Shower, please

One purpose of leaving life as we know it for a year and exploring South America is to discover more about ourselves, about each other, and about us. It's only been one week, but I can already see that this goal will surely be met! When you put yourself into an uncomfortable, or I should say unfamiliar, setting, your old traits that seemed to just blend in now stand out and shout at you! An example is something that I learned about myself this morning. I was standing in the shower, the water turned as hot is it could possibly go - scalding me, the way I like it, and I realized that I've been in that same spot in the shower at least twice a day, everyday. Back home running to me was as natural as breathing. If a few days went by without getting a run in then those around me could tell - I was irritable and moody and just out of sorts. Well, it's now been a week and there is no running in site anytime soon. Buenos Aires (downtown at least) is severely dense. You literally can not step outside without bumping into another person, or nearly being hit by a passing car. Every square inch of the city has been put to use with tons of stores and apartments filling the streets. Running is out of the question. We have been walking a fair amount each day, but walking is not even the same breed as running. Anyways, standing in the shower this morning I realized that taking a shower has become my temporary "runners high". I'll pass on the alcohol, shopping, gambling, or other ways people get their high, mine is either a run or a shower. I like to take a shower when I'm cold, and want to be warmed. When I'm happy and want to sing. When I'm bored and need something to do. When I'm anxious and want to relax. When I'm sad and want to cry. When I'm excited and want to let my mind run free. When I'm annoyed and want to vent. When I'm congested and want to be cleared. When I'm overwhelmed and want to dis-engage. When I'm frustrated and want to contemplate. When I'm thrilled beyond belief and want to chant cheers as loud as possible. Oh, the reasons are endless. I'm just glad that the utilities are included in rent. That's probably why I stick to running in Denver.
Paz (peace), J