So I went to Mass two weeks ago, during Lent as one does.   Normally, at least since I’ve been in Spain I’ve been going to the English language Mass in Sevilla at St. Joseph’s near la Puerta De Carne, if that means anything to anyone.  This particular Sunday, I decided to go to the local Parish, which is literally behind my building for Mass.   I figured, while I am in Spain, I might as well go to a Spanish Mass.  It was the children’s Mass as best as I could tell, there were

I was just in France visiting distant family and my cousin Audezio said something that stuck with me, “Blood recognizes blood.”  Which I totally agree with. And my time in Paris got me thinking about things in the U.S. and ideas that I have been thinking about for a few years.   If I am being honest, I think African Americans (I am not consciously using the term ‘Black” for a number of reasons I will discuss at another time) have really one of three paths to follow while livi

So now that I am in Spain, I assume I have to choose a Football team.   Oddly enough, Sevilla has two teams, Sevilla and Real Betis.   When I first arrived, T noticed more Sevilla jerseys out and about, but I kept seeing these green jerseys and I was like, there’s something here.  So as I noted earlier, Sevilla is the red team and Real Betis is the green team.    So as I do, I started going down rabbit holes to see which team I would support, because no true sports fan can su

So two things came to mind this morning.   One, growing up in any society, we are taught lessons and come to assume that things are just the way that they are, and two; when we try to apply these lessons to another context, sometimes they work and sometimes they do not.  First, so growing up in the U.S. in cities particularly, you learn that even addresses are on side of the street and odd addresses are on the other side of the street.   In addition, for the most part, though

If you have traveled to Europe before, Sevilla will feel very comfortable and familiar.   The first thing you will notice is the Casco Antiguo (The Old City).  This is the original medieval / historic / Roman settlement.   Apparently it existed before it was conquered by the Roman Empire about 200 years BCE.   It is not that far from Cadiz, which is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, so I know that there were explorers here.  There is a major river that flows through

So about a week ago, we attended an English walking tour put on by Sevilla Negra. As best as I can tell, Sevilla Negra has two roles 1) to document and enshrine the Black / African history in Sevilla and 2) to support the Black / African population in Sevilla today. The walking took about two and a half hours and was really interesting / sobering. So some brief history, according to the tour, the first slaves were brought to Sevilla around 1441, keep in mind that Columb

So I’ve been thinking more about history recently.   As I’ve mentioned before I’ve been amazed at the history of Spain.   Growing up in the United States, we learn European history.   We learn European history mainly from the British / French perspective.  I feel like in High School, everything starts with the Roman Empire, and then we get the Renaissance, a brief discussion of the Age of Exploration (mainly from the English perspective), Industrialization, World War One, Wor

Reading about the U.S. elections from Europe is interesting.  Even here the President’s comments are carried on local television (laSexta if you are wondering). I am still following U.S. news, but less so.   So apparently the Swedish mafia is having rivals killed in Spain, who knew those were things). Several years ago I was at a conference at Catholic University, and one of the speakers asked the question “Why aren’t there any skyscrapers in DC?” My answer, if I recall had s

So on my second day here in Sevilla, I was taking a walk down La Virgen de Africa (which oddly enough is across the street from La Virgen de Fatima). And on my stroll as one does here, I came across a Black Barbershop. The metrical clouds had parted, the choir of angles proclaimed and I had found my barber. Mind you, the shop was closed, and there were no hours on the door, but I knew it would be open and I would be able to get a cut. Aside, back in 1984, maybe, mom and I had

I love the Sentiment So I've been asked by several people what is the newest thing I've discovered, or what's the newest thing. And I think I wanted to talk about food, because, well food! So, first, morning coffee.... Back when I was in Cabo Verde back in June, I got used to my morning double espresso (cafe double). I read somewhere that people that like Dark Chocolate also like their coffee black. So I guess that means that I fall into that category. I mean a double

I love how the urban pigeon uses the crosswalk. It doesn't respect the Don't Walk sign, "but that's not important right now". So I managed to stay awake for Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night / Sunday Morning.. Or something like that. So the game started at 0100 (YOU see what I did there???) Sunday morning. and I managed to stay awake for the most part, taking two "naps" throughout the game. Of course the game went into extra innings as these things do, and

This is for the urban planners: So I’m exploring my new neighborhood, Triana. The Main Street is Avenida de la Republic Argentina. Most of (all of) the buildings on the street are 8-10 stories with ground floor businesses. These ground floor businesses are groceries, doctors offices, restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, a little bit of everything. And in the middle of this section of Avenida de la República Argentina, these is this office building that kinda towers over ev

So about 10 days ago before I left town, I was in a Hannaford grocery store in Maine doing self checking out. I heard over the intercom “Security 114, Security 114.” And about a few seconds later, the self checkout attendant came over to where I was and put on some hand sanitizer. My first thought was, was that announcement about me, or did it have absolutely nothing to do with me. And this is the point of today’s thoughts. One of the several reasons that I am looking forward

So a few years ago (2021)  I saw an interview with Heather McGhee who had just released her book “The Sum of Us.” In the interview, Ms. McGhee recounts two stories that are indicative of how she she says racism impacts all Americans negatively. The first story is about swimming pools after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Long story short, after the passage of the Act, many communities (Montgomery County, MD I’m looking at you.) decided to close public pools inste

We have arrived safe and sound in Sevilla.

Our Visas was just approved!!! We will be flying out to Spain in the next few days!!!! Thank you all for your prayers and support!!!! I saw this car in the parking lot and I think the skeleton is saying goodbye.

So about 5 years ago, I was doing research on the origins of the Back To Africa Movement, as one does and I discovered something interesting.  I Googled something like “Marcus Garvey predecessors” or something like that and several names came up, one that caught my eye, Paul Cuffe.   And it reminded me of a book report that I wrote back in 5 th  grade (or something like that).  I was at Harford Heights Elementary School for 4 th  and 5 th Grade and 6 th  at Roland Park Middl