This is my national park

2011-12-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

This is me

Like many young girls I wrote diary. It only happened when I was sad or upset as the pages never were enough to memorize my happy moments. Some days I even wrote poems. Nowadays I still yearn for creativity and every now and then I write down some words in my journal or on a restaurant napkin. However, the world is getting more abstract and as time goes by, Sweden gets more Swedish, Spain more Spanish... At the same time I grow stronger and learn how to appreciate the worst and the best from each country. However, within myself there are no cultural or national limits and the cultural changes and ongoing fusions arise even more yearing for creativity. Still it's hard to collect all impressions and beautiful thoughts and most of all I would like to understand what a country or a culture really do to our mind. Since we do not choose where to get born how could we ever know? The human mind is an amazing thing and Internet is a surreal world. Let's see what I can do with it... and with this blogg. I hope you will enjoy it. Welcome to my national park!

2011-03-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

Swedish desert (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2010-09-30T22:55:00.000-07:00

In love with a voice?
- soon I will back (or remove this blog)

2010-08-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

Sun(less)day inspiration

The summer is over and it's time to get serious again. I start with one of my favourites found at the Rastro in Madrid long time ago. Some inspiration can only do me well. And when will I do that second tatoo?

2010-04-23T00:59:00.000-07:00

Future guitar heroe?

2010-04-15T01:22:00.000-07:00

News value?

When studying at ITESM in Monterrey (Mexico) it didn't take long before I heard about this girl, famous for driving drunk and for her typical expression "no choqué, me choquaron" (I didn't crash, they crashed me). For this mistake she got expelled from ITESM where she studied although I can't say if it was due to the drinking, the drinking and driving or the getting caught by the Mexican police.

When doing some YouTube surfing this morning I find the clip above. I ask myself whether this is something you actually run on the national news? And to feel sorry for someone because this someone has no access to a family that takes care of her, medical help and a preast (sacerdote) is special things to state on a news program that in my meaning should be everything but subjective and judging. If they wouldn't have excluded her from the school system in the beginning and offered her those things that they are so sure that she is needing, maybe things would have turned out differently. However, I still believe that nothing good can come out of broadcasting a 22 year old girl passing the limits. Maybe the real news value of this story is the fact that we are dealing with a Mexican girl doing things that apparently no Mexican girl should do.

I don't feel sorry for the girl, I feel sorry for the Mexican news and communication channels.

2010-04-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

I want a cat

to hang out with me during the days and sing a little when we are really bored. She could even sit on the kitchen table while I prepare the lunch.

2010-04-08T04:08:00.000-07:00

El Perro del Mar

A friend of mine found my copy. A lost twin? No matter what she might be it's always fun to see yourself in other people and if that's not enough her music is great.

The abstract to my thesis (Achieving Sustainable Development in Azerbaijan - Possible Impacts of Foreign Aid) is now published at Azerbaijan Now. For those of you that find it interesting, don't hesitate to ask me for a copy. And last but not least, keep on reading - despite my few updates (I'll be back!). Over and out.

2010-02-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

Thesis - check

Bit by bit I can step out of the bubble. After 12 weeks of writing the thesis is finally done! For those who would be interested to know a little bit more about Azerbaijan and about foreign aid's impact on the process of achieving sustainable development in the country, I invite you to visit http://www.azerbaijannow.blogspot.com/ at the end of the month to read not only my thesis but also what has been published previously.

And now? UPDATE life in general but above all - more work and economics, econometrics this time. But first a 4:19 minutes break to celebrate this day. I hope you'll enjoy!

2009-12-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

Flawless
It goes up and down and the creativity I wanted to let out, there is obviously no time for. It makes me melancolic and a little bit stressed. Many things make me stressed nowadays; the feeling of not being a good friend, turn into something boring and uninspiring, be too far away from lovely times of my life, not be able to speak German or not have one single chance to talk Spanish. Nor time to write.

Well, here at least a song and a better version than I ever heard before. Reminds me of the summer I painted the fence of my dad's house. Red color, cut jeans shorts and Alanis in the headphones. Those were the times although I would never exchange them for my present.

