I've been reading a lot about the topic of community. It is an interesting thing, if you take a moment to look at it.
The two books, Blue like Jazz by Donald Miller and The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne have helped me realize that faith, particularly the Christian faith, is not something done alone.
So, I question: are we meant to live in community? Aren't we called to Love God and Love others? How can we fulfill this commandment unless we are living with each other, rubbing off, loving, encouraging, annoying, and working things out? Hmm, what a thought.
Christianity started with a community. Read about the early Church and how it worked in Acts. It even will end with community in the book of Revelation where, "this community is called the New Jerusalem, where heaven visits the earth and people are fully reconciled to God and each other, the lion lays down with the lamb, mourning turns into dancing, and the garden takes over the concrete world!" as Claiborne has said.
"But this doesn't mean that community is easy. For everything in this world tries to pull us away from community, pushes us to choose ourselves over others, to choose independence over interdependence, to choose great things over small things, to choose going fast alone over going far together."-Claiborne
When Jesus sent out the disciples, he sent them out in pairs. Man wasn't made to be alone.
Interesting thoughts. Especially when sometimes being alone seems like the easier alternative. No one to fight with, no one to disagree with, no one to put first (but our own selves), no one to take a risk on, a risk that might end up hurting you, no one to be disappointed by. But just because something isn't easy, doesn't mean it isn't the right thing to do.
Anyways, just some things I've been thinking of and will continue to think of.
29.6.08
27.6.08
Accordion Man
A frequently heard accordion master who lives in the town I did, Perugia. I adore his music and often saw his dread locked hair around town.
His name is Alessandro and while his parents are Spanish and Brazilian, he's always lived in Rome. (Now Perugia.).... "E' una storia complicata..." he said. He's been playing for over 20 years and apparently helped write the Amelie soundtrack (a french film). Hmm. Go figure. Well, Alessandro really gets into his music and will put more drama into his movements if you are a cute girl, and he sees you looking at him.
This was a photo which a friend of mine took on a film camera. So I took a picture of the picture.
His name is Alessandro and while his parents are Spanish and Brazilian, he's always lived in Rome. (Now Perugia.).... "E' una storia complicata..." he said. He's been playing for over 20 years and apparently helped write the Amelie soundtrack (a french film). Hmm. Go figure. Well, Alessandro really gets into his music and will put more drama into his movements if you are a cute girl, and he sees you looking at him.
This was a photo which a friend of mine took on a film camera. So I took a picture of the picture.
15.6.08
9.6.08
May 4, 2008 Sunday
There is nothing like experiencing a sunrise through barely awake eyes, past the hole in the curtain, over glowing green lands and the hilly countryside near Granada, Spain.
We took an overnight train to Granada.
I am in a sleepy, stuffy second class overnight train compartment. It is quiet and almost 9 am.
Everyone around me is fighting off the stiff necks, sleepy arms, and are trying to open their puffy eyes.
I think our train left at around 11pm yesterday.
During the night, looking out the window was awesome as well. I was only able to see purple and black shapes, guessing what we were riding through. Now the sky is blue, the grass is green and the sun is yellow. Our ever pushing little train is bringing us closer and closer to Granada.
It's amazing, if you think about it. The process of travel. All you really have to do is make up a plan, using the ever-so-convenient world wide web. Then, just make sure that your body gets there. It's easier than you'd think.
I find it simply amazing that I am here. I am on a night train. How did I get here? How did i know where to go? I don't know, I guess I just figured it out. It's crazy that a little Fresnen like me could get here. Cool. Instead of sleeping, tucked away behind the doors of my room for over 10 years, I am on a night train. A train at night. Well it's morning now. But, think about this. No one back home can pinpoint where I am. Quite exhilarating.
Later that day...
Well, I have a lot to write. Yesterday was an interesting day leading into today's interesting day. Tina and I just chilled all day waiting for our night train. We laid out, walked around, explored, etc. I read most of The Wedding yesterday. The overnight train was okay, it definitely not what I expected, with my overnight trains in Italy to Venice. It was LOADS more safe, but I was loads less comfortable. That's okay with me. I'd rather be safe.
