Abismado (definition): "to be amazed; to be astonished"
I recently read this word in a book, "El Principito" (being read in Spanish). I fell in love...
I asked one of my students about the word. This particular student and I have 2 hour long conversations every Thursday night, whether we want to or not. We have discussed everything from religion, to marriage, to dreams, regrets, love, practicality, etc. He is my lifeline when I feel the abandonment of being an expat in the pueblo.
He first was abismado himself that I knew the word...And didn't know how to explain it to me in English. (Courtney--1, Spain--0) I threw out some synonyms I had found, and he agreed, but still struggled to accept the synonyms as the only way to explain the significance of the word.
This reminded me of another Spanish word I had learned almost 9 months ago that increased my love and anticipation for the Spanish culture and people...duende.
This whole past weekend I was overcome with emotion--abismado.
First of all, I was in Rome.
Back up, back up.
If you have been fortunate enough to go to Rome, you know that:
a) it wasn't built in a day
AND
b) when in Rome...
So, for me a) signifies that it shouldn't be SEEN in a day, nor two and b) eat and drink until you can't walk, ONLY AFTER having been overwhelmed by the history and culture that still stands, rooted, surrounding you.
I felt unbelievably fortunate to know the people I know...always have and always will. One of my friends from my internship program, two summers ago, is a Roman and hosted me for two nights. He even took me on an authentic tour and did the touristy things that he has been asked to do about a 1094290812 times. Unfortunately, for me, in preparation for the conclave, the Vatican and Sistine Chapel were closed to the public. Now i have an excuse to return and be overwhelmed in new and exciting ways that are beyond my comprehension.
Bernini, the Italian architect who built St. Peter's Square wanted the feeling of shock and awe (abismado) to fall upon the people as they enter the marble pillars. What lies within--the holiest of holies.
That he did.
So, let's connect that past with this present. Here I am in the origin of the organized world as we know it. And of course, I have to flash it on Facebook.
HELLOOO WORLLD. I'M AT THIS FAMOUS PLACE CALLED THE TREVI FOUNTAIN AND I THREW THAT COIN INTO THAT WATER. HOLLERR ATTCHHYOO GURRRL.
Pathetic like-count.. Poor showing...But, who happens to message me? One of the religion teachers from my high school. Slightly rando, but, pleasantly surprising.
After patience and planning, we finally reunited and had a walk through the St. Peter's Square at night...dark, glorious, and almost completely empty. This teacher proceeded to reveal three things:
1) This is his first trip alone.
2) He is here representing the American Catholic Church. So, Hey! Media hub! Put me on TV!
3) He prays the conclave has a decision by Tuesday because his flight leaves early Wednesday morning.
We had a two-hour rendezvous and, then, I had my flight to prepare for, which required arising at a painfully early 4am.
The next day, depressed by my Facebook like-count, I mustered up the strength to log back in. What is the first thing I saw?
A picture of my teacher on international television beings interviewed as a representative of the American Catholic Society in Italy.
Wait...wait...what?!?!
He did it.
Abismado.
Then, I log in about five hours later. And he has a new status.
I'm thinkin'... "Who is THIS guy? Another new status?!"
His status read: "Change of Plans!! Rimango!! British Airways changed my flight to tomorrow! I'm staying one more day, 4 more votes. The Holy Spirit may not have led the Cardinals to a Pope but did in fact keep me here one more day!"
Okay. I'm officially abismado.
After explaining all this to one of my Spanish classes (a fruitless endeavor that was completely lost in translation), I was hustling to my next class at the hotel. As I walked in, just after having explained all of this abismado business, the revelation of the pope was on television in the bar. Taken aback is an understatement. I felt full. Just like I felt when I entered St. Peter's basilica and the other sights of St. Peter's Square.
Thoughts running through my head couldn't be processed and were derived as overwhelming feelings rather than coherent logic.
I was just there...
My teacher's there right now...
This is history...
Something is about to change in the world...
Having faith goes hand in hand with knowing who you are. If you have good energy and believe, good things happen. My teacher believes and lived it...
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