I woz here

So it occurred to me that I haven't got any photos of myself... and could therefore be accused of posting images from the internet while actually hiding in my flat.  I'm not sure who would accuse me of that, but still.
I unfortunately am a bit bashful so only took rubbish covert selfies when no one was looking.  But here you go, proof I was indeed in Colombia.

Scary eyes at the Museum de Botero

Me with a big building.  Only just noticed the graffiti.  Sorry.

An attempt at looking happy. I won't do it again.

Sunbathing in Independence Park.  In January. Whoop.

Outside the Cathedral

In Plaza de Bolivar

Doing some walking.  I'm so cool.

Watching the police chase a man who had just stolen a bottle of water.

So there you go. I was there.  I'll practice my smiles for next time.

ps smile is Spanish is sonrisa.  Nice.

Thursday 16th January

I accidentally wandered into a cemetery to get out of the heat (moment for smug smile) and as the music floated out of the small chapel in the centre I ducked between the tightly packed concrete structure, the walls of plaques and statues.

With the sun shining the atmosphere was far from sombre but it did put my little life in some perspective.  Every little life has the potential the make waves, the opportunities to learn and love. Although sometimes we will feel like we're going to be just another name in a crowd.  But we are actually simply part of something bigger than our self. It's the difference between being individualistic or looking around us.

My favourite clothes are my summer clothes, the ones appropriate for hot weather which of course we get on a regular basis.  Thus my favourite clothes are mostly in waiting, and I just wear what's comfortable even if it makes me feel less confident.  Can't risk being chilly, or worse - standing out.

Life is precious, and I want to be someone that embraces all it has to offer - ups and downs.  I don't want to live in waiting, hiding away ready for everything to be lined up.  So I will wear my red high heels on a weekday because they look great, even though I won't fit in. I'll put my summer clothes on in the winter, with a few additions probably, because I feel good in them.

I will live this little life now, not sometime in the future.

Wednesday 15th January

Las Aguas, where the cool kids hang

Plazuela Camilo Torres in Plaza de Bolivar

Bottom of Calle 10

Plaza de Bolivar

Palacio de Justica in Plaza de Bolivar

The pigeon lady

The resident protestors in the plaza

Carrera 7

Tuesday 14th January

  

The top of Calle 10, with my front door the 

first door on the right, orange building

 This is Calle 10, it's a long road and my front door is right at the top, with the main shopping area at the bottom.  I have dedicated a whole post to Calle 10 because it has become my nemesis.   There is an 8 minute incline up to the hostel, with the incline increasing to essentially vertigal.  Honestly.

The worst bit of the hill which is a lot longer on the way up.  Fact.

See, people are disappearing down the hill. 

There are two nasty bits of the hill.

But the view is nice...

A bit of light

I've been thinking further about a thought from last week, about finding peace with my moodier self, the low, cloudier one that sometimes greets me without warning.

I didn't mean that I intend to give into it, saying 'what the hell, I'm going to be horrible sometimes'.

I wonder (and I can only try) whether the dark side has a place in the mix.  Whether it can be channelled - a darker shade in a well rounded rainbow.  Or something.


There are three elements to my theory, an action plan if you will;

1) Celebrate the struggle
What if those days when things seem a bit hopeless and difficult become an opportunity?  Seeing struggle as a tool gives it purpose, diffusing the temptation to be introspective and allowing us to connect with others in a real and authentic way.

So, when the grey takes hold all it might take is a little strength to find a new vocabulary that expresses the raw truth and cut through all the pretence.  Our words have such power when they are borne out of experience, our gestures carry sincerity when they are offered with empathy.

When you're in the hole, look around for who's there with you.

2)  Honesty is not weakness
It would be lovely to have have happy days all the time, for us all to be people who wake up on the right side of bed and let nothing get to them.  But most people have hard times at the very least (and some of us have grumpy DNA) and the more we deny it, the more power the loneliness of low adds to the problem.

There's a lie that the clouds tell you; that you'll be a burden to anyone else and you shouldn't inflict your foul mood on them.  The reality is that showing your vulnerability is the most courageous, relationship nurturing thing you can do - not keeping it all together.

So how about when a rough day shows up,  you send up a flare?


3) Let the light in
When hopelessness hits and the mood is morose it's not game over, it doesn't have to be a waste of a day or a reason to run away.  It's a darker shade to be embraced, the most authentic way to grow and with just a grain of strength purpose can be found even in the very thing that tries to tell you there is none.

And after a while, the low days may just be fewer.


Worth a try?

Sunday 12th January 2014

A beautiful start to the day gave way this afternoon to light showers so I ducked into the Art Museum, Bank and Botero Museums.  It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon, not least because it was free...

These photos are mostly to make my dad jealous.

Picasso

Picasso again

Degas

Matisse

Botero

Botero

Botero

Salvador Dali

Renoir

Monet

Renoir

  Sorry dad :)