We got to Granada and had the hardest time finding our hostel. We walked for the longest time and it was very frustrating as our bags were heavy. The good thing is, that the Spanish are a lot more helpful when asking for directions. After a while we found the "Funky Hostel." But it all got better after this:
We went to a Hammam today. This is an Arabic bath. The most glorious thing of my life.
It was such an awesome experience. We entered into the locker room and then into a cool, cave-like, tile lined room lit with candles and the smell of incense in the air. The first room was like a waiting room with the most amazing tea ever. It was cute in sterling silver tea pots all vintage. I believe it was chai tea. So good. I had like 10 cups. Complimentary.
Getting on with the Hammam. There were three different baths. One was freezing cold, the other was burning hot, and the last was warm and deep. People would go in and out of the baths as they pleased and it was extremely relaxing. There was also a steam room. Tina and I also opted for the massage. After a while they called your number and were given a 15 minute glorious massage. I loved it. I would have stayed there for the rest of the day, but after a few hours (heh heh) we got sleepy.
http://www.hammamspain.com/granada/
So we went back to the hostel and finished out our day with exploring, shopping, kebab salads, and an early night since we are going to head out to the Alhambra early tomorrow morning. Too early.
Granada is a cool city. It has much mid-east influences in dress, style, food, etc. Spanish culture is most interesting. I can't decide exactly what it is yet. I like it. Though... I like most cultures.
May 3, 2008 Saturday
Today is a transit day. We are departing from our short time in Valencia, Spain to the ever-so-exciting Granada, Spain. I'm pumped. But we have some time to waste and I've been reading this book called The Wedding by Nicolas Sparks. I found a really sweet quote,
"Though I'd never told anyone else, I found myself wanting to tell her why. Even then, I wanted her to know me, to know everything about me."
I am so at awe about this thing called love. It sounds pretty amazing.
Well, Tina and I are currently waiting at Home Hostel and I just wrote a blog and spent a significant amount of time on the internet. Maybe 35 minutes. Well, I feel a lot better now. I'm a bit happier. I bet I'll be a lot more happier after we finish this Sangria. More to write, later.
"Though I'd never told anyone else, I found myself wanting to tell her why. Even then, I wanted her to know me, to know everything about me."
I am so at awe about this thing called love. It sounds pretty amazing.
Well, Tina and I are currently waiting at Home Hostel and I just wrote a blog and spent a significant amount of time on the internet. Maybe 35 minutes. Well, I feel a lot better now. I'm a bit happier. I bet I'll be a lot more happier after we finish this Sangria. More to write, later.
May 2, 2008 Friday
I am sitting at a beach in Valencia, Spain. I am very happy to say the least. Tina and I have found a good spot so far and I tanned really fast. Yikes.
Currently there is sand everywhere and I only have a sarong to sit on. It's kinda small, I wasn't thinking ahead. I am listening to Russian rap, mixed with techno and accordion songs from the three people sitting next to us. There is a man a bit rounded, a lady with bangs and a short bob cut, and a younger lady skinny and in yellow. They are speaking in Russian and I love that language.
The ocean is bright blue and the sun is hot. I am going to jump in the water soon.
Europeans read a lot more than Americans do. Just an observation, but I think it's true. I always see them with books. Especially on public transportation. I'm not sure if you'd see that in America.
Later that day...
I am here again on the terrace of Home Hostel. This place is a pretty cool hostel for what we paid for it. There are a lot of perks like the terrace on the roof, a huge kitchen, etc.
Staying at a hostel is always an interesting experience. However, it is one thing when you use the hostel for only the night (when you are there for only one time) and another when you need to regard it as home (like when you are traveling in a city for a number of days). Hostels are fun in some situations more than others.
