Inspirations…
March 24th, 2008
Easter is an inspiring time because of the beautiful blooming flowers, the end of a cold winter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection for Christians worldwide, and the overall feeling of renewal that the season brings. This weeks photo collection is
Pictures of me:
I’ve never thought of giving people pictures of me until I started traveling. Yes, it’s petal picking forget me nots in your memory prairie of toucan yellow chrysanthemums and red dripping Indian brushes, but… I’m looking at the repoused silver intricate work upon layers of beads on black felt jacket, Hmong neon pink head dress feathers, taken in the land of the elephants. Following a tradition my friend started when she came back from Iraq. This is me at 30, almost 31. Four continents touched, 7 countries explored, unabashedly sailing solo but open to addendum. So much more to do and see, but… forget me not.
Sucking fish:
My friends know when my twisted smile comes on. I struggle to detach my eyes from the little fish sucking off the weary traveler’s calloused feet that dare invade their territory. People swear by its nourishing power to bring healthier skin, but curiosity bites harder. “Arashi…” I have everyone’s curiosity as my eyebrows peak. Fine, I’ll address the proverbial pink elephant/literal feet sucking fish in the room. “Hey Arashi…what happens when the fish get too big? Do you eat them? Do they taste like feet?” Meanwhile, I’m making sure nothing is lost in translation pointing at the fat fish in the bottom left corner sinking by gluttony, motioning a fork and knife. He throws his hands at me, with an international crazy foreigner mumble. I guess answers are secondary to laughter.
Western females:
The little black number with a new hairdo and shoes, gold lip gloss and charcoal eye shadow drinking coffee by the sidewalk, is like a weed growing between concrete barrier divides in the German Autobahn: Claudia’s field research. While men peripherally look and walk faster so as not to make eye contact, females whisper to their bffs holding on to hand to hand. I smile, wanting to say, “Hey, thirty something year old lady: nice school plaid mini! I’m so honored to be topic of your conversation and give you something to bond over. Oh, dude with bright green scarf, check it: we have the same lip gloss,” but language absconds vocal sounds and it becomes a silent flick. With eyes only, I have to say, “Hey, you know there are so many things we have in common culturally, you would laugh! Do you realize group identity becomes easier with immigrant presence, so you’re welcome. I see you….do you see me?” Amid my two hour notes, I quickly put my coffee down and stop my self from whistling like a construction worker at the only guy who has seriously caught my attention quickly walking by me. Chuckling, “Oh, c’on, now!” I wonder, “Latinas can’t possibly be that scary, right?”
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