Snapshots

Do you ever have those moments when you realize you're an extra in someone else's (metaphorical) movie? I love them. Usually I'm just walking down the street and I see a quick scene of someone's life as I'm walking by. It pulls me out of my head. The soundtrack switches and the camera pans from me to them. 

Like yesterday I was walking down the street, looking down, trying to avoid dog poop and I see my path is clear for a while so I look up. Then there, coming barreling down the street is a father and his son. They both have massive smiles on their faces, the father's hair blowing from running, and his protective hand behind his son who is pedaling  furiously on his bike that is precariously supported with training wheels. It was just one of those moments, the universal kinds, the ones everyone hopes to have and to give.  Its the type of moment that grows and has roots and you know even if that kid doesn't think about it later, it was something that is creating who he is.

Another one I noticed was when I was in Almeria a couple months back. I was in line waiting to get on the bus to go back to Granada after visiting Cathy and Lindsay and I notice this couple about my age. Usually I tend avert my eyes when I notice couples because the give away sign is them making out (Spain loves its PDA). But no, he just lightly held her elbow, not quite ready for her to go yet. When she got on the bus they were so peaceful. No big show or tearful goodbyes, just a simple happy kiss. Once on the bus, they gazed contentedly at each other through the window. When we started leaving everyone else walked away, but he lingered a little longer. He waved, made a heart shape with his hands, and turned to go. But what I loved was that he couldn't help but to look back. Again its that movie moment, "if they look back they love me!" I know its a silly thing,  one of those tropes that get taken out of proportion yet here it was. He walked some more and then looked back, walked and kept trying to catch that last glance until she was out of sight. I like that happy quiet love.

Eventually the camera focuses back on me, staring at the rolling landscapes, olive trees rising and falling or I'm just walking the same cobblestoned path past the river returning to my apartment, but my thoughts linger. I'm not alone.

Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith

I love me some museums, especially art museums. One of the perks of living in Virginia back home is the proximity of DC. I have a favorite spot in the West Wing of the National Gallery of Art. No, its not the 19th century French gallery containing Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, though I do love them. Or even the sculptures that have been crafted with such grace that I just want to yell at passersby to look at them because that transparent veil is made out of HARD FREAKING STONE. My favorite spot is actually in the Dutch-Flemish section, beyond the still life of meals and past the stern darkness of portraits illuminated by delicately lit faces, in the room with giant paintings of the sea. 

Rodney Smith

I love them. I love the light on the white caps.  I love the movement of the curling waves. I love that I think my hand would come away wet if I could touch them without the guard tackling me. And because I think I've forgotten more beauty than should be possible, I love that these somewhat generic landscape paintings have left such an intangible impression on me. Its more than the skill in them, because the West and East Wing are filled with such transcendental talent. Yet for whatever reason, when I was 13 or 14, I walked into that room by myself and forged a bond with those inanimate objects that left me speechless and filled me with wonder. I ventured into that room without recognizing anything. Without anyone telling me what was supposed  to be a masterpiece, the canvases whispered life into my spirit, willing me to come back and to see them again, and burned a love letter on my heart. 

Rodney Smith

 

So what does this have to do with Spain? Not much. Only while in Almeria we traipsed over to the Photography Museum. The exhibits there imparted a nostalgia for things I'd never seen before. Some photos were of the underground of Barcelona, others documenting the life of pueblos, and others from times long gone.  I like it when art makes me think more than, "oh that's nice." I want art that makes me curious, begs questions, that reveals parts of me I've hidden away, or simply makes me laugh. 

The photographer I've included here is Rodney Smith. His exhibit was featured on the first floor.  His collection just felt really smart; each photo composed meticulously. They weren't just capturing moments. These photos were active, intentional, and generally fun. See more of his work at http://www.rodneysmith.com/.

Sundays are Meant for Eating

"In Spain, coming home before 3am isn’t going out, it’s going to dinner."

I woke up this morning at  the late late hour 10:38 am (big deal for me since I get up at 7 am most days) due to a fun fun night of salsa dancing ending around 4am. However for some inexplicable reason I decided to wash the dishes when I got home so I didn't get to sleep until a bit later. ANYWAYS all that is to say, I also had a late breakfast/American lunch of yogurt and muesli. 

Then just a couple of hours later I had a lovely and super long Spanish lunch with my roommate and her sister, brother-in-law, and their precious kids. Man was it legit, basically a 5 course meal. We broke out the fancy table cloth, used the gold-rimmed tea set and everything. But hey its just Sunday.

Apple Cake

Oh and for you coffee lovers to whose tastes I've been so staunchly opposed, I no longer abhor coffee. I can now tolerate it with loads of milk and sugar. The Leche Manchada has brought me around just a tad (thank you Carson Miller for that suggestion). 

Then later tonight I hope to start making the Thanksgiving treats for my classes. And by Thanksgiving, I mean just an apple dessert since I could not find pumpkin puree or corn syrup (for Pecan pie).  Apples seems to evoke Americana well enough and since a cake is a easier than a pie here I am. I've also bought two cans of whip cream that are dangerously close to never making it to the classroom. But enough my of foodie tendencies.

Alcazaba

It has been a couple weeks since I've shared my gallivanting. I've had a bit a of a writers block, so my apologies.  In the mean time I've watch loads of Castle (flirty witty banter; how could I resist?) and X- Factor (do yourself a favor and look up James Arthur start at 3:33). Despite being a bit of a hermit, though my pictures may depict otherwise,  I did manage to make my way over to Almeria for the puente ( aka long weekend) at the beginning of November.

Almeria is coastal city with a desert landscape and the hometown of David Bisbal what up Ave Maria. 'Tis also the residence of fellow auxiliares Lindsay and Cathy, who I mentioned came by Granada in my last post.We hiked up to Alcazaba, which is a fortified complex with gardens, ruins, and castle cats. There also happens to be a petting zoo nearby, however we did not venture over.

BUT my favorite part of this trip was Saturday when we caught the bus to Tabernas, a mere 40 minutes away. Tabernas, Spain: home of the filming sets of Mini Hollywood, Western Leone, and Fort Bravo. You may recognize the sets and landscape in movies like Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and the list goes on. However for me it was the hallowed ( if I can say that in a non-sacrilegious way) ground where the Doctor and his companions walked!

I'm slightly obsessed with a certain TV show about time and space traveling alien. A couple months ago the crew of Doctor Who shot "A Town Called Mercy" at Fort Bravo. Lindsay and Cathy can tell you I was just a little bit giddy finding the different shots from the episode.

There was also a cheesy but fun saloon show and wagon rides around the set. The three of us wandered around the Old Western town, Mexican pueblo, and the teepees across the ravine. Unfortunately we had to cut out time short before the horse show, otherwise we would have been stuck there until 10pm that night.

During the course of the weekend we also visited a spectacular market and a photography exhibit but I need to get started on my apple cake my kids are spoiled. , so I'll leave that for part 2.

Me, saloon man, Cathy, Lindsay

 If you want to see more of my Almeria/Tabernas photos check out my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/astraya/sets/72157632022178975/