"The Beauty that Surrounds Me"

I'm sitting on the floor of our garage, staring through the black iron gates that separates the house from the street - It is (well, was) pouring outside. In front of me, through these gates I see this house, old, beaten, maybe even a little rusty. The little bit of sky that I can see is foggy and cloudy. Three birds just flew down onto the sidewalk and grabbed some crumbs to eat. What I see here in San Jose, outside of my house, on my walk to and from school, even the old rusty house in front of 'mine' is a beauty that is taken for granted. A beauty the many people don't notice. Why is this rusty house beautiful? This red and white rusty house is beautiful because it is different. It is different from all the houses in America, at least any of the ones I have seen. Different, has always been beautiful to me. I think my thoughts have just taken me into a new direction with this. Maybe I'll hit on that later, for now, I'll keep typing about the beauty.

My city, Zapote, in San Jose is surrounded by mountains. I can't say if it is small or large because I am not sure if I have even seen half of it. Because there are so many parts that I have yet to explore. You might even be surprised to know I have yet to go to downtown San Jose - where the outdoor open market is. That, has just been due to lack of time, laziness, and lack of someone to go with. This is a task I hope to complete within the next week! (Although I have been saying that for the past two.)

Everyday I walk to school. I walk down this long street of my neighborhood. Walk past a bread bakery, a small childcare center where (on days when it is not rainy) the children are out playing. Past some key making place and this little "fast food" restaurant ("El Lobo") which has become a favorite for several of my gringo friends. Then take a left onto another street in the neighborhood, where the houses are located in a different direction, allowing me to see the mountains behind us. In the evenings, on a semi-cloudy day, this view is one of the most beautiful things I feel I get to look at here. The sun sets behind the clouds, with its rays shining through. The reflection of whatever it is that causes the gorgeous colors, lights up the sky with colors of orange, red, and pink. And in the background of these clouds and the setting sunlight, are the mountains. If I were to take a picture, mountains would only look like, boring mountains. Which they are (maybe not so boring if we were to know whats up there, but definitely simple and plain) But with the rest of nature's beauty adding to the mountains, whether it be the sun, the clouds, or the old rusty red house, this city is beautiful. This country is beautiful. And I am very blessed to be able to live in an area such as this.

(Oh the many other things I have in mind to type, BUT my friend just called me and we are to meet up at the school so we can go shopping. Good thing this was not a paper for school, for if it was, I would fail it, because the conclusion was terrible! No matter, the conclusion sitting in my head is better, and suits me just fine. Unfortunately, you all do not get the oportunity to read that conclusion. Not today at least.)

Many hugs and kisses from me to you all.
Believe it or not, I do think about you all daily.
Hope you all are taking good care of yourselves, your friends, and your family!
See you in a few months.
Britt