Be Careful What You Wish For
Hi Everyone: This post was actually written on the plane from Chicago to Beijing (June 20). Internet access has been pretty sporadic and I couldn't access the blog for a while. A lot has happened since this post, but it will be a start, anyway:
The frenzy of packing and unpacking, the doubts about what I have brought and what I have left behind, the anxiety about money, medicine and loved ones left behind have now subsided.
As soon as I got to the airport and started the customs/immigration proceedures, the natural rhythm of travelling kicked in and leaving home, I felt at home.
The dynamic polarity of leaving vs. going is fascinating. Leaving is hard. Cutting attachments (even temporarily) is to me always a prefiguring of the final departure (the one requiring no airplane and not touching back down any time soon - at least, not in the same form; the ultimate flight.
Saying good-bye... One more kiss, then one more, then one more... Finally, the final one. "See ya." "See ya." Then out the door. A true preparation for death. Imagine the final "See ya" ever. The ultimate letting go. Then...
But then there's the going part too: New challenges and adventures with fellow travellers. Early intimations of how these disparate personalities will gel and clash in the crucible ahead.
As we took off I said Guru Rinpoche mantras, happily aware of the fact that my own Guru Rinpoche was seated directly behind me. I could hear the clacking of his mala as he recited his own mantras, and remembered that I am truly on a pilgrimage. I'm not sure to where, what or why, but these are all exciting questions to ponder. It makes me wish I had brought Canterbury Tales along with me to have the company of that rag tag band of pilgrims too.
So now the last few days neuroses and anxiety have subsided and the road ahead looks promising, indeed.
Suzanne Chicoine gave me contact information for various publications that might me interested in my travel writing. I only sent my pitch out on Friday afternoon, but I already have one hit.
The Town Crier, Toronto's conglomeration of nine free monthly neighborhood papers wants two stories from me: a before piece explaining who we are and why we are going, and an after piece with tales from the road. Although it won't come close to paying for the trip, I'm excited to be paid for writing for the first time. The first piece should appear sometime around July 7 and the second a month later. I think it will end up on their website a few days later: http://www.towncrieronline.ca/main/main.php
My friend John (of the fastest friendship forged in a fortnight fame) and I took this online personality test online based on "The Little Prince" John is a writer of blistering honesty and aching beauty with a love for dependant clauses that can only be described as Neo-Proustian. Although we answered differently, we both came out with the following analysis:
"You are the pilot, and the voice of the story. You are the one who creates and tells the stories for those who could not be there. You are unable to be comforted but wish to comfort others. There is a great something missing in your life. Do not forget that you are much loved. Let your sorrow be comforted..."
It seemed like an apt send off.
So be careful what you wish for, expecially if you wish big, because you may just have to follow through...
The frenzy of packing and unpacking, the doubts about what I have brought and what I have left behind, the anxiety about money, medicine and loved ones left behind have now subsided.
As soon as I got to the airport and started the customs/immigration proceedures, the natural rhythm of travelling kicked in and leaving home, I felt at home.
The dynamic polarity of leaving vs. going is fascinating. Leaving is hard. Cutting attachments (even temporarily) is to me always a prefiguring of the final departure (the one requiring no airplane and not touching back down any time soon - at least, not in the same form; the ultimate flight.
Saying good-bye... One more kiss, then one more, then one more... Finally, the final one. "See ya." "See ya." Then out the door. A true preparation for death. Imagine the final "See ya" ever. The ultimate letting go. Then...
But then there's the going part too: New challenges and adventures with fellow travellers. Early intimations of how these disparate personalities will gel and clash in the crucible ahead.
As we took off I said Guru Rinpoche mantras, happily aware of the fact that my own Guru Rinpoche was seated directly behind me. I could hear the clacking of his mala as he recited his own mantras, and remembered that I am truly on a pilgrimage. I'm not sure to where, what or why, but these are all exciting questions to ponder. It makes me wish I had brought Canterbury Tales along with me to have the company of that rag tag band of pilgrims too.
So now the last few days neuroses and anxiety have subsided and the road ahead looks promising, indeed.
Suzanne Chicoine gave me contact information for various publications that might me interested in my travel writing. I only sent my pitch out on Friday afternoon, but I already have one hit.
The Town Crier, Toronto's conglomeration of nine free monthly neighborhood papers wants two stories from me: a before piece explaining who we are and why we are going, and an after piece with tales from the road. Although it won't come close to paying for the trip, I'm excited to be paid for writing for the first time. The first piece should appear sometime around July 7 and the second a month later. I think it will end up on their website a few days later: http://www.towncrieronline.ca/main/main.php
My friend John (of the fastest friendship forged in a fortnight fame) and I took this online personality test online based on "The Little Prince" John is a writer of blistering honesty and aching beauty with a love for dependant clauses that can only be described as Neo-Proustian. Although we answered differently, we both came out with the following analysis:
"You are the pilot, and the voice of the story. You are the one who creates and tells the stories for those who could not be there. You are unable to be comforted but wish to comfort others. There is a great something missing in your life. Do not forget that you are much loved. Let your sorrow be comforted..."
It seemed like an apt send off.
So be careful what you wish for, expecially if you wish big, because you may just have to follow through...
posted by Rigzin at 9:04 AM
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