on November 2<sup>nd</sup>.
It’s called<b> </b><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Día
de los Muertos</span></span></span></span></span> and I get to be a
part of it. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9yALQgBH9YmFNxmTMyOdFr3a0llEBkqXhYFPOiS4sS8t8uW2LFSu7boVEJLT_fSWgSdYqIxeKyn03iOkJYqRw_5FVIBtqh5zKAxHaqT-JcxT9QcmZ-xd_idlFOVyBD8OypH17oY28mw/s1600/20181102_170440_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9yALQgBH9YmFNxmTMyOdFr3a0llEBkqXhYFPOiS4sS8t8uW2LFSu7boVEJLT_fSWgSdYqIxeKyn03iOkJYqRw_5FVIBtqh5zKAxHaqT-JcxT9QcmZ-xd_idlFOVyBD8OypH17oY28mw/s400/20181102_170440_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creativity in honor of ancestors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Preparations
are well underway days before. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m discovering that it’s not a
scary Halloween type of holiday, but rather an important family
celebration.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXnpkFdtJS2FuerkkAwHJuTd9gUJLHLPM8S9oXyb-iU_bCsgtQWJB95VnHUhOUMx2vAXwgOGWiy32V9A8I8pG4bmTkJ7BYJ4C_YTMtWM-Cvppw3JJatBDGgemugLLhtzB-7ccObyL5Vo/s1600/20181101_132454_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXnpkFdtJS2FuerkkAwHJuTd9gUJLHLPM8S9oXyb-iU_bCsgtQWJB95VnHUhOUMx2vAXwgOGWiy32V9A8I8pG4bmTkJ7BYJ4C_YTMtWM-Cvppw3JJatBDGgemugLLhtzB-7ccObyL5Vo/s640/20181101_132454_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So colorful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’m
going to the edge of town where bones of ancestors are are </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">buried. Families come together to tidy up and decorate these grave sites lavishly .</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAxnL017yVs4gLnJBkrt7T7vYgPxk9q7QgWJON8K8YA8sGG2XjvE3vccZwH9zzVGUf1H3byy9hPnYk0vsCwNwxFYC6bfArh2YvSFo9_JEaGo3fcPeCssOoUqczlEJWk15mEY5GKKMtf0/s1600/20181101_131653_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAxnL017yVs4gLnJBkrt7T7vYgPxk9q7QgWJON8K8YA8sGG2XjvE3vccZwH9zzVGUf1H3byy9hPnYk0vsCwNwxFYC6bfArh2YvSFo9_JEaGo3fcPeCssOoUqczlEJWk15mEY5GKKMtf0/s400/20181101_131653_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I meet a woman whose sister's baby died in 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">On this day, November 1<sup>st</sup>, the children who
have died young are especially remembered. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s
called Dia de los Muertos Ninos.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Fresh paint is applied
and flowers especially marigolds festoon the site. Food is offered. Pictures and
favorite toys for children and other mementos for adults stir
story-telling. Religious symbols abound along with colorful streamers
and other bright decorations. Each grave site becomes an artistic
creation. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichDtVERGbb3EUuChdYJYgeAJVU_PjROFrSGtAapXqbq7b1Sil4mRAHLckGDREnw3ytUHF-71TzCBwliBc-v6e2TIqCUS4kHviJyTclmb8EJtGFmD6dVeLnztqKeH7PMC3fZDXZmHYkM0/s1600/20181102_163523_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichDtVERGbb3EUuChdYJYgeAJVU_PjROFrSGtAapXqbq7b1Sil4mRAHLckGDREnw3ytUHF-71TzCBwliBc-v6e2TIqCUS4kHviJyTclmb8EJtGFmD6dVeLnztqKeH7PMC3fZDXZmHYkM0/s640/20181102_163523_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special foods and marigolds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time
at the graveside is not maudlin. Rather than deny death or grieve
endlessly, Mexican people have a culture of celebrating the lives of
loved ones by enjoying favorite foods, telling funny stories, singing
beloved songs and just having a good time. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s as if the departed
has returned for a day and the whole family turns out for the picnic. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you see the marigolds leading the way? Welcome home! </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
go from the cemetery to a special showing of the award winning movie,
Coco. It tells the story of a boy who on the Day of the Dead enters
the fanciful Land of the Dead in search of his Great Great
Grandfather, a legendary singer. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjrKI_XEyQ1wPp5w_mkJ57mWvvF-VL0duNizhWZtAxuh9Mp3VEsMTrCq-rnlXsoCPkDmS_N5NofUjWDqpN05JVex9npZNaRDXFfkPpuTU7TqpyOlkHSjgmmo-U8XHoMJYHhbhHLU-6LI/s1600/Coco-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1344" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjrKI_XEyQ1wPp5w_mkJ57mWvvF-VL0duNizhWZtAxuh9Mp3VEsMTrCq-rnlXsoCPkDmS_N5NofUjWDqpN05JVex9npZNaRDXFfkPpuTU7TqpyOlkHSjgmmo-U8XHoMJYHhbhHLU-6LI/s320/Coco-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living and deceased reunited in forgiveness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Through twists and turns the story
unfolds and an appreciation of the meaning of family and Day of the
Dead deepens. I recommend it. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
popular North American thinking, Day of the Dead is often seen as a
chance for grown-ups to paint faces in ghoulish caricature. Perhaps
fun, but not much more. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Mexican
culture is different. Historians say Day of the Dead is rooted
within indigenous culture – Aztec, Myan and others. With the
coming of the Spaniards in the 16<sup>th</sup> century, the Church
tried to ban it as pagan sacrilege. But they failed. The best they
could do was attach All Saints and All Souls Day and make peace with
Day of the Dead. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmyALisUlEPdI7qhv2kxR9r2v1O3AEumVGKsGPVgJDOQel7JYDvOJFwEMU0vsFQqDbHb7OJkPvs85oQ2N-qLiBRyVzzxtybtiN8P0KYdImAXPhTtMxQWaxjljjh_bCLexDc5dLfvHN6k/s1600/20181102_163403_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmyALisUlEPdI7qhv2kxR9r2v1O3AEumVGKsGPVgJDOQel7JYDvOJFwEMU0vsFQqDbHb7OJkPvs85oQ2N-qLiBRyVzzxtybtiN8P0KYdImAXPhTtMxQWaxjljjh_bCLexDc5dLfvHN6k/s640/20181102_163403_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend, Beto, and I greet one another</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So
even through times of oppression and revolution and all sorts of
discord, Day of the Dead remains a cultural bulwark. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Deep in the
Mexican spirit is pride in family and community connections that
transcend death with unending love from generation to generation. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/holidays/day-of-the-dead/2014/09/24/day-of-the-dead-history/16174911/">To learn more, check out this link </a></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bENnIIAIMQsGZ6EyxrpkSQVQ_56yC3sxfUJxh_KIvypa0YA6lntCPPDBreOuINYrUPR8kyCOUgIJw9J8dI9nl_8vWI0RgXWWRYNnM27ATA0mDOaucdc23sAvvh9ec7Xzk8C2vp0Q7NI/s1600/20181102_163254_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bENnIIAIMQsGZ6EyxrpkSQVQ_56yC3sxfUJxh_KIvypa0YA6lntCPPDBreOuINYrUPR8kyCOUgIJw9J8dI9nl_8vWI0RgXWWRYNnM27ATA0mDOaucdc23sAvvh9ec7Xzk8C2vp0Q7NI/s400/20181102_163254_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A marvelous sight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Altars or Ofrendas are built in homes and around the walkways of the Central Plaza. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the ground, artistic talent creates intricate patterns. Using flower pedals (especially marigolds) and what looks like colored sawdust, they work for hours to honor the family, living and dead. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtJIB2-SM68F0970rD6N9wuJYs55vwP79Szq4BqXK6dhJV7ajW_zZ5dP4ETzb5KoZWbVS12nX_cHY9eBtkyyyYXUOXSPGJfFnVuc9TaG9aeXB3QQQ-7u-fudSEYeCndh_hiqcwTcGt7M/s1600/20181102_164355_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtJIB2-SM68F0970rD6N9wuJYs55vwP79Szq4BqXK6dhJV7ajW_zZ5dP4ETzb5KoZWbVS12nX_cHY9eBtkyyyYXUOXSPGJfFnVuc9TaG9aeXB3QQQ-7u-fudSEYeCndh_hiqcwTcGt7M/s640/20181102_164355_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new friend tells me about his family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
meet a man on the Plaza who was born here and now lives in San Francisco. Yet, he still returns to Ajijic to greets long-time friends
at the Ofrenda of his family. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Even with me, a stranger, he tells
stories of his mother and grandparents. I’m touched deeply.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Like
Coco reminds us, family is most important. Always celebrate your
ancestors.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomyAWxxrCny5v6SaNl0nTBYTEZIjkejNzYzPV5TUJDEGAqd81AMu9bKOf3GqD9g2ppahGmU0pdzjxK7zWvhVxHAC8VRN3idU4ihnrv4R51fDBBfuHPK7XpfiBN6x_7Tap2zlWtQzmD8E/s1600/20181102_175319_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomyAWxxrCny5v6SaNl0nTBYTEZIjkejNzYzPV5TUJDEGAqd81AMu9bKOf3GqD9g2ppahGmU0pdzjxK7zWvhVxHAC8VRN3idU4ihnrv4R51fDBBfuHPK7XpfiBN6x_7Tap2zlWtQzmD8E/s640/20181102_175319_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful designs, but only for a day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GsmP_liBftnRmfMXxADvWEsXm304DJLxsJ-Z4bqy9mbIcX8SCCJi_liLBG4W_qYlpF3MRE_PmVSOGodntxb3rNEs36FTFFiC_ljboj97Ulm6FCl5r0ZNkzTxXZ1tU-f6oAYkmU7-o2c/s1600/20181102_170841_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GsmP_liBftnRmfMXxADvWEsXm304DJLxsJ-Z4bqy9mbIcX8SCCJi_liLBG4W_qYlpF3MRE_PmVSOGodntxb3rNEs36FTFFiC_ljboj97Ulm6FCl5r0ZNkzTxXZ1tU-f6oAYkmU7-o2c/s640/20181102_170841_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honoring the young</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUNXVqtjzuGVgVK1ZCcSMTae9TfOpGELYs_YDovBsrqeKuiUYUbqeCSKwaVeq02h-3jmFQgSrESa_PLSfjkmBkmaxQhxSXC_iZe0HlGWudfD43GTmntCE49blCa3d4GccYFfVPqKPw58/s1600/20181102_170739_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUNXVqtjzuGVgVK1ZCcSMTae9TfOpGELYs_YDovBsrqeKuiUYUbqeCSKwaVeq02h-3jmFQgSrESa_PLSfjkmBkmaxQhxSXC_iZe0HlGWudfD43GTmntCE49blCa3d4GccYFfVPqKPw58/s640/20181102_170739_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just having a beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0yh710H9Miy_n4sooq9ccHC9pTvxmFZMAXSJz0qyPhaeEjrQp7MfRQe2-Kr-QQ_AzuprCQVE2ryOfUNbG2z3-KHDekg6lyETzMbRkCLieJEvRsfeilt9l43tCPibAlHBWDOwDF9viUs/s1600/20181102_163148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0yh710H9Miy_n4sooq9ccHC9pTvxmFZMAXSJz0qyPhaeEjrQp7MfRQe2-Kr-QQ_AzuprCQVE2ryOfUNbG2z3-KHDekg6lyETzMbRkCLieJEvRsfeilt9l43tCPibAlHBWDOwDF9viUs/s320/20181102_163148.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend and I cozy up to Catrina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of
course, there are ghoulish figures in this celebration, but they
have a deeper meaning than our North American Halloween.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These
larger than life skeletal figures are called Catrinas and originated
during the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, a period of class domination.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnR_yKFqBDJjHFUOUFfgCl1fG5tQyia4jYEm-9J10oublZR_VbgnjmXnst_OElSrxZwjUuY4f_piyLrlTNIxIOWrw47p80fk_CsBfqgK15tb623Os_sLl2wJnJ6YWxrVmVxnR9TXnGbMM/s1600/20181106_174308_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnR_yKFqBDJjHFUOUFfgCl1fG5tQyia4jYEm-9J10oublZR_VbgnjmXnst_OElSrxZwjUuY4f_piyLrlTNIxIOWrw47p80fk_CsBfqgK15tb623Os_sLl2wJnJ6YWxrVmVxnR9TXnGbMM/s320/20181106_174308_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing just for us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Posada, a print maker, was distressed by the rabid corruption and
inequality of his era. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So he created an image of an extravagantly
dressed skeleton. It became a dramatic social leveler. It spoofed upper class excess and haughtiness reminding them and everyone that in the end all humans – rich or poor - become
naked bones.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Later
Catrina was embellished by the famous Mexican artist <span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Diego
Rivera. He incorporated the image in his </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">famous
</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">mural
Sueño de una tarde dominical en La Alameda Central. </span></span></span></span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.google.com.mx/search?num=20&biw=1341&bih=575&ei=DPnhW573LseZ0gLu_YuABw&q=Diego+catrina+image&oq=Diego+catrina+image&gs_l=psy-ab.12..0i8i30k1.7005.12115.0.17602.8.8.0.0.0.0.192.1088.1j7.8.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.3.479...0i7i30k1j0i13k1j0i13i10k1j0i8i7i30k1j0i13i30k1.0.RW7zioIaTdw">See Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park here. </a>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over
time, Catrina lost much of its social commentary,
but it remains a reminder of human equality…not ghoulish Halloween.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsL6YdMgPvDQNMNkiG57IxxW1uvkJGiY4m7wSW0OfsY0_uMMO2HPzwxH1sDTVHAyLClJac3KjWaHCkxfOyPLIHvc9RJ-mOKLb47ey2eWqoPtHoPePmZGx5AFIfgBVEh6MB3mqsHPLXrc/s1600/20181102_221057_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsL6YdMgPvDQNMNkiG57IxxW1uvkJGiY4m7wSW0OfsY0_uMMO2HPzwxH1sDTVHAyLClJac3KjWaHCkxfOyPLIHvc9RJ-mOKLb47ey2eWqoPtHoPePmZGx5AFIfgBVEh6MB3mqsHPLXrc/s320/20181102_221057_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's true. We
all turn into bones. And from what I am seeing during Day of the
Dead, Mexican people love their bones and the families they belong
to. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It’s
getting late, but around the corner from the Plaza is a spectacular
display.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg8tDgoChMztdPXtsUUgEB7zoKs87v5aQrpimBMubLvUiIoipUfk38UPt0CpQbc8JHSRMYLrVrkykXIiNh8sWvFLxyTdBpbJQUn80tDFj23IG6RwGsAMOCk5540DpAz2ROnZCxv0qcJw/s1600/20181102_202252_Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg8tDgoChMztdPXtsUUgEB7zoKs87v5aQrpimBMubLvUiIoipUfk38UPt0CpQbc8JHSRMYLrVrkykXIiNh8sWvFLxyTdBpbJQUn80tDFj23IG6RwGsAMOCk5540DpAz2ROnZCxv0qcJw/s640/20181102_202252_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A part of the Wall of the Dead for the Living</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Local artist Efren Gonzales has created a mural of
bas-relief skulls attached to the outside of a long wall at a local
school. It stretches for nearly a block.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Om2BcMa_TtoQWry09pt5LSj7btIivocYXVV3UOZ5p4RfekuIFSdwTcyjlJqd-3WZPVXq0schFYmCSDAnJn7fDbC2OVHJElYI8z8S6Lpg-XKf3t-mwapXxSSMo5wqa-zo2_dswfjf_nI/s1600/20181102_202354_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1221" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Om2BcMa_TtoQWry09pt5LSj7btIivocYXVV3UOZ5p4RfekuIFSdwTcyjlJqd-3WZPVXq0schFYmCSDAnJn7fDbC2OVHJElYI8z8S6Lpg-XKf3t-mwapXxSSMo5wqa-zo2_dswfjf_nI/s400/20181102_202354_HDR-1.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once a year candles are lite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each skull is named for an local resident, who has died , but is still remembered</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRq3bYKs3I7eHzTanBdzABL4nOQ-y9GlRSNXlOx1kbNGfVMrjWWkCJRTOr_LgXNqoncK7VV24wXPnADYQsuPEbhBmbaPdXKdi7LcE8UKTrYMTCfmKk69i6aiU-ZVNl3cHZ4F81pPHPuE/s1600/20181102_203002_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRq3bYKs3I7eHzTanBdzABL4nOQ-y9GlRSNXlOx1kbNGfVMrjWWkCJRTOr_LgXNqoncK7VV24wXPnADYQsuPEbhBmbaPdXKdi7LcE8UKTrYMTCfmKk69i6aiU-ZVNl3cHZ4F81pPHPuE/s640/20181102_203002_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many everyday people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">According
to the artist, t</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">he
idea is to "honor ordinary folks" and bring them closer to the living generation. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">So
</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
if you were to join me in passing along this wall </span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">some
morning,</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
you would likely hear children playing within </span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">the
school yard and skulls looking forward in silent pleasure.</span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;">
</span></span></span><br />
</span><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rSccudqy9HmyvRaKhfDmyxcnr8LdsuS1mxRjElSdwOm5PZYV_xO54fjnnJ3RpzyFVAvVBwA8TiEbVeBogyftz3GUabGUoSSxkfchXjJxfe4bhjJWPh7-ltAMV8CIn2PW21i164iyufo/s1600/20181102_220256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rSccudqy9HmyvRaKhfDmyxcnr8LdsuS1mxRjElSdwOm5PZYV_xO54fjnnJ3RpzyFVAvVBwA8TiEbVeBogyftz3GUabGUoSSxkfchXjJxfe4bhjJWPh7-ltAMV8CIn2PW21i164iyufo/s640/20181102_220256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So
as night grows deeper, candles are lit on the grave sites at the
cemetery. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">People view the Ofrendas displayed on Ajijic Plaza. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT9r_GwQKDAJUBkYVRUVapBGz4hRIyMGL1MFhVpLhY_guQT42ibooa0l32yU3o5kVmENE7EomwWwYuNMVG__NVLkPY48fSS5sm5H1L9d2vDs72nzjk8z3WMMvfmh-epZ3SKEIRnVnaZ8/s1600/20181102_221151_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT9r_GwQKDAJUBkYVRUVapBGz4hRIyMGL1MFhVpLhY_guQT42ibooa0l32yU3o5kVmENE7EomwWwYuNMVG__NVLkPY48fSS5sm5H1L9d2vDs72nzjk8z3WMMvfmh-epZ3SKEIRnVnaZ8/s640/20181102_221151_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
pause at several to say prayers and also remember my own family and
ancestors. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeroyFlG6yVW-gRLJKUmudcKibfRLAJlWmtVLyuAE-gCFHkNzaZKxj6vcNebwz9smTP2xK79xDisssds1rlwkuE-Ulo_TrErpLLUmvvLHdgv8n1djzdUvQ88zg8djf0SVZfBAzw7LxMM/s1600/20181104_161537_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeroyFlG6yVW-gRLJKUmudcKibfRLAJlWmtVLyuAE-gCFHkNzaZKxj6vcNebwz9smTP2xK79xDisssds1rlwkuE-Ulo_TrErpLLUmvvLHdgv8n1djzdUvQ88zg8djf0SVZfBAzw7LxMM/s320/20181104_161537_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe, they too have been lured by families remembering them, the marigolds and the
carpet of beautiful images</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe they are joining with Mexican brothers and
sisters in this grand celebration. I like to think that they are....</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It gives me a sweet smile to
feel….We all are living into the Day of the Dead.</span></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-61885124446858812162018-11-02T16:34:00.001-04:002018-11-03T13:31:54.382-04:00A WAKE-UP EXPLOSION<span style="font-size: large;">It’s 5:00 am and I’m in a deep peaceful sleep.</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRZKJKoVH31z-UiEHNQ4-xlnovILrGESpt-fhMBJx3H6TyLkgfhXbYtQoqZX1n_C9fHfTrhnEy7V2HFuNa77_YQgmf-Betq7zjyugufevAFk0QgiJ-mfB1wFtzLxoEzvvMRmnEl5gXzQ/s1600/20181031_141202_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1007" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRZKJKoVH31z-UiEHNQ4-xlnovILrGESpt-fhMBJx3H6TyLkgfhXbYtQoqZX1n_C9fHfTrhnEy7V2HFuNa77_YQgmf-Betq7zjyugufevAFk0QgiJ-mfB1wFtzLxoEzvvMRmnEl5gXzQ/s320/20181031_141202_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Suddenly,
a volley of explosions pierce my dreams. I look up at the
skylight above my bed. Flashes of light cut through the early
morning darkness. Each explosion, in rapid succession, startles. and
yes, scares me. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My
mind searches for explanations. What’s happening? A snippet of
the Star Spangle Banner - “the bombs bursting in air.” brings an
uneasy feeling. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Each blast is so loud and direct. I feel vibrations
across my skin. Is this what an invasion feels like? </span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFj3QZ-9ltRsHh5ijwc1Y8zhOzBogM73MYGO6wfYpdec8ECLmKO6NKkPx-zrdBsCRoSA4atzvbEQv3hz2IR7T5hFtxJKzCP6edLtU1RVPctgD-Ygzn_wz1UtNc9tAK0cVePl58gDxgBg/s1600/20181102_200806_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFj3QZ-9ltRsHh5ijwc1Y8zhOzBogM73MYGO6wfYpdec8ECLmKO6NKkPx-zrdBsCRoSA4atzvbEQv3hz2IR7T5hFtxJKzCP6edLtU1RVPctgD-Ygzn_wz1UtNc9tAK0cVePl58gDxgBg/s320/20181102_200806_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I live about a half block from the Church. Its tower houses several levels of bells ...all sizes. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In the midst of the explosions,
they start clanging their cacophony demanding attention. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I peek out
my window. But all I see are a few early morning risers strolling
down the narrow street oblivious of the sound and furry. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Puzzling….Explosions
and church bells in the pre-dawn of Ajijic, Mexico.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Later,
I learn that the hullabaloo marks the beginning of a month long
celebration. October is a month devoted to Our Lady of the Rosary.
