Looks are Deceiving

I know none of us really sees ourselves as others do. I was wondering, as I went for a walk today, what people saw when they looked at me. I had on jeans and my white T shirt from Death Valley, with desert flowers. Over that was my light blue denim work shirt, the one with a small row of lighthouses and Out Banks lighthouses stitched underneath. My earrings were lapis with shekel coins. New Balance walking shoes. My hair is wild, what I used to call Berkeley hippie, and it's back in style but with better hair products. Does that outfit on me scream American. I know how American it is but people here have English logos and slogans on a lot of their clothes. Of course when I am walking both Curly and Jack in his stroller (pram, here)they don't know what to think.

I mentioned at lunch the other day how restful it was not to speak the language. Conversations are going on around me and I have no idea what they are saying. Ramona, a work friend, responded that she feels alienated. I may feel that way eventually but not now. For now it is all a puzzle, trying to read the simple signs and messages on billboards and bus stops. Trying to understand how what people are saying matches any words I know.

I was walking Curly tonight and the invisibility factor kicked in, that is a middle age woman,walking past a group of teenagers. I often feel invisible, don't know the impact my presence makes, (some of you are chuckling) but it's true. I like to think I blend in. Light rain tonight, a delightful walk and pounding surf.