Ode to The Air We Breath

I've been thinking a lot lately about the human senses. The fragile nature of them all and their lack of dependency on each other. We ebb and flow through our days without a hint of recognition for what they bring, until one of them is taken away momentarily, and are left with an irreplaceable absence. The brisk London air irrigates itself from the inevitably damp pavement. It twists through espresso shops and curry kitchens. Then weaves its way through oriental grocery marts packed with rice noodles, american potato, gnocchi, fois gras and enters back into the open atmosphere decorated with more width of culture than the store it came from. Later this evening I'll share shisha with a pakistani dubliner with a gaelic accent who left his family who relocated to Russia for university in Whales. The air he has consumed was never the same for longer than 3 years.

We cannot know what will make our stomach turn at the drop of a dime or make our tongue drip like a pup with rabies. Can we make assumptions? Yes, but haven't we all been wrong? The Italians here want to fit in more than ever, at least I gather that from my first couple encounters. They mask their accent and remove telling facial hair that would have been trending in Naples. With this, they take away an extra opportunity for an American to press his harsh english accent on them, which they understand better than the Brits; since American's speak slowly and with less fluidity.

I can only hope as Notting Hill turns into blue overground trains in Montpellier, France or to the floating docks in Hamburg, Germany, that the people allow my senses to consume their life. That they dont hold back and let me understand them, or at least try. It's is no secret they will either try to interpret me or view it as a useless platitude.The only real risk in a life worth living is is not to be present. Breathing deep, tasting long, speaking true, and seeing far, can make for a beautiful way to feel human. For those out there with one of these senses gone, certainly its a shame. But as the human body fights for equality, the others will pick up the slack to make you feel whole. Breath life.