</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gprzw2YKgihLTSdQ4VzmBc6Ex01GhwqEB87tLNgiq-mhhxG0VG38N-jPdF1eT2z5ksZJ7ik-Oet8cViRbxf_Hz7GFJADjF6_bgwT9MTaSLoB604s4VqAexzYDoAbhx-hKe5kS9s2w_g/s1600/20180917_165128_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Gprzw2YKgihLTSdQ4VzmBc6Ex01GhwqEB87tLNgiq-mhhxG0VG38N-jPdF1eT2z5ksZJ7ik-Oet8cViRbxf_Hz7GFJADjF6_bgwT9MTaSLoB604s4VqAexzYDoAbhx-hKe5kS9s2w_g/s640/20180917_165128_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">La Virgin del Rosario is represented by a small antique statue of
Mary holding baby Jesus. Here in Ajijic, she occupies a special
chapel on the edge of the Main Plaza.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxJuKejQxX-XFBrCq7qE1Mqg1N-pE8INfijRKq20RfgfapnCB4HfMFXctzl9REjjzH7eBC58Wzr4HF2Flh2Bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But during October, she goes traveling. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Strong shoulders carry her into the neighboring town of San Antonio Tlayacapan and then the various parishes
around Ajijic. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Wherever she goes, the faithful follow. While only a statue, she's engaging the people.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each
dawn at 5 am, a blast of skyrockets and bells call people to mass. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know because it's becoming a kind of jarring alarm for me. I
glance at my clock...”Yup, it’s 5:00 am.” Damn or is there more….?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyUH7SOVOuOQxYWPvJGa-aZUXv6h07AMyjeL2tna0C1G9011blzoOE8AiOSycvUI3V02HsjPq7Xolzp4_6bb-yNFOI44SyFPZ9CDcs7KQbc4lZP68rVg-BZmMm295UzewV8CmXOzhZ7w/s1600/20181031_202906_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyUH7SOVOuOQxYWPvJGa-aZUXv6h07AMyjeL2tna0C1G9011blzoOE8AiOSycvUI3V02HsjPq7Xolzp4_6bb-yNFOI44SyFPZ9CDcs7KQbc4lZP68rVg-BZmMm295UzewV8CmXOzhZ7w/s400/20181031_202906_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’m
told that the skyrockets have a double meaning. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For sure they wake
up people, but it’s said that they also alert the angels that
prayers and devotion are soon to be flooding the heavens.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Strange
isn’t it? When we begin to change the way we think about things,
those same things change. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Now when I’m jarred awake by explosions
and bells, I gravitate towards meditation. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My
mind asks, “Are you woke...In whom do you live and die and have your
being?"</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Yes,
I’ve grown to appreciate my “alarm” in these noisy pre-dawns of October in Ajijic. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh6-HY0LaVvdS7lo6VhEZBnnlJr5EsjtdMGwOL3IG-f3oJdOAuQTY_58klfdS1E5a_GuEWUOm1E4dmjWUBL-MubdhUiiVOzXR3Yothb9Nm4_9Xim12re-9E3EJLoZHHRwb3dzJCgetEs/s1600/20181025_192017_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh6-HY0LaVvdS7lo6VhEZBnnlJr5EsjtdMGwOL3IG-f3oJdOAuQTY_58klfdS1E5a_GuEWUOm1E4dmjWUBL-MubdhUiiVOzXR3Yothb9Nm4_9Xim12re-9E3EJLoZHHRwb3dzJCgetEs/s640/20181025_192017_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure it’s jarring, but maybe that’s the point because
it's reminding people of the good stuff - kindness, forgiveness, and justice
towards all creation. It's a way to center in the beauty and wonder of living. Now that's a pretty good way to start a day.</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3APyoBSmiEjW4O1RKJPJF9rDUyMivWnj_ZkzAg1U207G76XuzljGsSzxs5u3qV9INJgSBE4LZEqXAQg6PzpGiAU_BrLC8-BjZ50RwTGVt0peZAJ6s8dT1ip9l2kB6MArQJu_vzKaCpg/s1600/20181031_202837_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="919" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3APyoBSmiEjW4O1RKJPJF9rDUyMivWnj_ZkzAg1U207G76XuzljGsSzxs5u3qV9INJgSBE4LZEqXAQg6PzpGiAU_BrLC8-BjZ50RwTGVt0peZAJ6s8dT1ip9l2kB6MArQJu_vzKaCpg/s320/20181031_202837_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s
a charming and thoughtful story about a woman’s life in 1946
Ajijic. It references our Lady of the Rosary and can still
echo in our modern times. <a href="https://chapala.com/elojo/index.php/2015/186-articles-2015/august-2015/3053-a-woman-in-ajijic">I think you'll enjoy a read.</a></span></span></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-80619087332372786042018-09-12T18:01:00.002-04:002018-09-12T22:46:12.235-04:00WHY GLOBUS<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If
I mention that I’m going to live in Mexico for 3 months, a lot of
people see dark images in their imagination. Fear-mongering does
have its affect. </span><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But for today, go with me and take a glimpse into
the Mexican life I’m discovering.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fAfmDxo63PaF192gyvao2WvTTyG6kp-lIdtTp62Dho_COkQwMINuoJcMN2TOUpeniOCKylNn4NOcf4czhkt6XxujZ69KnQ0aZat-CtqBJR3QmuhyAELEf18uPLbNqJaMTM5_7pfkFVw/s1600/20180908_180428_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fAfmDxo63PaF192gyvao2WvTTyG6kp-lIdtTp62Dho_COkQwMINuoJcMN2TOUpeniOCKylNn4NOcf4czhkt6XxujZ69KnQ0aZat-CtqBJR3QmuhyAELEf18uPLbNqJaMTM5_7pfkFVw/s1600/20180908_180428_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fAfmDxo63PaF192gyvao2WvTTyG6kp-lIdtTp62Dho_COkQwMINuoJcMN2TOUpeniOCKylNn4NOcf4czhkt6XxujZ69KnQ0aZat-CtqBJR3QmuhyAELEf18uPLbNqJaMTM5_7pfkFVw/s400/20180908_180428_HDR-1.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">See,
bright colored tissue paper, which come all the way from China,
transformed by artistic culture. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It’s the Regatta de Globus. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Every September, thousands of people come to see hundreds of Globi
fill the skies. They are huge paper balloons handcrafted to the
delight of all. I’m fortunate to be here. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For
weeks, extended family and community teams have been fashioning their
unique designs. Each team will create more than 20 to be launched
into the skies. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They come in all shapes and sizes – round
cylinders, long tubes, heart shapes, cartoon characters, and more.
No two are alike.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrwwTrIJHnjQTVZyqiCGzyufASVYj28wJIzsPBSOPxgLOznptVq50R13ujklii6VEFWNY1WBD9oMWLskWx6VQ6KPetS-sDCw17o62eGez2nB_fqpSK4-YcgxbRUfQkBwPK1lIgSHg3BI/s1600/20180908_181304_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrwwTrIJHnjQTVZyqiCGzyufASVYj28wJIzsPBSOPxgLOznptVq50R13ujklii6VEFWNY1WBD9oMWLskWx6VQ6KPetS-sDCw17o62eGez2nB_fqpSK4-YcgxbRUfQkBwPK1lIgSHg3BI/s400/20180908_181304_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
designs are striking. They causes me to think, “How did they do that?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The answer comes through cooperation carefully following
the template and pasting the pieces together. </span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKnAqFTYN0gm87LeYaPkFym0vOlgcUGwNG4enqVR6Gs636iCTU8UC6BvHDpg3sVWDt4tHLIJMUYUS-BGbGy70VAGW_wKW3KwdU3KfH_JYeL04BW_VGCqSEIPeEaYqF0q4z8il-J40JSA/s1600/20180908_171532_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKnAqFTYN0gm87LeYaPkFym0vOlgcUGwNG4enqVR6Gs636iCTU8UC6BvHDpg3sVWDt4tHLIJMUYUS-BGbGy70VAGW_wKW3KwdU3KfH_JYeL04BW_VGCqSEIPeEaYqF0q4z8il-J40JSA/s400/20180908_171532_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Notice the man fanning air into the balloon.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slowly over weeks of
work, the design emerges.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKnAqFTYN0gm87LeYaPkFym0vOlgcUGwNG4enqVR6Gs636iCTU8UC6BvHDpg3sVWDt4tHLIJMUYUS-BGbGy70VAGW_wKW3KwdU3KfH_JYeL04BW_VGCqSEIPeEaYqF0q4z8il-J40JSA/s1600/20180908_171532_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On
Festival day one by one, they fill the Globus with hot air thanks to
many hands and a blow torch. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzv6Xw8KI4xw0_aBQ-feI1SiQaJOljhAcHpPORBHqcOzPUmTgFRo5XonisP2EN_ehCTugbokKIEBWNu8xMqBtt4y9_Vif2m1unGS1WTKMO4u0NjL0YvIA9POJuxUq1CL0UCpoGlTSaPg/s1600/20180908_171454_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzv6Xw8KI4xw0_aBQ-feI1SiQaJOljhAcHpPORBHqcOzPUmTgFRo5XonisP2EN_ehCTugbokKIEBWNu8xMqBtt4y9_Vif2m1unGS1WTKMO4u0NjL0YvIA9POJuxUq1CL0UCpoGlTSaPg/s400/20180908_171454_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> At the last moment, a kerosene doughnut
is inserted and lit to keep the hot air going as the Globus is launched.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1scNE8-vKLTGhVZcII-YzYgNA6zY7PilBeOWADe7BCdoT-T4RCYBcFLsTqlLvO6eDbpz740O71pCGH-i3jg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibay3yYBsgDDi4CtjW3e5QjOxYJeEiCEM1Q29QAPA6a70NCu-DA6B2SLTxCvDrZEIgFiQbXxijon87L_5k9BWgwVvT4RKSbvt0EBOcYfUSw9UsJz49A3YoLKaPRcntUCPgeBMAma764JQ/s1600/20180908_171909.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh9ENZwh9w8h9BpBtHEN32BTSeIMxVOKZPOjamyZTgi_UHz2bZoUQVus0cFXJFx-oqkaZAwXDEGiSvNPRh1gFH7mR6iyJ4aHkth7u-iaB81p1ZvVk8IpLBXdbEwl3NsJEkQ9Qd44RRGg/s1600/20180908_175658_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh9ENZwh9w8h9BpBtHEN32BTSeIMxVOKZPOjamyZTgi_UHz2bZoUQVus0cFXJFx-oqkaZAwXDEGiSvNPRh1gFH7mR6iyJ4aHkth7u-iaB81p1ZvVk8IpLBXdbEwl3NsJEkQ9Qd44RRGg/s640/20180908_175658_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But
maybe the more Interesting question is not how did they do it but, why. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why do they do launch so many Globus year after year? From all that I can determine,
it’s not a competition. There’s no big prize money. The
artistic creations are not sold.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some
will soar disappearing over mountain ridge as specks while others
will quickly abort into fire and ashes.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK4cBy9i-FABU0lJpIl3jclWHhqRhFoOtjt-jaLlxHrLlYWfksdQgBzI65CpF3-kdZ-kjfiD07N_txaQRJodF1YM32uiN5Ey-xE87H8iMOSVQ4P8IMfgE-GIjOKY0KndsE__H5MG3dvE/s1600/20180908_170640_HDR-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWK4cBy9i-FABU0lJpIl3jclWHhqRhFoOtjt-jaLlxHrLlYWfksdQgBzI65CpF3-kdZ-kjfiD07N_txaQRJodF1YM32uiN5Ey-xE87H8iMOSVQ4P8IMfgE-GIjOKY0KndsE__H5MG3dvE/s640/20180908_170640_HDR-1-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Excitement: A beer bottle strikes electrical lines in a flash</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tissue paper can burn fast
when the winds twist the fancy creation or the design is not as
stable as hoped for. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Either way, all this work is soon gone. My
Yankee mind keeps asking, “What’s the purpose.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">sure,
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Globus
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">brings
people together. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Imagine
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">hands
cutting paper and exactly joining the pieces together. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rc4byncLoJM6ATku8U4NC9rB9Vhvv4PTDzcUf24ryh7HCXX5xX3P2fhOCjGEJxagMOoSZsyr_4T9ebD_Qrbsre3BMNMvuZouGwWJ7pEz1JfLR_4UEerK7S7kwTK6-IZUnMmplf3cTJc/s1600/20180908_162147_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rc4byncLoJM6ATku8U4NC9rB9Vhvv4PTDzcUf24ryh7HCXX5xX3P2fhOCjGEJxagMOoSZsyr_4T9ebD_Qrbsre3BMNMvuZouGwWJ7pEz1JfLR_4UEerK7S7kwTK6-IZUnMmplf3cTJc/s640/20180908_162147_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I love this team</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">See
the pride in the faces of </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">men
and women, boys and girls </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">of
all ages </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">a</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">s
they work together.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Young kids and teenagers </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">too
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">are
learning just as the older ones did before them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I’m impressed
with the strength of families and community. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">G</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">randparents
sit smiling with broad approval. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There’s
so much joy here. T</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">his
is Ajijic, Mexico. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span></span>
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mauricio
Higuera is President of the Globeros Committee. He’s quoted as
saying, the transformation of paper into the form of a balloon “is
realizing how with something as fragile as paper, you can build
something so big </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">beautiful
and apart (from that) it flies.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGexQvsOD4pR_vM08QzB6g0Ig0RQcvw-FS-eGASx5Cmy9TddazuF4LIhiew_P84Y4nNgNxQ-dzpncnqzzOxWL0rTcvlagkxwFuKkSRgPvSYHGcQlf-S63xZm0js_9sYrJJXVd5r4FsebQ/s1600/20180908_163008_HDR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="954" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGexQvsOD4pR_vM08QzB6g0Ig0RQcvw-FS-eGASx5Cmy9TddazuF4LIhiew_P84Y4nNgNxQ-dzpncnqzzOxWL0rTcvlagkxwFuKkSRgPvSYHGcQlf-S63xZm0js_9sYrJJXVd5r4FsebQ/s640/20180908_163008_HDR-2.jpg" width="379" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This team proclaims the message<br />Globos of paper from China </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">He
continues, “</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It’s
a way of to show the skills of the people. It’s a way to show
culture.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
artistic expression shown by </span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Globus</span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is a source of pride and recognition of the creative spirit that
lives here in Ajijic, Mexico. </span></span></span></span><br />
</span></span><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
want to see it all. I make my way to the Futbal Field on the east
side of town. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m becoming more accustomed to long walks. Good for
health and weight….they say. </span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3ioLqi9ZbcyR2I4KdCisoVDdaakErWXshzDIO1jGcbJP8XhEPybRkT4BphBmxJH8Ia2UWB8is6PrSSElghyphenhyphenREt6GvC1N7Se4rqSyvXC3NtNGKyxfLEp0jMPzZpNWfxYboPWUsCSTL7s/s1600/20180910_162602_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3ioLqi9ZbcyR2I4KdCisoVDdaakErWXshzDIO1jGcbJP8XhEPybRkT4BphBmxJH8Ia2UWB8is6PrSSElghyphenhyphenREt6GvC1N7Se4rqSyvXC3NtNGKyxfLEp0jMPzZpNWfxYboPWUsCSTL7s/s400/20180910_162602_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Typical homes and cobble stone streets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I pass block houses, many of which
are painted with bright colors. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Often extended families live here
although some are being gentrified by gringos. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the distance I see my first Globus. I quicken my pace not knowing
