Day 44
Tuesday
Some mornings I’m sure I wake up in a different body than I went to sleep in. This morning I wondered who switched me for a sickly body. That sleepy head fog didn’t clear as I took the train to work because it was a sinus headache, settling in like the San Francisco fog, there for sometime. And that itchy throat started raising some racket of its own, clawing coughs every now and then. And my nose seemed to have forgotten itself, and more importantly its crucial purpose; it rather fancied being a leaky faucet today. And just to make sure I didn’t smile away my sick status with the sunny weather, rain clouds barged in to make me blue. Who really wants to feel better when the weather just makes you want to go to bed?
Being sick puts you into a silly mood. You notice odd little peculiarities and you miss the big obvious road signs (like the green light to cross the street until you’re pushed from behind to go). I walk into my school and right by a huge nativity scene without taking note. I literally have to detour to get around it. Vooomp. Doesn't register. But when I come down to the teacher’s lounge during a rainy indoor recess day I stop and stare. Another teacher approaches my bewildered face and asks if I had ever seen a Nativity Scene before. I say, well, obviously, I’m from America; it’s called the Bible Belt. I tell her I’m just wondering why it’s in the school. (Because after all, Zapatero (prez of Spain) told the Pope when he came to give the inauguatory mass at La Sagrada Familia (the most beautiful basilica ever in Barcelona) he quite bluntly told the Pope that he was welcome to visit, but would do well to remember that Spain is a NON-DEMONINATIONAL country, no longer officially catholic, and all the while hundreds of gay couples participated in a protest outside of the Sagrada Familia, with an encore of all the couples kissing.) So this is why I wondered about the Nativity Scene. So soon, in a public school, that’s not allowed to be Christian? Her response, “Well, it’s Christmas.” (Ergo it’s okay.) hmmmmmm…..
Sidestepping Christmas in class we’ve been talking about Thanksgiving. Attempting to teach the kids a bit more thoroughly than Pocahontas might. It’s hilarious; more classes are disgusted by the idea of stuffing and green beans. Oh cultural differences.
It’s a misty day as I walk home…walk to bed. Some days just need to be over with the minute they begin.
Love you all dearly. Off to dream about when I see you again.
No comments:
Post a Comment