I love this all so much!! Your passion for nuestra cultura Latina shines through and is much appreciated!! And I think you captured our perspective of sobremesa perfectly ♥️♥️♥️
Those are the very best compliments I could possibly receive!! I feel beyond privileged to get to spend time in the most beautiful culture in the world, learning to speak the most beautiful language!
I love this travelogue, thank you for sharing. Have you been to Iceland yet? I imagine it’s quite opposite to the flare of Panama City but it was my first return to Europe after a heartbreak and the vast landscape was just what I needed. Enough space and beauty to hold my questions, unanswered. Plus I went to elf school when I was there and it was TRULY magical.
ELF SCHOOL!! I've never been to Iceland except on a long layer (the airport and its views were amazing!) but I can imagine it was such a healing place for you...those hot springs alone! I would absolutely love to go there; I'm enchanted with all lands that feel strange and look profoundly beautiful, and have wild horses with fabulous hair styles ;)
YESSS there is so much overlap with musical instruments! I'm returning to the piano after a 30-year gap ;) and keep trying to remember that the whole point is making music and enjoying myself, not getting it perfect. A journey!
I just gifted 3 of my friends with a subscription of Out of the Blue and they already know how much I enjoy your musings and starting off with this article would only make them want to read more! Excited for May 9th too! I am looking forward to my first book launch event (ever) and hope to interact with Dana and of course you Mari! <3
Beautiful and inspiring piece today. Thanks so much for sharing it. My goal is to spend an immersive week in Bolivia or Costa Rica this year (or maybe Panama now!) and this gave me a lot to think about as I prep that.
Also agree with your comments re: that therapy-speak article making the rounds. Wrote about it as well actually (https://askingthequestion.substack.com/p/the-sixth-question-thank-you-for)! My takeaway was the same: it's a positive trend but absolutely being used to facilitate some avoidance from difficult conversations.
I loved reading through your Substack; thank you for sharing!! Humans will probably always find clever ways to avoid each other but I'm so pleased to see people talking about the value of actual intimacy (especially among men so thank you for what you're doing!). Bolivia is #1 on my list, especially Cochabamba and Sucre and the salt flats. See you there!
Oh, this brought memories of my first days (who am I kidding, it was months and years) of falling over and over again as a Spaniard in London. I've come to the conclusion that precisely these falls we try to avoid (whether safe or unsafe) are often the perfect introduction when meeting new people and can cause memorable funny moments. So when it comes to practising a new language, I'd recommend everyone to fall as often as possible. 😀 You're welcome to Spain anytime! I'm adding Panamá to my travel destination wish list 💫
I would love to spend more time in Spain--such an unbelievably beautiful country!! Hehe I have plenty of those memorable funny moments as I stumble my way through other cultures, but you're so right--the falls often land me into new friendships or wonderful interactions. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
Funny enough, I also learned how to fall safely when I studied martial arts! As per usual, thanks for sharing a little slice of your world, Mari ☺️. It's so hard sometimes to accept both the good and the bad from the people we love, especially our friends, considering how we voluntarily enter into these relationships of trust and sometimes can't help but place expectations on others. Ironically, the most joy I've had in my friendships is when my friends allow me to be truly who I am, and vice versa. But it's very human I guess for us to expect things from others and to avoid conflict. Hope you enjoyed your trip! Looking forward to your next post!
You were meant to translate the untranslatable, Mari. ♥️
I am also on a Spanish language learning journey and travel to Spanish-speaking countries to both scare myself and prove to myself I can do it. But my truest dream to have complex conversations about thoughts, ideas, and philosophies feels so far away because of my fear of making mistakes. 😞
As a figure skater, I love the theme of this essay! I always tell people that the hardest thing about skating is getting over the fear of falling. But once you do, the rewards are SO worth it :)
I love the idea of learning how to fall. My best friend and I have always said to fall lightly- to not make things too deep, to keep perspective, to view everything from a “learner mindset”. As I was reading I literally gasped when you mentioned the word “Saudade”. I went to Portugal last spring and was touring around the city with a tour guide when he pointed to the most beautiful mural of a plant pot with sprouting flowers with a word in the middle: “Saudade”. He explained that (in his version and to his knowledge) this word translated to “the feeling of missing somebody” and that Portuguese was the only language that had a word for this. It immediately became one of my favorite words, as I am someone who experiences deep nostalgia for people and places.
I have always been interested in the fact that some thoughts or feelings seem as though they do not have the proper word to explain them. A few years ago, I was obsessed with watching the YouTube videos explaining “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows”. John Koenig created these words for feelings that not yet had a proper name and paired them with video and music for the experience of capturing them. Language is so cool for that reason, it helps make experiences and feelings relatable and universal.
Thank you for always inspiring my week, I look forward to this newsletter every Monday :)
Oh gosh Emma, you made my whole life. I also learned "saudade" in Portugal after hearing it in Brazilian music for years, and it came to me at the perfect time as I was losing so much in my life but also feeling grateful to have had it all in the first place.
