Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Taking time, gives time

Huddled in the shade of the vine covered entrance to the restaurant, named Ramma, along with a long line of customers, patiently waiting to pay for the health conscious fresh food, we just had for lunch, I fumed with irritation about how slow every transaction in the steamy metropolis of Salvador, Bahia, seemed to take. The lovely preparation of diverse offerings, that I had relished only moments ago, had faded with the onset of my New York impatience. Calmly listening to my piqued rumblings was my luncheon companion, Carson Phillips, who had just engineered the signing of a contract, to have my work represented in Brazil by the famous Paulo Darze Galerie. A followup meeting the next morning with the noted David Bastos architectural firm, required a presentation in Portuguese be prepared in the waning hours of the day.

My hubris in thinking I had no time to waste in a line, where the single smiling cashier, engaged in polite conversation with each customer before me, should have faded in the quiet calm that existed all around me. I remember thinking that Salvador would be a better place if its residents were more conscious of others' time, if they would cut some of the red tape and layered processing and conformed to a more American model of efficacy. In my mind, a New York minute would not hurt the city one bit.

That was until I got to where my CD had to be assembled and printed and found that none of the files could be opened because of an incompatibility in software. After many tries, including running back home to retrieve my own computer and re-formatting every image three different times, we finally found a solution. After struggling with the issue for over three hours, the calm leisurely attitude, I had complained about earlier, turned out to be a cultural Godsend on that late hot summer afternoon. The tech guy, never grew impatient or bothered by the time it took to make it work. As the sun disappeared and the evening lights and sounds came alive, it made me realize something very important....patience is a grace you give others that makes your own life easier. My laments about how long things took, has been replaced with an appreciation of how the Brazilians spend time with friends, neighbors and passersby, sharing moments of joy that creates a sense of community and continuity with all.

We have had many opportunities to see the beauty of life in Salvador this trip. Now we are in Rio visiting friends. Below are a few photos of our time in Brazil.


















18 comments:

Keith said...

Such a wonderful gift you have give to your readers. I will hold you words close, always remembering, "patience is a grace you give to others which makes your own life easier."

Elissa Gore said...

An experience beautifully rendered in words....

Genita said...

Happy New Year Glenn,
Hope all is well with you, and Joe. What is time? I never have enough time to think about the Next, before I know it here. I will continue to read your wisdom of encouragement and look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Peace and lots of Blessings,

Ren said...

LOVE My "Tunstull Dashing" each month! Now stop being so impatient!! ;-)Hope to see you guys soon!

Ren

George F said...

Who gave u permission to leave. Have fun loved the blog see u when u return
love george f

Charlie said...

HELL - O!
Who is he chocolate beauty playing soccer on the beach?
.....one of these days I'm gonna make it to Brazil.......

oh, and yes, patience too..... : )

thanks for sharing.
charlie

Harry said...

Glenn,

Great piece and congratulations on your new gallery representation. I
did not know you were a home boy. I'm also from Detroit but actually
from Ecorse where I grew up.

Bill said...

For true, for true. You two look great. Give Joe my best. Look forward to seeing you two brown boys when you return.

Ron T said...

Good Morning..... Thanks for sharing you view, let me share mine. I looking out the window to wonderful wintry bliss of snow covering almost every inch of my viewing area.(Smile)

Barbara H said...

Congratulations on getting with a gallery--leave it to our Carson. The islands and south American countries will teach us patience ( soon come) as the Islanders say!
All the best in the New Year.
Love, Barbara

Anonymous said...

Hi Glenn,

No truer words have been spoken, thank you for that reminder.

Joe and Dr. Ezeze look great!

Kudos to Carson for making the art magic happen, as only he knows how.

Brazil is calling me, soon come!

Abriego,
Deb

P.S. Pam looks great, give her my regards!

Ash said...

Glenn,

Interesting read. Interesting concept.

By the way, I don't know if Carson remembers me or not, but we worked together at BARNEYS back in the 1990s. Len Richardson has told me that he was there but we have never had any direct contact. But when you see him again, please give him my best.

I hope you and Joe enjoy the rest of your visit. One could never say that you two are not living your lives with great zest. Be right back

Ash

Max said...

Heaven! Glen:just Heavenly!
Xo
Max

Gavin said...

Glenn congrates on the Paulo Darze Galerie representation, thats fantastic news.
Hope you and Joe are well. Have a great weekend in the sun.

Gavin

Alva said...

thank you once again for the share.
xox,
alva

Anonymous said...

Thanks, once again right on time. Patience.
Love to you both and see you soon.
Jill

Yvette said...

What a beautiful blog Glenn- and congratulations on the gallery signing....u are so fortuanate to be in Brazil right now . Youno doubt have heard about the terrible weather we are having here...and you know how I detest the cold! ave u beenaffected by the rains and flooding in Brazil? Certainly doesn't look like it from your photos....

Win said...

What a beautifully written "lesson" on grace. He may or may not realize that grace is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit, along with love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Thanks so much for sending, I did, indeed, enjoy it.