My husband and I leave for Europe in 7 days. I lived in Germany for the main part of my growing up years, both as a child and as a young adult. There’s little or nothing left of what I knew other than my memories, I know that. But I’d still like to give my memories life because my memories include people who deserve the lives they have given me, both in my reality and through my memory of them. And I’d like to do what I can to pass their being-ness on.
Thank you–Fanny and Max, Christa Maria, Helmut, Robert. Marta, and , especially, you, Katie. I know I’m forgetting a lot of people. What I don’t forget is how much you gave and how much you’ve given to me. I am a part of you. And you are a part of me that I’ll never forget. I hope to be able to pass that feeling on.
Three more days–then we off to our adventure. One of the vendors at our local farmers’ market recommended we go to Prague. She said it was beautiful and that walking in the old town was like walking into the 14th century. That’s what I like so much about Europe–you can flip the pages of history back and imagine–What you imagine depends on your mind-set, of course. I’d like to be able to imagine both the realities of the time and our romanticism of the time. Both are there. In a lot of ways, I think both ways of viewing a time and a people are valid.
The day before we leave, we’re going to be a part of a protest demonstration! Can you believe that!? But it’s something that has to be done, in our minds. Hope we have everything done before hand–if we don’t–meh. We still have to try to make our voices heard.
We went off to our small protest–We’re a small Town, but I think we made our voices heard and had fun at the same time.–It was good to see our neighbors and friends collected together to protest against what the State is doing to us. My sister wondered why we weren’t down in one of the Occupy protests, but we had too much to do to get ready for our first vacation in 25+ years. We had to settle for something less, but more real for us. And it felt soooo good.
You can make an analogy between one’s style of traveling and one’s style of engaging in philosophy.
Some travelers are strict planners. They think first and foremost, efficiency, and will often concern themselves with finding things like shortcuts and structured order. When arriving to a new city, such a traveler will follow a schedule and the city map, and will go down the checklist of all the famous landmarks. He is likely to hire a local guide, or follow the general direction of tourist crowds. He is a type of traveler who travels on tested ground, where it’s safe and reliable.
Then, there is a type of travelers who are interested in a more personal and intimate experience, one that is based on interaction between them and fate/chance, rather than scheduled planning. They are the travelers who go off the beaten path and explore the “back alleys” on their own. These travelers usually are not as afraid of being lost, because they know that this experience, whether it turns out to be good or bad, allows them to interact with the place on a more personal/intimate level.
I see people who follow great philosophers as travelers who are drawn to famous landmarks. They study them and know a great deal about their history. I understand that the main reason some people are drawn to famous landmarks is because of their historical significance, or greatness; and of course, also their popularity. Very often, these landmarks, indeed, mark an example of human excellence, something that has been done and never been repeated, or surpassed again. Perhaps people are drawn to them because they feel more significant by standing next to them, by associating with them, even if for a moment.
People who choose to learn from their personal life experience are like travelers who go and explore on their own, without a map. Their experience is usually not affiliated to any “greatness” that may be experienced by someone who remains close to a famous landmark, but it is more personal. Such traveler doesn’t have to give credit to any source for his experience (such as to a live guide, or a map). His experience is completely his own and unrepeatable (as granted by chance).
On recognizers: it reminds me of people who have weddings in front of famous landmarks which are especially known for their bloody history. Maybe it’s just a matter of personal taste, I don’t know, but I really don’t get the connection.
Excellent posts, the both of you. I especially liked yours, Pandora, as it was more metaphorical.
I’m the type of traveller that sticks to a basic plan with respect to time and everything like that, but will deviate slightly from the main sights just as long as I am fairly close to everything. My comfort zone is wider than that of many, but more confined than that of others.