First off they are fun in order to meet people. You get to meet all types of people from all over the world. I love it. It's great for that use, but in other cases, it's also easy to loose all privacy that way. Especially when you book dorm rooms, which are cheaper. Tina and I have been staying in 6 people mixed dorm rooms and it is hard to find a quiet place to be. (Thus, thank you home hostel for your use of a lovely roof-top terrace.) Your space is limited to a small locker and the bunk of your bed. This part really stinks, especially since you have limited personal space in the first place. It is also difficult to wash clothes, unless you do it in the sink. So it is important to check with the hostel to see if they have washing facilities available and the cost.
So we have new roommates. In our room there is a brother/sister combination. The sister is studying abroad in Madrid and her brother came to visit. They are really cool, but I can tell that Jess (the sister) is tried of Europe and ready to go home. She's been gone as long as we have. The brother is older than his sister but he is really passive and nice. He's tall too. They make me miss my brother. He made his bed before they left for the night and when we came back in, someone else stole his bed. It was really funny.
Currently there is sand everywhere and I only have a sarong to sit on. It's kinda small, I wasn't thinking ahead. I am listening to Russian rap, mixed with techno and accordion songs from the three people sitting next to us. There is a man a bit rounded, a lady with bangs and a short bob cut, and a younger lady skinny and in yellow. They are speaking in Russian and I love that language.
The ocean is bright blue and the sun is hot. I am going to jump in the water soon.
Europeans read a lot more than Americans do. Just an observation, but I think it's true. I always see them with books. Especially on public transportation. I'm not sure if you'd see that in America.
Later that day...
I am here again on the terrace of Home Hostel. This place is a pretty cool hostel for what we paid for it. There are a lot of perks like the terrace on the roof, a huge kitchen, etc.
Staying at a hostel is always an interesting experience. However, it is one thing when you use the hostel for only the night (when you are there for only one time) and another when you need to regard it as home (like when you are traveling in a city for a number of days). Hostels are fun in some situations more than others.
First off they are fun in order to meet people. You get to meet all types of people from all over the world. I love it. It's great for that use, but in other cases, it's also easy to loose all privacy that way. Especially when you book dorm rooms, which are cheaper. Tina and I have been staying in 6 people mixed dorm rooms and it is hard to find a quiet place to be. (Thus, thank you home hostel for your use of a lovely roof-top terrace.) Your space is limited to a small locker and the bunk of your bed. This part really stinks, especially since you have limited personal space in the first place. It is also difficult to wash clothes, unless you do it in the sink. So it is important to check with the hostel to see if they have washing facilities available and the cost.
So we have new roommates. In our room there is a brother/sister combination. The sister is studying abroad in Madrid and her brother came to visit. They are really cool, but I can tell that Jess (the sister) is tried of Europe and ready to go home. She's been gone as long as we have. The brother is older than his sister but he is really passive and nice. He's tall too. They make me miss my brother. He made his bed before they left for the night and when we came back in, someone else stole his bed. It was really funny.
May 1, 2008 Thursday
The adventures of the Barcelona train station
Today we tried to take a train to Valencia. However, when we got here we realized that trains in Spain are not like trains in Italy. We looked up the train schedule online and figured that we could by tickets right before departure, as we were used to. When we got here, OUR TRAIN WAS BOOKED.
Hmm. I enjoyed the company of two French girls who shared our room last night. One was really talkative and had hair to match her brown eyes, but not her dark brown eyebrows. She had on really dark eye make up, that never really came off. She also wore dark clothes. I don't think she really looked french though. She talked SO MUCH and made lots of French noises too..(anyone know what i'm talking about??) The second one was here for a bachelorette party. She was extremely small and petite. She seemed really nice and inquisitive. She had on real thin rimmed glasses and when the two French met each other, they talked and talked and gabbed uncontrollably in French. It was cool.
Anyways, back to the train station. Okay, so Spanish train stations are the most legit things I've ever seen. In order to book a ticket, you actually have to come to the train station in advance and take a number to wait your turn or buy it online. When it is time to board the train, you must first get your ticket checked at the platform, have your luggage checked through x-ray AND not board until they let you through. Really, boarding a train here, is like boarding a plane without going through customs.
