 |
| From Day 28 of 32 SMA |
Saw this metalwork handicraft at the restaurant today. I thought about it and know that James Brown is still probably doing shows “wherever” he is :-)
Did my usual – church with Fray Jose @ Chaplo Santa Cruz. Then some photos as I return back to Casa Liza. Saw a beautiful moth on the stairway. First I thought it a bat trying to hide from the sun. Instead, as I got closer, saw it a moth with big eyes on the wings. Then checked out a pigeon who was hiding from the sun on the bells above the Casa Cultura where art and dance classes take place. In a few more minutes bells will chime and bet the pigeon will quickly exit this noisy place.
As I get down the next flight of stairs, see Fray Jose being helped back to his house down the block. Even with the cane, he is there most days.
Down the steep hill and I am “home” - Casa Liza B&B – 7 Del Chorro – the place where a dog located water for the first village in 1542. I check out the balcony of our room seeing if the snowy egrets have made a nest somewhere on the wall – nothing found. For breakfast, a delicious omelet made by Margarita. Our usual cook, Gloria has the day off. As most mornings, eat outside and am joined by butterflies and hummingbirds flitting around the garden.
From there, off to pick up our laundry. Decided to try another route a few blocks away from usual. Carol finds a home furnishing shop that specializes in items from Morocco and Turkey. The shop name is Inshala – Arabic for God Willing. Have been hearing the word much more because of a book I read – 3 Cups of Tea about Greg Mortinsen. The story is about his rescue by a small village in Pakistan after he became ill and disoriented after climbing K2, the second highest peak in the world, next to Mount Everest.
The story tells of his promise to help the villagers build a school to repay their kindness. Although the village is 700 years old, no school for the children because of its remoteness.
I won’t give the rest of the story away, but will say he has been very successful. He has helped the villagers build 400 schools over the past 15 years.
As we look at items in the shop, start to talk with the lady who is trying to help us. Find out that MariJo has lived in Michigan near us and decided to come to SMA about 5 years ago. As with the many other new friends, am glad to have the opportunity to share stories and experiences.
Next stop before laundry is the library – The Biblioteca. First talk with 2 wonderful ladies in the gift shop; Emma and Leona. I am try to donate a book about Diego Rivera I have at home. They give me some options to make sure it gets to the right place. Next, a stop in the Biblio Café Santa Ana. Meet our usual staff friends, Giovanni and his brother Fernando. We exchange some e-mail info so they can see this blog. Luckily, we have Google translation that allows me to take the English version and quickly make a link that makes it in Spanish – 2 kewl.
Finally , get our clean clothes and head back. As with most “trips, several stops along the way to meet friends and exchange – what’s new with you stuff. As we pass the grade school, notice it is lunch recess and the kids are leaving for lunch or buying goodies from the happy vendors outside.
We almost get to Casa Liza and stop for cold drinks and see Evelyn, a neighbor from a few doors down. We met her a couple days ago while she was sweeping up some broken glass in the street.
After dropping off things in our room decide at 3 pm, time for some late lunch. I pick El Pegaso since I want a fish taco. Carol gets a Nacho. Finish it all off with yummy chocolate covered cheese cake.
Time to people watch, so go a few blocks to Jardin – the park in the city center. Always something new. Mostly people wanting to get photos of the parish church, The Parrochia. The pink colored sandstone spires are the highest building around.
On the way back, check out the tree trimming at San Francisco church plaza that was started yesterday. Wow to think all cut by hand with manual clippers. The do the flat top by trimming top edge first, then lay a ladder on top for support and work way into center.
Get back to room in time to watch another beautiful sunset :-)
Newest photo albums are on the bottom of page. View all photos @
Today's photos http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/Day28Of32SMA#
Days 1 to 22 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta2010#
Days 23 to 33 @ http://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/SMASemanaSanta20102#
Adios – don Mariano