And I love that book by John Koenig!! My friend gave it to me for my last birthday and I pick it up at night and let it just wash over my brain. He is so brilliant for having written it. Language is the coolest!!!!
Holy hellcats Panama City is a feast for the senses! Gorgeous around every corner. Plus monkeys!! Speaking of feasts, your safe fall metaphor has given me a full freakin banquet to snack on.
Great minds think alike because I’m loving my fave astrologer Colin Bedell’s similar take on swinging the pendulum back to center in regards to how we think about self care, victimhood, boundaries, et al. (Also psychotherapist Seerut Chawla). We’ve gotta break out of these mental quarantines! We have to get messy, claw up out of our dirty hidieholes, shed our exoskeleton, and spread our vulnerable wet wings even though it feels like we’re a completely new species.
So on that note, this week I’m on the lookout to flip my own annoyances into treasures. Aries solar eclipse // Merc Rx here we go! Thank you for the push.
Your Travelogues are delish so I hope you find yourself in another spot soon! Folks’ recommendations here are gooood.
And a P.S. in the most teeniest of tiny font sizes that exists: Your recent correspondence made my life, and I don’t even know what do you with all the feels. One of the sweetest gestures I’ve received. My soul is refilled. {researched the following} Mil gracias. Eres un sol … Esto muy agradecida 💞
The universe is clearly obsessed with me because She gave me you!!! I can never get over your use of my second favorite language (dirty hidieholes!!! 🥹) and I've got a couple tabs open now on Colin (already a Seerut fan!). Who knew your use of my favorite language would also be so adept and playful (Eres un sol 🥹🥹🥹🥹), and it is just the greatest honor to get to pour into your soul from an epistolary measuring cup, as you pour into mine from an essay-sized-comment cauldron!
I came to you thanks to Mariana and this is the first of your writings that I read. I definitely loved it. Thank you for how you have narrated this experience
I am thinking so much about that too! It's easy for me to write about very personal things; it's less easy for me to potentially look foolish or enter into difficult conversations where I know I won't look my best. But so rewarding!
I love this all so much!! Your passion for nuestra cultura Latina shines through and is much appreciated!! And I think you captured our perspective of sobremesa perfectly ♥️♥️♥️
Those are the very best compliments I could possibly receive!! I feel beyond privileged to get to spend time in the most beautiful culture in the world, learning to speak the most beautiful language!
I love this travelogue, thank you for sharing. Have you been to Iceland yet? I imagine it’s quite opposite to the flare of Panama City but it was my first return to Europe after a heartbreak and the vast landscape was just what I needed. Enough space and beauty to hold my questions, unanswered. Plus I went to elf school when I was there and it was TRULY magical.
ELF SCHOOL!! I've never been to Iceland except on a long layer (the airport and its views were amazing!) but I can imagine it was such a healing place for you...those hot springs alone! I would absolutely love to go there; I'm enchanted with all lands that feel strange and look profoundly beautiful, and have wild horses with fabulous hair styles ;)
I moved to Spain 6 months ago to learn and speak Spanish. I totally understand your fear of falling and also about Sobremesa ;)
I have been hesitant but now I have started speaking in Spanish too because I love it and it helps me make friends!
I'm so glad to hear you've been brave with your Spanish!!! And hope you are relishing your time in that very special country <3
Very astute words to remember as I clumsily learn guitar in my forties 😊
YESSS there is so much overlap with musical instruments! I'm returning to the piano after a 30-year gap ;) and keep trying to remember that the whole point is making music and enjoying myself, not getting it perfect. A journey!
I just gifted 3 of my friends with a subscription of Out of the Blue and they already know how much I enjoy your musings and starting off with this article would only make them want to read more! Excited for May 9th too! I am looking forward to my first book launch event (ever) and hope to interact with Dana and of course you Mari! <3
Wow Ananya, that means the world to me!! I cannot wait to meet you! XOXOX
Thank you for sobremesa and for your astute commentary on change...always pertinent.
Thank you so much, dear Susie!!
Ok but where is the one shoulder dress from?? So cute!!
ASTR!
Beautiful and inspiring piece today. Thanks so much for sharing it. My goal is to spend an immersive week in Bolivia or Costa Rica this year (or maybe Panama now!) and this gave me a lot to think about as I prep that.
Also agree with your comments re: that therapy-speak article making the rounds. Wrote about it as well actually (https://askingthequestion.substack.com/p/the-sixth-question-thank-you-for)! My takeaway was the same: it's a positive trend but absolutely being used to facilitate some avoidance from difficult conversations.
I loved reading through your Substack; thank you for sharing!! Humans will probably always find clever ways to avoid each other but I'm so pleased to see people talking about the value of actual intimacy (especially among men so thank you for what you're doing!). Bolivia is #1 on my list, especially Cochabamba and Sucre and the salt flats. See you there!
