Womanseyeview's Blog

Exploring ones roots

Posted on April 22, 2013 by womanseyeview

When the invitation came it took us by surprise. Yes our roots were in Britain but with grandparents gone and the passing of my father those days were relegated to a corner of my consciousness. My mother at age 80 wasn’t sure that she would ever return but the invitation from her cousin in Seasalter, England read simply: “We have never met but our Dad’s were brothers…I have decided to host a get together for as many cousins and family who can make it…My mum Mary, 91 years old will be there…”.

With four weeks notice we have decided to travel from Canada – how could we not?

The get-together is in Seasalter, close to Whitstable in Kent, England and afterwards we will travel down to South Wales where the family I remember from my youth is from…where my mother was born and so was I, many years ago (photo of the two of us from 1955). It will be a bitter sweet return with so many loved ones now gone but one we want to make together.

Posted in Life, Puzzles and Contradictions, Thoughts, Travel | Tagged England, Family reunions, Mothers and daughters, Seasalter | 4 Comments

Don’t cry for me Argentina!

Posted on March 27, 2013 by womanseyeview

I’m no amatuer when it comes to figuring our the ‘politics’ of a situation – be they partisan, gender, class or other. However a recent visit to Beautiful Buenos Aires had me a little perplexed on a number of levels – let me try and explain…

There is a cult of Eva/Evita Peron in Argentina that is unlike anything anywhere else in the world. Those of you who have seen Madonna in the musical Evita will have a leg up on this unique phenomenon. Worshiping Evita though is not necessarily the same thing as being a Peronist – which was the Party headed by her husband General Juan Peron. He participated in a couple of military coups as a young soldier but with Eva’s help he discovered the working class and won a short lived democratic election with the support of the unions.

Eva/Evita died tragically of cancer at the age of 33 and even without the help of the church has attained sainthood in her own country. Everyone wants to associate themselves with her memory whichever Peronist party they come from…sigh… yes there are a few. This poster shows the late President Nestor Kirchner with his wife the current President Christine Kirchner bookended by Juan and Eva Peron. With me so far?

Many buildings have her image affixed to them – although someone on our walking tour actually asked the guide – “who’s the dude on the building eating the hamburger?”

Her body ‘now’ lies under four layers of concrete in the Duarte family mausoleum -that was her birth name although her father’s family didn’t recognise her until she became famous…complicated. I say ‘now’ because her embalmed corpse was kidnapped and went missing for over 16 years even causing the murder of another President for his involvement in its kidnapping – don’t ask!

They also have a museum to her memory (if you get to BA don’t miss this!) and although it is propagandist to the hilt, it’s fascinating. Her dress, shoe and hat collection are impressive and there is a great portrait of her as Madonna – not the one who played her in the movie – the Mary version.

Even my level headed friend Cheryl got carried away with the adoration and started giving a speech from the Evita balcony of the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace)!

Well I was going to go on to the politics of the new Argentine Pope but I’m exhausted from trying to keep this all straight so maybe another time.

Posted in History, Photography, Puzzles and Contradictions, Thoughts, Travel, Uncategorized, Walking | Tagged Argentina, Argentine history, Argentine politics, Eva Peron, Evita | 1 Comment

Buenos Aires – a world class walking city

Posted on March 24, 2013 by womanseyeview

What makes a great walking city? Streets with unique character, lots of people, distinct neighbourhoods, parks to sit and cafe’s to refresh and people watch, good public transit…that would be my list and Buenos Aires would be among the top contenders. On a recent visit to BA with my friend Cheryl we spent a week exploring the city, constantly pausing to admire the amazing architecture with something new around each corner.

Many buildings have a faded elegance harkening back to a more affluent era but like many faded beauty’s – still lovely.

There are neighbours who are so different yet compliment each other in their contrasting styles like these two in San Telmo.

Puerto Madero, once a derelict Port has risen from the ashes with its new parks and walkways and dramatic Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge).

Historical treasures have been repurposed – surely the Ford dealership at the base of this regal structure has a crown like no other.

The modern stands with the quirky and the Belle Epoch.

Sometimes it conjures up NYC’s Central Park or Barcelona’s Gaudi styles. But always with its own Buenos Aires touch.

There are the stately structures like the Argentine Congress building’s or the BA Cathedral.

And the official like the French Embassy building.

And always there are the requisite parks to take a moment and rest your weary feet before you hit the streets again looking for a great cafe.

Posted in History, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, Walking | Tagged Buenos Aires architecture, Buenos Aires walking | 5 Comments

A slower New York

Posted on March 12, 2013 by womanseyeview

There are some cities in the world that it is impossible to get tired of – London and Paris leap to my mind and so does New York. I admit I came to that feeling about New York later in life than some and it was influenced greatly by who I always most love to share the City with – my Ger.