2009-11-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

And sometimes you close your eyes and see the place where you used to live

I will start writing again. Don't ask me how, when or about what but here comes this time again when I feel that the need will grow bigger and bigger until I write those texts about those things that somehow just flow within this fragile body of mine, full of toothache, rabies vaccine and thoughts about past, present and future. I have a feeling that Mynationalpark is constantly left behind and that what is written only stays at Azerbaijannow, the struggle of being professional, controlling and predictable. The practical and logical part of myself has possessed my body ever since I went to Azerbaijan. I made it clear to myself that this time it was nothing but professional, not a holiday or a run out. Simply professional. But it's true that I am, just like everyone, so much more than just professional. Life isn't predictable and when being part of life, well... unpredictable comes with it.

Like most of you know I am now in Germany working as never before with Social Entrepreneurship and strategies for development. Finally I am doing what I always wanted to do - channeling my knowledge and passion into new knowledge, passion and above all - development. But for every new chapter I read in that book by Haruki Murakami I have next to the bed I know that I have to be more creative. It was long time since Spain, long time since the happiness in Mexico. Long time since I read something that I actually enjoy. Murakami is amazing, he opened the world I was almost closing. And here I am again - or at leastso I think. This time I won't let it slip away - science doesn't have to exclude creativity. Así de sencillo.

2009-09-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

My heart is aching

After the 25th of September it may be that I won't recognize what I love the most in this world; Madrid. Today El País gave me the worst news that I could ever get. For some of you it may sound stupid but for me it matters quite a lot and it feels like Madrid made these changes without my approval. Maybe it was a stupid choice after all to pretend that I can be this long time without going to the place I consider my home? Three years was obviously enough for them to reform the entire Sol square and put my beloved bear in another place than he belongs to. Read the whole article on how El oso y el madroño se van con el Tío Pepe.

2009-09-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Still life

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Baku is under construction and so is my life. I wake up every day to the sound of hammering, sawing and working. It's never quiet down here and I am truly amazed by the energy of this city. In Azerbaijannow I've mentioned this construction boom many times and more than once I've compared Baku with Dubai. However, when you come close to many of the major construction projects, you see how the structure is vague and the facades are falling off. It's not strange that you get to miss or at least aim for sustainability while being here. Every day is a day of knew knowledge, experience and struggle.

My internship didn't turn out to be what I expected but I think I got to know, see and understand much more than I could possibly imagine. So, life takes now a different turn and in one and a half month I'm off to Germany. In Germany I will write my thesis on aid vs. social entrepreneurship and carry out an internship for a Swedish based organization called Social Entreprenuership Forum (SE-Forum). Azerbaijan will follow me during this process as well but this time it will be linked to sustainability. Above you can see that I found a still life when walking home from an excursion with internally displaced kids yesterday. However, right now my life is nothing but still. I hope you are indulgent with my overall renovating.

2009-08-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hubo un lugar, Cuba linda

Today I miss Cuba. At the moment I am full of new impressions, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany... Russia, Armenia and why not a little bit of France? Too much impressions can make you miss the old impressions and today I even miss my "pachita Cubana", the lady that looked after us so well while spending a week in la Havana. Now I have an Azerbaijani babushka protecting me from the bad things in this world. In some way she lives a similar life to the life of my "pachita Cubana", with a little bit more money and more belongings but still limited to the life a political system gave her. The strong ladies of this world, the ladies that experienced how power changes and never gives anything back. Today I miss Cuba and my pachita. I have my babushka but today it doesn't help me to miss Cuba any less. I dedicate this song to my two strong ladies.

2009-07-27T01:55:00.001-07:00

The key to my heart

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2009-07-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

Georgia (4)
- Zugdidi

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

318 kilometres west of Tbilisi and 30 kilometres from the Black Sea you find the 69 ooo inhabitants city Zugdidi. On our journey to Georgia we went specifically to this city to visit the female non-governmental organisation Gaenati. We stayed in small Zugdidi for less than two days and got a fantastic introduction to the organisation held by the young and engaged people from the Youth Club (partly supported by the UN). We ended the day having a great georgian dinner with traditional music, dance, and wine. We were more than happy to come to this amazing organisation that works so well to improve the situation of women, children and IDP's (Internally Displaced People) from the Abkhazian conflict.

