A Place of Style of Northern Cold

Walking Briskly Against Time

And Settling Neatly Beside Bikes

To Rise the Snow Caps Morn

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 A smoke filled resonance written is black, grey and red 
clicks delicately across the stone paths and brick walls.
Smell of fresh bread intermingles with perfume
and clings to the sides of tall buildings.
A few days of sun and many with clouds
lighting the streets of people walking.
Through the twist and turns of Rue
a lovely church suddenly comes to life.
It sits pointing a cross to God 
drawing a wandering worshiper.
They come to hear, see and touch.
The stone stays permanent 
amidst an ever moving city
The city does not stop 
regardless of the cold.
This is Lille France.

My humble adventure starts with a 36 hour day trying desperately to save energy for my etudes. Once the speedy plane landed I was thrown into a world of mystery, adventure and the unknown. Language is a wondrous and pleasant idea. It creates homeliness and static emotion. Without the soft blanket of language we are trapped vocally by the lack of knowledge. I sit, listen, wander and try to speak but nothing exits. There is little I can do immediately but start to learn and connect. The only kindred love is that of other friends and the anonymous English speaking chap. Language is powerful. 

Architecture on the other hand is ever pronouncing and understandable. It is stable. It sings my language and speaks softly and friendly. I bask in the glory of buildings; I photograph every moment. They are lively and beautiful. With the duality of life, what is obtuse? I was floating without mind and body. It is a new world. Scale is tiny and comforting. You bump people, they bump you back. You look at a crowd, they look back. The streets are filled with tiny cars. The sidewalks are short and angled. Lille is obtuse for beauty and proportions. It sits nicely in my heart though. I do enjoy the unique.

A rare obtuse event followed me from our cold environment back home. Heavy snow filled the city stopping life, I thought. The roads became glazed and sharp. Many people toppled amongst their baggage. Cars piled for miles and a large bus hit a 'stop.' Life did not freeze though. People continued to move.

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