So when it came time to celebrate a very special birthday and the chance to spend time with dear friends in a great City – it could only be New York.

Even though some talk about the bustle, this is a walking City and when you’re with champion walkers like our friends that is even more the case… although given an early spring storm we did compromise a bit on one of our days.

But the sun came out and we walked the full length of the High Line – an old, disused, raised rail line that runs through lower Manhattan. Thanks to the planning visionaries who had the foresight to turn it into a linear park instead of allowing developers to demolish it. In fact the greenway has led to a rejuvenation of the whole area with people now wanting to live near this special place.

Views while walking the High Line give you a whole new perspective on New York and what could be done in any City with the right priorities.

Walking New York gives you time to reflect on the fragility of life and the need to live our days as fully as we can. This view of the new Trade Centre tower rising, as seen from the somber memorial to the Irish immigrants who fled here to escape the potato famine helped us do…

Posted in Life, Photography, Puzzles and Contradictions, Thoughts, Travel, Walking | Tagged Great walks, High Line New York, New York architecture, New York City | 7 Comments

Adventures in Piedades

Posted on February 10, 2013 by womanseyeview

For a small country Costa Rica sure has a lot of mature Canadians and Americans living in condos – sometimes it feels like a hillier, less humid Florida. While the gated community lifestyle doesn’t appeal to me it certainly seems to be popular. I heard one older woman gush in the mega grocery store “it’s so great here, like living in the U.S. only the maids are cheaper!”

I’ve been coming here for nearly 20 years now in my pursuit of the Spanish language and I’ve had the privilege of home stays with families who hosted me because, quite honestly, they needed the money.

And over the years I’ve really come to enjoy wandering the narrow streets in the modest places where most ordinary Costarricense families have their homes. In a way they remind me of the working class mining villages in Wales that I knew as a young woman…but with smart phones… and SUVs… and flat screen TV’s and perfect weather…okay so maybe it isn’t like Wales!

So as my husband is teaching his annual course at the UN University for Peace I got to do a little wandering around the town we’re staying in – Piedades de Santa Ana. The University, through a generous donor, just acquired a former meditation centre called Quizur on one of the hills of Piedades and that is where we are housed.

In typical Costa Rican style it has its metal gates, as do even the most modest of homes here, but it blends in well with the community as well. It is reached up the typical one lane winding road that is the mark of villages everywhere here.

The village itself is bustling with buses, school children and neighbours visiting each other.

Perhaps they’re getting fitted for a new pair of handmade boots – the sign reads ‘we have a payment system’.

It seems though that a lot of Costa Rica is for sale these days to those wishing to escape the northern weather and congested cities. Let’s just hope it doesn’t loose its charming self in the process.

Posted in Life, Photography, Thoughts, Travel | Tagged Costa Rica, handmade boots, Piedades de Santa Ana, villages | 3 Comments

Gifts around us

Posted on February 8, 2013 by womanseyeview

Maybe when you’re in a different place you look more closely at your environment and marvel at the gifts that are there if you just open your eyes.

The tree out the back with its orange jewels glinting in the sun – juicy, sweet mandarins there for the taking if you wish…

And we did wish! And they didn’t disappoint.

This mango tree with all its bounty wasn’t yet ready to share.

A walk in the forest with a sudden glimpse of fiery red.

A trilling song and a little visitor nodding his yellow cap our way.

We’re all surrounded by such beauty wherever we are and all we need to do is truly look around at the gifts nature provides…

Of course that’s often easier to do if you’re not in the middle of a snowstorm!

Posted in Life, Photography, Thoughts, Travel | Tagged Costa Rica, nature, natures bounty, Santa Ana, simple things | 1 Comment

Airport Art?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by womanseyeview

Ger was the first one to introduce me to the concept of ‘airport art’ – a faux handicraft made to appeal to tourists, that doesn’t represent the country or culture it comes from.

Well in Costa Rica they’ve put a whole new twist on that expression – they took their airport and turned the runways into a huge city park and the architecturally unique terminal into an art museum open to the public for free on weekends…Airport Art takes on a new meaning.

Built in the 1930’s the terminal building which now houses national art is a glimpse into the more glamourous and exclusive past of air travel.

VIP reception room preserved from old terminal building.

In the 1970’s the airport was shut and Sabana Park, which is truly the lungs of this city, was born.

While there are many paintings, the bronze and wood sculptures are the ones that seem to capture the soul of this country. While some reside in the gardens around the museum, others are found on city streets as you’ll see from one of my earlier posts – a democratic access to art.