So anyways, Tina and I were depressed/really upset because the train we were planning on was booked. We were instead forced to buy a first class ticket for a train that we had to wait something like five hours for.
However.
Once we got onto the train, we were being treated awesomely. I'm pretty sure they have classical music playing, we are sitting at a four table seat across from a man in grey, looks to be my grandfather's age or younger and a man in a red polo, looks to late 40-50's. The older man is really nice but the younger man looks like he is disturbed by something. We were fed orange juice and peanuts and now we are watching Stardust in Spanish.
Our train is weaving back and forth through out the rocky mountains and along the Mediterranean of Spain. Every once in a while we go through a tunnel and it is black on both sides of the window, but then we burst through into the sunlight and are exposed to the glittering blue BEAUTIFUL water. There are whit fluffy cotton ball clouds overhead. The prettiest train ride of my life.
Now they fed us a sandwich with empanadilla, pastry, coke with limon, and coffee. I'm really getting into the Stardust movie. I hope Valencia isn't shady but safe.
So I'm sitting here on a train riding along the Med, listening to some decent travel tunes on my iPod, with a cool girl Tina, whom I appreciate and enjoy traveling with thoroughly. Today I am content. I don't want to venture into happy because I don't want to press my luck. But as of now things are pretty okay. : )
Well, currently I am sitting on the terrace on the roof top of our "Home Hostel" in Valencia Spain. The sky is slowly turning blueish-pink and the cool evening breeze is coming around. I hear some kinds of birds in the distance and all around me, the city is quiet with only a few motorists. I am lying on a white beach lay-out chair and the hostel is painted yellow and pink with greenery in orange pots and other green sitting chairs. There is a church nearby. Earlier we heard the bells. Before this moment, Tina and I took a walk around town to find that most of the city is closed except for restaurants.
I was just thinking that the next time I come to Europe/travel I think I'd rather do it when I can come with a boyfriend/fiance/husband whatever or if was with a big group of people. Traveling with only two girls is kinda scary at times. Although... at other times it makes for really great stories. We also get away with a lot. But overall I think I'd just feel safer with a guy or with more people. Anyways, I'm hungry, we need to go grocery shopping.
Today we tried to take a train to Valencia. However, when we got here we realized that trains in Spain are not like trains in Italy. We looked up the train schedule online and figured that we could by tickets right before departure, as we were used to. When we got here, OUR TRAIN WAS BOOKED.
Hmm. I enjoyed the company of two French girls who shared our room last night. One was really talkative and had hair to match her brown eyes, but not her dark brown eyebrows. She had on really dark eye make up, that never really came off. She also wore dark clothes. I don't think she really looked french though. She talked SO MUCH and made lots of French noises too..(anyone know what i'm talking about??) The second one was here for a bachelorette party. She was extremely small and petite. She seemed really nice and inquisitive. She had on real thin rimmed glasses and when the two French met each other, they talked and talked and gabbed uncontrollably in French. It was cool.
Anyways, back to the train station. Okay, so Spanish train stations are the most legit things I've ever seen. In order to book a ticket, you actually have to come to the train station in advance and take a number to wait your turn or buy it online. When it is time to board the train, you must first get your ticket checked at the platform, have your luggage checked through x-ray AND not board until they let you through. Really, boarding a train here, is like boarding a plane without going through customs.
So anyways, Tina and I were depressed/really upset because the train we were planning on was booked. We were instead forced to buy a first class ticket for a train that we had to wait something like five hours for.
However.
Once we got onto the train, we were being treated awesomely. I'm pretty sure they have classical music playing, we are sitting at a four table seat across from a man in grey, looks to be my grandfather's age or younger and a man in a red polo, looks to late 40-50's. The older man is really nice but the younger man looks like he is disturbed by something. We were fed orange juice and peanuts and now we are watching Stardust in Spanish.
Our train is weaving back and forth through out the rocky mountains and along the Mediterranean of Spain. Every once in a while we go through a tunnel and it is black on both sides of the window, but then we burst through into the sunlight and are exposed to the glittering blue BEAUTIFUL water. There are whit fluffy cotton ball clouds overhead. The prettiest train ride of my life.
