The things you see as you walk the streets….

It seems there are always new things to see, sometimes its things you have walked by more than once but did not notice. I am particularly fascinated by the art on the walls, the talent of the artists extraordinary.    There is so much life in the work, the spirit of those forced to live in a way we cannot fathom. Although this image is not new, the paint pealing off the bricks, it’s affect is still stunning. We have driven by the spot where this particular painting rests many times, but it is in a place where it goes unnoticed if the gate is not open. It is a place where they play volleyball (on cement if you can imagine) and the area is behind a tall wall with a gate that is locked when not in use.

So this one day, as we walked down the hill, we noticed the game and stood to watch, which is when I noticed the painting. I walked into the compound full of sweating men playing their games, something I would not have had the courage to do only a short time ago, determined to get a photo to share. I could stare at it for a long long time, completely taken in by the beauty of this face.

Then one day we saw her….

  From a distance….

 And even close up, I am struck by this painting as well. The detail and the fullness of expression. This painting was at the square (plaza) where they used to have the vegetable/fruit market. Not far from this area is the new market which is now indoors – a huge building, three stories high. We were on our way to that market when we walked by this plaza, I noticed this image from across the square and stood there admiring it for a few minutes. We had to get closer, it was such a beautiful image, I wanted to get right up front and personal. It amazes me they can do this with spray cans, seeing  the detail, I know this is a great gift to accomplish such fine work.

Then there are the gardens along the streets, even downtown, where you least expect to see them.

   These cacti are amazing, although I am certain the picture does not do them justice. I tried to get a photo that gave better detail, but the phone camera is not the best.

 They start out small as this kind of fan shaped flower, then grow into this taller version, the stems or branches reaching out from the flower shape. It’s hard to believe they are the same plant….. I had to wonder how old they were, how fast they grew.

   It’s difficult to get perspective on the size of this cactus, which may be three times my height or more. It has been taped in a few places, but there are also broken pieces (branches??) on the ground beneath. It is really beautiful – it’s wonderful to see new things!!!

   Then of course there is the familiar calla, one of my favourite flowers. This bush was particularly beautiful, so many blooms.

So each trip into town is an adventure. We walk most of the time even though it takes a good portion of our day to do so. It is about 5km one way, downhill going in, so that means all uphill coming home. We walk up and down the hills in town as well, criss crossing as we try to remember where we saw something of interest and get back there.

But my favourite thing to do is sit on the balcony (they let us bring Miss Mali in if she is outside on the balcony) enjoying a coffee, and watching the people in the square (Plaza de Ponchos) below. Coffee has become a treat for me now, something I have once or twice a week when we sit in our favourite cafes enjoying a rest. I have to admit I am usually a little tired when I get back – the trek home is a tough one, especially  as we get closer to where we are staying. But I have lost about 15 pounds and am back to my old self weight wise, feeling lighter which of course also feels really good. I had been pretty uncomfortable with the extra weight I was carrying back home, not used to feeling so heavy – I am happy for the challenge of the mountain walk. And the walk allows us to bring Miss Mali along, she is always up for an adventure, hating to be left behind. When we have to leave her at home for whatever reason, I can hear her howling cry halfway down the mountain, something I have never been able to bear, so I end up crying also. It’s in those moments I realize how close we are, that we are so much more than friends or companions…..