a description of the amazing and exciting adventures i have here in baltimore--- and other lies.

 
I often reflect how Ireland saved my life.

Before I went, I had a very negative attitude about a lot of things, and myself, but after eight magic days, I was a new man. I vividly remember my trip to the cities of Cork and Dublin, and the train ride from the south to the north was a real education on how Ireland is catching up from being a third world, 17th century country to being one of the most competent of the 21st century first world nations.

I saw much of central Ireland on the train ride, where I get to see the beautiful, anciently magnificient Slievenanuck Hills--- which looked like holy mountains to me. However the ride has a certain cyclical rhythm to it, a cow/sheep/horse parade punctuated by ruined castles. There are many ruined castles. There are also a lot of ruined monestary sites and former churches. Any one of these fine ruins once held, indubitably, a whole host of precious artwork and relics, most of which we can only guess at as they were consumed by the flames set by Cromwell and his horde. It was only at this point, at seeing the devestation that man caused, that I can start to understand why there is so much bitterness in the hearts of so many Northern Irish, both protestant and catholic alike. Because to have the hate to burn down churches, the house of the living God, is a rage I cannot begin to comprehend. And, this is taught and passed down to children, who teach theirs, and the beat goes on. Ireland would definitely been a happier, brighter place without Cromwell.

But what I learned the most is that I cannot be afraid to embrace the different, or the unknown. I felt like I broke free of a lot of old chains that used to hold me back. I felt like I was home.

This is why going to Japan both excites and frightens me. It is going to a new world, in a way, because, like NBC reminds us, if you have not seen it, it is new to you. And, while I know a lot of theoreticals about Japan, I am intrigued to know the real, or at least the real for me. Ultimately, any place you live is as you make it to be, even the book burning, bible thumping debacle that the U.S. is becoming before our very eyes. I want to make my way in a new way, and if eight days can change my viewpoint on how to take charge of my life, I can not begin to imagine how a year or two away from this mess that is Baltimore will make me feel alive again.
Terribly alive.
posted by gregorio at 5:38 PM