Seeing Through New Eyes

I always enjoy showing my city to newcomers.  This happened today.  I have a Peruvian friend who has been here for over a year and a friend of his has recently come here for a month.  Today we were introduced for the first time and then we went walking, along the Coal Harbour Seawall


, then into Stanley Park as far as Prospect Point


where we stopped in a restaurant for a snack with a breathtaking view of the Lions` Gate Bridge, then through the forest and then along the Seawall until we visited the laughing statues at English Bay.



My friend didn`t think I liked the statues, and I have to admit that I know a lot of people who find them off-putting, and many others who love them.  We even saw a little girl cry with fright when her mother carried her over to them.  I couldn`t give a black and white answer because, really, that`s not the way I seem to experience things.  A lot of people will either like something or dislike it.  My experience of things has always been more nuanced.  As I explained this to my two Peruvian friends (even though I have only met once my friend's friend I already consider her my friend and I hope that's okay with both of them because I find them both to be lovely people.) I often don't know what to make of something so I'll simply give it time and think of it as interesting.  It helps me keep an open mind and this way I can easily grow to like new things and people, as I seek to understand them better, I might otherwise dismiss.  It's amazing the things we learn about ourselves through other people.

I also have a special fondness for Peruvians.  Almost every Peruvian I've met I have found to be kind, gentle and humble and very nice to be with.  Or maybe I'm just lucky and I get to meet the good ones.

Seeing my city through my friends' eyes has helped me love all the more the place where I live and for this I thank them both with joy and gratitude and to both these Peruvians who have been so kind to befriend me I dedicate this post.