I worked until 9 PM, then went out for an evening walk.
When I headed toward Freedom Square, to my surprise the road was closed off. The streets were filled with people, and illuminations stretched out like the main boulevard at USJ. My eyes lit up. My favorite thing: Christmas.
Alone in the light
I had no one to spend it with, but I didn't feel lonely. The area was packed with families, friends, and couples. While many people walked around, I walked straight down the center of the road toward Freedom Square. My heart leapt, and I found myself skipping as I ran along by myself.
Then, along the way a young girl spoke to me. Probably about seventeen.
"You are so beautiful."
I was really taken aback to be told that so suddenly. But I was genuinely happy. My way of living is 'to live beautifully.' It had been clearly recognized by someone else. She opened her arms to hug me, so I hugged her. It was a very tight hug. That much showed I was shining, or that she had somehow come to like me.
After the hug, embarrassed, she slipped off into the crowd. I think now that I should have taken a photo with her. A hug with the Christmas tree in view. I don't even remember her face. But it will be etched in my heart forever.
Freedom Square at Christmas
I kept walking while listening to music on my AirPods. It was such a vast place I almost thought it was USJ.
Along the way, I found a group dancing. Random people were moving to the music. It was really lovely. In other places, people were dancing to songs I recognized playing from somewhere else. It had such a nice atmosphere.
I was alone, but not lonely. I felt almost giddy.
I was hungry, but since eating a lot would make me gain weight, I decided to buy peanuts and go home. Back at the hostel, I opened my laptop and worked on projects while eating the peanuts. They were way too salty. But I was so hungry I ate them anyway.
The Christmas illuminations were truly beautiful. I'm so happy to be able to spend another week here. Even alone, if you live beautifully, it reaches someone. Tonight, I learned that.
