Lately, instead of watching the news, I’ve been watching the sunset. It’s true, the water washes everything away. The news. The pick-pocketers. The bus strikes. The warning notices from the Embassy regarding the bus strikes. The growling dog. The screeching car brakes. You get the picture.
But here is a better one.
When I walk home from school, I can either take the high road (the Malecon, which is the green cliff of Lima), or the low road, right on the ocean. It’s about ninety minutes door to door from my classroom to sofa, about the same distance as my office was in Chicago to my apartment in Wrigleyville.
Still, work seems to find me when I’m trying to lose myself. That’s because my phone has been butt-dialing lately. A call to a colleague. A call to Chile. A group call, possibly including this guy.
Walking home also helps me boycott UBER, which is a necessity in a country where safety changes block by block. So why am I boycotting UBER? My phone was stolen in Chile in January, the thieves charging sixty dollars worth of take-out, and American Express (in spite of their “Don’t leave home without it image) is sticking me with the bill. UBER will not return calls. Actually, UBER does not respond to complaints. Read this response from Seth at the New York Times. He took an interest in my debacle:
So instead of steaming, I walked home along the ocean and saw these nuns let her hair down. Or their habits. They are not worrying about a squabble over a take-out bill from two months ago. They are enjoying the moment.
Lesson learned. Walking home along the ocean doesn’t seem long–it seems to find the vibrancy that that gets lost in the daily grind.
Surfers also life in perspective. While I’m thinking about dangling modifiers, they peel off their wetsuits or dare hitting the waves once again. My sister actually called me when I saw this guy hit the waves..which is why I couldn’t hear her all that well.
So, that’s my new remedy to fight stress. Taking in the sunset and letting go of it all.
The last one to leave? Turn off the lights, please!
Loved your story Ginger! I’ll have to follow your example to release some stress as well!
Thanks for sharing!
Ginger, despite your unfortunate story, I enjoyed it.
Really enjoyed your story, Ginger!
You’re lucky to have the beach nearby.
I might have to take a page from your book and find a way to release some stress too
Thanks for sharing!