Thoreau

"Every spirit builds itself a house, and beyond it's house a world, and beyond it's world a heaven. Know then that the world exists for you. For you is the phenomenon perfect. What we are, that only we can see...build therefore your own world. As fast as you conform your life to the pure idea in your mind, that will unfold its great proportions."

"When any scorn your love, let them see plainly that you serve not them but another. If these bars are up, go your way to other of God's pastures."

Florence: Siete bella!

Most definitely a city of love. It's thick in the air. I can see it in the way the lovers kiss in the park without lust or violence. The way people steadily ride their bicycles. The tone in the voices of the women. Random smiles are returned. The Duomo is incredibly intricate. An architectual act of passion. No, I don't think there's anything like this in the U.S. But it's not something I can convey to you. You would just have to come here yourself.

I could get used to this very easily.

Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got, I'm still Jesus from the block

Went to the Vatican Museum today. A lot of art depicting violent battles, a sad skinny Christ and popes with smiles with everyone from paupers to kings bowing before them. Is this the essence of Catholicism? Lots of extravagance, lots of money spent here. I couldn't help but wonder where this power came from...did the Crusades have something to do with it? Possibly. Remember those fashionable lanyards from about 7 years ago: What Would Jesus Do? I think that the Catholic church should have pondered this a bit more over the years. Would Christ approve of these castle-like monuments being built in his name? I'm not denouncing Catholicism altogether. I think Mother Theresa is a great example Catholicism at it's best. Also, on the streets just outside of the Vatican City I saw a monk kneeling down and talking to a homeless youth. This is how I like to see Catholicism. And while I'm on the topic, does anyone else think Pope Benidict XVI looks evil as hell? May God bless us all.

Letter to Dublin

Dear Dublin,
I've seen your pubs, where the stout is your blood. The music of the old harp rings far and wide like your rolling green mountains. Voices howl with humility and smiles, a spirit that can't be defeated saying "We're all in it together, come what may..."
And I've seen your clubs, where you paint a mask on and sell yourself as bait and place yourself on the hook. You learn and obediently recite the songs from the falling empire. Can you not realize you're quieting your own heart? I can see this happening, don't you?
Only because you've charmed me so greatly I write this letter to you. Turn back now! Avoid the stagnant water and recognize it's effect on the fight that's born into you. Let the mandolins and flutes sing your joy and sadness.
Thanks for everything.

Jeremiah

The Italian Girl

She sank into my shoulder like red wine

Calm and desperate

As the last light of the sunset

Both children, both parents

Cradling one another

Her ancient eyes dangling

And her face was long

The room danced around us

Day 1 in Londontown

I was up all night the day before yesterday traveling so my plan was to just find my room and take a little walk around the neighborhood. It turned into a pretty elaborate walking tour of London!

Picadilly is the major tourist center of London; it's like a mini Times Square. From there, I wandered into Trafalgar Square, a big area with old buildings, statues, fountains and pigeons. By this point, I was in awe....the black taxis, the double decker buses, the cops with funny hats...it was all here! It's cool to see buildings several hundred years old or more standing alongside modern businesses. In the square was the National Gallery museum, which was free (all major British museums are) They had a lot of spectacular paintings but the Van Gough gallery was unreal. To see his sunflower painting, chair painting and the one I couldn't drag myself away from, his cypress tree painting. Usually, I just get chills for an instant, but this was a wave of chills! The colors are so brilliant in person.

From here, I wandered into St. James park. It was huge, with complimentary lawn chairs and a lake. I sat down with a sandwich and enjoyed listening to the English accents around me...can't get enough of it! I walked around and tried to strike up conversations with the girls of London. They acted much like girls do in most major cities. I noticed that London girls had this certain look in their eye that I couldn't explain. Kind of like there was still a little girl inside them saying, No, mummy, I want the PINK one!! Miss Piggy-like, almost. But no disrespect they were very polite. And so was everyone else I talked to. Definitely puts San Francisco to shame in the way of friendliness.

There is a large middle eastern population here and the segregation (or seperation?) was apparant already. In the National Gallery, there was one class of white children with one tour and another class of brown children with another. I also saw a protest group of brown people...something about food trade..I'll post the pics when I get home.

I saw Big Ben in the distance, and wandered over there. It wasn't as big as I thought it would be! But it is quite elaborate in person. Pictures don't do it justice. The house of Parlament (I think it's called?) looks amazing from behind. Remember the explosion scene in V for Vendetta? Next to it was another park, much smaller than the first. I saw a girl dressed in earth tones and a sun dress so I approached her and struck up a conversation. It felt good after all those dodgy Brits in the other park. She was from Canada and was just here for a day before leaving to do some non-profit stuff in Bali, India. We shared some music and exchanged Facebooks and I went on my way.

I grabbed some groceries and wandered through the West End (Theatre productions and gay district) until I reached my hostel. Then I made friends with 4 girls across the hallway and the Brazilian father and son I was rooming with. What a day! I was beat! As dusk hit, I went to bed.

Now, it's early in day 2, I'm well rested and London is my oyster.

This is stupendous.