Bear with me, I gotta get through these city posts. It felt like home. Not Tacoma or Seattle specifically but just home. There were bridges, historic houses, beaches, frozen lemonade, giant plastic monster costumes, a carousel, a cheer brigade, celebrity rumors, graffiti, cliffs, parks, coffee, bicycles, new friends, and one magnificent school, well two.
Situated on a "hill" though it doesn't loom, the bricks are old, the atmosphere more than quaint, a river divides it from downtown. Water fire stirs an uncharacteristically vibrant personality but a few times a year, its conclusion restoring a serene plane. We met Daniel the alumni, whose eloquent speech made more lovely a dangerously near possibility. He talked for several hours, stirring further some growing desires.
Travis, Jyll and Teagan Mullen met us at the train station in their beautifully worn mobile machine. They were strangers before that moment. Our connection lay tangibly between our churches yet the spiritual tie was stronger. Family in God, yes indeed it felt that way. Delirium from sleepless train travel wore off slowly, cut more quickly by quips, chuckles, and guffaws on wide ranging topics. Within the next week, Jyll would give us the best tour of Providence anyone could ask for. She was fantastic and vibrant, a subtle firecracker. I had been warned about Travis, not to be caught off guard by his monotone inflections. However, behind the level tone lies so much more sarcastic possibility so that hilarity abounds! In short, Travis was great and not a robot. He said without shame, watch Nacho Libre and you will understand who I am. Now I must tell you it takes a lot more than it should to fill the position of my favorite 5 year old but it has been done by Teagan. That kid has spunk, style, rhythm, sincerity, and talent. May you be so lucky to meet him someday when he is the best breakdancer you have ever seen.
The city itself was lovely, historic, full of character and comfortable. Quite small but all the better for it. Hello Providence, I cannot wait to spend the next three years with you. (I need to update you and I will if you keep watching.)
With the lack of will to write much more and a feeling of sensitivity toward your eyes which must be getting tired by now, I will simply direct you toward Chloe's post which covers more of these things in photographs. Much more pleasant.
Images of the Newport cliff walk & RISD Nature Lab.