Mannaz looks similar to an M, but instead of the top lines meeting they cross to the other side.  It stands for mankind, just like Ansuz stands for the gods and divinity.  Although this may imply that it speaks for the universal brotherhood of man, the message of it is more direct and personal.  It appeals to the conscience.  One needs to question their own motives.  How does one’s actions affect others?  As a mortal it is impossible to be perfect.  It is important to remember this.  Be aware of your flaws but don’t let them stop you,

When it comes to the healing interpretation, it relates to innocence.  We start out our lives with trusting hearts, but over the years become guarded and jaded.  We built walls to protect ourselves, but end up keeping out the good as well as the bad.  It is important to regain some degree of innocence and learn how to trust others again.  A compassionate act and simple smile can sometimes do miracles.

There is a character in a movie called The Watchman named Doctor Manhattan.  Through a nuclear accident he becomes so powerful and competent, nearly godlike, that he can’t relate to his girlfriend or the human race anymore, and ends up on a distant planet building magnificent palaces where there is no one to see or appreciate them.  I had not gotten that powerful or perfect, but after ten years in Los Angeles making records that never went anywhere, had grown so hurt and jaded that I ventured off into my own pocket of isolation, removing myself from any place or anyone that had previously mattered.

During that time, I’d eventually grown sick with depression and self-pity, and now I was going to have a hard time integrating back into society again, but it had to be done.  To do so, I would need to accept people as they were, rather than what I wish they were, and if there was a high road to take, I might be the one who needed to take it.  There was no physical distance I could put between myself and my problems anymore.  I needed to start building bridges, instead of building dams.

I was in Mexico City once again, with only three more days before I’d be flying back to Los Angeles.  There were many challenges that waited for me back there, but I was ready to take them on.  Now I wandered down Calzada de Tlalpan, killing time before heading back to my hotel for the night.  There was a restaurant selling broasted chicken.  I ordered a quarter chicken with tortillas and onions.  After eating, I started back in the direction of my hotel.

The next day I wanted to travel to Xochimilco, a neighborhood in the south of Mexico City with canals like Venice, the remnants of a great system of waterways once constructed by the Aztecs.  It looked possible to travel there by the Metro, but not straight forward.  At one point I would need to transfer to the TL, or light rail.  I figured I’d just set off in the morning and work it out then. 

In the meantime, I retired to my room and took a hot shower, one of few on the trip.  Though the room was small, the make of it was modern.  It was more than good enough.