Oh, this brought memories of my first days (who am I kidding, it was months and years) of falling over and over again as a Spaniard in London. I've come to the conclusion that precisely these falls we try to avoid (whether safe or unsafe) are often the perfect introduction when meeting new people and can cause memorable funny moments. So when it comes to practising a new language, I'd recommend everyone to fall as often as possible. 😀 You're welcome to Spain anytime! I'm adding Panamá to my travel destination wish list 💫
I would love to spend more time in Spain--such an unbelievably beautiful country!! Hehe I have plenty of those memorable funny moments as I stumble my way through other cultures, but you're so right--the falls often land me into new friendships or wonderful interactions. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
Funny enough, I also learned how to fall safely when I studied martial arts! As per usual, thanks for sharing a little slice of your world, Mari ☺️. It's so hard sometimes to accept both the good and the bad from the people we love, especially our friends, considering how we voluntarily enter into these relationships of trust and sometimes can't help but place expectations on others. Ironically, the most joy I've had in my friendships is when my friends allow me to be truly who I am, and vice versa. But it's very human I guess for us to expect things from others and to avoid conflict. Hope you enjoyed your trip! Looking forward to your next post!
You were meant to translate the untranslatable, Mari. ♥️
I am also on a Spanish language learning journey and travel to Spanish-speaking countries to both scare myself and prove to myself I can do it. But my truest dream to have complex conversations about thoughts, ideas, and philosophies feels so far away because of my fear of making mistakes. 😞
As a figure skater, I love the theme of this essay! I always tell people that the hardest thing about skating is getting over the fear of falling. But once you do, the rewards are SO worth it :)
I love the idea of learning how to fall. My best friend and I have always said to fall lightly- to not make things too deep, to keep perspective, to view everything from a “learner mindset”. As I was reading I literally gasped when you mentioned the word “Saudade”. I went to Portugal last spring and was touring around the city with a tour guide when he pointed to the most beautiful mural of a plant pot with sprouting flowers with a word in the middle: “Saudade”. He explained that (in his version and to his knowledge) this word translated to “the feeling of missing somebody” and that Portuguese was the only language that had a word for this. It immediately became one of my favorite words, as I am someone who experiences deep nostalgia for people and places.
I have always been interested in the fact that some thoughts or feelings seem as though they do not have the proper word to explain them. A few years ago, I was obsessed with watching the YouTube videos explaining “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows”. John Koenig created these words for feelings that not yet had a proper name and paired them with video and music for the experience of capturing them. Language is so cool for that reason, it helps make experiences and feelings relatable and universal.
Thank you for always inspiring my week, I look forward to this newsletter every Monday :)
Oh gosh Emma, you made my whole life. I also learned "saudade" in Portugal after hearing it in Brazilian music for years, and it came to me at the perfect time as I was losing so much in my life but also feeling grateful to have had it all in the first place.
And I love that book by John Koenig!! My friend gave it to me for my last birthday and I pick it up at night and let it just wash over my brain. He is so brilliant for having written it. Language is the coolest!!!!
Holy hellcats Panama City is a feast for the senses! Gorgeous around every corner. Plus monkeys!! Speaking of feasts, your safe fall metaphor has given me a full freakin banquet to snack on.
Great minds think alike because I’m loving my fave astrologer Colin Bedell’s similar take on swinging the pendulum back to center in regards to how we think about self care, victimhood, boundaries, et al. (Also psychotherapist Seerut Chawla). We’ve gotta break out of these mental quarantines! We have to get messy, claw up out of our dirty hidieholes, shed our exoskeleton, and spread our vulnerable wet wings even though it feels like we’re a completely new species.
So on that note, this week I’m on the lookout to flip my own annoyances into treasures. Aries solar eclipse // Merc Rx here we go! Thank you for the push.
Your Travelogues are delish so I hope you find yourself in another spot soon! Folks’ recommendations here are gooood.
And a P.S. in the most teeniest of tiny font sizes that exists: Your recent correspondence made my life, and I don’t even know what do you with all the feels. One of the sweetest gestures I’ve received. My soul is refilled. {researched the following} Mil gracias. Eres un sol … Esto muy agradecida 💞
The universe is clearly obsessed with me because She gave me you!!! I can never get over your use of my second favorite language (dirty hidieholes!!! 🥹) and I've got a couple tabs open now on Colin (already a Seerut fan!). Who knew your use of my favorite language would also be so adept and playful (Eres un sol 🥹🥹🥹🥹), and it is just the greatest honor to get to pour into your soul from an epistolary measuring cup, as you pour into mine from an essay-sized-comment cauldron!
😭😭😭 soul-sized Universe love bomb with extra foam coming right up!
I came to you thanks to Mariana and this is the first of your writings that I read. I definitely loved it. Thank you for how you have narrated this experience
Mariana is such a gift- thank you so much for your lovely words!
Love this! I've been thinking a lot about how I can be mot vulnerable in every area of my life and the concept of a full body, safe fall is perfect.
I am thinking so much about that too! It's easy for me to write about very personal things; it's less easy for me to potentially look foolish or enter into difficult conversations where I know I won't look my best. But so rewarding!