that there will be so many more to appreciate. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Here’s what I see….</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsZYVU9jZa52GReZTw3FDoU7Frg7_ig7SCeDFD3ClzvHWcUgEXh3tLwVsv0dxp7GylJbafH_ofN4s-JvhPOtdaMyslqb_KhUMjCr5BI8njjLRIArkK2KD_1GjwGw62aHK9hUHhqXXr4/s1600/20180908_183358_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="884" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnsZYVU9jZa52GReZTw3FDoU7Frg7_ig7SCeDFD3ClzvHWcUgEXh3tLwVsv0dxp7GylJbafH_ofN4s-JvhPOtdaMyslqb_KhUMjCr5BI8njjLRIArkK2KD_1GjwGw62aHK9hUHhqXXr4/s320/20180908_183358_HDR-1.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV_QPivXbhudgw0s2-HTyYooncSaN2dZQCXRFjOzMUfEPcn1tCZsdjUxDJ-REWO9Ih6MzSwRBpWnZiib7uhrNyWV5qYXe0EHO5BdW7aU-6CJ0z83dMaeKyCtmjdU9Lkwsv0BJ-EhnR4I/s1600/20180908_164402_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV_QPivXbhudgw0s2-HTyYooncSaN2dZQCXRFjOzMUfEPcn1tCZsdjUxDJ-REWO9Ih6MzSwRBpWnZiib7uhrNyWV5qYXe0EHO5BdW7aU-6CJ0z83dMaeKyCtmjdU9Lkwsv0BJ-EhnR4I/s320/20180908_164402_HDR-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A beautiful Easter cross is launched <br />but winds cause it to tumble and burn</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx38Qea4opLxIVJdB74uDvUEorNcKgxDxFa_J_q5nEsCFeNHHTeLaTwZTsqp-W6DAZccjTEL40B0VcNJCm8aQ2kLHd07FtsnZdlPEJDfofCi9fBNp3XDoghPjAiZLnucaqffESN50ftx0/s1600/20180908_165204_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx38Qea4opLxIVJdB74uDvUEorNcKgxDxFa_J_q5nEsCFeNHHTeLaTwZTsqp-W6DAZccjTEL40B0VcNJCm8aQ2kLHd07FtsnZdlPEJDfofCi9fBNp3XDoghPjAiZLnucaqffESN50ftx0/s640/20180908_165204_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You gotta notice the children</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCofjoZ5f5LpInXCywuO_mBkQ9xHiKlsYlUgS9G7gRiXUfFycUtltw3Yr9y7K5G7dT-lbmAUD49-Y9coSLNdRkn5_UBb5nJov-xT2yQeLXfU3Kvo3Ub2uZOPETGZPnO8AAkJr23NJ-wY/s1600/20180908_162348_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCofjoZ5f5LpInXCywuO_mBkQ9xHiKlsYlUgS9G7gRiXUfFycUtltw3Yr9y7K5G7dT-lbmAUD49-Y9coSLNdRkn5_UBb5nJov-xT2yQeLXfU3Kvo3Ub2uZOPETGZPnO8AAkJr23NJ-wY/s640/20180908_162348_HDR-1.jpg" width="586" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sponge Bob in all his glory. However he'll soon twist, turn and burn </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnLL3Q5Oaqw4KATx_OEnKaF-6CucnJ4lOJ1JCe_DkpV4uXTjlWxE5rrSCcMM-wvSMNKn4bPxyDVm-4sNx-LI8Kb0Q-6eSC2dUokHIaSBWaQXkt9oAghkYZ92U98JefLtv6ju2FcbxyAc/s1600/20180908_181641_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnLL3Q5Oaqw4KATx_OEnKaF-6CucnJ4lOJ1JCe_DkpV4uXTjlWxE5rrSCcMM-wvSMNKn4bPxyDVm-4sNx-LI8Kb0Q-6eSC2dUokHIaSBWaQXkt9oAghkYZ92U98JefLtv6ju2FcbxyAc/s640/20180908_181641_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Crowds were among the largest </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeLnVbmwxzm05XnR1MaJRYGfA-cqKMZ7wuMaWqZnWZgXV1KVApJxidI9f-x5-s9BTZdNR9mQOcMLUzk0airYpxELUdC1vjGZnclNb_ANAwapxMH-Hu0rU2ADRIn2x_7Ral4Tgxbwkals/s640/Globus+ready+to+go.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A team effort to launch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeLnVbmwxzm05XnR1MaJRYGfA-cqKMZ7wuMaWqZnWZgXV1KVApJxidI9f-x5-s9BTZdNR9mQOcMLUzk0airYpxELUdC1vjGZnclNb_ANAwapxMH-Hu0rU2ADRIn2x_7Ral4Tgxbwkals/s1600/Globus+ready+to+go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeLnVbmwxzm05XnR1MaJRYGfA-cqKMZ7wuMaWqZnWZgXV1KVApJxidI9f-x5-s9BTZdNR9mQOcMLUzk0airYpxELUdC1vjGZnclNb_ANAwapxMH-Hu0rU2ADRIn2x_7Ral4Tgxbwkals/s1600/Globus+ready+to+go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5LVV6iV4MwQRa7zvEG_KM0ngJvJj5u997-iTmjkIZWJJ_dx9zcyrNtJKn5oCpn0Jt1OYaZRQ2k2OIx5hf7tqChyphenhyphenjTqxkwQSRL4XDXXaKQKNu3QQHxIlPg2gv5ledmerKsm5AkRAZQis/s1600/peanut+seller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5LVV6iV4MwQRa7zvEG_KM0ngJvJj5u997-iTmjkIZWJJ_dx9zcyrNtJKn5oCpn0Jt1OYaZRQ2k2OIx5hf7tqChyphenhyphenjTqxkwQSRL4XDXXaKQKNu3QQHxIlPg2gv5ledmerKsm5AkRAZQis/s400/peanut+seller.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Peanut vendor offers snacks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqWnU5y-_1CC7xqWcWgcECqYy3t01r4rSDCzCY178Or31rRxxJNQyKqkSkILr-CqiVH74FWZWtpt_SlXSM2iAhHyaUTiCZmV7IIhaQ6qxoKnwRNphBRLx6pzHfhHpiCQNGrtZ79bEDRg/s1600/festival+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqWnU5y-_1CC7xqWcWgcECqYy3t01r4rSDCzCY178Or31rRxxJNQyKqkSkILr-CqiVH74FWZWtpt_SlXSM2iAhHyaUTiCZmV7IIhaQ6qxoKnwRNphBRLx6pzHfhHpiCQNGrtZ79bEDRg/s400/festival+food.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Street vendors feed the hungry crowd. </span></td></tr>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Now
I’m beginning to understand why there’s a Regatta de Globus. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s a day for fun and celebration…for community love and
pride...for the creativity and art in the Mexican soul…and to see
how paper, coming all the way from China, can be transformed and fly
into the Mexican sky.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu9C2-Ij8N9lc4m3O8SL47VLAwAvXt0yKyqTw0kd0YTzQ1zi0vi9tx_R_bXmRl3J3VvR02hTdtOJyaTpPV3uCsR0Cqy-HduDoE7cPjBr-zYpBQGBPW5tmVhpAAWs8x5aJ_OpC5nFOQPM/s1600/20180908_183709_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPu9C2-Ij8N9lc4m3O8SL47VLAwAvXt0yKyqTw0kd0YTzQ1zi0vi9tx_R_bXmRl3J3VvR02hTdtOJyaTpPV3uCsR0Cqy-HduDoE7cPjBr-zYpBQGBPW5tmVhpAAWs8x5aJ_OpC5nFOQPM/s640/20180908_183709_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Next
time, someone fear-mongers Mexico, remember and tell them about the
Regatta de Globus in all its colorful and human wonders. </span></span>
</span></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-84953068761583699332018-08-27T19:51:00.001-04:002018-08-27T20:43:11.555-04:00JOY in MARIACHI <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8zIxf3YsDz10QXSW7EIWnqMFTPmTrz-jO1_QcHYeO29LXwJSXv8YcuNP9xVcIN2hsL9zZmFCK01ql3gkN7m_XllrqJxS34FZTijPot0KrfewgKNey7Q2kDNaJ-a3aI9FZUpJ0kNTbQo/s1600/mapmexicobasic_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8zIxf3YsDz10QXSW7EIWnqMFTPmTrz-jO1_QcHYeO29LXwJSXv8YcuNP9xVcIN2hsL9zZmFCK01ql3gkN7m_XllrqJxS34FZTijPot0KrfewgKNey7Q2kDNaJ-a3aI9FZUpJ0kNTbQo/s400/mapmexicobasic_large.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I’ve
returned to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Mexico. For the next
three months, Ajijic on Lake Chapala will be home. I’ve come here
to teach some English, grow as an artist </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">and</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
meet other</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
while exploring the Mexican culture. </span>
</span></div>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">I’m
about an hour’s drive form Guadalajara in the Mexican State of
Jalisco (in light green). It’s dominated by Mexico's biggest mountain range -the Sierra Madre - and a volcanic range creating many canyons, gorges and plateaus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb1YCAivu79KgIX9u9YXZrS4eAGRPR_atQYyPmzJHRkAWIzGpfiVUEDk73tI0X_oS-43wci4jMSIGGwiCg1QgpphH2S2cEsbXaCIs0bZWSOM94UVYGGajdDfDrNtD9Vcw7FJvfymlKGc/s1600/Green+Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb1YCAivu79KgIX9u9YXZrS4eAGRPR_atQYyPmzJHRkAWIzGpfiVUEDk73tI0X_oS-43wci4jMSIGGwiCg1QgpphH2S2cEsbXaCIs0bZWSOM94UVYGGajdDfDrNtD9Vcw7FJvfymlKGc/s400/Green+Mountains.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">At the end of the rainy season, the burnt brown mountains have transformed into deep tones of green and new life. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">Jalisco is known as the heart and soul of Mexico. Here a rich culture of music and dance and art developed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">Ever changing and adapting, it has retained a distinctive Mexican flair and swagger.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">On
my flight I happen to sit next to and behind a group of Mariachi</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">.
They </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">are</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
on their way to the International Mariachi </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">F</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">estival
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">in Guadalajara.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">We
get to talking. My seat-mate was born in the USA, but as a young man
immigrated back to Mexico to live and thrive. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I ask him, “Why Mariachi besides
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">income?
Quickly he says, “It’s my passion...identity...life.” </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I
want to learn more...</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJOoAci5A1yuAof-RwBN40pkfaS7U3axZztr-iQ_IorlwAXw4EnkTeTw3JWAOen_691Xxdx0p4jpVZCnGp8V4WEsplXKhT07AqgFbMgdZZMp73fY0NkFkv4UE67EjxT_8Kfx_sFkx0bM/s1600/20180826_111836_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJOoAci5A1yuAof-RwBN40pkfaS7U3axZztr-iQ_IorlwAXw4EnkTeTw3JWAOen_691Xxdx0p4jpVZCnGp8V4WEsplXKhT07AqgFbMgdZZMp73fY0NkFkv4UE67EjxT_8Kfx_sFkx0bM/s400/20180826_111836_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">Mariachi
emerged out of the long history of Mexico's conquest, occupation and rebirth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">Indigenous people were
overwhelmed by Spanish conquest in the 1500s. Then so many foreign ships sailed westward. For more than 300
years, European and African immigrants flooded the land bringing
their own cultures</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">In the Jalisco area, elements from immigrant cultures were blended into a unique
Mexican sound - Mariachi. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">These s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">ongs
were part of village life and almost always accompanied by dancing
and lots of love and good humor. The children learned the old songs on the laps of parents. Over time the music adapted to new living situations - always staying fresh and lively. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I’m
beginning to understand the depth of Mariachi and why my seat-mate
has such a passion for it. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Mariachi
exploded from Jalisco to the entire Country in the 20</span><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
century. With the help of mass media – radio and TV – people
fe</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">l</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">l
in love with it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> Even without knowing the language, I feel it. M</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">ariachi
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">exudes </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">energy,
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">culture </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">and
style. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">It</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
brings joy. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><a href="http://www.units.miamioh.edu/ath175/student/champaml/index.html#abstract">To learn a lot more click here </a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I’m indebted to Mike Champa of Miami University, Ohio for his study and giving me a deeper understanding. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">With
m</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">y new group of Mariachi friends, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">we</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">exit the plane. We hang together
through </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">immigration and customs
procedures. Then they </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">help me
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">negotiate a good price for a taxi. Wonderful!</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">With
gratitude – Graci</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">as</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
– I’m on my way. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">My
mind is already planning a trip back to Guadalajara and the Mariachi Festival.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">Here’s
a sampling of what I experience during this joyful parade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd38B2UlIQoXJpacsOrc1r5AUYjh395ZGepW_iFxs0cYwPBGNn5ZgHXx3aN6AWA2OTFKp8VxF9OhCfTm6sx5qmndJanue_auzrb5k48OhsamXEx9BwmTjpqgRWT8nRsMgVxOlI2Dxsd0/s1600/20180826_102022_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd38B2UlIQoXJpacsOrc1r5AUYjh395ZGepW_iFxs0cYwPBGNn5ZgHXx3aN6AWA2OTFKp8VxF9OhCfTm6sx5qmndJanue_auzrb5k48OhsamXEx9BwmTjpqgRWT8nRsMgVxOlI2Dxsd0/s400/20180826_102022_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Improvised dress turns heads</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMqZ-ZWeNjSWfsoQg12e2TugKNtV_4vC4rV_FbxfQO-Q9KIIb5eLGEWfo-k9vGUK-nssQ1qhSgBKTU1XwkVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let the parade begin</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GTwB4Giktp8QstS4ssFtPAc-ZqK0Fmz0ITDLrODrCuWueha7X3R6pSJAjuwnmh3VJruFqkyyb3yslj8QNWJoBKA3xqreE7T85RAmGLprLNi13rdevszEXFxD4LFoZADnIqzcECdZPFo/s1600/20180826_110059_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GTwB4Giktp8QstS4ssFtPAc-ZqK0Fmz0ITDLrODrCuWueha7X3R6pSJAjuwnmh3VJruFqkyyb3yslj8QNWJoBKA3xqreE7T85RAmGLprLNi13rdevszEXFxD4LFoZADnIqzcECdZPFo/s640/20180826_110059_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Music and dance fill the streets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIzvXDNQSZMEb5e6TsrAgCjZz7INqILfJDFLQOrhZgsR_1TGUa5IVIcTdcCa2HhfexK8JhhBdjZPIRjwNb9mHevbDf-SIOd2oNoFihShAgd-uQChpOQcXGZ5JL-Y6IVrNn04VVqboZVc/s1600/20180826_111122_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="1600" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIzvXDNQSZMEb5e6TsrAgCjZz7INqILfJDFLQOrhZgsR_1TGUa5IVIcTdcCa2HhfexK8JhhBdjZPIRjwNb9mHevbDf-SIOd2oNoFihShAgd-uQChpOQcXGZ5JL-Y6IVrNn04VVqboZVc/s640/20180826_111122_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Singing from the heart</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY8qC6U4zX8cQdjWhK6dp6aGBsFYzgex_zBeUpkxRcBi-KUj2FaDdhXnZc00eSY2kwU703qq5JNtxdEslVgesbxTHlo_JT0lfL4lyYB_OJSopKufhjxsfW8wSEE-dPvkkAgQkwB8N1tA/s1600/20180826_112636_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBY8qC6U4zX8cQdjWhK6dp6aGBsFYzgex_zBeUpkxRcBi-KUj2FaDdhXnZc00eSY2kwU703qq5JNtxdEslVgesbxTHlo_JT0lfL4lyYB_OJSopKufhjxsfW8wSEE-dPvkkAgQkwB8N1tA/s400/20180826_112636_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friendship is contagious</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ8HJR8PhPiR-oxdJKcqFaWv4dQ6ZOwbDWS08OeOEM5JuhJqPDuXzh0t2MYEnqkv_444oAEGIPZ6Pxszz-T8kikgupc43FeFvYgV3bprYba9B6iMqCb8tcb8ME9tgnNeet8ZpCgm79aY/s1600/20180826_111550_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJ8HJR8PhPiR-oxdJKcqFaWv4dQ6ZOwbDWS08OeOEM5JuhJqPDuXzh0t2MYEnqkv_444oAEGIPZ6Pxszz-T8kikgupc43FeFvYgV3bprYba9B6iMqCb8tcb8ME9tgnNeet8ZpCgm79aY/s640/20180826_111550_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Mariachi from Estados Unidos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb0uLVSX6O8tpIacnQwhdVQSZbcowYCg_FO9ncJBcDv2LgGO1qrKC_imPRKKrlNVljcudwffD3SJ8DvhvT_VYupmes4PvuDd7k3HZNfgQRii53dWJi0TeQN42_CEF7bqPAou1-ILhxS0/s1600/20180826_105932_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglb0uLVSX6O8tpIacnQwhdVQSZbcowYCg_FO9ncJBcDv2LgGO1qrKC_imPRKKrlNVljcudwffD3SJ8DvhvT_VYupmes4PvuDd7k3HZNfgQRii53dWJi0TeQN42_CEF7bqPAou1-ILhxS0/s640/20180826_105932_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="450" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful and Proud</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXvKPexDrVg">Listen to some more Mariachi</a> Feel the joy...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<br />
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</div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-46110191069434740932018-04-21T14:38:00.001-04:002018-04-25T23:13:22.790-04:00BIENVENIDOS AJIJIC<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here I am in Ajijic. It's located in the North Central Highlands of Mexico about an hour south of Guadalajara. Coming here has been an idea brewing in my mind for nearly a year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcvrVzbPIbaNh2gSWY-L4aGtCDdZsYqko-dnEuAYWEB7KXcXESPMHuq0W2eTEpGZCifOxlsUnQjZQ1JidGlD7skW0bz6FLzFwdL9kpbhSgmFfEEISyJ-uhz-zBwkhzH5cyJpkds2bkeI/s1600/20180411_163808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcvrVzbPIbaNh2gSWY-L4aGtCDdZsYqko-dnEuAYWEB7KXcXESPMHuq0W2eTEpGZCifOxlsUnQjZQ1JidGlD7skW0bz6FLzFwdL9kpbhSgmFfEEISyJ-uhz-zBwkhzH5cyJpkds2bkeI/s320/20180411_163808.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been realizing that I'm more satisfied and happy when meeting people of
different cultures and living new adventures. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since
retiring, I've been blessed with Peace Corps service in Ukraine and
Macedonia, teaching English to new immigrants in Washington, DC and
a recent Peace Pilgrimage to Hiroshima, Japan.</span></span><br />
<div align="left" class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZhtY7RhL35CZaO5A3FzzJdhi83rQTOSKeUBVyRhm6I1PQKlLF9yy36urm1bxUzx7uEWFVTtPgHWd_b2_aLSWswQrFugX0XUtt-bJ50SOyMaf3As3nXjT_haM0vULFPAvRY9vHPSWB90/s1600/20180412_124514_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZhtY7RhL35CZaO5A3FzzJdhi83rQTOSKeUBVyRhm6I1PQKlLF9yy36urm1bxUzx7uEWFVTtPgHWd_b2_aLSWswQrFugX0XUtt-bJ50SOyMaf3As3nXjT_haM0vULFPAvRY9vHPSWB90/s400/20180412_124514_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So for me, it seems natural to book a two week exploration of Mexico. It reminds me of earlier days when I served as a Vista
Volunteer in the War on Poverty in Canutillo, a small village in EL
Paso County on the Mexican border.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSRFvcJcAhlbNNBrou7O36Jz6UQvk4BKHu7KRoLNbFRlduTgTVGg96mVymvW69AvPXI8TuOBSKjnT8XloowOXur2GKxSwnGZXF7z-JlK5_w62CVtZtSE_tMVS9XqoeIDCAfKlQptmbQk/s640/20180411_152236_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIefiI7sQKqcpzGCfwoazZzzTv7oowP7EouXAq3cQgtiENyfs3xQqJKU4uir_6RDDPqsjpCWeOvvCuErWPjRAtdbhG25BVUwForb78Ye2RMGtFohBXvthDoivt4wCn2zOlHMPh_x8ChI/s640/20180411_161404_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ajijic
sits on the largest fresh water lake of Mexico - Lake Chapala. The
water had pollution problems in the past, but now pelicans and egrets
fish the shores. People do too. Ajijic has its roots in a fishing
village that's growing with expats.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiJTllGZKePRppPSVRZN8D4Y8MGgCIFCZl5iBOvz3LzxmqJADRoFItBpa31DCSKAlcynh2RqLCoAi0hXkz3KDfCWfIJ_3hzeV5zJtoQBnDtGWRwxSpSJghTeQxZh5Kba4R64i5z9ENDU/s1600/20180411_140513_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiJTllGZKePRppPSVRZN8D4Y8MGgCIFCZl5iBOvz3LzxmqJADRoFItBpa31DCSKAlcynh2RqLCoAi0hXkz3KDfCWfIJ_3hzeV5zJtoQBnDtGWRwxSpSJghTeQxZh5Kba4R64i5z9ENDU/s320/20180411_140513_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ever
since AARP and other North American publications named it an ideal