We got to spend the night in one of the old houses in the city, a house that usually is used to accommodate UN-ambassadors. It's not often you get the chance to see houses like that anymore. Maybe in Cuba.

2009-07-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Georgia (3)
- Sighnaghi

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2009-06-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Monday 22th of June

More photos from Georgia will soon be uploaded. In this moment I'm busy updating my new blog about my internship in Azerbaijan. Please visit it on www.azerbaijannow.blogspot.com

2009-06-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

Georgia (2)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

This is the view from the flat where we stayed in Tbilisi. In Georgia there are a lot of similar views that clearly remind us of the end of the former Soviet and of how people never got a chance to build up the idea of common benefit. The U.S.S.R was disbanded years ago but the consequences of its existence are still present: hundreds of different styles all tucked into one great building complex. What's the idea of doing something together, what reason is there to install electricity in the starcase that works for everyone, it's just another expense, or is it? If the "common" fooled you once, if the "common" didn't work out that first time, why should it ever work again?

I believe that common under pressure is a "common" that never will work. The flats may look ramshackle on the outside, but don't let the first impression fool you - the inside can be lovely. That's another thing I understood while being in Georgia: despite the difficulties to agree to certain things there is, at least on the inside, a common interest of a better future.

2009-06-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Georgia (1)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

I am back with a serie of photos from Georgia. Hopefully I can contribute with something new. Georgia is a fascinating country with its delightful people and impressive historical background. This trip made me understand that Georgia, as any other nation, is so much more than a victim of geopolitics or regional tensions. However, I want to start with this photo from a flat in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. I believe the photo needs no further explanation.

2009-04-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

I will be off to Tbilisi, Georgia for two weeks from today. Hopefully I will have an entire serie of new interesting photos when I'm back in Sweden. For those still reading my blog, thank you!

There is a slight possibility that from june 2009 there will be a new blog, together with mynationalpark, describing my daily work in Azerbaijan. I hope some of you will still follow me then. Take care!

2009-03-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Scania (II)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Small old fashioned houses, open landscapes, mills, and tall trees. This could be Scania or why not Sweden? When shooting pictures it's extremely easy to fool the viewers eye and stick to stereotypes. I don't trust photos like I used to. What you get is what you see and not what really is. What is anyway? It's impossible to shoot from every angle, and even if we could there would always be different ways of interpretation. Today I give you this "swedish" view of Sweden with one single excuse: it's still Sweden.

2009-02-22T05:29:00.000-08:00

Scania (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

It has been almost two months since I last made an entry. Sometimes the inspiration just goes away. It's as simple as that. Hopefully I'll be back from now on.

2008-12-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

What happens when we stop caring?

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

While waiting for my mexican friend outside Kulturhuset in Stockholm last month I found this little note on the ground. It said "What happens when we stop caring?" or in spanish "Qué pasa cuando dejemos de preocuparnos?" It was a beautiful little note since it made me think. It's an easy philosophy of mine: everything that make us think I consider as beautiful. Well then, what happens? What happens when we stop caring? Life ends I would say. To care about people and situations is to care about yourself. Thus, when you stop caring you also stop living.

And that's my message to you dear friends. Don't stop caring now, don't stop caring in 2009.

2008-12-13T10:42:00.000-08:00

Wild

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-12-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

Hoy ha sido un día muy especial para mi. El día de Nobel y la entrega del premio Nobel de la Paz. Siempre se me hace un día especial ya que me hace pensar en el futuro... en mi trabajo y en mi lucha personal. Espero poder hacer un cambio algún día. Cada año lloro un día fijo... este día! Pero de alegría al ver que tan sólo una persona puede hacer un cambio. Este año ha sido Ahtisaari, mediador finladés y un ejemplo a seguir. "Peace is about will". Además... 12 % del dinero del fondo Nobel viene de la inversión que hizo Alfred Nobel en la compañía petrolera de sus hermanos mayores en Azerbajdzjan... Me parece genial (y a la vez algo contadictorio) ya que el año que viene me iré a Azerbajdzjan durante 7 meses. El mundo es un pañuelo...

