Facades

It was my first day in Barcelona. I had been dreaming about this trip for months. Excited for the culinary feast that awaits in this gastronomical capital paired with awe-worthy architecture and history, it was sure to be an amazing visit. As I walked through the various alleyways in Placa Catalyuna I stopped to marvel at one alleyway that didn't seem to make sense. On one side was a beautiful building with ornate wrought-iron balconies, green painted wood window frames, and brightly potted plants that flourished from almost each unit. The other side was a faded yellow building, paint clearly showing the test of time time and exposed piping looking like they sorely needed a cleaning. There were no plants. There seemed to be no pride in beautifying this outdoor living space on the balconies. I wondered how could the occupants of the opposing buildings seem so different.

I was perplexed thinking at how the viewers from the old building could look out to enjoy the beauty of the opposite building. However, for those home owners in the new building, what a sore to the eye to enjoy a coffee on a sunny day, surrounded by plants and looking across to a faded canvas. The juxtaposition of the two buildings left me thinking about how we make decisions. Under the assumption that the building with the beautiful facade also had a beautiful interior I would think most residents would choose that building. However, what if the older building while fairly basic from the outside had interiors that encompassed a rich history, a rustic charm of sorts. Without delving deeper and exploring how could one know? What I do know for certainty is when deciding to rent/buy a place everyone looks at the inside. I don't know many who would sign a purchase agreement/lease without seeing the inside. Afterall, we live on the inside. The exterior is an extension of the interior but it's really the inside that counts.

I'd like to think when it comes to relationships the same holds true.