place for retirement, gringos have come. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They've created a "Southern Caravan" into the heart of Mexico. They come looking for ideal weather, inexpensive cost of living and a community of English speakers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm looking for opportunities to meet other artists, find inspiration in the beauty of lakes mountains and towns, engaged in some community service work and build lasting friendships. </span></span><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VWNWNN30umqaAwhPh5SlHb1Ar2GCKV07gOk5gWv3uQThkV0OC55jppN94PROyZ5xPBGw8F3SKwElZRZF_VB87fD3TdACnEd4SOUb-67vUtD4tj0Sgv5BY1LjjdfRZ2o3myh7Lie4Uxs/s1600/20180417_132030_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VWNWNN30umqaAwhPh5SlHb1Ar2GCKV07gOk5gWv3uQThkV0OC55jppN94PROyZ5xPBGw8F3SKwElZRZF_VB87fD3TdACnEd4SOUb-67vUtD4tj0Sgv5BY1LjjdfRZ2o3myh7Lie4Uxs/s400/20180417_132030_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S9ZCH4tfCluVLbenJuhI85eAHrq53Hjh2M4CH4gnYDeTp1BT5lzWeYmyz7huaHGoTNDKtcvVLo4FF8VuyQCVLM4JKxGEoBq-rVT1HKsccvMlwNN6uaDieRfg4MSUVR7eVRxQJMP-ves/s320/20180419_170308_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
walk the cobble stone streets - carefully! They take some getting
use to. I feel my foot and ankle muscles stretching to accommodate the uneven
surface. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After awhile, I do find my gait. It's like getting physical
therapy with each step. My counter logs 10,000 steps and on some
days as much as 15,000. I've had some issues with neuropothy, but the discomfort has lessened or so it seems. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe it's a placebo effect. Whatever, I'm enjoying the walks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you hear the greetings? Mexicans almost always greet one another and gringos too when passing on the street.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A friendly "Hola or Buenas Tardes" brightens my spirit and reminds me that we're all part of the same human family even when from different cultures. </span><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO0NtemOa0U5QKKObsxmsxeozaqdFKKSG6AkbQ7WXzYjrPSiuMz-QMA8SUddWu_IBakxN5tqQG5xv-A-T5fQCghecDmuh8OO3743ofpsg4vsAr9lN-oaEqgywQoBwkB0_CmaR0-Q0D9o/s640/20180411_155324_Pano.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslh3bAZWOwtX2WSe9BliNeIDJXJAW5OlY3PwCiNgyDl_PRZ2oQIEW32mtgCi06huEoqoVoNm_glJ-Hz2rdiN6o_0uUnNlxhECotzLlY9pHWOYDqkgbjttbu6WsGg-bSaP9GoAi43Mr1k/s320/20180414_110131_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I'm
enjoying the sights. Walk with me...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Small
colorful homes line the streets. Doorways open to the sidewalks.
Women sweep and scrub the space in front. Men tinker with a bicycle</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">s
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">or
motor bike</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">s</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7WHuI5RTD9IrvaD8X9_j6Bs_Qap8GQpFlPAJBmiDSm5Zn7uJafCqMZSZ2obUdzAhigNWrspTY9iMmlP06Ipli_QxWD83bgh0XWm5n3JIT8Eg1b2TOTO_oc5lwhZBWoLkA3GyJra8v9g/s1600/20180411_140413_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7WHuI5RTD9IrvaD8X9_j6Bs_Qap8GQpFlPAJBmiDSm5Zn7uJafCqMZSZ2obUdzAhigNWrspTY9iMmlP06Ipli_QxWD83bgh0XWm5n3JIT8Eg1b2TOTO_oc5lwhZBWoLkA3GyJra8v9g/s400/20180411_140413_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
the evening families bring out tables and sell street-foods. Older
folks sit on stoops and watch the games of youngsters. Teens focus
on smart phones, of course. Men and women talk over the day or at
least that's what I think they are doing given my limited Spanish. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's the Mexican way of life. I love it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHFVGQvAOCh_Qz1We7L2SmFBQodFAqXEYJpbuUfS0s1gitZIotZnQ354BFgHGPteJKWmSLgY4YJsMOCNeciyS3SWv7NTmLo4x7kColmOruQDHSLgW_szVtecMge9oZ8FiNKVLpLOiHF8/s1600/20180411_142629_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHFVGQvAOCh_Qz1We7L2SmFBQodFAqXEYJpbuUfS0s1gitZIotZnQ354BFgHGPteJKWmSLgY4YJsMOCNeciyS3SWv7NTmLo4x7kColmOruQDHSLgW_szVtecMge9oZ8FiNKVLpLOiHF8/s640/20180411_142629_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oppWSiqvcUUjzXZ-tuKM_3YeCMz-hfeY_7joNp2cVE5lbSGvkulErr0qU7uw7bypydcUopj7uKtX3nvGrt5ictdiFQ_c81O1LckoMpmexmdsK0_8ItdyfIjUZBmH-jKlGjB1ELQQJA0/s1600/20180417_160914_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oppWSiqvcUUjzXZ-tuKM_3YeCMz-hfeY_7joNp2cVE5lbSGvkulErr0qU7uw7bypydcUopj7uKtX3nvGrt5ictdiFQ_c81O1LckoMpmexmdsK0_8ItdyfIjUZBmH-jKlGjB1ELQQJA0/s400/20180417_160914_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Other homes hide behind gates. Often they include several buildings - a main house and smaller places known as Casitas. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm staying in such a place - a bed room with kitchen and table for preparing simple meals. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My
host and hostess stay connected to their community by welcoming
neighbor kids to use their pool, giving scholarships to students and
sponsoring a local football team. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They join others in the "Needle
Pushers" knitting sweaters for primary school children and
layettes for new-borns. I'm impressed by the ways they've become part of the
Mexican community.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefYRKhqh__DAdgAe5N750E_fG5BfhDaoYt1Ot-zjOXlWPMZa-kyhMcTfHI_fTZHIYwsNTVGs9Etz3KgJ4km9J7K7nwHYw9wJZ9Lq1JgblxBGoDyR8u2ZdVVvnBa8_PvBkzzBZow4rFWU/s1600/20180420_180509_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefYRKhqh__DAdgAe5N750E_fG5BfhDaoYt1Ot-zjOXlWPMZa-kyhMcTfHI_fTZHIYwsNTVGs9Etz3KgJ4km9J7K7nwHYw9wJZ9Lq1JgblxBGoDyR8u2ZdVVvnBa8_PvBkzzBZow4rFWU/s400/20180420_180509_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately,
my host tells me that's not always the way. Too many expats cocoon
themselves in luxurious homes dotting the hillsides of Ajijic. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Notably these gringos are detached from Mexican life. I feel sorry for them. They've chosen to narrow their experience by not being more engaged in lending a helping hand. Life is more than a house no mater how beautiful. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Walking
towards Lake Chapala, I see my first Great White Egrets.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6qI7WoFvcxM0OD0YEl4sNmISLhC10Rld10TH84A0oOH2PSrGSNnCVNAG2g5Hh9FBL_XPZJ9vvswLSayNkhgIQD-uQ_hEmeJdo0xdGRFkC8umjAF4wwLi_9PQOl396oFhhSX39Hohof0/s1600/20180412_125022_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6qI7WoFvcxM0OD0YEl4sNmISLhC10Rld10TH84A0oOH2PSrGSNnCVNAG2g5Hh9FBL_XPZJ9vvswLSayNkhgIQD-uQ_hEmeJdo0xdGRFkC8umjAF4wwLi_9PQOl396oFhhSX39Hohof0/s640/20180412_125022_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow, what a stunning sight. I find a shady tree and soak in the beauty. Can you spot the Pelican?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm mesmerized by the color of the water. It's a delicate blue-green with golden highlights where the sun light hits the tops of ripples. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiynCN7FS0vMUUnadqwIirBwVp4dJ4k5ylc7j88ei2N9iAxfL-lN4HMfapJNBHYwEkhkxe_-n3bPvC3NPBVxbUD4barxHWQ4r0BrjjNhsRKGTw8ivhp_r6EotdGf1hOODgBfNB8MBeVo/s1600/20180412_130448_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1301" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiynCN7FS0vMUUnadqwIirBwVp4dJ4k5ylc7j88ei2N9iAxfL-lN4HMfapJNBHYwEkhkxe_-n3bPvC3NPBVxbUD4barxHWQ4r0BrjjNhsRKGTw8ivhp_r6EotdGf1hOODgBfNB8MBeVo/s400/20180412_130448_HDR-1.jpg" width="325" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I get out the watercolors and try to bring to paper what my eyes see. Maybe a painting will emerge, but not today. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Relax and just enjoy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later I take to the streets again. I happen upon an art studio. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ken Gosh, the artist stands in the doorway and welcomes me in. The space is lovely - an open courtyard of trees and hanging vines and of course, pictures on every wall.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ken has lived in Ajijic for many years with his partner. He's an award winning water-colorist although his style is quite unique. I show him some of my work. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He invites me back to meet some of his students. I'm delighted - my first Ajijic art connection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://ajijicart.weebly.com/ken-gosh.html">Check out his art work here.</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tell Ken about my interest in teaching English. Immediately, he says, "You must meet Maria." </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ken leads the way around the corner to the Biblioteca. I'm learning that I won't feel like an outsider for long. Instead of being stand-offish, people here are proactive in helping. What a wonderful part of the culture.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAx2ETdcJEL39OG8Q5UeLhRp2b4Ky6cVI1rHAWxupAseTzJLAvcYAj3feZo2bxKC501H13giy-H4l006UylGf2cvu5mwEeaZ-Cb7kPViECV7koNjJbhZgXF2Ej2M_Bl04J1482t38Rp0/s1600/20180419_154012_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAx2ETdcJEL39OG8Q5UeLhRp2b4Ky6cVI1rHAWxupAseTzJLAvcYAj3feZo2bxKC501H13giy-H4l006UylGf2cvu5mwEeaZ-Cb7kPViECV7koNjJbhZgXF2Ej2M_Bl04J1482t38Rp0/s1600/20180419_154012_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAx2ETdcJEL39OG8Q5UeLhRp2b4Ky6cVI1rHAWxupAseTzJLAvcYAj3feZo2bxKC501H13giy-H4l006UylGf2cvu5mwEeaZ-Cb7kPViECV7koNjJbhZgXF2Ej2M_Bl04J1482t38Rp0/s400/20180419_154012_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Soon
I'm sitting with Maria. She conducts an extensive ESL program with
volunteers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Each year we'll have about 300 students from ages
15 to 100," she says with a smile and admits that they're still
waiting for that 100 year old. She gives me a quick tour and we
discuss curriculum and teaching methods.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We feel simpatico.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I share my search for housing. Maria offers help. "Come by tomorrow. I have a friend who may be renting a place." I'm very appreciative.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's morning and I'm off to Martins. He's opened a new business. It's a a small restaurant where street-food is brought inside and around colorful tables. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm greeted warmly by Martin's daughter, "How are you today, Jud." I respond with, "Estoy bien." We've been helping each other with language in a series of mini-lessons. She's doing better than I am.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Df8h0wfORhGlYjtXcZbCXUloiTRYOlNfey0PLOiecDFUK-oEKafxLEPnQ583uI7t4j84x9Jqg-KUGSST3TBmkDbEKc2EvZ1cRYTBJ7seMCrm7CJrqZplB_3RlUdFhiglpG79GBTmH3Q/s1600/20180413_194152_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Df8h0wfORhGlYjtXcZbCXUloiTRYOlNfey0PLOiecDFUK-oEKafxLEPnQ583uI7t4j84x9Jqg-KUGSST3TBmkDbEKc2EvZ1cRYTBJ7seMCrm7CJrqZplB_3RlUdFhiglpG79GBTmH3Q/s400/20180413_194152_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Martin is a warm gracious man. We have conversations about his new business. I try to give lots of support. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Coming
here feels so </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">comfortable</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope I can find an apartment nearby so that we can build our friendship. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As
my exploration enters its final days, I can say without hesitation -
"</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">'m so glad I found Ajijic</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLX1x2Et3zZBHZXO1q3I3_hbHdn-UQRdelWSJRp2FRO4fmmuQ9wOUBPZvHsPlTLWrR3GajsF4oAWBhyYsReFXsBrVnr6DZcOH07kVpbrWQDT8IvrtPfeDZ_J5h7cCrevOY9MBrJ5J30Q/s1600/20180415_181609_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLX1x2Et3zZBHZXO1q3I3_hbHdn-UQRdelWSJRp2FRO4fmmuQ9wOUBPZvHsPlTLWrR3GajsF4oAWBhyYsReFXsBrVnr6DZcOH07kVpbrWQDT8IvrtPfeDZ_J5h7cCrevOY9MBrJ5J30Q/s640/20180415_181609_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm looking forward to returning for a longer time teaching some English, doing some art and enjoying all the adventures of the Mexican culture.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLX1x2Et3zZBHZXO1q3I3_hbHdn-UQRdelWSJRp2FRO4fmmuQ9wOUBPZvHsPlTLWrR3GajsF4oAWBhyYsReFXsBrVnr6DZcOH07kVpbrWQDT8IvrtPfeDZ_J5h7cCrevOY9MBrJ5J30Q/s1600/20180415_181609_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlTSKo6w2dZEIYyDN8KVFWr52D149nnky1TOM3Clc-DWqvXkXjHZIUSt44VN9z_VIy3ch5YitCFlGpGjH6U_e8g0Gj7WEr7jKDTgTG2DDu0_Jx3Bf1-h8Mus1n4qB_X32S_yglAFRkfI/s1600/20180420_191344_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlTSKo6w2dZEIYyDN8KVFWr52D149nnky1TOM3Clc-DWqvXkXjHZIUSt44VN9z_VIy3ch5YitCFlGpGjH6U_e8g0Gj7WEr7jKDTgTG2DDu0_Jx3Bf1-h8Mus1n4qB_X32S_yglAFRkfI/s640/20180420_191344_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Adios</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Ajijic - See you again soon</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="letter-spacing: normal;"><span lang="es-ES"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-9948267194943305802018-03-26T18:09:00.000-04:002018-03-26T22:42:39.146-04:00March For Our Lives<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-PMhTOKe7rtED-DhpKpQnDP_PCXbVX9540BmkZ7ywRxoWdVuJDu-ZGgYeLiWxQnzP32mCp9YSApOuvJi0wIM8vu87mLFX5YOPACurFBsNivS2DfIw7vgPPzybY2SOPf3tk5SLXA0M6I/s1600/march-washington-360x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-PMhTOKe7rtED-DhpKpQnDP_PCXbVX9540BmkZ7ywRxoWdVuJDu-ZGgYeLiWxQnzP32mCp9YSApOuvJi0wIM8vu87mLFX5YOPACurFBsNivS2DfIw7vgPPzybY2SOPf3tk5SLXA0M6I/s320/march-washington-360x240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the 60s, we
boomers marched on Washington for racial equality and got laws passed
that made a difference. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We protested the Vietnam war and forced a
corrupt President to finally end it. We rallied against nuclear
weapons and in favor of environmental protection with some success,
but not enough.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Through the decades,
we promoted justice for all and welcomed more diversity and equality
into our American life. Women gained rights and their voice. LGBT
people came out of the closet, married and had families.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVWOzgtPJ6EKykMPC-ezwZAbpBj0vXh2jlz6o_QuAsGk_RxRu9WTK53hdkrLKafa-8WgxIWOLnVDBlcsIg2x2DFKiP15MlAAKithH7qgZTO5pQSnO5Vq9rU7zLxBCVYwUeZGU3NAFSmE/s1600/20180324_140449_HDR-1-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="999" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVWOzgtPJ6EKykMPC-ezwZAbpBj0vXh2jlz6o_QuAsGk_RxRu9WTK53hdkrLKafa-8WgxIWOLnVDBlcsIg2x2DFKiP15MlAAKithH7qgZTO5pQSnO5Vq9rU7zLxBCVYwUeZGU3NAFSmE/s320/20180324_140449_HDR-1-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lest we forget, progress has been made in spite of the bleakness covering us these days. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It's easy to loose perspective and hope. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> But look - positive
social change is coming forward in the "Marching" of a new
generation.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-0xvMDpDydqVV9TueTME_d3FVvsL5n_zC4pNRWkhj50xJVB4nZkQCLUWTu9-Qa1Pz3NZkC2Wig9nrBAm3nUWegCM6cGGWpVrFepFR_MyJz-9mbR-9bAx47HB7mzle6x7XWBt1Ss7NVE/s1600/20180324_122403_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-0xvMDpDydqVV9TueTME_d3FVvsL5n_zC4pNRWkhj50xJVB4nZkQCLUWTu9-Qa1Pz3NZkC2Wig9nrBAm3nUWegCM6cGGWpVrFepFR_MyJz-9mbR-9bAx47HB7mzle6x7XWBt1Ss7NVE/s400/20180324_122403_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last Saturday, The
<span style="color: blue;">March For Our Lives</span> packed Pennsylvania Avenue from the US Capital
towards the White House. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">More than 200,000 and maybe as many as
500,000 people filled the broad Avenue and spilled into the side
streets. It was standing room only - shoulder to shoulder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoIe3O1A35aTKJdU7jGuu57d6N3Mn1_gf-ecJVoxz5wg5rKj-vlXYmHTj4mY5-_4Hkn8VftXJB5hyedkyFcHUzpGbYfc8M7jtsdk8M6f35UPkIdtjk-bHWzYg4_3HRDODUo6d21giCbU/s1600/20180324_114915_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoIe3O1A35aTKJdU7jGuu57d6N3Mn1_gf-ecJVoxz5wg5rKj-vlXYmHTj4mY5-_4Hkn8VftXJB5hyedkyFcHUzpGbYfc8M7jtsdk8M6f35UPkIdtjk-bHWzYg4_3HRDODUo6d21giCbU/s400/20180324_114915_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Voices were raised as one... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stop gun violence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Protect our kids.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzYcDGZ0kJYfPUMQa8iQ4HSPe-vb-nO-k0Ied72ejI70cqszQu0Cjtsbd0sy-PaRGAHDB_6Qb4-dLuC0Bw8tTbUt7WNZXzsZlKtavk4zQuB9PjJ79o6yd7YucRYkZgfgzPqzjXnHq3_U/s1600/20180324_131202_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzYcDGZ0kJYfPUMQa8iQ4HSPe-vb-nO-k0Ied72ejI70cqszQu0Cjtsbd0sy-PaRGAHDB_6Qb4-dLuC0Bw8tTbUt7WNZXzsZlKtavk4zQuB9PjJ79o6yd7YucRYkZgfgzPqzjXnHq3_U/s400/20180324_131202_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enough is enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ban assault weapons now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thoughts
