Some observations from my recent wanderings.
- Spotting a unicycle in the back of a ute.
- Stray beanies left on the steps of a shopfront. A sign that spring is on its way?
- Smiles. Lots of smiles.
- Standing quietly and feeling a tangle of languages and moments and experiences wrap around me. ‘When I was in Spain …’ ‘Have you seen …?’
- The click-clack of luggage being hauled along by tourists across the paved footpaths.
- Hissing buses taking tourists around the sites, their faces smudged against the glass.
- Backpackers carrying what seems like their own body weight on their back, foreheads covered with bright scarves.
- Phones and cameras wielded with enthusiasm at the many look outs and beauty spots, as well as along the main streets in the villages.
- Long term locals identifiable by their easy walking gait up the steep stretches of Katoomba Street.
- The elasticity of time. People completely relaxed, with all the available time in the foreseeable future, or in a rush, trying to jam as many experiences as possible into a tight timeframe as if on a manic kind of quest.
- Changeable weather. The high clouds sometimes dart across the sun providing shade before moving on and a blinding light follows.
- A feeling of acceptance that is difficult to define. An attitude that whoever you are, that’s okay.
- Sighting a recorder (the musical woodwind instrument, that is) lying in a display of bright spring blooms. I thought later that I should have taken a photo for #MyISpy but when I went past the next day it was gone as someone else must have spotted the musical potential.
- An assortment of tantalising aromas from the wide range of restaurants and cafes.
- Murals tucked into the many alleyways, just waiting to be discovered.
What have you spotted, heard, smelt or felt in your neighbourhood lately?
[Photo: Butterfly Walk, Katoomba]
I can really picture all of these.
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Thank you! They were vivid at the time 😊
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It’s nice to be aware of what’s around us
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Very true! I am trying to be more present, rather than dwelling on what has just happened or thinking about what is going to happen next. Thank you for your comments.
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It’s amazing what we notice when we are intentional about paying attention! Fall is on it’s way here, so I’m seeing the leaves beginning to look a bit faded, the summer flowers starting to look tired, and less insects than usual. Sounds sad, but it really isn’t.
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You are so right, Ann. Taking the time to notice how the seasons change can be rewarding in its own way. Thanks for sharing a moment in your world.
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Rain rain and a little more rain in my neighbourhood at the moment. I love this post and I agree with Terri, it is nice to be aware of your current and present surroundings. Lovely post, thank you.
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Thanks Barbara, and I hope the rain eases sometime soon.
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