2008-12-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

Stockholm (II)
- water

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-12-06T03:50:00.000-08:00

Stockholm (I)
- houses

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-11-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Manhattan (II)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-11-23T23:09:00.000-08:00

Manhattan (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-11-09T11:22:00.001-08:00

Dance with me...
(ta min hand, det vore underligt)

(Photo: Karin Larsson, Lyrics: M. Bergman - No Party)

They light their pumpkins up now they put their costumes on, parade through the pouring rain. October's passing by a marathon of skeletons. Nobody here knows my name, I wear no silvercoat or devilhorn on this night when they say dead become alive.

Oh, I've got no party to go to

2008-11-05T23:22:00.000-08:00

44: BARACK OBAMA

Reuniting the United States of America?

2008-10-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

Let's bring summer back...
- Höllviken 2008

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-10-22T00:52:00.000-07:00

El perro

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-10-14T01:24:00.000-07:00

Security

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

We all have the same desire to protect ourselves. Some people protect themselves and their point of views by applying no limits at all. Drive as fast as possible and hopefully as drunk as possible too, just to inhale that last kilometer of speed, just to save that last emotion of life. As fast as hell just to make sure that noone else could ever possibly reach you, get to you or keep up with you. You'll never understand my speed and don't even try to get close - I'll only run away! I get it, some people never use safety belt (maybe they just tie it up in the car window instead) as a way to stay free.

It's interesting how you can let the speed in by letting everything else out. A safety belt isn't there to tie you up, it just protects you. Noone said it would ever reduce your speed.

2008-10-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Viajando (VII)
- Teotihuacán, D.F.

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-10-09T01:57:00.000-07:00

Viajando (VI)
- D.F.

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

injusticia.
(Del lat. iniustitĭa).
1. f. Acción contraria a la justicia.
2. f. Falta de justicia.

2008-10-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Viajando (V)

- Trinidad, Cuba

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Pues aquí me siento para pesar el tiempo,
en esta silla solitaria
donde la esperanza y el tiempo, pesa exactamente lo mismo
Me siento y dejo la puerta abierta
para que entre el viento
Y pues empiezo a pensar, así de repente,
si la silla solitaria, la esperanza o el tiempo

es lo que pesa realmente

2008-09-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

Viajando (IV)
- Aguas claras, Chiapas

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-09-11T14:18:00.000-07:00

Viajando (III)
- Veracruz

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-09-06T04:09:00.000-07:00

Viajando (II)
- Teotihuacán, D.F.

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-09-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Viajando (I)
- Cholula, Puebla

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-31T07:38:00.001-07:00

People (VI)
- Mexican children, Chiapas

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-30T04:58:00.000-07:00

People (V)
- Cuban gentleman with guitar, Havanna city

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

People (IV)
- Mexican salesman, Monte Albán Oaxaca

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

People (III)
- Mexican gentleman, Veracruz

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

People (II)
- Mexican girl, Chiapa de Corzo

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

People (I)
- Mexican girls, Aguas Claras

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

Cuba (IV)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

"And let us never forget that the greater the suffering, the greater the right to justice, and that the prejudices of men and social inequalities cannot prevail over the equality which nature has created"

(José Martí - National Hero of Cuba)

2008-08-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Cuba (III)
- perros callejeros

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Cuba (II)
- tejados y tejidos

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-08-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Cuba (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

They tell me to be a star, shining brightly for everyone to see.

I tell them I am a brick in a wall, not easily spotted.

They tell me to be a written book, everything in life predictable.

I tell them I am blank pages, my life story always changing.

They tell me to be Atlas, holding the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I tell them I am an ant, strong but meager.

They tell me to be a bottle, holding in every emotion.

I tell them I am a door, opening only to those with my key.

(Thomas Robert Hamiltion)

2008-08-11T05:13:00.000-07:00

Communication (II)
- World Wide Web

If you're an international person the Internet is a great asset since it gives you almost unlimited possibilities. In some ways the Internet makes it easier to communicate not only with people around the world but also with organizations. However, when it comes to everyday communication the Internet becomes a great paradox. Everyday I talk to people that struggles in their communication with other people and one thing's for sure - internet doesn't make it any easier.

