Apples are better weapons than bananas

With the pause button mashed in, a toasty cup of “joe” faithfully on my right, standing at attention like a dutiful tin soldier awaiting orders, I crack my stiff fingers, search my thoughts and begin to unfold the past week and half in a country not my own. I am overwhelmed with the vastness of the world and possibility of experiences. One can never read every book, watch every movie, learn every dance, or speak every language. I world is full to the brim of things to enjoy. A cup you can never finish, and that makes me all the thirstier. I hope my message in a bottle is grabbed firmly by understanding eyes, minds, and hearts.

Friends, companions in life, fellow adventurers, are a sublime hand out. The amigos in my life here and at home are better than good and for that my soul sports a perpetual grin. The ability to be your own buddy is awesome. The little boy, who can amuse himself with a stick and some dirt, is destined for a colorful life. For him everything is wonderful. Those content with themselves, offer much to others. Yet, it is clear we were made to enjoy each other, to know and be known be others. Awareness and knowledge are as from one other as the four compass needles. It is easy to be aware of another’s life- their name, family, and hobbies- drop a salutation and move on. Difficulty and joy comes with knowing, with sharing in the triumphs and defeats of another. When you pursue friendships, the authentic ones, you allow the numbness to disparate, begin to feel, start breathing clean air for the first time.

I have always said that two true friends are of more worth than the entire world full of acquaintances. Crafted for fellowship and community, life without people living with you would be silly hard. Amongst friends the world becomes ever larger. Their passions, joys, and sufferings, become yours. You fill up, becoming larger as a person, little by little, like a rubber band ball each friend adds an element to what you already have been given. Every person you meet slides a fresh pair of glasses across the table, pick them up, wrap the arms around your face and begin to look at the world with a new perspective. Thanks to all of you: family, friends, the whole lot.

I set out for Cadiz, a charming city on the southwestern coast of Andalusia, on the whim of a thought. Powered by my ever influential pair of friends, Markus and Scott, we decided to jump town. We hopped onto the bus and ate more chocolate than the Keebler elves can put in circulation. I’m still curious as to where Scott stows it all away in his tree like frame, kid can get at it, and should consider a career in competitive grubbing, watch out Kobayashi. Upon our arrival in the city we ventured downtown to find a place to tuck in for the night. It was touch and go finding the hostel, a little rich for our wallets, with the investment came a return of free (or not so “gratis”) mints. The tasty breath aids were a justification for our hefty contribution to the Spanish financial well being. Scott and Marcus made the foray towards the coast worth it: providing comedic relief, true friendship, and the constant appreciation for a new city and experience.

We brushed quickly about the city hitting the recommended sites with the precision of a Swiss army watch. The day started after an off beat kind of night. We shared relational pasts and then received a shower of haterade from the Nordic people. The doubles team of Swedish gals insulted Markus’s Spanish accent, which makes the pronunciations from my mouth seem like those a of babbling baby, therefore I remained speechless like a devout monk vowed to silence. Good thing we bounced on them later. My foreign policy was painfully tactless and Obama fans would’ve identified me with George Bush. Soon after an invite was extended to another bar by said Swedes I stated “guys, lets get out of here”; a verbal exclamation more obvious than the pope’s religious beliefs. With the sun rise came a stroll about the city walls, peering out into the Atlantic Ocean. With our noses taking in salt laden air i tried to seek out the thought process of the first explorers, men brave enough to thrust themselves far past the horizon line into the unknown . We skimmed through a modern art museum, which gave me one of these, “hey, this is creepy and funny all at once, I want to stay and leave at the same time kind of feel”. After a trip down wacko lane we passed through a garden and Scott took samplings of the local flower populations and species (you are a botanist at heart my friend).

Our trio took a brief gander at the cathedral of Cadiz. These vestiges of a once burgeoning religion adorn the continent like cotton bolls in the bible belt of America. Pictures can do no justice to the grandeur. A facade of decadence betrays the casual passerby. The church goers are mostly tourist, wearing fanny packs like seat belts on the autobahn, paying a euro or two to imagine what used to be – a bare skeletal frame of former influence and glory. Afterward we stepped into "Faro", a classy seafood restaurant, known for the "best" seafood in Spain. Slightly under dressed we took our seats, among a swarm of fashionistas, to enjoy a nice meal. A breathtaking sunset provided the perfect bookend for the weekend before we returned towards home sweet home- sevilla.

It is obvious that the Lord is mighty to provide, going ahead of those He loves with kindness and graciousness. The Body of Christ here in Spain is breathtaking; Shakespeare has not a sonnet do it justice. I have been mercifully tossed into an awesome community of believers – who God is working through to tell me, I’m big Ryan, really big, immense, and infinitely large. We have been meeting on Tuesdays at 6:30 at Rodilla and talking about Jesus. If you are reading this, live in Sevilla, and want to come then you are more welcome to bring yourself on down. All the believers I have met here have been crafted uniquely, with special quirks. Like I have said before I find differences beautiful, and the fantastic oddities of my brothers and sisters is knocking truth into my noggin. As we express ourselves: our abilities, views of life, beliefs about God, the words come together to make God even bigger than He was before, and we can never make Him big enough – the totality of our little construction about His image is a cup of water from the ocean.

I can not wait to tell you about my adventures to Ronda and Portugal. And put some words down about spontaneity. Keep being you and hope you enjoy.