Like many, I have come to view all of life as a splendid journey, even those paths that lead to painful lessons. In a few weeks, I will embark upon my first journey overseas -- Barcelona, Girona, Mt. Canigou and Molitg-les-Bains. The trip is all for pleasure, which for me must include learning -- stretching of mind, heart, spirit, soaking up life's lessons like a sponge.
Lessons frequently come to us from books, and I have read so much about Europe that I fancy myself familiar with it; I have passed many pleasurable hours imagining the incredible richness of a journey such as the one before me. I will gaze out over the Mediterranean Sea, walk in cities whose foundations are Roman; whose walls bear mute witness to human endeavor - the medieval fortifications, the blossoming of the Modernist culture, the propensity to create in the face of famine, failure, fighting. I will look upon both the sacred - a resting place of the Grail in Sagrada Familia, and the profane - a resting place of Vlad Tepes at L'Abbay St. Martin du Canigou in the Pyrenees, mountains more ancient that the Blue Ridge, the Allegheny or the Rockies.
I am ready to be awed by the experience, completely childlike, brain and senses fully engaged. Already I am musing to myself about the merits of reality vice reading a book about Catalonia, Gaudi, Dali, Picasso; wondering if the literature will pale beside my experience the way film sometimes relates to literature. I will walk free, as only a visitor can, and as gracefully as a guest can contrive to, in places that provide records of the whole of known human history. Surely this will be among the most enriching experiences of my life. Recording this journey will be such a priveledge and a pleasure, sharing it seems somehow important.
For the next two weeks, I'll be packing my bags with a mind to representing the modern American woman in a favorable fashion; as well as paying homage to my European surroundings. Though my departure date is October 1, the wonder has already taken hold, the journey begun. I invite you to check in again before I depart to critique the packing list and experience some vicarious pleasure as I continue this splendidly wonderful journey!
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