So I actually starting writing this post about a week ago and was going to make a joke about how whenever anyone in Spain finds out you are American, the first question you always get it “Hillary or Trump?” Usually following this is some laughter about the fact that anyone would actually support Trump…expect for the fact that quickly became the reality of the world a week ago. Now I usually just get the question of “Rachel, what is wrong with America and why did that happen?” to which I usually just have to shrug and say “I wish I knew….”
It has been interesting being on this side of the world during this time and being able to experience first hand the impact that the USA has throughout the world. I was talking with my intercambio (someone you meet with to practice both Spanish and English), and she was so upset because she was finally getting close to having enough money to go visit the states, but it now very worried that she will not get a visa or would not be treated well upon arrival. As Abigail said, “We will all be in Spain in January so we might as well accidentally miss our plane tickets home.”
Found the Mona Lisa!
On a happier note, in my ceramics class we are just beginning our final project which is making tea bowls. Last week we had a lesson on the history of the tea bowl and how the symbolism and importance is much more than just a vessel to carry tea. My professor ended by reading us a long poem about the bowl and I wanted to share an excerpt of it with y’all….
Para entrar en una relación armónica con la naturaleza y los cinco sentidos: (to enter into a harmonious relationship with nature and the five senses)
Oído…para escuchar el agua y disfrutar del silencio exterior (hearing…to listen to the water and to enjoy the outside silence)
Finally got to enjoy some fall colors!
Vista…para apreciar la belleza del entorno y de los objetos (sight…to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and objects)
Luxembourg gardens in Paris
Tacto…para valorar la calidad y textura de los objetos utilizados (touch…to value the quality and texture of the objects used)
Notre Dame
Sacre Coeur
Olfato…para apreciar los aromas del entorno y del propio te (smell…to appreciate the aromas of the surroundings and of the tea itself)
Catacombs – Paris
Gusto…para saborear el matcha verde (taste…to savour the green matcha)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Besos,
Rachel
My Spanish Siesta 
A beautiful statement, Rachel. Re: the president-elect. Many are devastated!!! to say the least. I worked the polls. A huge turnout that was frightening to me because I thought it indicated the depth of passion toward Trump. Europe must be scratching their heads. Have you heard the latest protest symbol–a safety pin. Very creative.
Thanks so much for your wonderful photos–always with your wonderful smile. Love, Grandma P.
On Mon, Nov 14, 2016 at 3:58 AM, My Spanish Siesta wrote:
> rachelwiggans posted: “So I actually starting writing this post about a > week ago and was going to make a joke about how whenever anyone in Spain > finds out you are American, the first question you always get it “Hillary > or Trump?” Usually following this is some laughter about t” >
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Rachel Thanks for the updates and the photos. Paris looks great (although the catacombs are a bit creepy) Have a happy Thanksgiving. Uncle Dave
Sent from my iPhone
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