By *SIGH* Being back in Canada is great. Seeing and speaking with friends and family who were not on the trip with me has been wonderful. Sleeping in a bed with a foam mattress, pillow and a feather duvet, rather than in a tent is superb. And not having to force a crusty baguette with processed meat and cheese into my stomach for lunch everyday is such a relief. As I write this blog, the days amount to 3 weeks since I’ve been back and although I appreciate and love having my daily comforts and routines reinstated, I would do it all over again if I had the opportunity.
There’s so much to tell that it’s too much. So many ideas, insights, questions and memories I’ve swept through over a period of 2 months that to even recount them all is… it feels impossible.
I fell in love so many times in 60 days it’s a wonder my heart is not breaking from being apart from it all. And even though I am thankful right now to have space and time to myself, daily I miss my tent-mate, my bus-buddy, my cooking-team and every other person I traveled with on this trip.
So what did I learn? I’ve learned that I can fall in love with a sculpture as I stand before it and become mesmerized by its beauty, emotion and true humanness. I’ve discovered a love and appreciation for some art not only for the art itself, but also from finding out about the artists: who they were, their stories, why they painted what they did. I’ve learned that having knowledge of the history behind buildings and cathedrals: why they are so important to be maintained (in some cases rebuilt) over hundreds and hundreds of years, can deepen my level of appreciation and understanding of their significance. Whether it be people, places or structures their stories are important. I have also learned that friendships can grow between the least expected of people when given a chance.
Everyone and everything has a story. Knowing the stories can transform our ideas, perceptions, and judgments giving us a possibly deepened appreciation for the person or thing, or simply broaden our understanding and cultivate a change in our thinking.
It’s been ride! Thanks TEAM Europe 2010!!