"Well this is an invitation

It’s not a thread

If you want communication

That’s what you get"

2008-08-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

Communication (I)
- World Wide Web

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

An international career, life, and personality often implies changing or disappearing relationships. Half a year here and half a year there, because it's necessary and mostly because it's worth it, makes it hard to keep in touch. It's hard to be international, it's hard to live internationally and go abroad definitely just because people has a never ending struggle to define what international is all about. Some people doesn't even want to taste the word "international" since it could meen something different, unfamiliar or even something threatening. I love the international meaning of my life - I couldn't be out it even a single day. However, it would be nice every now and then not to talk about it, not to think of me and myself as someone different, not question whether I choose to stay in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe or Africa for the rest of my life or for the next coming years. Come on! I'll always be international so let's talk about something else... how's life in Sweden?

2008-07-18T06:32:00.001-07:00

It's still Spain - sin duda

2008-07-07T02:42:00.000-07:00

The attic

Back in Sweden, cleaning up among my stuff from former years

I move around in a small but yet so tempted place

an attic full of memories

an attic full of long gone hope, fears and disappointments

an attic full of myself

I don't even care about reading all the poems,

letters, suggestions of life...

photos of people that used to mean

so entirely much to me

They taught without convincing

I convince myself

And so I find the bag

the magic bag that "disappeared" years ago

a bag of memories in an attic full of them

yet, this one is special and I find your underpants

well worn without you wearing them

Everything comes back in this tempted moment

in an attic full of fears

But suddenly it doesn't hurt anymore

(Pepe Aguilar - Perdono y Olvido)

Tomorrow I'm going to Barcelona (la que siempre va por las calles de Barcelona buscando follón...), let's see what Spain is to me now. Meanwhile, "Perdono y Olvido" to recall all those attic moments.

2008-06-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Hipocondría

"¡No puede ser!

De nuevo tengo miedo...

Un día puedo empezar tan bien

y terminar tan espantoso...

Me lleno de miedo

- sin motivo

y odio a mi misma

por ser así

tan "kanija = enfermiza" y tan "kanija = fuerte" a la vez

Por un momento me muero

y veo todo lo que pierdo

estando muerta

Ahora no

aún no

Si cada día estoy más cerca a eso

a eso

sí

a ESO

Si me encanta cada segundo de esto

y me encantaré cada segundo de eso

sí

de ESO

Querer...

querer una vida

hasta que ya no es vida"

Hasta finales de mes no podré poner fotos... ¡Lo echo tanto de menos! De mientras os dedico una canción, una canción que otra persona - de muy buen gusto - me mandó hace muy poco. Pura ganas de vivir (drinking with you when drinking was new...).

(Stereophonics - Dakota)

2008-05-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Estoy feliz,

en este momento estoy más que feliz

con la bici enfrente

tomando cerveza mexicana con limón

y la sal enrojeciendo mis labios

La cantina más antigua de Guadalajara

- querida ciudad de mi corazón

Rodeada de hombres tomando

desde las 10 de la mañana,

rodeada de recuerdos

y memorias

¿Qué más puedo desear?

Soy sencilla,

la persona que diga lo contrario

no me conoce

Y aquí viene Barbara...

Guadalajara:

una bici y un poquito de limón

Justo así es la vida

precisamente ahora en este momento mexicano

(Mañana tomaré menos)

Ja.

2008-05-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Guadalajara (4)
- Mexican fairy tale

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Guadalajara (3)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

Guadalajara (2)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

Guadalajara (1)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Gemini

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

It was meant to be 2 of us. Sometimes I wonder how it would have been and I play around with my fake sister. Easier, harder, or just different? I'll never know. Tomorrow I'm flying again, I hate (love?) it. After all I'm gemini: two faces, two worlds, black and white, freaked out or just brave. On tuesday I'll hopefully give you some photos from Guadalajara (tequila-world).

And here's the song that'll represent the first days of my mexican holidays (and for you Pepe). Think 80s. Thanks for all your comments and DO stay with me.

2008-05-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Bodegón mexicano

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

En el intervalo del combate, el guerrero descansa. Muchas veces pasa días sin hacer nada, porque su corazón se lo exige; pero su intuición permanece alerta. No comete el pecado capital de la Pereza, porque sabe adónde puede conducir ésta: a la sensación tibia de las tardes de domingo, cuando el tiempo pasa... y nada más. El guerrero llama a esto «paz de cementerio». Se acuerda de un fragmento del Apocalipsis: «Te maldigo porque no eres frío ni caliente. ¡Ojalá fueras frío o caliente! Pero como eres tibio, yo te vomitaré de mi boca».

