Life is a rainbow…..

On Sunday, we decided to go for a walk downtown, maybe grab a light lunch at Taco Bello and get some gelato (primo gelato @ $1.00/cone!!). We had done this walk on Thursday to get dog food and some groceries. But on that day we intended to take the bus which is always a very efficient way to get around here. Normally the bus will come by at least every 10 minutes anywhere in this area. It really is a very efficient system!!. On this day however we waited and waited……..and waited………and waited, until we realized that something wasn’t right and decided to try walking. We ran into our Spanish teachers brother about half way to town who informed us that the buses were having a conflict with the government and so were not running. This explained why we did not see them.

We continued on our way seeing a house on the route that I was happily surprised to find. (I will share in a moment). This was the first time we noticed this house so I am not sure if it is new or if we were just not very observant, but it was hard to miss. Then again you see things differently when you are walking at least that is what I tell myself. In any case, it is the main reason we went for our walk on Sunday.

We found out more information about the buses when we stopped to eat at our new favourite Mexican restaurant. The owner speaks English, so we were able to get a more detailed explanation because he was telling us how this conflict was affecting his business. The buses and taxies were apparently fighting the law proposed for new cameras to be set up on the highway to catch speeders. So they effectively blocked the highway with their buses and taxies so that nothing could get through including his food supply truck.

We agreed it would be crazy for them to put up the cameras because in my opinion, the way people drive here, the police would not have enough man power to deal with the quantity of tickets. The buses in particular would have a very difficult time because they are required to stop at certain intervals to punch a time clock, much the same as an employee time clock, that keeps track of their timing on route. We have heard that if they do not make it to the clock on schedule, they are charged $1.00. So you can imagine, this would cause a lot of problems for the drivers, who are doing their best to run an efficient route. If they had to do the speed limit, this would definitely slow things down, causing them to lose money with the time clocks. In my mind you cannot have both the clocks and cameras for the bus drivers. That simply is not fair.

I’m not sure what the outcome was from their display of force that day, but it did only last the one day. It was very quiet downtown and we now understood why. It is a very effective way to make your point, one I hope they were able to gain appreciation for. Despite the crazy way people drive here, there is a good flow to the traffic and surprisingly no accidents. At least I have yet to see one.

So on Sunday I wanted to go back to take a picture of this house which captured my attention. When you see the picture you will understand why.

Lol I really am home…..what a surprise to see La Casa de Guevara on the street and one of my favourite colours – yellow (the colour of my kitchen back in canada). It looks like it is under a bit of construction, so I’m not sure what it will be when finished. Perhaps just someones home. On Thursday when we were walking home we stopped to look at it just as the person responsible for “doing the work”, was driving by. He got out of his vehicle and tried to talk to us, but we could not understand what he was saying other than realizing that he was responsible for the artwork I think. He was very proud of it and I understood why. There is a painting of Che on the top floor just behind the balcony as well which unfortunately you cannot see in these photos.

It was a moment for me that I can’t describe when I saw this home, the impact was very strong. I think it is because it feels like he is everywhere here and it feels like he is talking to me, encouraging me to believe and stay strong in that belief.

We were walking home in the rain on Sunday, a beautiful light rain after an incredibly warm, sunny morning and afternoon. The temperature was still perfect for the long climb back up the hill and the stairs, carrying our take home bag of gelato. As we rounded the corner going up the last of the stairs, I looked up to see a beautiful rainbow arching in front of our path. At this point it looked as though it was touching our home at Pakarinka, but it fell just short. Still, it was a magical moment, one that seemed to bless our journey here and I felt the gift deep in my heart. Once again it felt like a sign reminding me of this place which I now feel is my home.

Walking into the rainbow….. Pakarinka is just behind that building, but a bit more to the right of the rainbow, Almost there. A glorious way to end a walk on any day!!