and prayers don't cut it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDDHQAkpzG5xiesDgsONke5hsH1vkYdV4aVB6IiwJWCe5osZMj-ddAC_U5b7VdCQ_1jgz4LNp-QJA-3uaoje4eSzOTEOTwevN9Xzlr8ywSHSZVkUfsyGrXOS68PAuWcnh9wpUDxSiS2I/s1600/20180324_132319_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDDHQAkpzG5xiesDgsONke5hsH1vkYdV4aVB6IiwJWCe5osZMj-ddAC_U5b7VdCQ_1jgz4LNp-QJA-3uaoje4eSzOTEOTwevN9Xzlr8ywSHSZVkUfsyGrXOS68PAuWcnh9wpUDxSiS2I/s400/20180324_132319_HDR%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And my favorite ones... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like gum not guns. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Arms are for hugging</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not for killing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPNSJzQMGTS11KMezsYG0pmPglKGMRm_sJXbus8iHj3px_s7ltDotS33tSiS_mn_9KzcT4KXusSG-Cwj5ksmOKk0mFyCyNPsn7Ky0ye9Nb2ccERuH-p68bnrdC_3NCn73vQt21MJu2s4/s1600/20180324_131957_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1165" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPNSJzQMGTS11KMezsYG0pmPglKGMRm_sJXbus8iHj3px_s7ltDotS33tSiS_mn_9KzcT4KXusSG-Cwj5ksmOKk0mFyCyNPsn7Ky0ye9Nb2ccERuH-p68bnrdC_3NCn73vQt21MJu2s4/s400/20180324_131957_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I scanned the crowd, I realized that the young really turned out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mothers and fathers pushed strollers and carried their little one.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elementary school groups snaked through the crowd holding hands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">High school friends were serious. When asked why they came, two
said to me, "Cause we're afraid."
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXjEtu6Jq1pCMeg8SMxUmyReVqh2jZmNeyBfrmdZwAOIKJn-XZq8hbx_SNFg_cYG0aBzlnGYB51W1_LuFJmesQ7wy3ulT7OGONhLlJgfaeeFa7u3vv1diZHo5aZ3abyajH2eLeDWr5ww/s1600/20180324_113356_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXjEtu6Jq1pCMeg8SMxUmyReVqh2jZmNeyBfrmdZwAOIKJn-XZq8hbx_SNFg_cYG0aBzlnGYB51W1_LuFJmesQ7wy3ulT7OGONhLlJgfaeeFa7u3vv1diZHo5aZ3abyajH2eLeDWr5ww/s400/20180324_113356_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's sobering, but I'm encouraged to
see so many Gen-xers and Millennials. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They greatly outnumbered us
Baby Boomers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think leadership for positive social change is
being passed forward. New leaders. New energy.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I see groups of
Millennials in bright neon yellow vests. They're registering people
to vote. These young adults are so savvy. They know how to use
technology, build inclusive coalitions and engage Americans to become
more active citizens.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A new mantra is
entering awareness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">R...E...V</span><span style="color: blue;">...</span><span style="color: blue;">R</span>egister, <span style="color: blue;">E</span>ducate and <span style="color: blue;">V</span>ote. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Beware. Those in Congress who have been bought-off by NRA
money will be exposed and voted out.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As they say, the
youth are WOKE <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Woke">(Define)</a> </span>. And now us older folks can stay WOKE too.
We can amplify their voices with our own.
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcFtXxfcosdW1RULVa-8pQo3o1GofCiUPA1geLdOw0j7tu9g1ReI6mOhElFRRNUnf_sjd84FZi0_lOSE0beMjQ6GpIfe3zZSctQjMwwcFCDcozrh1jTsWG_6IN6FmsbooaWkdM1LBpYg/s1600/20180324_140449_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcFtXxfcosdW1RULVa-8pQo3o1GofCiUPA1geLdOw0j7tu9g1ReI6mOhElFRRNUnf_sjd84FZi0_lOSE0beMjQ6GpIfe3zZSctQjMwwcFCDcozrh1jTsWG_6IN6FmsbooaWkdM1LBpYg/s400/20180324_140449_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So let's be one in
promoting equality and diversity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">seeking more justice and
kindness...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">cherishing all of life and creation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And let's follow the
leadership of our youth by finally getting those rapid fire assault
weapons out of our communities. Enough...</span></div>
<br />Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-40305211295548010032017-12-17T23:52:00.002-05:002017-12-18T12:01:59.595-05:00No More Hiroshima, Part 2 of 3<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129VaIuMy1TxqiUc7UaD8_dH4ZWcKJevaB08IV7WoMH1XwkAJ3-SZl9XlYws5zs-x3szdXJFrY28HG_AZSO9-P_BE_vLmuaHXnC-iJBziZqKVrK17WzPZJVM8nSOQ0AgMpnjsBWcS_dA/s1600/20171114_113037_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg129VaIuMy1TxqiUc7UaD8_dH4ZWcKJevaB08IV7WoMH1XwkAJ3-SZl9XlYws5zs-x3szdXJFrY28HG_AZSO9-P_BE_vLmuaHXnC-iJBziZqKVrK17WzPZJVM8nSOQ0AgMpnjsBWcS_dA/s320/20171114_113037_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remaining dome tower <br />
and river where victims soothed their burns.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Sometimes
stories can take years to unfold and be heard fully. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
story from Yukoh Tamagawa happened more than seventy years ago when the Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was honored to be in his presence and hear it directly. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It changed me - and for the better. Now I’ll
try to pass it on to you.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We’re
gathering at the <span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Rissho
Kosei-Kai's Hiroshima Dharma Center. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
a place where a form of Buddhism known as engaged Buddhism is
promoted through study, meditation and social justice </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">work.</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">All
Souls, Unitarian has developed friendships here </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">with
deep roots</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">It
began shortly after the city was destroyed by the Atomic Bomb. Hearing of need </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">in</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
a </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">elementary
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">school
only a few blocks f</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">rom</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
ground zero, the Church’</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">s
children</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">gather
a half ton of </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">school
and art supplies </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
sent them </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">as
a gesture of </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">goodwill</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9mBXSLk8ibfigO6fCIuKSaBkkDwasSlOVa3GYOcuIQvbIB24KrfCjBZ2j1zk2XmySWFIRRFKggyYdh7HgDsSEUydXmNw0VwhMVeUfDxqyKH2WQx_sP30j0AvVKbV7VzkzGH2QTuD3P8/s1600/japanese+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="750" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9mBXSLk8ibfigO6fCIuKSaBkkDwasSlOVa3GYOcuIQvbIB24KrfCjBZ2j1zk2XmySWFIRRFKggyYdh7HgDsSEUydXmNw0VwhMVeUfDxqyKH2WQx_sP30j0AvVKbV7VzkzGH2QTuD3P8/s400/japanese+painting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A child's picture from happier times.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">In return, the surviving children of </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Honkawa
Elementary School</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
sent paintings </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">of
happier times </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">–</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
a generous thank you. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Take
time to </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">learn
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">more
about </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">this</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
amazing story - </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pictures-Hiroshima-Schoolyard-Bryan-Reichhardt/dp/B01GT47PSA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465654461&sr=8-1&keywords=hiroshima+schoolyard">Picturesfrom a Hiroshima Schoolyard.</a></i></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">It’s
f</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ree
for Ama</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">zon
Prime </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">only
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">two</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
bucks </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">for
others. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Well
worth </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">viewing</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qA_Ch9G_3XZnc1CIJabAkJ0Hg3LWf8Te71QcbaXhsSWBv7OuP87wQVD_BiRpouD7wavBbXAFd-pwQNKdlCXhCAmqweLm-tYTOllYBqlfLXWxohUYP3iwCNiwDmAESa97ZtrWX3c719I/s1600/20171114_163851_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qA_Ch9G_3XZnc1CIJabAkJ0Hg3LWf8Te71QcbaXhsSWBv7OuP87wQVD_BiRpouD7wavBbXAFd-pwQNKdlCXhCAmqweLm-tYTOllYBqlfLXWxohUYP3iwCNiwDmAESa97ZtrWX3c719I/s320/20171114_163851_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our small group with Yukoh Tamagawa and interpreter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">T</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">oday
we’re in small groups and </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">joining
with </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hibakusha</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"> (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span lang="zh-CN"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">被爆者</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;">)</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
This is a unique Japanese word that literally means
“explosion-affected people.” </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">At the time, I
didn’t know it, but for some </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">of
the Hibakusha </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">it
was the first time they had the </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">courage</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
to speak of those horrible days. They were only children then….</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Yukoh
Tamagawa was thirteen. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">On
that Monday morning in </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ugust 1945</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">,
319 of his 340 classmates were pulverized or died within days of the Atomic Bomb dropping. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He survived because </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">the
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">streetcar
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">that
he was waiting for had been </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">delayed
by air raid sirens. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">So
he was still in the outskirts </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">about
2 kilometers from ground zero. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6vBAZ5DlEr98lxIdsckWK5IRfbUmlKwfwZ7QijXvzY_TQSrMHCwaR2DszGvqjptn6A__USn53P0ui7umhQgU6JuaBbjoWfV5TQbQKDEZJYr66uvVdN0Zthvf1vMtbSBBfsu6OwKYV7M/s1600/20171114_163548_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6vBAZ5DlEr98lxIdsckWK5IRfbUmlKwfwZ7QijXvzY_TQSrMHCwaR2DszGvqjptn6A__USn53P0ui7umhQgU6JuaBbjoWfV5TQbQKDEZJYr66uvVdN0Zthvf1vMtbSBBfsu6OwKYV7M/s320/20171114_163548_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yukoh shares his story</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Suddenly
I felt a bluish flash of light that was like a spark caused by a
short-circuit,” he shares.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“And then I lost consciousness. When
I came to, it was pitch dark because of thick clouds of dust which
had been raised from the destroyed buildings and which shut out the
sunlight completely.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He
tells us, “I was blown 20 – 30 meters away from where I had been
standing....I became aware that I was bumped on the back of my head.
The right side of my face and the back of my hands had been burned
and were blistering.”</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0307MZRDXBIu4YSmFjrTXk0MMQIdD-TXVukZ67JljnxutpXRIWC2vWgLhm6lczpHAvM9yep6k0kRRysL5OHQfZym0mI4_81PCT2hlfHJdcjHuD9D9VZAei-LrLmb5O-2-bXgkETZgMzk/s1600/20171114_110649_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0307MZRDXBIu4YSmFjrTXk0MMQIdD-TXVukZ67JljnxutpXRIWC2vWgLhm6lczpHAvM9yep6k0kRRysL5OHQfZym0mI4_81PCT2hlfHJdcjHuD9D9VZAei-LrLmb5O-2-bXgkETZgMzk/s400/20171114_110649_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diorama of the destruction<br />from mountain ridge to mountain ridge rubble </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He
stumbled around as the landscape gradually became visible. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Familiar</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
homes and shops were gone. They no longer existed. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">He
saw a m</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">an
half trapped under a collapsed ho</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">use</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
“He was floundering around and crying for help. I was quite at a
loss as to what to do.” Yukoh </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">tells
us that he just </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ran
away. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7OPYUvT3XSOUKxWnDb5VNfhIeuhakwE_LMlnk77jdTcuv4jhPXxllGXKsiZTb005_lNf3vQ8JZInz90nKQ0X6WVXNvscYZPc8W0xvdn7wnWf-shmhuv2uoqBgSt-3A8sRmygI8KMOn0/s1600/Hiroshima+shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="256" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7OPYUvT3XSOUKxWnDb5VNfhIeuhakwE_LMlnk77jdTcuv4jhPXxllGXKsiZTb005_lNf3vQ8JZInz90nKQ0X6WVXNvscYZPc8W0xvdn7wnWf-shmhuv2uoqBgSt-3A8sRmygI8KMOn0/s400/Hiroshima+shadow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shadow from an A-Bomb victim<br />
burnt into granite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">But
so many </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">other
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">people
were burned beyond recognition. He could barely look at them – so
horrible the appearance.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“The sight of a soldier gave me the most
intense shock,” he recounts. “He was badly burned all over with
his skin in tatters... </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">crying
out groans of pain.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">About
12 hours later and after witnessing many gruesome sights, </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">t</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">he
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">thirteen
year old boy </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">found
his way home. But at first his mother did not recognize him </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">because
of his burnt flesh. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">nd
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">now
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">he
was developing a high fever. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">For
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">days</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
he struggled to survive and then….</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Korean
came to his aid </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">with
a folk remedy</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Daily
for three weeks </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">the
Korean</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
brought a liter of cow’s blood from his workplace, a butchery. And
everyday </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">as
the blood separated in the bottle, </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">the
young boy drank the thick liquid composed of plasma and white blood cells </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">from
the top</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.
