At Around 7:40

This morning, sometime around 7:40, with the garbage truck having already picked up the recycling and the compost, and its gear grinding sounds retreating in the distance, it began to snow. I

t didn’t snow like thunder and it didn’t snow like a Christmas movie. It was a light snow that barely survived touching the ground. It was a light snow that mere sought to remind me that we were in winter, lest the blinding sunlight convince us differently.

I might not even have remarked on it at all, except that the bright sunrise cast an eerie glow across the park imbuing the snowfall with an almost supernatural feel. It was as if the snow wasn’t falling, but appearing in front of me. It didn’t float to the ground, but rather danced a path to the earth.

Night Biking in Medellin.

We arrived in Medellin around six, maybe earlier.   The flight was quite nice. I forget how much of a novelty it is to board and deplane on the tarmac.  The view of the country was beautiful.

Since we were trying to make up time we lost, they sent us on the bike ride.  We were doing it after dark, which was a first for the company.   I  give them credit, they armed us with lights, a big bottle of water,  a scarf for the fumes, and a reflective safety vest.  I was really enjoying it, but I  wondered about the safety of the thing for others.

The beginning was a bit scary,  but eventually we found our way to the bike paths, which are quite developed and set apart from traffic.  We covered quite a distance, which I captured a bit of on my action camera.  I also started Strava, but forgot to turn off when we were done, so I deleted it.

We saw many interesting buildings and learned about some of the great initiatives being taken to improve Medellin for everyone.

For dinner, after the ride, we had a curious mix of fruit,  granola,  and yogurt.   My stomach and other parts have still not recovered,  so I approach each meal with caution.

We finished the tour and went for drinks at a local place.  I  think the name was Taicho.  The area our hotel is in is a raucous nightclub zone, and the odd pairing of tourists with skimpily attired young women (as well as similarly dresses women approaching men on the street) indicates the world’s oldest profession is alive and well here.

What a Gorgeous Day

I was so productive this morning that I left later than usual for the bus. Though later than usual, I was certain I wouldn’t be late for my actual job.  It was with this, rare, relaxed feeling about my mid morning commute that I ran smack into Today’s Perfect Moment.

I left my home and encountered a day which from a foliage perspective really looked like Autumn, but from a weather perspective could have been a late Summer or early Spring day. I was wearing my Columbia fleece, but took it off before I even got to the bus stop.

I managed to take some pictures of this glorious day even before I fully came to grips with how gorgeous it was. In fact, I was a bit nervous that by taking these pictures I would miss my bus.  As it was, the bus and I arrived at the stop at nearly the same moment.  One fewer picture and I would have been waiting a minute or two.  One more picture and I would have been waiting for twenty to twenty-five minutes.  Since it was such an amazing day, I probably would have just found some music and not even worried about it.

Out for a Walk

It’s such a beautiful day out, I heard many people exclaim. Then everyone of them got in their car and drove somewhere.

Before you run away from this post, this isn’t going to be ranty. People have places to go and cars take them there.  I understand that.  I have my own car.

Back to the point. It is a beautiful day out and I went for a walk to the library.  I put the music on but I didn’t need to.  There was nobody about except for a couple of people walking their dogs.  The road was busy (or course, but I am still not ranting) but the pathway through the park was blissfully empty.  It is way to early to start declaring this Today’s Perfect Moment, but I know it is a moment worth sharing.

 

June 20 2014 The Beer After

Today I did something that I really never thought I would.  After work, I went to the nearby park and kicked the ball around. Yes, that’s right, the guy who doesn’t get the World Cup, kicked the soccer ball around.  I ran up and down the shortened field like a little boy–and yes I am sore now, and looking forward to much the same tomorrow, perhaps it will be even worse.

While it was fun, I didn’t select it as today’s perfect moment.  Upon reflection, it certainly could have, but my own self designated rules is that I right about “the” perfect moment.  For myself, the ESL teacher, “the” usually signifies one.  And if I am going to pick one, that one isn’t it.

Instead, I choose the beer after the activity.  It was a time to unwind and wait for the muscles to cramp up.  It was a time to talk and joke, perhaps even scan the room for attractive people.  I don’t know if it was the activity beforehand, but it just felt right.  Today’s Perfect Moment is drinking beer in a sports bar with far too many televisions and short skirt clad waitresses.  Not bad for a Friday afternoon.