Un guerrero descansa y ríe. Pero está siempre atento.

(Paulo Coelho "Manual del guerrero de la luz")

2008-05-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Barbara

(Photo; Karin Larsson)

2008-05-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

Luvy

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

- Un litro y bien cargado que ya nos queda poco (para madurar)

2008-05-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sandra

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

La niña

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Sí. Una flor quiere a veces ser un brazo potente.
Pero nunca veréis que un árbol quiera ser otra cosa.
Un corazón de un hombre a veces resuena golpeando.
Pero un árbol es sabio, y plantado domina.
(Vicente Aleixandre "El Árbol")

2008-05-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

É isso aí

Dijo que eso nos pasa a los que tenemos corazón de viajantes,
disfrutamos tanto allí adonde vamos
que dejamos un pedacito nuestro por donde pasamos
lo cual le pareció de puta madre
"lindo y precioso"
bueno,
y como diría yo: "yo qué sé"
Y luego él diría:
.... "pues eso"

pa' variar

2008-05-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (7)
- Juego para 2

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

columpio.
(De columpiar).
1. m. Cuerda fuerte atada en alto por sus dos extremos, para que se siente alguna persona en el seno que forma en el medio, asiéndose con las manos en los dos ramales, y pueda mecerse por impulso propio o ajeno.

2008-05-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (6)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

En 1519 los españoles, encabezados por Hernán Cortés, llegan a México. Entran por las costas de Veracruz y no tardan más de dos años para conquistar el imperio mexica. Se crea la "Nueva España" partiendo de la minería como principal actividad económica. Hernán Cortés es gobernador del nuevo imperio y a partir de su entrada nada vuelve a ser igual.

Desde que llegué a México no ha pasado ni un sólo día sin haber mencionado la palabra colonización. Pasar medio año en México es una experiencia fantástica y les recomiendo a todo el mundo vivir estos hechos históricos (es decir, la "conquista", la "tomada", la "liberalización", el "intruso" o la "colonización") desde punto de vista mexicano. Después de 3 años en España a mi por lo menos me tocaba ver el otro lado de la moneda!

Los últimos dos veranos me he parado en la Plaza de Colón de Granada para explicarles a mis alumnos escandinavos y franceses, la historia de Cristóbal Colón pidiéndole dinero a Isabela la Católica para poder hacer el trayecto a la India. Por lo general todos los niños que estudian español saben que Santa María, la Pinta y la Niña son los nombres de los barcos de Colón y a veces hasta saben que los tres salieron de Palos de la Frontera en el año 1492. En fin, 516 años después me cruzo con estas cajas. Y así, al meterme en un patio escondido por Real de Catorce para liberarme de toda la cerveza que llevo encima, otra vez me acuerdo de la historia tan unida que existe entre América Latina y España.

Real de Catorce (5)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-05-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (4)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Tomando un descanso (y unas cuantas cañas bien frías) por fin tuve la oportunidad de hacerle una foto al bicho más bonito del pueblo antes de escaparse por la puerta. Espero que la disfrutes Kai. Hasta Real de Catorce (México) has ido con tus perros...

2008-05-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (3)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Cuando era más joven quería ser hippie, me encantaba todo el estilo, la forma de vivir, la cercanía a la naturaleza y sobre todo la ropa tan relajada (los pañuelos, los asesorios de madera, los pies descalzos, los pantalones "cagaos" y toda la libertad en el mundo de expresarse a través de los colores...).

Con los años he ido reconsiderando lo que implica ser "hippie" y actualmente ni siquiera sé si existen aquellos hippies con los que me identificaba. Sé que podría escibir una tesis sobre este tema... sobre los valores de la gente, los valores que le hace policía o economista a una persona y hippie a otra. En fin, algo que sí sé ahora es que mi sueño ya no es aquel, es decir el de ser hippie. Ahora sueño con otras cosas y si seré algo seré economista profesional (y me preguntarán como se define aquello...pues tampoco lo sé) Hmm, ya me he perdido en mi propia argumentación... Serán los exámenes finales de economía que no me dejan pensar en hippies y semejantes cosas de forma libre. Mientras que esperamos a que se me aclare la cabeza les pongo esta foto.