Giant bronze agricultural workers

Women walking and guest

Hand tree reaching from 1st level to second

Hand tree reaching from 1st level to 2nd

Posted in Photography, Thoughts, Travel | Tagged art museum of Costa Rica, Costa Rica, Democratic art, San Jose Costa Rica statues | 3 Comments

Simple San Jose Sunday

Posted on February 3, 2013 by womanseyeview

A lot of people rush through San Jose on their way to the sexier parts of Costa Rica. Ger and I have always felt comfortable here though – shabby and decidedly non-gentrified as it may be. So on a Sunday morning we set out to walk this City we have come to know over the past few years – a city whose commerce still mostly shuts down on this day.

Since 2003 however, they also shut down their main thoroughfare – Paseo Colon – for what is called ‘Smoke Free Family Sunday’s’. Activities of all kinds are facilitated and provided free of charge to encourage participation. Walking downtown we witnessed some of the fun families were having.

Municipality provides all the resources

The sports and recreation committee of the municipal government provide all the resources for the day and all families need to do is show up and play. What a great priority.

The Zumba dancers were very enthusiastic!

And unlike us some of the tourists even joined in the activity!

There were water slides, skate boarding and cycling activities.

And free face painting too.

And this strangely violent game for a country that prides itself on non-violence!

Some of our best times are spent watching families spend time together and the fact that San Jose as a community finds a way to prioritize family fun makes it a special city indeed.

Posted in Life, Photography, Travel | Tagged Costa Rica, environment, family | 2 Comments

December Daisy?

Posted on December 3, 2012 by womanseyeview

Today we received our first Christmas cards and the neighbourhood is starting to light up with colourful display’s of the season. Then there is the garden which appears a tad confused so I took some photos today to show what I mean.

A little frost worn but hanging in there.

It’s harder to know what season it is these days and I don’t think it’s a matter of me getting older. I mean, Christmas appeared in some stores in October even though there was a time you could count on some sort of semi dignified restraint until after Halloween.

And then there are the flowers that either hang in there or in the case of the two below decide that December would be a good time to bloom!

Bedraggled but determined December Primrose

A lonely December pansy

Of course the weather has some accountability for all this since we’ve gone from well below zero to plus 11 over the past few weeks so no wonder the flowers are confused about the seasons too. No lectures from me about consumerism or climate change but ask any gardener if things are a bit odd out there!

Posted in Life, Puzzles and Contradictions, Thoughts | Tagged climate change, contradictions, December flowers | 2 Comments

On being regarded a technical expert

Posted on September 16, 2012 by womanseyeview

It’s true that one person’s expert is another person’s idiot but right now I’m basking in the status of expert! My friend Cheryl (who sometimes mistakes me for smart and I enjoy the moment!) asked me to walk her through the process for adding a new post to her blog (cherylonthego@wordpress.com). It’s been a while since she’s posted and there are lots of us clamoring for updates when she soon visits Thailand with her sister Wendy. Cheryl has the sweetest little MacBook Air on which to input her comments, so that will be a big plus in the process. However if you’ve been a PC user, like Cheryl for decades, its sometimes hard to make the transition. It got me to thinking about how its possible to get comfortable with the technology but just like a language its better if you’ve been speaking it since you were a child. I hear so many friends comment these days that if they have trouble with anything, from DVD players to computers, they usually asked their grandchildren for advice. In reviewing the 1000’s of photos on my computer I found a few that give you a clue about why this happens!

Granddaughter Peyton taking notes for her blog

Yes, Peyton’s* less than a year old but it seems that an early start is normal these days and quickly becomes a natural part of life for young people.

And then by 18 months old Peyton* and her Dad Dylan were even blogging together…is it any wonder that we need to ask them for assistance so often!

By the age of six she was teaching Ger a few of the finer tricks of the technology. Her Grandfather had been an early convert to his Mac but she can show him the finer wonders of its tricks.

Working on her travel blog in Tobago

Peyton posting her travel blog in Tobago (age 7)!

So while I was able to work with Cheryl on her blog, the fact is that we don’t stand a chance in the face of younger generations and their fluency. But we sure have interesting things to say and a different perspective on life… so while our technical challenges may be many, our voices still need to be heard. That’s why we’re all looking forward to Cheryl’s blog from Thailand – because as long as the frustration doesn’t get her down she’ll have fascinating things to share!!

**Disclaimer: any stories about my granddaughter may be subject to exaggeration as a result of chronic family pride.

Posted in Life, Puzzles and Contradictions, Thoughts, Travel | Tagged Blog writing, family, granddaughter, technology | 4 Comments