We have finally come to the completion of our journey.We are sitting at the airport in Malaga, Spain waiting for our flight to Frankfurt, Germany this afternoon and then back to Vancouver tomorrow.
Since our last entry we have visted Cannes, Rome and Corsica. It has all been absolutely delightful and in many ways just as we have previously seen in photographs; however, as you can imagine the sounds, smells, weather, etc, brings everything truly to life! St. Peter's Basilica was absolutely amazing!!!
It is hard to believe that it is over. After almost 8 weeks away from home and family (and jobs) we are about to re-enter the real world. In many ways we are so looking forward to re-uniting with family and friends, but it will be tough to say goodbye to what we have experienced. We are definitely going to have withdrawal symptoms from cathedrals, ancient buildings, and foreign languages.
We plan to rise early in the morning tomorrow with the hope of seeing a bit of Frankfurt before heading home to Canada.
Much love, Carolyn and Martin.
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| Frankfurt countryside |
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| Train Station in downtown Rome |
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| Cannes! |
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| Barcelona |
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| Corsica |
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| France |
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| Mediterranean Cruise |
Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteMartin and Carolyn,
You both have had "experiences of a lifetime" and all the better for having experienced them together. Now you will be able to relive them for years and years. Not many partners have that type of opportunity, or if given the opportunity, seldom are they intelligent enough to go for it! I am happy that "the stars were aligned" and both of you were able to have a whole two months in close company. Yeah!
Now. Don't think your work is over and you can "rest on your laurels". You know that your real work has just begun don't you?
Now you are saddled with huge responsibilities. You must pass your experiences on to family and friends and the world. I am not kidding. What a burden. Be certain to take these new responsibilities in very small bits. That way the task will not be onerous or overwhelmiing.
Too many parents and grandparents make their trip on the star path without having left any meaningful messages for those left behind. This non-communication is a real loss. Both to subsequent generations of their own families and to complete strangers who might have benefited from reading the stories that were left unwritten.
For instance, I would love to be able to read Grandma Blomme and Grandma Doonan's stories but they do not exist. So. This is not to put an overwhelming burden on you, but to encourage you to remember to document your recent experiences and the outcomes that flow into your lives as a result of the two months spent in Europe in 2010.
Lots of people have gone on trips, climbed mountains, lived lives of desperation during the dirty thirties and they recorded their experiences. But, most often they recorded their stories in documentary disclosure-type style: places seen and photographed to substantiate the written word.
Well...I am so wordy that I have to make two installments! Whew!
Love, Matuga
Here goes for installment number two!
ReplyDeleteThis is not what I have in mind. I hope you do not leave out the most important part of the stories--your feelings. We (the royal we) do not need another documentary type expose` of two people's trip to Europe we NEED a different type of story.
We, meaning, "everyone" needs to read and hear about people's feelings. How individuals are affected by undertakings that stretch their boundaries such as: how difficult it was to carry on when your feet were saying, "Enough already!" (and what inspired you to do so); the extraordinary feelings related to a particularly spectacular and awesome scene (it might have been baby chicks in a barnyard or an ancient milestone;or an outstanding person you met (and his or her determination or attitude toward life); or how it felt when you heard the rooster crow in the church. A little unnerved? Very surprised? A sense of wonderment in the fact that this "white chicken tradition" has lasted centuries? Only you know how you felt.
What did it feel like to see things you had never even dreamed existed? Things that are not listed or spoken of in tourist guidebooks.
How did this whole experience strengthen the bonds between you or show you where you might have some work to do to maintain your relationship? What were the things that you experienced that have changed the way you see yourselves or others or the world?
Whether or not others agree with your personal interpretation/experience or even whether or not both of you experienced the same effects concerning various aspects of the Camino, or events following the Camino, has no bearing on the fact that this was both a partnership undertaking and a very personal challenge each of you were willing to take on regardless of whether or not you thought you were able. You were willing and that is one of the most important life lessons gleaned. You both when where you had not trod before.
An observation. One aspect that came through in your short postings was how loving you were to each other. This is a great reminder that relationships are built/torn apart by showing/lack of showing kindness/caring on a daily basis.
Fifty years or so, ago, before feminist exegis, personal/emotional information was left out of academic treatises. Now we know no writing or speaking is completely "objective" and we know that "the personal is the political".
I hope you truly enjoy telling your stories about the completion of the Camino; your experiences after the Camino, and the historical places and how life-altering these experiences have been.
It is still very difficult to write, academically, without quoting outside authorities; to take big risks that open our most subjecive experiences up to critique but, it must be done. And, who better to do it but Martin and my Precious Baby Sister:)
You have proven your bravery and you have the opportunity to leave a precious legacy for your family and acquaintances and, academia. Good luck with your future studies, Carolyn. I promise to read your thesis when you complete it:)
I know you will or have already had a wonderful reunion with your family and your rascally dog and I am pretty certain, tired orf not, you are busy making up for all those hugs you have been missing this past two months:)
Love to all,
Matuga
My dear dear sister Matuga, you are amazing and I love you from the bottom of my heart!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn