Week 21

He loves his job, a lot, because it helps him remember a past that he has never lived, but about which he heard many a story by his forefathers.

Tourists don't come too often, because there's nothing much for one to see in his parts of the wood anymore; a few impalas, a lonely antelope maybe, some zebras, and if they really get lucky they can even catch a glimpse of an old lion that has probably lost its way and wandered here.

But these few things, these few animals, are more than enough for him, since they give him the chance to meet and converse with a few foreigners, which in turn allows him to escape the constant boredom and walk for once again in the misty landscapes of his ancestors.

Week 19

She likes more than anything to walk in the woods, as it makes her feel more like herself - a self that she's lost somewhere in the city streets.

She loses herself in nature as often as she can, but she always feels a bit empty inside, as she no longer seems able to enjoy its beauty the way she should. Many times she thinks about giving everything up and, better late than never, coming back to her roots, but then something happens that doesn't allow the thought to become an act. If it did…

If it did maybe she'd once again feel just as happy as in the past. Like when she knew all the names of the trees and the flowers and could recognize the chirping of most birds. Like when… but…

Week 16

When they first met none of them two could predict the future. They found each other by pure chance, at a party, and then they found themselves fatefully, in a garden.

From the very beginning they felt something, something new and exciting for each other - something like an expectation and a premonition. "I want to know you better," their eyes cried out, and that command none of them could disobey.

It's been years since then and they are still together. In the same city, at the very same house, and in parks and restaurants, pubs and town squares; enjoying their everlasting love's eternal words and some marvelous silences.

Week 14

"What am I doing here?" she seems to wonder. The truth is she likes the place and the art, and she simply loves the feelings that come to life inside of her when she sees some other people's work but… But she's somewhere else.

"Where is he now?" Where? And why is he not here? Why is he almost never here? She's asked him to accompany her to this short trip, but he refused to do so. Perhaps because he didn't want to. Or maybe because her interests were different from his.

"You are cat", someone said to her once. "A stupid cat, that's what I am", she now thinks as she climbs on top of the car and lets her gaze, a little bit bright, a little bit wet, wander inside, seeking some new answers.

Week 11

Some people say that I'm pretty. Am I? I know not. What I do know is that I like to laugh, a lot. My laughter lights the world, my mother says; but she's my mother after all, what else would she say?

In the picture above you can see me celebrating the Festival of Water or Loy Krathong, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This festival marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy one.

For three days (and more, actually) we eat, drink, and participate in endless water fights and have tons of fun, placing for awhile all our troubles aside. The water, as it flows, plentiful, seems to wash everything clear, our bodies and souls. This is a thing of wonder and joy for me, and makes me smile wider still.