Darkness Falls

When the darkness falls, peace and happiness settle in.  Not only are Leah and I done teaching, but the most exciting part of our day kicks in: visiting the park! It is a wonderful occasion!!

Huge yellow lights fill the trees like home at Christmas time, couples fill every bench next the moat surrounding the park, intense basketball games rage on, and unfamiliar sports are played.  We order our ice-cold pineapple smoothies at the nearest vendor and take a stroll around the park.  The fountains display a fantastic show; they look beautiful against the green spotlight.

We sit down to rest a bit.  The people in front of us are practicing their break dancing.  I become surprised that they don’t break their necks!  Off in the distance people are sitting in the grass, enjoying the evening and painting their surroundings.  They look at peace and content. 

 I hear English behind me.  I turn around to see a wonderful feminine man counting the beat to salsa.  His class of ten doesn’t seem to mind his English; they are all following his lead without a fault.  I smile, and wish I could join, but know I would look like a fool.  My eyes are drawn to the rapid motion of men kicking a small ball over a high net.  The sport is unfamiliar to me; it looks like a mix of volleyball and hackey-sack. 

As I leave, and walk back into the darkness of the lonely streets leading back to my home, I’m not too sad.  I know that we’ll be back soon and that the unfamiliar sights and sounds will soon become homey and very, very familiar.