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A glimpse from Brooklyn, NY

A passage to Brooklyn, NY

I walk around

seeing the crowd,

watching the people across the roads

on Wilson, Myrtle, Cypress, Cornelia or Knickerbocker Streets

I find Spanish as the language spoken.

Numerous shops like those of the hairdressers, restaurants,

and other business firms

draw me to get in and have a try;

search for something and take a choice

from all those items seen and displayed.

Like any movements in public… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 1:27pm — No Comments

Verona, Italy

A Reconnoitre in Verona

Nothing can dim the glow of my joy

Those meaningful moments which I still recall

I find certain happiness yet silence in time

With occupying thoughts that always cross my mind.

Along the stream of consciousness, there’s a hidden message

I may be attentive, yet time creeps so fast.

There’s difficulty that hampers me though

a busload of burdens that wrap me till night.

On and off, I turn to gaze at these… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 12:01pm — No Comments

Assisi, Italy

ASSISI: VENTRILOQUISM FOR MY GRAIL

A leap across the hill-top,

Is an encounter with God.

Concealed in the language of history

the depth of human religiosity.

It rings true for me though

those stories of Francis of Assisi.

Surely, striking the hallmarks of simplicity

in quietude where I cling to reality.

There is a twofold bridge in it,

That is historical and biblical

That I must continue to face

the conundrum of life… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Wuppertal, Germany

In Wuppertal (Germany)

Gloomy, quiet and serene

This is the place where I stay.

People work up to the hilt

following the rhythm of each day.

I see and listen to some of them

with wonder and excitement.

Like any stranger in this place

I get to know where they come from.

Now I realize the richness and mobility

That makes me see and experience

In this beautiful city

Where people come and go.

As an experience… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

Florence, Italy

FLORENCE: ICONIC IN CLASSICISM

Behind the insatiable appetite of people

who come to see and appreciate

The work of art in human history

lies the images and quality of faith.

This beautiful city of Florence

Where a kind of growth and civilization

Has kept the sentiment of tradition

That carries with it all our admiration.

It is the evidence of achievement

that seems to paint with ever greater meaning

The finest features… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:58am — No Comments

Away from home

Far from home

I drool over

to come and see,

Those lovely places around

truly, a sight to behold.

Artifacts from Spanish times

Magnificent churches,

Buildings and a tad of ruins

have significance to perceive.

Clematis dripping from walls

Cascades of flowers

Green trees elsewhere

give delight to everyone.

A triumph of hope

awaits the locals

as a hybrid nation

a birthplace of… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:57am — No Comments

C'est la vie

Such is life

Sadness afflicts us

and sorrow brings us back

to capture the mem’ries of the past

Such a call, such is life.

It’s difficult to accept,

It’s a struggle to keep

with mem’ries that haunt us

to reminisce and believe.

Greet the day with hope

have a cheerful look

and turn over a new leaf

to welcome a new spirit.

A growing sense of optimism

draws us to keep alive.

the expressions of human… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:56am — No Comments

Inner voice

Traveling by air

In a busy airport like Hongkong

where travelers come and meet

along with their families, friends and acquaintances

Mobility continues to soar.

It’s amazing to see them

as they hurry to walk

either for check-in, boarding or whatever

They make an effort to be there on time.

Certain things have to keep going,

realizing the rules and procedures

that concern all passengers

bound for their respective… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:53am — No Comments

Growing spirituality among Filipinos

Popular spirituality of the Filipinos – in various structures

1. The starting point

Looking back on the past centuries of the Philippine situation, the influences of Spain and the United States of America have become clear to some extend that the self-awareness of Filipinos is still in the process of being born. Faced with the idea of the West towards colonization and acculturation, things have reached into the ways of disequilibrium. This imbalance, in turn, has induced… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:50am — No Comments

Feminism in Sacred Scriptures

Feminism in Migration – a ministry of the gospel

To-day there is much being said and written about feminism that stands on the edge of new possibilities for a common thread in our society. We live in the present time aware of many victims strewn across the pages of our history. These unfold though the ideology of patriarchy and the exploitation of the poor and oppressed.

