Sun shines, clouds rain
Train whistles blow and guitars play
Preachers preach, farmers plow
Wishes go up and the world goes round...
Folks - give it up for George Strait! What 'just comes natural' for The King? Loving his woman, of course. I'm not sure what, if anything, comes naturally to me. If nothing else, it makes for a life that is rarely dull...
Sun shines, clouds rain..
On Friday it hit 20 degrees here - that would be 68 in Fahrenheit to you in the States. Not so bad for January, huh? Went out that evening downtown to help celebrate a colleague's birthday. Bunch of us went to an Indian restaurant and enjoyed a real good meal. We gnawed on naan and survived the onslaught of curry. These social situations here never fail to fascinate me. My dinner companions were all nice, bright, hard-working, very well-traveled people - and I had them all beat by about 15 years. Listening to them talk at one point, I tuned out and tried - and failed - to remember my first life when I was their age. Maybe a good thing.
Yesterday saw the first hard rain since who knows when. Of course, that day I had volunteered to help a colleague move to her new pad in the bustling beach town of Dar Bouazza just south of Casa. Lots of co-workers live there, and with good reason. A little more expensive, but quiet, and did I mention it's a beach town? If you're a kid, you can go to Crazy Park. Yes, that's the name of an amusement park there. Ok. Then there is Natty Natty. That's the name of a tiny, hole-in-the-wall grocery/eatery about the size of your patio. You can buy some goodies that any supermarket in America has aplenty on their shelves, but are hard to find here. I've been meaning to go, and I finally got there this week. The highlight? BACON! Remember where I live. The dreadlocked Frenchman who runs this joint had to go through all kinds of trouble to get permission to sell it at his establishment. And I am grateful.
Preachers preach, farmers plow...
As you might guess, religion can be a very touchy topic here. Oh, you thought I was talking about Muslims and non-Muslims? My native co-workers tell me Casa for sure has its contingent of hardcore types, but that by and large it is a very tolerant city. I wholeheartedly agree. I was actually talking about those who are what I'll call believers and non-believers. What actually makes for a 'religious' person? Is it calling yourself a Christian and going to church on Sunday morning or is it treating people right all 168 hours of the week? I hope it is both, but more importantly, the latter. As I continue to try to figure out my place in this world, these are the kinds of subjects of conversations I have with people all the time.
This has to be the easiest place in the world to get your hands on an amply supply of inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables. There isn't an excuse in the world not to eat healthy here. I've lived near farms all my life. Worked on one the summer before 12th grade. Learned that wasn't how I wanted to make a living for the rest of my life. Have always had the greatest respect for those who plow the good Earth. Appreciate them even more now watching them bust their tails every day. I chose my life's path, to a degree - did they ever have a choice?
Fire burns, waves crash...
I can often see both at the same time from my 3rd-floor apartment. The fire - let's just say the people here would get an 'F' rating from the Sierra Club or one of them other eco-wacko outfits. Litter is a sport. Dumps? Side of the road will do. Trash builds-up? Just burn it. I freaked out a little when I first saw from my hilltop pad fires scattered throughout the area, until I learned that recycling is the real r-word. Apparently, the mindset is starting to change, though, e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
The waves - the Atlantic Ocean laps at the coast just across the road from where I live. As a New Jersey native, I've lived not far from the shore all my life. Never cared for going there. Except for Atlantic City and its poker tables. Speaking of AC, I've never been one for the urban life. I have to admit, after almost 6 months here, I've gotten used to my surroundings, thrived even.
Seeds grow and good things last
Ships sail, dreams fly...
That brings us around back to the title of this week's post. I'm not sure what, if anything, comes naturally to me. I know - everyone has their God-given gifts. I'm talking about when you are put in situations in life, how easily you can navigate them. In August I moved into an apartment with a very good guy with whom I very little in common - tolerance ain't my strong suit. I had a medical situation which forced me to place my trust in the hands of someone I didn't really know at all, when I am someone who can scarcely trust anyone. I am trying to restart my career - my life - in terribly different surroundings, having to be someone I've never been. Some days I don't care if that seed is watered, the hole in the ship plugged. Other days, I hope to God this lasts here. I can't dream yet...
Seasons change, rivers wind
Tumbleweeds roll and the stars shine
Wind howls, dawn breaks
Cowboys riding' time slips away...