This high quality protein gave him strength and </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">sustained
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">his
life. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDKMPqhFEOYRDXG0Lth7BOvW3Xj4rHsWd55GcF5_rktFfBVAZxdH4shdXWQeqfCWpuyO7XuI97d3zwBtPJ_BFZxd3WQmMjcTCzE1fh55f7oFB6uV0mchD2EmjvGt5rvvTbc43m1oaGW4/s1600/Japanese_empire1942.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="686" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDKMPqhFEOYRDXG0Lth7BOvW3Xj4rHsWd55GcF5_rktFfBVAZxdH4shdXWQeqfCWpuyO7XuI97d3zwBtPJ_BFZxd3WQmMjcTCzE1fh55f7oFB6uV0mchD2EmjvGt5rvvTbc43m1oaGW4/s320/Japanese_empire1942.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">This
kindness is remarkable because of the </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">harsh
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">enmity
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">existing
between</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Japanese
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Koreans.
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">They
were enemies. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Many
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Japanese
considered Koreans </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">to
be </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">inferiors,
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">less
than human. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Like
slaves, Koreans were taken from home and forced into labor. And yet,
a Korean helped Yukoh </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Tamagawa</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">am
very </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ashamed
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">of
having despised Koreans whose fellow countryman showed great
kindness,” recounts Yukoh. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“In
spite of unfair treatment of Korean people, </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">he</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
transcended the boundaries of nationality and gave</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">his
warmhearted help </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">bringing
the best medicine available </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">to
me </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">day
after day for three weeks.” </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">This
story resonates </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">in
our own world of </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">boundaries,
hatreds and fears based on racial and religious prejudice. I’m
thinking...w</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">hat
might we do to </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">heal
our </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">own</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
wounds and </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">sustain
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">human
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">life?
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Yukoh
tells us about the occupation of </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">mericans
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">that
followed the </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Atomic Bomb.</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">My
ill feelings for Americans was deeply rooted due to the inhuman act
of dropping the Atomic Bomb. I thought that in general the Americans were
frightful and brutal. So I hated them.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrydtSwkahc-_UqQLsk4YRHDl0AQ6HciAyJG4obA_vwwETJT7lj0VfM9Qc8aIY2Xvv-X9Vt8UqNqufU5WLKnSI-yw6NFkFtTfv7TfzBf05BucQD65H-i89QixlNPibkcNrQQYShAaOxY/s1600/1200px-GMC_2_Half-ton_6x6_Truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1200" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrydtSwkahc-_UqQLsk4YRHDl0AQ6HciAyJG4obA_vwwETJT7lj0VfM9Qc8aIY2Xvv-X9Vt8UqNqufU5WLKnSI-yw6NFkFtTfv7TfzBf05BucQD65H-i89QixlNPibkcNrQQYShAaOxY/s320/1200px-GMC_2_Half-ton_6x6_Truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Then
in 1958, he had an accident. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A
US Forces tank truck collided with the </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">jeep
he was driving. He suffered compound fracture</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">s</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
of the thigh.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Feeling responsible, the Americans wanted to evacuate
him to </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Okinawa</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">,
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">an
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">occupied
territory at the time. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">But Japanese authorities objected </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">vigorously
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">because
no one was allowed to go there without a passport.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Yet</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
the Americans took emergency action and tran</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">s</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">ported
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Yukoh</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
to </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">an</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Okinawa
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">hospital
by helicopter.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
was in the hospital for forty-five days and had operation for
compound fracture as well,” tells Yukoh…. “When I was given a
blood transfusion at the time of the operation, a dozen American
soldiers volunteered their blood to me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Although
I used to see Americans as horrible and hateful people, I have come
to look at them in a new light </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">since
they saved me transcending nations and boundaries.” </span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3cdf3RqaL3rD0r50Ubq8oRhIVNjPCtMjibi14wIcrpBhh8csQ7wr3QVUjCtmMHkCFbbv0eIG89H97OCh9Xu2QUJ9DXb4KjbE9m86iQakQRamuAbVepz71oXirJ9WbI59z8Nh6NJohZc/s1600/20171114_113414_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3cdf3RqaL3rD0r50Ubq8oRhIVNjPCtMjibi14wIcrpBhh8csQ7wr3QVUjCtmMHkCFbbv0eIG89H97OCh9Xu2QUJ9DXb4KjbE9m86iQakQRamuAbVepz71oXirJ9WbI59z8Nh6NJohZc/s640/20171114_113414_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">The</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">re’s the </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Peace
Memorial Park </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">in
Hiroshima. It </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">radiates
from the epicenter of the Atomic Bomb's dropping. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">We
pilgrims </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">wander
its grounds on a beautiful Fall day. We </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">pause
in prayer at memorials and show our respect with the laying of
flowers. </span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Korean Memorial now has a special meaning to me. Their story is often unknown, but remarkable none-the-less.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yTX7A9uh2HytMkIs_Oj1I4ygXpgJRHrPnireLOy9kk42IfNDXwet22d_ujUXG7HIAAWb_l9rhKRWs4TeXmdi1bZH_HaE2OENUGcwgtfsQpsw0eV9XcvWtdHhLHc0jBZXbWITJ0X9fqI/s1600/20171114_114718_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yTX7A9uh2HytMkIs_Oj1I4ygXpgJRHrPnireLOy9kk42IfNDXwet22d_ujUXG7HIAAWb_l9rhKRWs4TeXmdi1bZH_HaE2OENUGcwgtfsQpsw0eV9XcvWtdHhLHc0jBZXbWITJ0X9fqI/s640/20171114_114718_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inscription at the Korean Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">About 70,000 - both civilians and military-succumbed that day or within a few weeks.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQhJSBDW18I1mfP8IgBYEjBoTFZhJDXm9apvj6NOsrWURCvHchs4B2c91KeF38KPgshZsW9CysA4XI368s3YqTEWFdvXCk76cxsUPJXOsQ6pxXMaIkxZc7_HK7VF8-QDSB4Pna_bIWE8/s1600/20171114_114055_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQhJSBDW18I1mfP8IgBYEjBoTFZhJDXm9apvj6NOsrWURCvHchs4B2c91KeF38KPgshZsW9CysA4XI368s3YqTEWFdvXCk76cxsUPJXOsQ6pxXMaIkxZc7_HK7VF8-QDSB4Pna_bIWE8/s320/20171114_114055_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mass grave </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I pause at a mass
grave where </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">unrecognizable</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">bone
fragments and ashes </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">are</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
interned. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">A
chill runs through me as I ponder them and a</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">nother
70,000 victims </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">who
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">were
dead before the end of the year.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I
see children playing on a nearby school yard and think of Yuhoh’</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">s</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">319</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
school mates who perished in an instant. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I
think </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">of
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">how
many stories </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">those
lives </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">would
have had </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">and
now they’ll</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
never get told. </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There’s
a clear message here. No More Hiroshima. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">In
writing this blog I </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">consulted
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">notes
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">from
our meeting</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">,
an autobiographical pamphlet of Yukoh Tamagawa’s experience and</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum’s web site. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">As
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">my
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">pilgrimage
continued through the research and writing, </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">I
came across a painting by </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Kichisuke
Yoshimura, </span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">an
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">18
years old at the time of the Atomic Bombing. I wanted to include his eye
</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">wittiness</span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">
work. </span></span></span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">But according to Museum rules direct copying is prohibited. So instead I offer this link </span></span></span></span><a href="http://a-bombdb.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/pdbe/detail/27081" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><u style="color: magenta;">Kichiske Yoshmura Painting</u> </span></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">A</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;">nd I give my own impression inspired by his work. For me making it was like etching the message into my consciousness. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">No
more Hiroshima. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Please, no more Hiroshima. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzxpm0CmzmiSOqInPNVgqpJLV0Ux2eoPuU4tm5B2YaIFizXNtHueo3kOvOOuMCtiDZbm2WyoOCSwvCc9Dv26R6dHDcKqBFzbHI_rYDawhOmXOYZoVdlW148m_tgcTsb1a5yJzAMkHvDU/s1600/20171217_221225_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1600" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzxpm0CmzmiSOqInPNVgqpJLV0Ux2eoPuU4tm5B2YaIFizXNtHueo3kOvOOuMCtiDZbm2WyoOCSwvCc9Dv26R6dHDcKqBFzbHI_rYDawhOmXOYZoVdlW148m_tgcTsb1a5yJzAMkHvDU/s640/20171217_221225_HDR-1%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-62999950980790813562017-12-09T15:33:00.001-05:002017-12-10T09:53:11.508-05:00A PEACE PILGRIMAGE, Part 1 of 3<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So
you’re going on a Peace Pilgrimage ...huh? </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjSwteYdAJHMfNIFQnA_vg_c2M3SKszHHy6IK1h69vfELx3tgUXHrqquP0LZPwZNr4h4XohKio5j3YPC27MHTU3vAo_YKPETPdDNb8osRSAfzJv5c434c0xd9qV1ok9TraRW7Wqchi64/s1600/20171117_213613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjSwteYdAJHMfNIFQnA_vg_c2M3SKszHHy6IK1h69vfELx3tgUXHrqquP0LZPwZNr4h4XohKio5j3YPC27MHTU3vAo_YKPETPdDNb8osRSAfzJv5c434c0xd9qV1ok9TraRW7Wqchi64/s400/20171117_213613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With 24 other pilgrims from All Souls, Unitarian, Church in Washington, DC, my destination is
Japan – Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Kyoto. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Different culture. Different
religions. And of course, confronting the evil of warfare and the
Bomb.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ0sZSotk_8ud2jbtJGu6a2D6L6JEV_4wpPzDQOvgFeL3_aHGBXKvWHdZUZU0uRn9jIW8Kg_FFAA0GbH6_AN0hbZyefzhI82i4nvVYBosuDuJqhQqbvbNbCWwTT3V5Xo4FGhXJz2UC6I/s1600/20171112_104709_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZ0sZSotk_8ud2jbtJGu6a2D6L6JEV_4wpPzDQOvgFeL3_aHGBXKvWHdZUZU0uRn9jIW8Kg_FFAA0GbH6_AN0hbZyefzhI82i4nvVYBosuDuJqhQqbvbNbCWwTT3V5Xo4FGhXJz2UC6I/s400/20171112_104709_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
thinking that this can be a wake-up call for me. After years of
retirement, I feel like I’ve been slipping into a rut of easy
living. Days have a way of blending into mindlessness. Like, what
exactly did I do last Tuesday? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mmmm...it’s never too late to live
more intentionally.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3BSWKX9nbPxfCx3zmWnT4dBLasGljOUmjcWRfh2HH-xh5LWg-NorNHezj__DPQWxs7gXdAw87Jj5Utx_jMJdTrKinUn3Pn-PcujsWvAXnTtFK7lAmAH-Uq7S59V2gSURRG7mmHVVE5E/s1600/20171112_104620_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3BSWKX9nbPxfCx3zmWnT4dBLasGljOUmjcWRfh2HH-xh5LWg-NorNHezj__DPQWxs7gXdAw87Jj5Utx_jMJdTrKinUn3Pn-PcujsWvAXnTtFK7lAmAH-Uq7S59V2gSURRG7mmHVVE5E/s400/20171112_104620_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like
everyone, I’ve built a world view. What’s the stuff that shapes
mine? Does it build walls or open pathways to learning and
understanding? How do my eyes distort reality? Are corrective
lenses needed? I’ve got lots of questions.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Already,
our group is delving into the meaning of peace making especially in
today’s troubled hate filled times. It’s raising even more
questions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is peace about going along to get along – a passive
cordiality? Or is it more strategic and aggressive? What exactly
does it mean to win the peace? Can there be a just war? It’s good
to be confronted with these knotty questions.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We
read from Lao-Tse. He's considered the founder of Taoism.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhZ1h4Vljfdrflka_4DzyUSeIYenufDV362gar1Oq8fIjkSZldFvvc6GY9migUfcRxZyDWirqhw9S27ZsHwIe9vrksLRcPHN3e8lvamjcp19xGh5_9VQOHQ5hvijJjtJEPYczOZhvWM/s1600/20171112_102912_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMhZ1h4Vljfdrflka_4DzyUSeIYenufDV362gar1Oq8fIjkSZldFvvc6GY9migUfcRxZyDWirqhw9S27ZsHwIe9vrksLRcPHN3e8lvamjcp19xGh5_9VQOHQ5hvijJjtJEPYczOZhvWM/s400/20171112_102912_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We pause to write a prayer for Peace <br />
and post it among many prayers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If
there is to be peace in the world,There must be peace in the
nations.<br />
If there is to be peace in the nations,<br />
There
must be peace in the cities.<br />
If there is to be peace in the
cities,<br />
There must be peace between neighbors.<br />
If there is
to be peace between neighbors,<br />
There must be peace in the
home.<br />
If there is to be peace in the home,</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There must be
peace in the heart.”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This ancient reading has insight,
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">like a prayer. A</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">nd I think </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">it’s
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">still
relevant in the 21</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
century. </span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2AiP6IQh8bKkXVp02WwsU-JsHNdh4wQsWibK52f9sJS3NKRj6y4l6zERUgD62KSWaR7pRaJK4dWnORqkdYOM7-BxE3KHb6lbkIEMFGgUrNdKVRvogr7t5A3NAcZWodggTlrUh_OjtCE/s1600/20171111_100925_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2AiP6IQh8bKkXVp02WwsU-JsHNdh4wQsWibK52f9sJS3NKRj6y4l6zERUgD62KSWaR7pRaJK4dWnORqkdYOM7-BxE3KHb6lbkIEMFGgUrNdKVRvogr7t5A3NAcZWodggTlrUh_OjtCE/s400/20171111_100925_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate separates secular from the Holy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today,
we Peace Pilgrims walk with a Shinto Priest through the Meiji Shrine.
It’s a sizable wooded area in the midst of busy Tokyo. Believers enter the gate and bow in a prayer. They honor restorative powers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Kami is here among the gods of nature.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0t7PIIh6tI_nrRUYOlhLufVAQZP1OY8qsMIbFRVJSlYuKZkli94eg4GTWuf9QbowCDe-FDcxNw1FGcGmDvr7awqYKC4siRVNJpoZTVc0QFwpMpjxiTlseJ4GPej4jbD4JpfGWDQCGC8/s1600/20171111_120657_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0t7PIIh6tI_nrRUYOlhLufVAQZP1OY8qsMIbFRVJSlYuKZkli94eg4GTWuf9QbowCDe-FDcxNw1FGcGmDvr7awqYKC4siRVNJpoZTVc0QFwpMpjxiTlseJ4GPej4jbD4JpfGWDQCGC8/s400/20171111_120657_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shintoism is ancient predating Jewish and Christian teachings. It’s woven
into the history of the people
living on this archipelago. They interacted with natural forces
honoring their benefits as well as dealing
with their destructive powers. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over millennia, they carried in their collective consciousness a way
of life centered on purity, honesty and sincerity.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbj5vIYyHE145tFSCufYP5Gfz3d9NxL0n7AjiIJ8NNTC-LUeWjYynruPcHOHjVk7kfZWNLfYy2d-sfO_cjK034MZbihQ4KbkQQ5vj7yCXhqap4q_yy6MiCUSpiCL2_4zUvD5IASAWydc/s1600/20171111_102210_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Shintoism </span><span style="color: #222222;">is
an optimistic faith, as human life is thought to be fundamentally
good. </span><span style="color: #222222;">They
believe e</span><span style="color: #222222;">vil
comes from evil spirits. Rituals of prayer, purification and
offerings to the Kami are meant to </span><span style="color: #222222;">check
</span><span style="color: #222222;">the
spread of evil and give wellness. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHyUPuyxzntT3tQYOKB1cPmQwbp1Z7uOL4T0ly5djaKvRhw1ux4qot2jby2lA3hjC5jGrxmXQF5CfQy12EltjMZfpMwGUXSxeqBeYq_bip4BvWtepMU10GEPXyllX0Fv3m7p9SeCRGbg/s1600/20171111_102210_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHyUPuyxzntT3tQYOKB1cPmQwbp1Z7uOL4T0ly5djaKvRhw1ux4qot2jby2lA3hjC5jGrxmXQF5CfQy12EltjMZfpMwGUXSxeqBeYq_bip4BvWtepMU10GEPXyllX0Fv3m7p9SeCRGbg/s320/20171111_102210_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">Here two traditionally dressed children walk to the Shrine. They come in gratitude for wellness and with hope for the Kami to watch over them. </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6bEBuYxdLQ-ytyrJOPvHYd58ChyN6JQ1gv0gsdyt4tRAb5oVZdIvQd6VDveIjqF9hSKXI_FB9Ibh7imTBtxWI5exz7bc5FNqXDI3U2mhyphenhyphenVOuWRxj-3eUI3QeqIJ1aFVPh8ZUwU99yY4/s1600/20171112_123212_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6bEBuYxdLQ-ytyrJOPvHYd58ChyN6JQ1gv0gsdyt4tRAb5oVZdIvQd6VDveIjqF9hSKXI_FB9Ibh7imTBtxWI5exz7bc5FNqXDI3U2mhyphenhyphenVOuWRxj-3eUI3QeqIJ1aFVPh8ZUwU99yY4/s400/20171112_123212_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before
we enter the Shrine, we wash our hands and rinse our mouths. Life
has a way of smearing our best intentions. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the Shrine we join in
a ritual of purification. It is meant to remind us that Kami
surrounds us – if only we notice and clear away the dirty film that
covers our soul’s eye.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our
Shinto priest tells us a parable: “When we plant seeds in the
ground, we say, ‘grow up little ones. Grow up good and strong.’
and so it is with the seeds we plant in heaven – the seeds of
kindness, forgiveness, justice and peace. Grow up little ones - good
and strong.”</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shintoism
married Buddhism in the 6<sup>th</sup>
century. At least that’s what it seems like to me. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzduKXVynywaxsn3W4gPVRl7gxyhGwgduN0ksn33qEH9mf_1XmedzA7R1EnLBJmypPfj4e9sl3fLwvyuCR8wItsR9ASXzM-yx2ESTa33n8BnjxqckmCmiU9LFwRAippl-aK9D1NH7iJHU/s1600/n-HELPING-HAND-628x314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="628" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzduKXVynywaxsn3W4gPVRl7gxyhGwgduN0ksn33qEH9mf_1XmedzA7R1EnLBJmypPfj4e9sl3fLwvyuCR8wItsR9ASXzM-yx2ESTa33n8BnjxqckmCmiU9LFwRAippl-aK9D1NH7iJHU/s400/n-HELPING-HAND-628x314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead of
religious wars, the two came together and coexist in Japan. About
79% of Japanese consider themselves Shinto and 67% Buddhist. Of
course the total is more than 100% because many consider themselves
to be both.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s
no problem. Consider this….While less than 1.5% are Christian,
more than 65% of marriages in Tokyo take place in Christian chapels.