Recognising the need of feminism side by side with liberation theology, we can keep moving along the… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:47am — No Comments

My experience in the Country Down Under - Australia

A passage to country down under - my experience in Australia

Having lived in Australia for even a short period of time has given me already a picture of the country’s present situation in terms of relationships that exist amongst different cultures. One of the parishes where I worked for three years is a good example of multiculturalism.

The image of Australia as a land of opportunity for immigrants, a cosmopolitan country and a staple of popular culture has helped shape… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:45am — No Comments

On our way to Egypt

On our way to Egypt – through the looking glass of time

Unencumbered by the sweltering heat, we slipped across the border of Palestine and visited Mt. Sinai. That sense of expectation and possibility of what we thought of made us realize to keep focused on our faith and keep our Christian hope alive that despite poverty and the angst of centuries ago, we were still animated by our faith that could be recalled in times past by all those who visited or lived in these places. This… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:43am — No Comments

Some remnants of my pilgrimage in the Holy Land

Memories in the sieve – our pilgrimage in the Holy Land

As Abraham Heschel used to stress, “the point is not that we do not know, rather that God does know. What matters is not our feeling close to God but our certainty and conviction of his being close to us. That was the conviction that radiated some kind of assurance as we reflected on what it means to walk through the footsteps of Christ. As we coped with our rope-line schedule for each day, we were taken aback to remember with… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:42am — No Comments

Across the border in Mexico

Across the border of Mexico

I did a mission work at Casa del Migrante in the border of Ciudad Juárez, México. It is where a lot of Mexicans, Salvadorians, Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Peruvians cross into the U.S. without fear and discover later that they cannot do so without any necessary documents.

There is a search fro meaning that explores the struggles and difficulties the migrant faces including the relationship between home and away. Of the many stories I’ve heard, their… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:40am — No Comments

Sojourn in Munich, Germany

Münich: On the prowl for perspective

Starting point

India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, once said, “we live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” Like a distinctive flavor and running theme of my sojourn in Munich, Germany this summer 2008, I was drawn to think about the compelling chunk of that deep enthusiasm to see the city that is known for… Continue

Added by mark alba escobar on August 1, 2009 at 11:37am — No Comments

Freshly renovated rooms in Waikiki starting at $79 per night

The Aqua Waikiki Pearl is offering travelers a huge savings with rates starting at just $79 per night for stays through December 25, 2009.

Recently renovated and upgraded from top to bottom, the hotel is located in the heart of Waikiki at 415 Nahua Street, and offers large rooms, sizeable lanais and the following free amenities:

FREE high speed internet access

FREE local & toll-free calls

FREE WiFi Internet access… Continue

Added by Sandi Yara on August 1, 2009 at 1:00am — No Comments

Udaipur, India's City With the Majestic Touch

There is an aura about the place. It is almost mystical. Wikipedia, the Bible of the netizens describes this place as the Venice of the East. We are talking about a place that was voted as the world's best city for travellers in 2009 by a travel magazine of repute. It is Udaipur, the lake city of India nestled in a valley surrounded by the Aravalli hills, reflected smooth and white in the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. This historically alive city houses the most beautiful lakes like Fateh… Continue

Added by Lavanya Kumari on July 26, 2009 at 2:44am — 1 Comment

Honduras Offers High-Quality, Affordable Travel Thrills

It’s not often that the tiny Central American country of Honduras steals its way onto the outside world’s front pages. But most of the turmoil surrounding the June 28 ouster of overreaching president Manuel Zelaya seems to be roiling more outside the country than inside, in places like Caracas, Managua, and even Washington DC. Most Hondurans, by contrast, seem relieved by recent events, and it’s been largely business as usual within the country, including its growing tourism…