Lo ví en una de las plazas de Real de Catorce y en su tranquilidad e integridad me pareció el sujeto perfecto - muy amable además. Si es hippie, policía, economista u otra cosa le toca a él decidir.

2008-05-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (2)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

En Real de Catorce, a 2 800 metros sobre el nivel de mar, perdido y escondido al otro lado del monte, viven hoy en día 1 200 personas. Parece ser que todos son o hippies haciendo collares, trencitas y manualidades, o vaqueros que te quieren llevar a caballo por el monte, o porque no dueños de un bar o pequeño restaurante de esas cervezas tan ricas y fresquitas, o aportadores de "baños públicos" escondidos en algún patio interior (ya pondré fotos)... Real de Catorce cuenta con kinder, primaria, secundaria y prepa y a pesar de tan solo tener 1 200 habitantes el pueblo no es tan "fantasma" como el marketing del mismo. Diría que hasta tiene más vida que Monterrey (que cuenta con 4 millones de habitantes). Será por los niños. Cuando tenga los míos intentaré llevarlos a un sitio parecido para que corran como la niña de esta foto.

2008-05-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

Real de Catorce (1)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Por fin he salido de Monterrey! A 5 horas de distancia está Real de Catorce, un pueblo fantasma realmente impresionante. 4 horas a Matehuala, un pueblo perdido en el centro de México, y de allí se va en camión por la única carretera (estatal, de piedritas y desierto) hasta llegar a la entrada del túnel que nos lleva al pueblo. El túnel no es de esos a los que estamos acostumbrados así que nada de lujo, luz, seguridad ni espacio... No, mejor se imaginen una mina perdida y oscura, iluminada tan solo con la luz de las antorchas y las ganas de sacar plata. Es decir, por donde los españoles entraban con sus caballos en busca de tesoros, ahora entramos con el camión y en 5 minutos salimos por el otro lado del monte.

2008-04-19T00:02:00.000-07:00

A clase

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-04-12T11:21:00.000-07:00

The former México

(http://www.absolutvodka.com/)

Absolut Vodka isn't swedish anymore! It makes me sad and makes me think about the situation of my country and the State. I left Sweden to study abroad and every time we discuss political or economic issues over here I can look back at my situation, my background, and my country and I feel nothing but pride... I love being swedish and I love to represent my country and its values. However, every week someone asks me if I'm spanish. It's kind of amazing to live in México and feel sadness when the swedish state sells everything that used to be swedish and yet be considered spanish... Once again I'm thinking about the significance (or the no significance) of national and cultural limits. I simply don't believe in borders (between México and the States, between the two Coreas or between anything really) as a way of solving problems in human connection. But I do believe in an absolut world - maybe not in my lifetime but at the beginning of everything.

2008-04-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Tecnología
- want to fix your car?

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Blanco y negro (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-24T21:43:00.000-07:00

Color (II)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Lucha libre para una luchadora libre. Bueno, relativamente libre (los colores todavía no me dejan en paz).

2008-03-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

Color (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Ya no sé si quiero más colores o si lo quiero todo en blanco y negro. Los colores me cansan ya que siempre piden plena atención. "Mirame a mi lo verde que soy y a mi que casi soy más naranja que una naranja..." Hasta ahora México ha sido de muchos colores y hasta hoy me han gustado. Ahora estoy aquí buscando una foto para subir a mi parque nacional y opto por ésta. No hasta verla, no hasta ponerme a escribir (ya que alguien me lo pidió...) me di cuenta del poder de los colores. Los colores nos da energía al mismo tiempo que nos quita energía. Si se puede aplicar lo mismo a las personas entiendo el por que de algunas despedidas y choques entre personas. Si apenas hay sitio para gente de mucho color! "Ya no sé si quiero más colores o si lo quiero todo en blanco y negro". Por lo menos no lo quiero gris.

2008-03-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

El cacto

(Del lat. cactos, y este del gr. κάκτος, hoja espinosa).
1. m. Planta de la familia de las Cactáceas, procedente de México

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

La cáscara
- para Kai

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Spring break
- empty streets

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

La patocracia
- ITESM

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

Today is my lucky day!
- role models

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-09T23:35:00.000-07:00

Celebración roja
- PSOE

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-03-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

Blue

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-02-29T16:46:00.000-08:00

Viaje cancelado. Está claro, gente abandona a gente. Para qué ir a un pueblo fantasma si uno ya se junta con fantasmas? Que pena...

