i didn´t realize it when planning this trip, but i now see that Mexico has been the perfect place to begin and end this trip. to start, it was a great way to ease back into the language and aid in my transition into the backpacking life. to end, it is nice to come to a country with which i am relatively comfortable, to places and people that are familiar, and still have new experiences awaiting me.
throughout my trip i have made attempts to understand and put some meaning behind all i have seen and experienced, but this has proven to be rather confounding. each country, each city, each person has offered me more to think about and added question upon question...leaving me with the feeling that i understand less than when i started.
yet i know that statement and that sentiment is not quite accurate. so it is now, while on the 6-8-12-14 hour bus rides ahead of me, while walking through the streets of familiar cities, while talking with friends and fellow travelers, while writing, that i will make the effort to reflect upon this journey without searching for "the" meaning, or expecting "greater" understanding. rather, the time will be spent remembering the experiences of each moment and how to possibly integrate the last few months into my life and my understanding of myself and the world i live in.
of course this is all very egotistical of me, which is something i have grown to understand about this entire trip. it is a selfish act, to take time to travel alone without work, without responsibilities and in lands far off from friends, family, community and country. it is a luxury not afforded to most and certainly incomprehensible to many. some have said i am incredibly lucky to have the support of my community and culture, others have said this trip is proof that the Western world has veered too much toward the external, and still others have refused to call this trip anything other than a grand vacation. all have elements of truth and yet there is more to be said and that is what i am hoping time will afford me...
i finally wound my way back to your blog, and was so happy to read the past month's reflections and photos. while you traveled in the south, i headed to Alaska for my annual "they tried to kill us, they failed, let's eat!" celebration with Erin. we celebrated being able once again to hike to the top of Portage pass - about 3000 ft, at the base of 4 glaciers, eagles wheeling around, the prince william sound sparkling in the distance. sadly, we did NOT see russia..... crr
ReplyDeletewow no russia sightings how odd.
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