prodigal me
I have returned. Well, technically, I returned about a month ago, but I have now returned to this place. And upon my return, I find that nothing is the same. Sure, the border at the top of this page, the thoughts from before are the same, the comments are still here, but what's beneath those posts and leaks out between these letters has changed. I have seen things both on this side of the world and the other, I have touched things that seem to hold up the sky and things that are so deep within that they have a gravity all their own.
I always envisioned this site as a service to everyone so that we could have some connection, however tenuous, as I traveled and studied. Part of me hopes that all of you have forgotten about it in my two month absence and yet I know that that isn't entirely truthful because I would be writing this in one of my journals and not on here if I truly didn't want anyone to read this. Most of what is put online is for our own glorification and ego anyway. This blog was somehow supposed to be different - meant to deconstruct perspectives its viewers had about the world both physically and spiritually. I haven't really done the greatest job of either, especially on this last trip. Instead, it was, and is, my deconstruction.
Yes, the trip was amazing. Living in Rome, visiting Athens, visiting Cairo, everything was a dream. I still don't really believe that it happened, but then I see a picture of me standing in front of something out of history book and am confronted with the reality of it all. It seems like an eternity ago though. My time with my family and friends over this break has been refreshing, revitalizing, and incredibly important to me. The laughter of my nephew, my niece calling my name, the crescendo of conversation in a room full of friends - these ring louder and more true than the calls for prayer of Cairo or choir of bells in Rome. Architecturally, I'm not sure that I'll really know the depth of impact that this trip has had on me for many years. There's too much to summarize and to think about to just put something on here. Ask me questions if you want to know; I'm sure I can babble-on at length.
Here's a few pictures of Rome. I'm going to try to come back and add more from Athens and Cairo later so keep checking back.
I always envisioned this site as a service to everyone so that we could have some connection, however tenuous, as I traveled and studied. Part of me hopes that all of you have forgotten about it in my two month absence and yet I know that that isn't entirely truthful because I would be writing this in one of my journals and not on here if I truly didn't want anyone to read this. Most of what is put online is for our own glorification and ego anyway. This blog was somehow supposed to be different - meant to deconstruct perspectives its viewers had about the world both physically and spiritually. I haven't really done the greatest job of either, especially on this last trip. Instead, it was, and is, my deconstruction.
Yes, the trip was amazing. Living in Rome, visiting Athens, visiting Cairo, everything was a dream. I still don't really believe that it happened, but then I see a picture of me standing in front of something out of history book and am confronted with the reality of it all. It seems like an eternity ago though. My time with my family and friends over this break has been refreshing, revitalizing, and incredibly important to me. The laughter of my nephew, my niece calling my name, the crescendo of conversation in a room full of friends - these ring louder and more true than the calls for prayer of Cairo or choir of bells in Rome. Architecturally, I'm not sure that I'll really know the depth of impact that this trip has had on me for many years. There's too much to summarize and to think about to just put something on here. Ask me questions if you want to know; I'm sure I can babble-on at length.
Here's a few pictures of Rome. I'm going to try to come back and add more from Athens and Cairo later so keep checking back.
posted by Sojourner at 4:03 PM
0 comments