Even the Vatican allows non-Catholics to partake of the sacrament of
marriage in Japan. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It seems like Japanese are born Shinto, die
Buddhist and in between wed as Christians.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
may be influenced by the nonreligious nature of many or the religious
tolerance emanating from 6<sup>th</sup>
century coexistence. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I find it most interesting, especially in a world where tribalism is having a resurgence.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3EMXXdxLRZVO0dCnnIr0voiDBN813ZPtANd57QHg9OBeeanhRowROLN4Hu7xsiO438jNESqsGFSX3GA8Eb3szEeUFNyZuOX367sXYR7PrFoVDXyTIvxvRF2fQ2XTLBrQXriL6Q3Te0I/s1600/20171112_123701_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3EMXXdxLRZVO0dCnnIr0voiDBN813ZPtANd57QHg9OBeeanhRowROLN4Hu7xsiO438jNESqsGFSX3GA8Eb3szEeUFNyZuOX367sXYR7PrFoVDXyTIvxvRF2fQ2XTLBrQXriL6Q3Te0I/s400/20171112_123701_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Late in the day we travel to Kamakura, a
region
adjacent to Tokyo. We visit a Buddhist Temple where the Great Buddha
has been watching over people since 1252. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s massive towering four
stories or 44.8 feet over tourists and worshipers. Buddha dominates the area.
I find a comfortable spot at the base of the figure to soak in the tranquility and
mystery.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikerp1NiETP77udZS7ncgWUVptwx6H43eBn0_bnapbXTcSfVJeu7t126r8K6okLX8KFkCA8pHgXYC4WRyg8Yfe3uvnzOBGpEkOSHz-OJQpQTIlEkqQeBNt6GO53h3fWLP4meM3FgIwuDQ/s1600/20171112_124415_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikerp1NiETP77udZS7ncgWUVptwx6H43eBn0_bnapbXTcSfVJeu7t126r8K6okLX8KFkCA8pHgXYC4WRyg8Yfe3uvnzOBGpEkOSHz-OJQpQTIlEkqQeBNt6GO53h3fWLP4meM3FgIwuDQ/s400/20171112_124415_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A
family passes me by. The father looking at the Great Buddha and then
at me. He
says, “Great Buddha and little
buddha.” I smile broadly as he takes my picture.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of
course upon reflection, there’s deeper truth. They
say that within each person
is Buddha...yearning to be known. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have choices to live towards greater enlightenment. Instead of living for possessions and power
and control of others, Buddha opens a way of peace and harmony and
kindness. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We can live to help others expanding love and bringing more justice, kindness
and understanding into our world.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk11WcflBkGdl_Ricn7dLUy0x9Sv66pKPDc-ZLJZjMrskqUmgYcqKKj-SNaZ3sYIlc9-Ulsw6Xv852VJu3TvRHJnS71MAIZeqJslTal2vILMmAj7puv7K2faJPmr9q3fJKDJmP4ZhExA/s1600/love+kidness+do+justice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk11WcflBkGdl_Ricn7dLUy0x9Sv66pKPDc-ZLJZjMrskqUmgYcqKKj-SNaZ3sYIlc9-Ulsw6Xv852VJu3TvRHJnS71MAIZeqJslTal2vILMmAj7puv7K2faJPmr9q3fJKDJmP4ZhExA/s320/love+kidness+do+justice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For
me there are echoes from the Buddha in Judaism and Christianity. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
learning to appreciate more about
the diversity of our world. Instead of judging, I'm trying to practice openness to our amazing connectedness. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recently, I discovered a musical group. I hope you'll take a moment to discover and be inspired by them. <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ1gHm8v3ek">Playing for Change</a>.</b> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i></i>Their
songs
take me to places
of peacemaking where Buddha, The Prophets and Jesus join hands.
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes,
I’m
on a Peace Pilgrimage.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-55439876233598756642017-10-17T14:17:00.000-04:002017-10-17T16:05:12.006-04:00Our Local Art Exhibit - VanNess North, Washington, DC<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It’s
like woodworking. Check measurements twice and then cut. Take time. Three
completed and lots of small ones yet to do. But of course, I don’t
have the saw dust. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’m
huddled over my art table cutting mats for my watercolors. In less
than a week, I’ll be joining 15 other artists in a Biennial Art
Exhibit at VanNess North, my apartment building. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It’s
a chance for artists in our building to show their works and maybe
make a few sales. My sales will go in support of local charities and
social justice work. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
haven’t had too many showings, so each one is exciting for me.
I’ve selected three of my larger paintings for the main exhibit. </span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
one is entitled </span><i style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just Goldfish.</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It evolved from</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> one of my small
paintings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2HZKs9NDsFWzY5UWCkTZ0DBuxyO0F4bFe_a0ylgYY70oVQQ6J8xrpjfFYSHuK22meL8cTtNhBUfj4TEGnLf2Zc6GCmX35wziHRc9SRisqqpCG6jjk-ypPgewpO2NZaiisxHgzyB3U08/s1600/20171012_163954_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2HZKs9NDsFWzY5UWCkTZ0DBuxyO0F4bFe_a0ylgYY70oVQQ6J8xrpjfFYSHuK22meL8cTtNhBUfj4TEGnLf2Zc6GCmX35wziHRc9SRisqqpCG6jjk-ypPgewpO2NZaiisxHgzyB3U08/s640/20171012_163954_HDR-2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I’ve
gotten into the habit of posting a watercolor on the door of my
apartment. I like trying new ideas and techniques. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A small goldfish
turned out well and I decided to try a larger and more ambitious
rendering. Here I learned a lot about tonal quality and blending
colors. I think <i>Just Goldfish</i> has captured movement and gentle
beauty. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Autumn Color</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> is a composite from photos. Recently, I’ve been taking
loads of pictures – many more than before. My smart phone makes
it’s easy. As they say, the best camera is the one you carry with
you. So I click away. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back
at my art table, I sort through the photos becoming more inspired.
Often I’ll combine aspects of one with another or two. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When folks
ask, “Where’s that from?” I say a little from reality and a
lot from imagination. In the process I’m learning more about
composition. </span> </span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlO-UzMjNWcF8GNRbi6Eek1rDl9OBAMmB1inWdkKmz7poUvl_FOlkYpbT-TV4uZtKME-fD0JK_K_50UEDMLD6GmyUKcQoUOzFEeSfrkSV1LgMxsWtH1GUuCIRMcC1yGAxq4zXZex8QYI/s1600/20171017_130032_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlO-UzMjNWcF8GNRbi6Eek1rDl9OBAMmB1inWdkKmz7poUvl_FOlkYpbT-TV4uZtKME-fD0JK_K_50UEDMLD6GmyUKcQoUOzFEeSfrkSV1LgMxsWtH1GUuCIRMcC1yGAxq4zXZex8QYI/s640/20171017_130032_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here
I emphasized color. I want to draw the viewers eye into the color
both near and far. I played with reflections and gave texture to
rocks and trees. My hope is that viewers will want to sit on one of
those rocks and enjoy the splendor of autumn….</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Who
doesn’t love birch trees? One day I was clicking through images on
Google and I found several that featured birch trees in the snow. I
wondered if I could compose a painting of contrasts. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Snow and
shadows. “The darker the shadow and the brighter the light will
be,” I thought. </span>
</span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJE8jA18OM-JigQ33OvmuU2xLL9U91AZVJYjsmlV5jbsKDyb6JYANMQbiyRSW4TBY_yRrJl6z5wHV0w4WdBTWNsoY0mZ5vdt03B1ilYQGvijlDqoQDop3k25B4ggF5UsqaGjh4V5-RaQ/s1600/20171017_125920_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJE8jA18OM-JigQ33OvmuU2xLL9U91AZVJYjsmlV5jbsKDyb6JYANMQbiyRSW4TBY_yRrJl6z5wHV0w4WdBTWNsoY0mZ5vdt03B1ilYQGvijlDqoQDop3k25B4ggF5UsqaGjh4V5-RaQ/s640/20171017_125920_HDR-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>Winter
Shadows</i> invites viewers to slide down the snowy hill and jump
between light and shadow. Pick up a few branches of autumn color and
notice the contrast on distant hills. Can you find the hint of a
pathway? </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In
addition to the main exhibit, artists are invited to submit smaller
paintings for the art bins. Many of my “door paintings” will
reappear here. Here’s a sampling...</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"></span>
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkPPoB2Ab7yra-z4KPCcBLakt8jy2t_yLxuJolV1xh3Pg6aFMvZxJrXRHD_265kYKhByDN5AH20XwsT6G1VEjflRjbDOsGnp44End0QHsmAhpynwfIuoI0Sub8m2vh-XTtYGdyPppDF8/s1600/20171017_130807_HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkPPoB2Ab7yra-z4KPCcBLakt8jy2t_yLxuJolV1xh3Pg6aFMvZxJrXRHD_265kYKhByDN5AH20XwsT6G1VEjflRjbDOsGnp44End0QHsmAhpynwfIuoI0Sub8m2vh-XTtYGdyPppDF8/s400/20171017_130807_HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If
you’re in the Washington DC area, come check out the exhibit. An
opening receptions starts at 6:30 pm on Friday, October 20 and the
exhibit stays open through Sunday. </span>
</div>
</div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-2878209025098284352017-07-04T14:01:00.001-04:002017-07-04T17:11:30.239-04:00Announcing - Leadership for Social Change<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ideas
start in the mind. Along the way, many get forgotten or rejected. But some ideas remain... growing stronger over the years until they
are realized.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For
me, this one started in 2011. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm at the Peace Corps office in Kiev
saying my goodbyes. After two years of serving in Konotop, Ukraine,
I'm flying back to America tomorrow. </span>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJrMuv-JwrZfsCd8N3OCp7aATnQbzDHaTtlzra_X9qVp_gPU6JXFzvcomVaCUrikqxMDE-KOBTTDFIbEzQXbVJOejHjxajJIE5O8NFWqL3AkDlj_UaVgce_ZPPfyi5D0f1Wd_x7tteK8/s1600/returned+PCV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJrMuv-JwrZfsCd8N3OCp7aATnQbzDHaTtlzra_X9qVp_gPU6JXFzvcomVaCUrikqxMDE-KOBTTDFIbEzQXbVJOejHjxajJIE5O8NFWqL3AkDlj_UaVgce_ZPPfyi5D0f1Wd_x7tteK8/s200/returned+PCV.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Jud,
we're hoping that you'll record your 21 tips talk before leaving,”
says Iryna, the PC training director. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My
talk of practical ideas for community integration had been well
received by Peace Corps Trainees. Iryna wants to use it in future
trainings. Of course, I'm flattered and soon find myself sitting
in front of the camera for my first ever video – <i>21 Tips for
Community Integration.</i> </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
don't know it at the time but a new idea is forming.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Flash
forward and I'm back in the Peace Corps. This time I'm in Macedonia. Here I'm serving as an organizational development specialist
helping young community leaders with management and leadership
issues. </span>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX0OH-pESmKhxDceyeQDdXrrzOGB2m4Ba5OIkMTHeYYXm-jNFUChesnr6B-GIoLARwJzkKa5tcooCrVU4Q3szlx59qLFSrFDD2eSWUcp7hVCiHMOMoqR1V6bqQKe5x6lLD7y-a3gAijI/s1600/color1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1056" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX0OH-pESmKhxDceyeQDdXrrzOGB2m4Ba5OIkMTHeYYXm-jNFUChesnr6B-GIoLARwJzkKa5tcooCrVU4Q3szlx59qLFSrFDD2eSWUcp7hVCiHMOMoqR1V6bqQKe5x6lLD7y-a3gAijI/s400/color1.PNG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
learn a lot. I develop short in-office trainings, bi-weekly
emails with “Leadership Tips”, and spend lots of hours coaching.
</span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
don't know it at the time, but I'm organizing a body of content.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Moving
into present time, I'm back in America again and missing my
relationships with community leaders. I'm wondering how I can keep
relationships and make new ones. </span>
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa4DKoXJSpwn98RuL4q8Qjk2AkYEsylmJtBVYB6aMvSsHGwqS_pxGXiNscafXF983gffrldkab3HEzWIVoOYGzQOMsvWwkWFvhKLc5NXfeionyvtdvbmcP_uEFyB10xslqKEIVthsayE/s1600/youtube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa4DKoXJSpwn98RuL4q8Qjk2AkYEsylmJtBVYB6aMvSsHGwqS_pxGXiNscafXF983gffrldkab3HEzWIVoOYGzQOMsvWwkWFvhKLc5NXfeionyvtdvbmcP_uEFyB10xslqKEIVthsayE/s200/youtube.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">That's
when the idea for a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">YouTube</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Channel crystallizes. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> On </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">YouTube,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> I can open a space for sharing and encourage community leaders in their
work for positive social change.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I think to myself, “I can do
this.” </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But
soon I discover that I can't
do it alone. While I
have inspiration and content, I don't
have knowledge of how
to make and post videos.
</span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My
son, Matthew, starts my learning process. He helps me map out a
plan and shares some links for more learning. And just as importantly,
his support motivates me. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Nesko and Ratomir, colleagues from Macedonia,
help me solve technical problems. Other, like Sally, Bob, Fran and Barb, are a constant sources of support.
When I'm about to give up, I'll talk with one of them. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once again, I learn that ideas don't easily become reality. This one
takes six years and six months.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb7s2rI_OSFXhi2mZz-FFR1bOsFRCXJYB02Zb4jpHC4U4UR90mAbDXK5YF1HTcOsse3t6uRZ0TwZ_hu5DCKiUkxsg47bQ3-j9NF5JRLBo0oa6nzv_3teWfl5PsVkBEKtOLbBBlmv4YIc/s1600/%257B45D89A45-79AF-4F02-B704-950E2F71B338%257D_megaphon.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb7s2rI_OSFXhi2mZz-FFR1bOsFRCXJYB02Zb4jpHC4U4UR90mAbDXK5YF1HTcOsse3t6uRZ0TwZ_hu5DCKiUkxsg47bQ3-j9NF5JRLBo0oa6nzv_3teWfl5PsVkBEKtOLbBBlmv4YIc/s200/%257B45D89A45-79AF-4F02-B704-950E2F71B338%257D_megaphon.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Yet
here I am on July 4<sup>th</sup> announcing a new </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">YouTube</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Channel.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5BcjFBQROBx7G5ONjQTbaw"><b>Leadership for Social Change.</b> </a></span></i></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
It's a place where community leaders can discover new ideas and
adapt them into
their own leadership.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm
hoping that it will reach community leaders both in America and developing countries.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Maybe Peace Corps Volunteers and others
who work with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">community</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
leaders can pass-it-on. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboigmqTlUCeAjUbHmmKRTY5bZ1PDAyPc2-Oeciynos1WPEteMkp7q3aOQD687EHuq5aCZy3FA6wbt4L0XrGFPzxaiPQmkb9X4UzeM1ggCKIkLmIMvAoIZq0jA8FSa8t5vw8It-EskwQU/s1600/help+needed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1080" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboigmqTlUCeAjUbHmmKRTY5bZ1PDAyPc2-Oeciynos1WPEteMkp7q3aOQD687EHuq5aCZy3FA6wbt4L0XrGFPzxaiPQmkb9X4UzeM1ggCKIkLmIMvAoIZq0jA8FSa8t5vw8It-EskwQU/s200/help+needed.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
won't be monetizing this project. It's
about helping others. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you can, why not help me pass-it-on. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Here's
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a couple of ideas to get you started.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1. Subscribe yourself. <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5BcjFBQROBx7G5ONjQTbaw">Leadership for Social Change</a></i>. When a channel has more subscribers, it shows up more
frequently on searches. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Post these links in your Social Media and tell people about Leadership for Social Change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By passing-it-on, you open possibilities for reaching leaders who might benefit a lot. It's a "three degree of separation" thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Blog </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://juddolphin.blogspot.com/">http://juddolphin.blogspot.com </a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5BcjFBQROBx7G5ONjQTbaw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5BcjFBQROBx7G5ONjQTbaw </a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like
I say in one of the videos, “We're
in this life together. And </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; white-space: pre-line;">we are leaders who are working for a better world...one community at a time.</span>.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">”</span></div>
</div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-88851385142023198172017-03-06T12:29:00.001-05:002017-03-06T14:31:21.110-05:00No More Anger and Fear<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Since the November election in America, I've been moaning and groaning. Like many, shock, anger
and fear hung over me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">But recently, there's begun a transition...</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It began happening with
the Million Women March in Washington, DC.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s31uM1NC2CS3FGyAdtFos7PLUGPOO-Eh0JJn31V6iVaUVYZC2acVeNzxWC1rUqmUxk-6HHLhX8rlpjjX6SlfbEDsIfuwzK_NHz-LTJ4icfLGFmSVYfhEvMnN2b6blDzT8DZiqMOJ-E0/s1600/NYtimes+washington-overall-TC-1254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s31uM1NC2CS3FGyAdtFos7PLUGPOO-Eh0JJn31V6iVaUVYZC2acVeNzxWC1rUqmUxk-6HHLhX8rlpjjX6SlfbEDsIfuwzK_NHz-LTJ4icfLGFmSVYfhEvMnN2b6blDzT8DZiqMOJ-E0/s400/NYtimes+washington-overall-TC-1254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NY Times photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">With
my friends, Jan and Bruce, we're making our way to the Washington
Mall. Soon we are caught up in the crowd, shoulder to shoulder. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I
look around. Millennial</span><span style="color: black;">s</span><span style="color: black;">,
</span><span style="color: black;">aging</span><span style="color: black;">
Baby Boomers, Families. Grandmothers with grandchildren. Grand
fathers too. Gay families and straight couples. Veterans, Disabled,
Women with pink hair and others wearing hijabs. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQC6HWoqntmAKS0F0fYqLkfjogurVKv2Wm8YGj5Vn9Va3CQ2JhtwGh4TI0d_URKVeTQxrEEgYpwm24QcoJ22l7AJoIdxuGsX7s9GxHpllJz_jNWDhNDQ5yro1-WRF1YBd8adQf8ywQRE/s1600/20170121_114848_HDR%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQC6HWoqntmAKS0F0fYqLkfjogurVKv2Wm8YGj5Vn9Va3CQ2JhtwGh4TI0d_URKVeTQxrEEgYpwm24QcoJ22l7AJoIdxuGsX7s9GxHpllJz_jNWDhNDQ5yro1-WRF1YBd8adQf8ywQRE/s400/20170121_114848_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Jan
wears her pink pussy-hat as do so many others. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The organizers of the
March had suggested that people knit these hats as a somewhat gleeful
way to say “NO” to the ugl</span><span style="color: black;">iness
of</span><span style="color: black;">
misogyny. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I
step up on the curb to get a better look. As far as my eyes can
see, cro</span><span style="color: black;">w</span><span style="color: black;">ds
occupy the space from the step of the Capitol to the Washington
Monument and beyond. </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyABa3Bpy2yYgGnrDMYDRR8NHgIbfH7QVkCbK8L_8LjhKl0XnB0Vh1_R6_U7sedcwOieRXi-WiwbymSsVskoaImmPzainnEjKI_rd4fc_sMp4yRRTBbcUa5zdBpdkl5PJ5gPFqxtLQqR4/s1600/20170121_120512_HDR%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyABa3Bpy2yYgGnrDMYDRR8NHgIbfH7QVkCbK8L_8LjhKl0XnB0Vh1_R6_U7sedcwOieRXi-WiwbymSsVskoaImmPzainnEjKI_rd4fc_sMp4yRRTBbcUa5zdBpdkl5PJ5gPFqxtLQqR4/s400/20170121_120512_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> Maybe It's not a million, but it's more people
in one place than I have ever seen and over the years I've been to
more than a few </span><span style="color: black;">marches</span><span style="color: black;">.
