We study together as we uncover the innards of the Dutch language.  Today Paula invited me to her apartment which she shares with her boyfriend Giovanni.

The studying floated away in favour of lunch and talking about life.  Paula is from Argentina and wanted me to taste an arepa, which she had discovered at the home of a Guatemalan friend.

I watched her hands prepare corn tortillas accompanied by scrambled egg, avocado and white cheese.  I saw the grace and sureness of eggs being cracked on the lip of a pan.  And I smiled at the flavours that came together in my mouth.  The talking was richer when accompanied by the delicious.

Paula is a coach, helping people discover the impact of attitude on the body.  She’s also a yoga instructor.  And an artist:

The eyes drew me.  And Paula described the circular flow of energy at the bottom left, where yellow, green and red are drawn from their separateness into union.

Then there’s the creation of her five-year-old nephew in Mendoza, Argentina, where auntie is reaching out to the young one.

Now another expression:

Paula had been teaching two young girls Spanish … and the universe said it was time for them to part.  Her drawing of goodbye asked the kids to think of her after she was gone.  And when they did that, the three of them would be joined in love – no matter the geography.

***

Both my stomach and soul

Were nourished this afternoon