We like to go exploring around town, because you never know what you'll find. This is one of my favorite finds so far - a secret passage with small windows that look out onto these architectural astronomical instruments.
People come from far and wide to see the largest sun dial in the world. The precision of these geometric devices is astonishing. To the minute! Very cool. The beauty of the universe, the stars and sun and moon. The spark in humanity that impels us to build and create and tend. Amazing.
And who doesn't love a secret passage? Come on.
I showed this photo to one of our artisan ladies today for general conversation filler. I see the blank look on her face. "What? You don't know what this is?" I say. She shakes her head, and I blink in perplexity. I tell her the name of this place, and she repeats it slowly. Carefully.
She's never seen this place in her life. She's not joking. She lives right around the corner from this major site. My heart hurts.
I go down the whole list of important places to visit in town. Historical places. Beautiful places. She keeps shaking her head. She hasn't been to any of them, except one. My heart hurts more.
We want our artisans to have a rich life. That means a lot of things, but mainly it means the power to decide for yourself. Some people, especially women, are afraid to or prohibited from making decisions for themselves. Many women don't realize they have a voice or how to use it for good.
The world can seem very small to millions of women, who don't even know what's sitting 100 meters away. They know four walls and a window. Firmly planted in the earth, they've never reached for the stars. We want to change that. We want the women in our sphere to know the beauty of this world and the human spark.
Thanks to you for making a difference in these artisans' lives, by supporting their work and not forgetting them. As for me, I'll be visiting the secret garden again very soon, with my friend in tow. It's gonna be a great day.
Photo Credit: Alicia Hatton
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