2008-02-29T10:07:00.001-08:00

Voy de viaje. Por fin salgo de aquí... A ver qué podré aprender de un pueblo fantasma que fue abandonado por los españoles cuando ya no quedaba oro ni plata. A ver si me enseñará amar a mis enemigos. Que tontería... si los enemigos no existen! Estoy deseando hacer fotos ya, alguna gente abandona a pueblos, otra a personas, yo abandono la cámera. Un saludo para todos y no se preocupen, aún no me he convertido en monja ni islamista fanática.

2008-02-27T22:00:00.000-08:00

Déjame ser tal como soy

27/2 - 2008

Motivo del despido: afición desmedida por entablar discusiones sin sentido alguno, aunado a exhibirse públicamente. Aberrante.

En un día muy triste un amigo mío me saca la Biblia y me dice: leételo, ya verás como te va a hacer sentir mejor. Me resultó gracioso... leer la Biblia, yo y ahora? Si tengo que estudiar o no lo ves? Encontré lo siguiente (y de repente el motivo que me dieron del despido no me dolió tanto):

"Oísteis que fue dicho: Ojo por ojo, y diente por diente. Pero yo os digo: No resistáis al que es malo; antes, a cualquiera que te hiera en la mejilla derecha, vuélvele también la otra; y al que quiera ponerte a pleito y quitarte la túnica, déjale también la capa; y a cualquiera que te obligue a llevar carga por una milla,ve con él dos.

Al que te pida, dale; y al que quiera tomar de ti prestado, no se lo rehúses. Oísteis que fue dicho: Amarás a tu prójimo, y aborrecerás a tu enemigo. Pero yo os digo: Amad a vuestros enemigos, bendecid a los que os maldicen, haced bien a los que os aborrecen, y orad por los que os ultrajan y os persiguen; para que seáis hijos de vuestro Padre que está en los cielos, que hace salir su sol sobre malos y buenos, y que hace llover sobre justos e injustos.

Porque si amáis a los que os aman, ¿qué recompensa tendréis? ¿No hacen también lo mismo los publicanos? Y si saludáis a vuestros hermanos solamente, ¿qué hacéis de más? ¿No hacen también así los gentiles? Sed, pues, vosotros perfectos, como vuestro Padre que está en los cielos es perfecto."

2008-02-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

Verde

Caer en la misma trampa, una y otra vez. Verde. Bueno, se supone que el color de la esperanza es el verde. Por ESO se repite la historia. Lo peor es que a pesar de todo, la gente te pide que tengas confianza. No mames.

Que cuiden a los suyos.

2008-02-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

Where did the time go?

(Video: waitless.org)

Viernes: 8 horas de estudios, sábado: 6 horas, domingo: 9 horas, lunes: 13...

Promedio: 36/4 = 9 --> 29 años y 4 meses estudiando

Al ritmo que llevo no voy a ver mucho más que el Tec de Monterrey (otro día ya pondré fotos de la universidad) y según el waitless.org, en mi vida "gastaré" más o menos 30 años en estudiar... Calculen sus "pérdidas de tiempo" en waitless.org

Gracias por vuestros comentarios, me alegran el día!

2008-02-03T22:01:00.000-08:00

El barrio antiguo (II)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

Esta foto se la dedico a Kai. Ahora a la camita que mañana me toca estudiar comercio internacional toooodo el día. No sé yo si los hippies estudian tantas horas... En fin, en este mundo habrá de todo. Coches, furgonetas... y CHEves (cañas). Ya ves. Menos mal.

2008-02-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

El barrio antiguo (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-01-25T20:16:00.000-08:00

Ciudad fronteriza (II)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-01-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

Ciudad fronteriza (I)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-01-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

Calle Santa Anita (50 %)

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

2008-01-18T23:39:00.000-08:00

Entre mil mares

(Photo: Karin Larsson)

I'm going to bed. 02:00 local time, 09:00 swedish (spanish) time - S x 2. It's freezing cold over here.