Today my entry is in english.
Amsterdam yesterday.
They have an expression here in the Netherlands: embrace the Gezellig. I can only say that it happened to me spontaneously, without even knowing about it. This particular Dutch quality is one amazing reason to visit this country. It can be translated as cozy, snug, friendly...is something more easily experienced that defined. But it has been the constant during this week in my work, friends, students and travels.
There is a sense of time slowing down. A connection with the present moment that has allowed me to forget my worries and troubles. There is this joy, warm and fuzzy feeling that has come to me in diverse situations: in the shala, in the tram, just looking through the window and watching a mother in her bike with three babies, the calmness of the canals in the city and the endless possibilities for my life that slowly start coming to the surface.
First stop: Anne´s Frank house. I can only say that this girl was a wise spirit and her strength, with that of her parents, sister and friends, surpasses any ideas of strength that i may have thought i had. They lived for more that two years in hiding, in fear, in the darkness. In silence, in whispers and anticipation. They were discovered and brought to a concentration camp just before the war ended. Such a paradox and also such a huge lesson for all of us.
She longed to ride in the park, feel the sun in her face, breath the fresh air. Normal things we all take for granted. She was young and full of innocence. Missed love, growing up and living in freedom. Her father was the only one in the family who survived and he dedicated his life to promote the writings of his daughter. I came out of the museum in silence, deeply touched. How much pain can a human being inflict another?
Speaking about pain, next stop was the legendary Van Gogh´s Museum. His paintings reflect that profound inner conflict we all have deep inside: the pull of spirit and flesh. His master pieces were not appreciated during his lifetime and he lived a very modest life. His art happened because his brother Theo supported him throughout his 37 years of life.
I could feel the love between this two brothers as the blood that supplied Van Gogh´s art. His lack of acknowledgement during his lifetime was painful for him since he wanted to become financially independent from Theo. His mental state became worse and worse and he decided to go voluntarily to a mental institution. There he could paint everyday and actually produced one canvas per day. A very productive stage in his life.
When Theo had a son and named him Vincent like his brother, he painted a beautiful almond tree with buds and flowers for his nephew. It was a gift for his nursery. I didn´t know this painting and thought it was the most beautiful one of all. Such tenderness and pain in the oil. Few weeks after this he committed suicide. He loved his brother so much he didn´t want to be a burden to him now that he had a family. Theo followed him very closely and died six months after Vincent. Their connection was so strong.
Amsterdam streets, cafés and canals look different after i understand more about these two giants. Their courage, their fears. Their dreams, their nightmares. All of it i can find in her diary and his canvas. The human predicament so clear and pristine through their example and intense presence.
After walking around with my friend for about seven hours, we end up in an indian restaurant with a huge dancing Shiva. Our warm food and tasty wine helps unwind the day. I feel touched and grateful at the same time. My heart has brought me to a place that i needed to see, without even knowing this giants were here.
The path opens ahead and who knows what it will bring. But i feel inspired by the passion and commitment of these souls. The journey unfolds in mysterious ways for all of us and it helps to know some spirits have fought truly immense battles and still, have blessed us all with their art and heroism. As i get ready to go out in a beautiful spring afternoon, i thank my soul for guiding my path with such grace into this land. New friends close to my heart, sincere students with lots of studentship and the feeling of being in the right place at the right time.
All that i take back.
Knowing this trip is only the first of many more into this wonderful, unexpectedly warm and cozy Gezellig land.
Amsterdam yesterday.
They have an expression here in the Netherlands: embrace the Gezellig. I can only say that it happened to me spontaneously, without even knowing about it. This particular Dutch quality is one amazing reason to visit this country. It can be translated as cozy, snug, friendly...is something more easily experienced that defined. But it has been the constant during this week in my work, friends, students and travels.
There is a sense of time slowing down. A connection with the present moment that has allowed me to forget my worries and troubles. There is this joy, warm and fuzzy feeling that has come to me in diverse situations: in the shala, in the tram, just looking through the window and watching a mother in her bike with three babies, the calmness of the canals in the city and the endless possibilities for my life that slowly start coming to the surface.
First stop: Anne´s Frank house. I can only say that this girl was a wise spirit and her strength, with that of her parents, sister and friends, surpasses any ideas of strength that i may have thought i had. They lived for more that two years in hiding, in fear, in the darkness. In silence, in whispers and anticipation. They were discovered and brought to a concentration camp just before the war ended. Such a paradox and also such a huge lesson for all of us.
She longed to ride in the park, feel the sun in her face, breath the fresh air. Normal things we all take for granted. She was young and full of innocence. Missed love, growing up and living in freedom. Her father was the only one in the family who survived and he dedicated his life to promote the writings of his daughter. I came out of the museum in silence, deeply touched. How much pain can a human being inflict another?
Speaking about pain, next stop was the legendary Van Gogh´s Museum. His paintings reflect that profound inner conflict we all have deep inside: the pull of spirit and flesh. His master pieces were not appreciated during his lifetime and he lived a very modest life. His art happened because his brother Theo supported him throughout his 37 years of life.
I could feel the love between this two brothers as the blood that supplied Van Gogh´s art. His lack of acknowledgement during his lifetime was painful for him since he wanted to become financially independent from Theo. His mental state became worse and worse and he decided to go voluntarily to a mental institution. There he could paint everyday and actually produced one canvas per day. A very productive stage in his life.
When Theo had a son and named him Vincent like his brother, he painted a beautiful almond tree with buds and flowers for his nephew. It was a gift for his nursery. I didn´t know this painting and thought it was the most beautiful one of all. Such tenderness and pain in the oil. Few weeks after this he committed suicide. He loved his brother so much he didn´t want to be a burden to him now that he had a family. Theo followed him very closely and died six months after Vincent. Their connection was so strong.
Amsterdam streets, cafés and canals look different after i understand more about these two giants. Their courage, their fears. Their dreams, their nightmares. All of it i can find in her diary and his canvas. The human predicament so clear and pristine through their example and intense presence.
After walking around with my friend for about seven hours, we end up in an indian restaurant with a huge dancing Shiva. Our warm food and tasty wine helps unwind the day. I feel touched and grateful at the same time. My heart has brought me to a place that i needed to see, without even knowing this giants were here.
The path opens ahead and who knows what it will bring. But i feel inspired by the passion and commitment of these souls. The journey unfolds in mysterious ways for all of us and it helps to know some spirits have fought truly immense battles and still, have blessed us all with their art and heroism. As i get ready to go out in a beautiful spring afternoon, i thank my soul for guiding my path with such grace into this land. New friends close to my heart, sincere students with lots of studentship and the feeling of being in the right place at the right time.
All that i take back.
Knowing this trip is only the first of many more into this wonderful, unexpectedly warm and cozy Gezellig land.
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