Train whistles blow and guitars play
Preachers preach, farmers plow
Wishes go up and the world goes round...
Folks - give it up for George Strait! What 'just comes natural' for The King? Loving his woman, of course. I'm not sure what, if anything, comes naturally to me. If nothing else, it makes for a life that is rarely dull...
Sun shines, clouds rain..
On Friday it hit 20 degrees here - that would be 68 in Fahrenheit to you in the States. Not so bad for January, huh? Went out that evening downtown to help celebrate a colleague's birthday. Bunch of us went to an Indian restaurant and enjoyed a real good meal. We gnawed on naan and survived the onslaught of curry. These social situations here never fail to fascinate me. My dinner companions were all nice, bright, hard-working, very well-traveled people - and I had them all beat by about 15 years. Listening to them talk at one point, I tuned out and tried - and failed - to remember my first life when I was their age. Maybe a good thing.
Yesterday saw the first hard rain since who knows when. Of course, that day I had volunteered to help a colleague move to her new pad in the bustling beach town of Dar Bouazza just south of Casa. Lots of co-workers live there, and with good reason. A little more expensive, but quiet, and did I mention it's a beach town? If you're a kid, you can go to Crazy Park. Yes, that's the name of an amusement park there. Ok. Then there is Natty Natty. That's the name of a tiny, hole-in-the-wall grocery/eatery about the size of your patio. You can buy some goodies that any supermarket in America has aplenty on their shelves, but are hard to find here. I've been meaning to go, and I finally got there this week. The highlight? BACON! Remember where I live. The dreadlocked Frenchman who runs this joint had to go through all kinds of trouble to get permission to sell it at his establishment. And I am grateful.
Preachers preach, farmers plow...
As you might guess, religion can be a very touchy topic here. Oh, you thought I was talking about Muslims and non-Muslims? My native co-workers tell me Casa for sure has its contingent of hardcore types, but that by and large it is a very tolerant city. I wholeheartedly agree. I was actually talking about those who are what I'll call believers and non-believers. What actually makes for a 'religious' person? Is it calling yourself a Christian and going to church on Sunday morning or is it treating people right all 168 hours of the week? I hope it is both, but more importantly, the latter. As I continue to try to figure out my place in this world, these are the kinds of subjects of conversations I have with people all the time.
This has to be the easiest place in the world to get your hands on an amply supply of inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables. There isn't an excuse in the world not to eat healthy here. I've lived near farms all my life. Worked on one the summer before 12th grade. Learned that wasn't how I wanted to make a living for the rest of my life. Have always had the greatest respect for those who plow the good Earth. Appreciate them even more now watching them bust their tails every day. I chose my life's path, to a degree - did they ever have a choice?
Fire burns, waves crash...
I can often see both at the same time from my 3rd-floor apartment. The fire - let's just say the people here would get an 'F' rating from the Sierra Club or one of them other eco-wacko outfits. Litter is a sport. Dumps? Side of the road will do. Trash builds-up? Just burn it. I freaked out a little when I first saw from my hilltop pad fires scattered throughout the area, until I learned that recycling is the real r-word. Apparently, the mindset is starting to change, though, e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
The waves - the Atlantic Ocean laps at the coast just across the road from where I live. As a New Jersey native, I've lived not far from the shore all my life. Never cared for going there. Except for Atlantic City and its poker tables. Speaking of AC, I've never been one for the urban life. I have to admit, after almost 6 months here, I've gotten used to my surroundings, thrived even.
Seeds grow and good things last
Ships sail, dreams fly...
That brings us around back to the title of this week's post. I'm not sure what, if anything, comes naturally to me. I know - everyone has their God-given gifts. I'm talking about when you are put in situations in life, how easily you can navigate them. In August I moved into an apartment with a very good guy with whom I very little in common - tolerance ain't my strong suit. I had a medical situation which forced me to place my trust in the hands of someone I didn't really know at all, when I am someone who can scarcely trust anyone. I am trying to restart my career - my life - in terribly different surroundings, having to be someone I've never been. Some days I don't care if that seed is watered, the hole in the ship plugged. Other days, I hope to God this lasts here. I can't dream yet...
Seasons change, rivers wind
Tumbleweeds roll and the stars shine
Wind howls, dawn breaks
Cowboys riding' time slips away...
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