Parque Las Heras

I think about my time here, and the people I’ve met. Sometimes I wonder if we’d all be friends under “normal” circumstances, but I’ve learned something from each one of them. That’s the cool thing about travel: you’ve gotta take what you get and learn to work with it. Your friendships take form from common interest and location, instead of similar upbringings and family. Both are correct. But out in the world (be it on the road or from a backpack – or in my case: two suitcases and a couple of carry-ons) you fend for yourself and pick up friends along the way. What’s the point in being rude to anyone? We’re all just passing through. There’s obviously some kind of common thread that binds us together. Why else would we all be here? We’re all in this together. And somehow, I find that comforting. “Hey, I’ve got nothing to do but smile” (Paul Simon.)

I really love urban living. Public transportation, big trees big sky big buildings, parks, cafes. Apartments right next to stores on top of restaurants. Out of millions of people, bumping into someone you know at a bar in a store on the street. Wind and birds and dogs and park benches. Families and schoolchildren in uniforms. Teenagers making out in the parks. Fashionable people. Yoga in the park. Political activism- -- This girl runs funny. I can’t decide if she’s bow-legged or just flat-footed. People play weird games here. They also think they’re really good at something when they’re not. Is this some kind of… gymnastic training? A warm up perhaps? Four teenagers jog in a circle. One clap means change directions. Two means jump. Three means jump and turn mid-air. What’s next? Now they’re walking. Criss-crossing each other in a weird pattern. Two boys, one girl in a skirt with black leggings underneath, the other girl wears jeans. She’s in forced-arch relevée. The boy across from her mirrors her position. Now all four are mimicking her pose, in a cross formation. Their arms jut out like sleeping zombies. These kids are spastic. They look like Special Olympians trying to imitate African tribal dancers. Now the girl in jeans is being pulled around by an invisible string. Perhaps this is an acting troupe? An older couple walks by holding hands. People hold hands a lot here— it’s like being in love is a badge you want to show off to everyone else. I think it’s silly that all the girls here get jealous so easily; they’re all so beautiful. But apparently the boys all cheat – possibly because the girls are all so pretty. Now the dancing troupe reminds me of Peter and The Lost Boys dancing around the Indian Chief’s fire. I can't watch anymore.

Live your life, and be okay with it. People’s schedules don’t revolve around yours. And that's okay, that usually means they're doing something with their lives, which will make them more interesting people. Or at least easier to talk to. Let people enter and leave as they please. If they are important, they will stay; if they aren’t, they will pass. Trust that things will work out. “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment” (Oscar Wilde.) Learn from your mistakes. Be careful with the hearts of others. Spend time alone with your thoughts every day. Sing laugh dance and play. Pray for others, say thanks. Try to hug someone each day. Eat your vegetables. Spend time outside; experience your world – even if it’s just your backyard. When you discover your passion, pursue it. Have as many hobbies as you do friends. Find the balance between cockiness and fishing-for-compliments (hint: it’s usually honesty.)