March 23, 2010

Moments of Magic


 Our little grocery store gets busy as the day goes on, but here it is just opening

I’ve been waking before sunrise. 
Between our own stress from too many work deadlines (but I’m not complaining, the cruising kitty is refilling) and the sympathetic stress I’m feeling for friends who are deep in preparations for their South Pacific crossings, I’ve got insomnia.
 Morning tortillas are fresh warm pillows of goodness

Jumping into the day isn’t the way to go though, so I walk. Either with Maia, with a few friends, or both--We head off and explore our little corner of Mexico, watching as it begins to greet the day.
 I'm not a fan of chicharones, but considering how many are made each day, someone is...

When Maia was little, she used to complain about our 1.5 km walk to school. So I used to tell her to watch for the moments of magic that happened, just for her. I think my mum told me something similar, because rather than scolding or cajoling me when I didn’t want to walk, she simply pointed out the things I could only see at walking speed; footprints from a bird in the roadside dust, the way that the light fell on a tree, or a puppy playing under a bush…
 We've watched these puppies grow up on our morning walk

The idea for our morning walk was to go fast, and get some much needed exercise. But with each passing day we've added someone (or something) new to the route. Today we had to stop and greet storekeepers and puppies, a burro and some pigs, several chicken and chicks, and a child or two. We’re very slow when we walk now. No faster than a sailboat, really.

 Terco the burro (his name means stubborn) is a highlight of the morning walk

But there are so many moments of magic, just for me.

7 comments:

Seven C's said...

It sounds like such a relaxing walk! I truly wish that we had more time while we were there. one week is not nearly enough!

Anonymous said...

http://www.worldhum.com/features/tom-swick/not-a-tourist-20100322/

in case you are interested, if not there's the erase key...

btw, luv ur blog - thx, 2 lazy 2 trvl myself!

Diane, Evan, Maia and Charlie the cat said...

What a great piece, Anon. Thanks for that.

Diane, Evan, Maia and Charlie the cat said...

Tim, You kids would have loved it. I'm glad you all got home safely, I look forward to reading about your impressions of the trip on your blog.
-d

karen said...

i need to steal some of this attitude/mindset....... :)

boatbaby said...

Love the photos and the slow virtual stroll through Mexico (and by the way, kindly tell Maia to stop growing to much so fast!)
Also, with all that work stressing you out, you may want to change the we "quit our jobs" part of your header there ;) Or just drink more and work less!

Anonymous said...

you liked tom swick, i raise you jessica love. just in case you lack a good read, which you are providing for me.

http://www.theamericanscholar.org/they-get-to-me/

btw, thx agn, anon