</span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuptbRQRk2bLvFmiK2K8B0fFO5HDNuXIVVIejmfQyY_bPUILlb_mujzcT7h0q6Np1jfSmSPLtx2_OQQfxASDQgKU-dxLbaPgX7Uh2698oYH8yYboC7EJTb422kkJn4Y-emjmpE3SvDSPI/s1600/lovetrumpshate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuptbRQRk2bLvFmiK2K8B0fFO5HDNuXIVVIejmfQyY_bPUILlb_mujzcT7h0q6Np1jfSmSPLtx2_OQQfxASDQgKU-dxLbaPgX7Uh2698oYH8yYboC7EJTb422kkJn4Y-emjmpE3SvDSPI/s200/lovetrumpshate.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everywhere
I see signs. “Love Trumps Hate; Dump Trump; Not my President.” </span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IGkIs-DvMXCYKfnkspDsn6phFI5tmrUlvhokNSQJiJmvRy5un2kzMmSA-6xy5vszqb7oC6mG8npkuFnemFWM1-zzWUoWF6Xgs2x_1xa-iSdW4DWMmwQ2dUdxstRLqBGqrMQ-0ccao3A/s1600/20170121_124026_HDR%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IGkIs-DvMXCYKfnkspDsn6phFI5tmrUlvhokNSQJiJmvRy5un2kzMmSA-6xy5vszqb7oC6mG8npkuFnemFWM1-zzWUoWF6Xgs2x_1xa-iSdW4DWMmwQ2dUdxstRLqBGqrMQ-0ccao3A/s400/20170121_124026_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="387" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Among the many jabs, there are others promoting core American values
- freedom, equality, </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">justice, and kindness to refugees.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My
sign says, “No more hate and fear.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I didn't know it at the
time, but these simple words became my harbinger for a more
sustainable activism. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY87lNE1QmvQ6fQZi6ZzFTU9RscPp-DPezvi9O1a1WRzLMwqa9FYfUzTiidAnCBqNejqBgMhFLFitTKc-QIhY0sb9pZNjtnJT8OOllK-NOMXc-5bb85dqKRF08mz3U4pxdDw6bBTj6Rt0/s1600/2017-01-21T143signs+853Z_486565112_LR1ED1L14OGSA_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-WOMEN-DUBLIN-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY87lNE1QmvQ6fQZi6ZzFTU9RscPp-DPezvi9O1a1WRzLMwqa9FYfUzTiidAnCBqNejqBgMhFLFitTKc-QIhY0sb9pZNjtnJT8OOllK-NOMXc-5bb85dqKRF08mz3U4pxdDw6bBTj6Rt0/s400/2017-01-21T143signs+853Z_486565112_LR1ED1L14OGSA_RTRMADP_3_USA-TRUMP-WOMEN-DUBLIN-1024x682.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">In
the evening we make our way to All Souls Church. About </span><span style="color: black;">800</span><span style="color: black;">
of us are gathering to learn four part harmony to Leonard Cohen's
</span><span style="color: black;"><i>Anthem. </i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">
Candles are passed out and we perform it for one another. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Volunteers
with cam recorders circulate so that </span><span style="color: black;">a
</span><span style="color: black;">YouTube
video </span><span style="color: black;">can
be made</span><span style="color: black;">. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It's quite inspiring. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyvHPuE0ZNQ"><span id="goog_298337636"></span>Take a moment to see and listen for yourself.</a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">(For a second 1:10, my friend Sally and I are on the stairs in a human chain from historic bell to singers below) </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span id="goog_298337637"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The
March </span><span style="color: black;">activities
are soon </span><span style="color: black;">over and there's a nagging question. Now what? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I continue attending All
Souls. </span><span style="color: black;">Along
with so many others, we </span><span style="color: black;">are
</span><span style="color: black;">discussing
next steps and trying to figure it out. I know we are not alone. The same kind of discussions are happening across the Nation. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">One
Sunday the minister says with such a big bully in the White House, we
need an even bigger love for one another. This </span><span style="color: black;">begins a discussion about resistance. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJi_KR62hg4yKbbWNaKE00430N9aTcuWXbwN-5S-3TDLzAjsN6kTa_5YqTCud8rt_EG1mvt9y66k-00dzMkD3k2VEQqTcJwRRPjDR4-o8sQrwMVbGBCUCoBvYlYERpr70EoCIrfbDDZk/s1600/20170119_182956_HDR%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJi_KR62hg4yKbbWNaKE00430N9aTcuWXbwN-5S-3TDLzAjsN6kTa_5YqTCud8rt_EG1mvt9y66k-00dzMkD3k2VEQqTcJwRRPjDR4-o8sQrwMVbGBCUCoBvYlYERpr70EoCIrfbDDZk/s320/20170119_182956_HDR%257E2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Resistance
is what you do when faith is tested by the “principalities and
power</span><span style="color: black;">s”</span><span style="color: black;">
of this world, says our minister. It's a response to core values
being assaulted. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">It's a relentless effort to meet false tweets with
truthfulness; intolerance with understanding; and hate with love. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Another
Sunday, the minister gives some guidance for those, like me, who are
struggling to find our way during these difficult times. She
outlines five tips for resistance. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1.Seek
some form of spiritual practice. “We need it to sustain us.”
It's not that everyone should sit in a circle humming Kumbaya. No,
there are many ways to develop spiritual practice. Find your own way
to become more nourished in love for others and connected to God, the
source of all being.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">2.
Take seriously what is being said by the “principalities and
powers”. Recently Bannon, chief strategist for the administration,
said, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">“</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">If
you look at these Cabinet nominees, they were selected for a reason,
and that is deconstruction.” Deconstruction of agencies and
institutions?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Does
that mean no more civil rights enforcement by the Justice Department;
and no more clean water regulations by the EPA; and no more safety
in food and drugs because the FDA has been deconstructed. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is
it the deconstruction of the Peace Corps too? Agricultural
Department; Labor Department; Medicaid; Veteran Affairs and more? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pay attention. Amidst the clowning and tweeting distractions,
they’re saying what they intend to do.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3.
Stay close to the ones being marginalized. Some of us are fortunate
enough to know people who are immigrants, green card holders, Muslim,
Black, transgendered or other likely targets. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's our plan for
supporting them if and when (we all hope never) their time comes?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All
Souls and many churches are taking steps to become Sanctuary
Churches. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can read more about it <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/article/20853670/houses-of-worship-are-recreating-a-decadesold-support-system-to-protect-immigrants">here in the Washington City Paper. </a></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People are organizing and preparing just in case. I begin thinking
is there something I could be doing?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">4.
Be positive in our approach. Many Americans are struggling to
understand the chaos since Inauguration Day no mater who they voted
for. The minister reminds us “to keep kindness in our resistance.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">As Martin Luther King practiced and St. Paul wrote, “</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">Don't
be overcome by evil, but </span></span><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>overcome
evil with good</b></span></span></span></em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">.”
(Romans 12:21) For me that means letting go of post election anger
and fear. </span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5.
Be relentless in our resistance. This is not a time to give up on
democracy or a nation we love. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was so proud to be an American
while serving in the US Peace Corps. For two years in Ukraine and and another year in Macedonia, I served my Country. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">When I worked with p</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif; font-size: large;">eople, I could tell that they respected America. But now?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">It's
not a time to destroy the social progress of the past decades.
Immigrants and refugees are human sisters and brothers and children.
It's not a time to compromise away bed-rock values. Human rights belong to all.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We
have a constitution, institutions and the rule of law. It matters. </span></span></span>
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGilvope-ej78c07DNX3wQsEujj1zNhPUckSYtgP2meu3fxiWMUKZdwiD1Lw_8e20aRzxLN9N1ICfQ0tkQfYVxmQe_YvkkESmMll4q97o4oKVdYOvvuf9KxFLTchYJIYcFZAFRVlckYw/s1600/how-well-do-you-know-the-statue-of-liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGilvope-ej78c07DNX3wQsEujj1zNhPUckSYtgP2meu3fxiWMUKZdwiD1Lw_8e20aRzxLN9N1ICfQ0tkQfYVxmQe_YvkkESmMll4q97o4oKVdYOvvuf9KxFLTchYJIYcFZAFRVlckYw/s640/how-well-do-you-know-the-statue-of-liberty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">A
statue </span><span style="color: black;">lifts a lighted torch over</span><span style="color: black;">
New York's harbor </span><span style="color: black;">and
</span><span style="color: black;">speaks
to </span><span style="color: black;">me,
</span><span style="color: black;">America
and the heart of humanity -</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Give
me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe
free, </i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><i>the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the
homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden
door!" </i></span></span>
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">With
the help of others, I'm looking for ways </span><span style="color: black;">to
</span><span style="color: black;">support
values that are true and dear to my heart. </span><span style="color: black;">I've
joined a new public policy and witness group at Church. </span><span style="color: black;">Another
group is working on voting rights. I'm attending their meeting</span><span style="color: black;">s</span><span style="color: black;">
too. </span><span style="color: black;">
</span></span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Whatever
emerges, </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
realize that </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">it's
time for more justice work. No more moaning and groaning. No more anger and fear. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">As Henry David
Thoreau once said and still says to us, “Heaven is under our feet as well as
over our</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">
heads.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , serif;">I guess it's time
to get walking...again.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6257475227645556231.post-3251781386490046172016-12-07T12:05:00.002-05:002016-12-17T22:22:03.977-05:00That's How The Light Gets In...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUYTlrmiQzLXR0QRWV0EbF_zcRazgdorAdL6ttS-7RV69ua5oFYGyG6SB0y7lsX6hoXa3CZKGyK3A8uqz6VvaVL-wihepfBU97SwZfhX-3N4RvuXTHZhh5F7XjM-Glsh9cRaRiVA2TaU/s1600/Church-16th-and-Harvard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUYTlrmiQzLXR0QRWV0EbF_zcRazgdorAdL6ttS-7RV69ua5oFYGyG6SB0y7lsX6hoXa3CZKGyK3A8uqz6VvaVL-wihepfBU97SwZfhX-3N4RvuXTHZhh5F7XjM-Glsh9cRaRiVA2TaU/s400/Church-16th-and-Harvard.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All Souls Church, Unitarian</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My friend, Darryl says, “Wanna check it out sometime?” He's been going to a
Unitarian Church on 16</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">th</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
Street. It's a tall steeple one and got organized in 1821 when the
United States was still a young country. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Souls_Church,_Unitarian_(Washington,_D.C.)"> Learn more about All Souls</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We make arrangements for the Sunday following the election...</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">on
a day when the nation is deeply divided.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I'm
stunned to see the place packed. It's not what you expect to see in
a church these days. Usually this place holds about 1500 people on
the main floor and wrap-a-round balcony. But on this particular
Sunday, it's bursting with about 2000. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6RMO4fa1nPhOxLVWn47o28xJwOgSiGxKTGSjAH7gAYqIAv8GTaGSu8D0KIPMutMR4lllEXIvTEpjDlVLxS19bYd5Xt7ZQOTNOQLWWymeN1FkfZfLscQ3vALethu_J6NVSh_fUQAoOFE/s1600/All-Souls-Church-Full-sanctuary-good-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6RMO4fa1nPhOxLVWn47o28xJwOgSiGxKTGSjAH7gAYqIAv8GTaGSu8D0KIPMutMR4lllEXIvTEpjDlVLxS19bYd5Xt7ZQOTNOQLWWymeN1FkfZfLscQ3vALethu_J6NVSh_fUQAoOFE/s400/All-Souls-Church-Full-sanctuary-good-300x225.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Even
more, I'm shocked to hear the minister's sermon...interrupted by a
standing ovation lasting several minutes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Never have I seen or heard
such a thing. It's unbelievable to see so many people roaring their
approval. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">What
stirs such deep emotions is the minister's call for the
congregation to be true to its history.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">As
best as I can recall he says, “We are people of sanctuary. We have
given support to gay and lesbian human right seekers, war resisters,
run-a-way slaves and more. For all of them, we were a place of
sanctuary. </span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"Now there's coming a time when we may need to be preparing again...for immigrants, refugees, Native Americans, Muslims, people of color, </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">trans-gendered</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> people and others who are dispossessed.” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
feel like I'm in the right place and glad to add my own applause to
the cacophony. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A
few Sundays later the worship service is centered on hope. A Blues
singer belts out Leonard Cohen's marvelous song, <i>Anthem. </i></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i></i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wRYjtvIYK0">Listen and read what Cohen says about his song.</a></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZzd8h92w5VqLOBCohXwk7EuaEfV5NTFdv4YnfKsNoX-DwjzxcejEZ0JON1uIhppDnL2fwoFkE6SwmP-6_PNApNBAnjT_52R79dNi_rhovJXL8fZIJvsiXvH89nMKHlEqW8_Fw9ZyeKk/s1600/leonard-2_cohen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZzd8h92w5VqLOBCohXwk7EuaEfV5NTFdv4YnfKsNoX-DwjzxcejEZ0JON1uIhppDnL2fwoFkE6SwmP-6_PNApNBAnjT_52R79dNi_rhovJXL8fZIJvsiXvH89nMKHlEqW8_Fw9ZyeKk/s320/leonard-2_cohen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leonard Cohen Performing</span></td></tr>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
"T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">he
song took ten years to write. There's not a line in it that I could
not defend. I delayed it's birth for so long because it wasn't right
or appropriate or true or it was too easy or ideas were too fast or
too fuss, but the way it is now, it deserves to be born.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It
stands for something clear and strong in my heart. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
meaning in the chorus is the background of the whole record: '<i>Ring
the bells that still can ring.' </i>It's
no excuse for this dismal situation...and the future is no excuse for
abdication of your own personal responsibilities toward yourself and
your job and your love. </span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><b>Ring
the Bells that still can ring. </b></i>They're
few and far between, but you can find them. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><b>Forget
your perfect offering</b>. </i>That's a hang-up that you're
gonna to work this thing out. This situation does not admit to a
solution of perfection. This is not a place where you make things
perfection - your marriage, nor in your work, nor in your love of God,
nor in your love of family or country. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>There's a crack in everything. </b>The
thing is imperfect. And worse, there is a crack in everything that
you can put together – physical objects, mental objects,
constructions of any kind. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>That's how the light gets in. </b>But
that's where the light gets in, and that's where resurrection is and
that's where the return to repentance is...with the brokenness of
things."</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Maybe
it's just me being in this place at this time, but the song brings
a lump to my throat. When I glance at the woman next to me tearing
up, I join her. I think our emotions come
from a sacred place.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.49in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Leonard
Cohen is most known for his
song,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_270089472"> </a></span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE">Hallelujah</a></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. It's been sung around the world by
many pop-artists. Its
enigmatic lyrics give a pause
to everyday. </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen" style="font-size: 14pt;">Learn more about Leonard Cohen.</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This
time the sermon is not interrupted with cheers, but it's timely for
a nation divided and losing hope. </span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The
minister re-frames the quest for hope. He says that hope
is not like waiting for a
gift to be wrapped up with a bow and dropped in our laps. Rather hope
is active. It's something we give our
lives to each day and week, month and year. I'm thinking - to make
the nation a kinder, gentler and more just place to live one step at a time. </span></span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It's
just like the Old Testament Prophet, Micah, urged so long ago –
“What does the Lord require, but to do justice, love kindness and
walk humbly with God.”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I
write this post in hopes that it might give you opportunities to think
deeply.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">After all, living is more than household projects, emails and deadlines. We
need encouragement from one another and a new vision of a nation
healing old fears, suspicions and hatreds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Together
we do what we can with what we have. And we create hope. </span></div>
Jud Dolphin Peace Corps Service in Ukraine and Macedoniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378513994517974166noreply@blogger.com1