Now they fed us a sandwich with empanadilla, pastry, coke with limon, and coffee. I'm really getting into the Stardust movie. I hope Valencia isn't shady but safe.
So I'm sitting here on a train riding along the Med, listening to some decent travel tunes on my iPod, with a cool girl Tina, whom I appreciate and enjoy traveling with thoroughly. Today I am content. I don't want to venture into happy because I don't want to press my luck. But as of now things are pretty okay. : )
Well, currently I am sitting on the terrace on the roof top of our "Home Hostel" in Valencia Spain. The sky is slowly turning blueish-pink and the cool evening breeze is coming around. I hear some kinds of birds in the distance and all around me, the city is quiet with only a few motorists. I am lying on a white beach lay-out chair and the hostel is painted yellow and pink with greenery in orange pots and other green sitting chairs. There is a church nearby. Earlier we heard the bells. Before this moment, Tina and I took a walk around town to find that most of the city is closed except for restaurants.
I was just thinking that the next time I come to Europe/travel I think I'd rather do it when I can come with a boyfriend/fiance/husband whatever or if was with a big group of people. Traveling with only two girls is kinda scary at times. Although... at other times it makes for really great stories. We also get away with a lot. But overall I think I'd just feel safer with a guy or with more people. Anyways, I'm hungry, we need to go grocery shopping.
7.6.08
Sometimes rambling is necessary
The previous blog was meant to simply bring attention to the point of how night/"going out"/working/"busy" life was different from American ways. The social scene is different. I think I failed to make that point clear, and rambled instead.
In any case, I'd like to share a verse that really home. It can be found in the book of Habakkuk Chapter 3
In any case, I'd like to share a verse that really home. It can be found in the book of Habakkuk Chapter 3
16 I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
I'm going to put up some really awesome pictures soon. Minus Barcelona and Valencia. (for now)
3.6.08
Giorno dopo giorno, ora dopo ora
I'm back in America and it takes all that is in within me to keep from exploding. I'm so frustrated since coming back because I feel like my days are going to waste. In America, feel like it's wrong to not be busy/working.
I've been home for not even a month and I just started work yesterday. I've got absolutely nothing else to fill my days with. I feel so purpose-less. No specific person. No specific organization. Nothing.
What am I doing here?
It's frustrating sometimes. In Europe life is much, much different. I had no job there, not a place to be and yet, I kept so busy and entertained, never felt like I was wasting time. (As I do here.)
But now, as I sit at the desk of my country home in Fresno, I feel like I'm just biding my time until the pages of my life start turning again.
WHY?
Perhaps it's my own issue.
or
Maybe I've already said it, but Europeans live quite differently. They enjoy life. I don't know everything about it, but their evenings are spent with the people they love. Their minds are not always concerned about work/busyness.
But now I'm here and what do I do? There is no plaza for me to go to. No bars (cafes). No trains to take to the next city or two. No roof tops to hang out on. No local night life that you can walk to and socialize all night.
It's this feeling that might be common in America (I'm not really sure) where sometimes people just want to stay home. They'd rather be un-social and stay in the home. Time isn't spent with people, but rather in front of the screens for movies/TV/internet etc. Maybe it's because they want down time from being so busy. Going from thing to thing.
Maybe I'm totally off. Maybe I'm not.
Perhaps it's my own fault. It's not like I don't know people in Fresno. I do and I could always use my imagination to get things together as we have in the past. But another addition to this "culture shock" element is that I feel slightly disconnected from everyone that I do know in Fresno. I've missed out during the past 5 months and I don't know what to do about that feeling.
I'm sorry that I keep comparing the US to Italy but it's what is on my mind. I figure that if you are on this site, you came in order to read about Italy anyways. So...
As for a switch of subject, I'd like to share with ya'll a cute video. The more I listen to the words, the more I realize how absolutely adorable the lyrics are. I wish I could translate it, but I don't know all the words and that might be quite boring anyways.
