Books Worth a Look

  • Little Bee by Chris Cleave - This book is a must read. Better than anything else I've read, it takes you vividly into the life of a person in the 3rd world who has no choice but to escape. It is brilliantly written & works well as an audio book. Often I've sent info about the wonderful refugees I've met in Europe. We know only so much of their plight as it is painful for them to recall much less live through again by recounting it. But over time it is clear what they've lived through. This book is excellent as you discover the horrors of their world. Somewhat how to me, it is like being in Europe near a Concentration Camp. One has an obligation to visit it. 'Never to Forget.' In this case, to have our eyes opened.
  • Garbage King by Eliz Laird - The book is set on the streets on Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia and here lives Mamo and his sister Tiggist. When Mamo's "uncle" offers a job, he soon sets out on a bus to work. Little does he know that he is actually being sold into slavery...

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Biking in snow, Rijksmuseum, English lessons con Español, emergency room !

Emergency Room

No it was not me. My friend, Arian, sliced his finger to the bone. It was unclear as to whether to go, so we went to the hospital ER. Natural stitches & an excuse not to wash pots & pans for a week!

He was most anxious about stitches & pain from alcohol. He endured being deserted on the streets of Holland, survived nights living on the street, and a few stitches were scaring him. We laughed!

Biking in the Snow

Woke to about 2 inches of snow. Would I walk & take the metro to church OR bike. After looking carefully at the map and a quick consult (!), I decided why not. It was like a winter wonderland. Bike paths in the outskirts of Amsterdam go through woods and p[at areas to walking path in communities back home.

I am determined now to learn how to download pictures etc. so I can send/post them.

After church and a ride back, it was off to the Rijksmuseum. http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/ Do look at the page, images of one of my favorite artist are displayed in running fashion. Breathtaking museum as was the Van Gogh the day before. Fortunately I have been to both so could leisurely enjoy them this visit.

Español

Maria from Cuba and I concluded our English lessons. She is a very bright and avid learner. We will continue working on our languages. I will email in Spanish and she will reply in English - both with some suggestions. She earned a degree in architecture in Cuba. Regrettably politics infects all there.


Off to London today!


Cheers.




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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this post. If you are fond of Art works and painting, so you must Dutch golden age, Amstellerdam . Amstellerdam is the capital and largest city of Netherlands.Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world.In Amsterdam there are many attractive places to see. Other attractions are Historical Museum, Jewish Historic Museum and Rembrandthuis. For more details refer Rijksmuseum in amsterdam

February 2, 2010 at 2:54 AM

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REFLECTIONS & ARTICLES

Thoughts on the amazing people I get to meet.

Rich, my 19 year old friend, soon to be Franciscan and recent community member at Haley House in Boston. An article he wrote.

http://www.capuchinfranciscans.org/pdf/2008%2003%2011%20CVO%20Update%20A%20community%20of%20two%20tables.pdf