So anyways, if you look closely at the background of this video, you will see much of what I saw every day in Perugia. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, but it looks like they shot this video in my old town. In reading the notes on the site, it was filmed in the same region of my town: Umbra, but I'm not sure if it was Perugia. Anyways, enjoy!
I've been home for not even a month and I just started work yesterday. I've got absolutely nothing else to fill my days with. I feel so purpose-less. No specific person. No specific organization. Nothing.
What am I doing here?
It's frustrating sometimes. In Europe life is much, much different. I had no job there, not a place to be and yet, I kept so busy and entertained, never felt like I was wasting time. (As I do here.)
But now, as I sit at the desk of my country home in Fresno, I feel like I'm just biding my time until the pages of my life start turning again.
WHY?
Perhaps it's my own issue.
or
Maybe I've already said it, but Europeans live quite differently. They enjoy life. I don't know everything about it, but their evenings are spent with the people they love. Their minds are not always concerned about work/busyness.
But now I'm here and what do I do? There is no plaza for me to go to. No bars (cafes). No trains to take to the next city or two. No roof tops to hang out on. No local night life that you can walk to and socialize all night.
It's this feeling that might be common in America (I'm not really sure) where sometimes people just want to stay home. They'd rather be un-social and stay in the home. Time isn't spent with people, but rather in front of the screens for movies/TV/internet etc. Maybe it's because they want down time from being so busy. Going from thing to thing.
Maybe I'm totally off. Maybe I'm not.
Perhaps it's my own fault. It's not like I don't know people in Fresno. I do and I could always use my imagination to get things together as we have in the past. But another addition to this "culture shock" element is that I feel slightly disconnected from everyone that I do know in Fresno. I've missed out during the past 5 months and I don't know what to do about that feeling.
I'm sorry that I keep comparing the US to Italy but it's what is on my mind. I figure that if you are on this site, you came in order to read about Italy anyways. So...
As for a switch of subject, I'd like to share with ya'll a cute video. The more I listen to the words, the more I realize how absolutely adorable the lyrics are. I wish I could translate it, but I don't know all the words and that might be quite boring anyways.
So anyways, if you look closely at the background of this video, you will see much of what I saw every day in Perugia. I couldn't believe it when I saw it, but it looks like they shot this video in my old town. In reading the notes on the site, it was filmed in the same region of my town: Umbra, but I'm not sure if it was Perugia. Anyways, enjoy!
2.6.08
An Orange Evening Sun
I've been athletic most of my life. When it was time for me to stop playing soccer, I picked up the habit of running. While I'm not always consistent with my runs, I do enjoy them.
Today on an evening jog, I noticed something. Although at first I did not like to run with company, it is the best way to run. When two people run together it really helps each of them go faster.
When I was in Italy, my roommate was a cross country runner. We both knew that we had this common interest but it wasn't until the end of the semester that we decided to keep each other accountable and run together. Even if it was just taking the same metro to the running park and setting a meeting point, the simple fact of knowing that we were both out there running at the same time, encouraged the both of us to get in shape faster and in a more joyful way.
Now that Tina is not here, I find myself running less consistently and for shorter distances.
I think the same thing applies to life. In spiritual life, social life, working life, romantic life, any other kind of life, etc etc. We need the encouragement, accountability, and love of each other.
Today on an evening jog, I noticed something. Although at first I did not like to run with company, it is the best way to run. When two people run together it really helps each of them go faster.
When I was in Italy, my roommate was a cross country runner. We both knew that we had this common interest but it wasn't until the end of the semester that we decided to keep each other accountable and run together. Even if it was just taking the same metro to the running park and setting a meeting point, the simple fact of knowing that we were both out there running at the same time, encouraged the both of us to get in shape faster and in a more joyful way.
Now that Tina is not here, I find myself running less consistently and for shorter distances.
I think the same thing applies to life. In spiritual life, social life, working life, romantic life, any other kind of life, etc etc. We need the encouragement, accountability, and love of each other.
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