Before I go any further, I have to eat a little crow. The tone of my blog last week made it sound like I thought Spain was ugly and disappointing. By the time the week was over, I thought the area we were in was quite lovely (with the exception of the A7). I have a bad habit of seeing things in the negative when I'm new at something. A class, a group, the first day on a trip. Any discomfort I feel translates into something wrong with the person, place, or thing. I left Paris in a state of exhaustion and overwhelm. I took it out on the
I agree with other comments; this is a very interesting post in being far more than a travel guide: it's a thoughtful reflection on self and place. It's true how much what we see is more a reflection of our mental state than the actual place, which is sort of neutral, yes? Buddhists say something like, "it's how we see that makes the world." Even Paris, I suppose, though THAT beauty can't be contested. Nevertheless, people could see it from a place of melancholy or loss, or as unfair wealth vs. the relative poverty of some areas just outside l'Ile de France.
And "Paris" represents much that goes far beyond the actual place: it's a dream, a longing, a symbol of freedom and a mythical place where artists can retreat, connect, and be free. (Of course that was when Paris was inexpensive!) At any rate, fun to read this post! 😀
So happy I signed up for these. I like how articulately you shared about negativity bias when something is new. I also, liked the Ben Hur comment regarding building of that beautiful bridge. Last, I might suggest you have eaten enough crow & could consider forgiveness as to be human is divine!
Sara, did you happen to find Steve's hat in Ronda? A few years back, as we looked to the east, the wind came up, caught his sunhat and sent it right down the cliff... despite several efforts to retrieve it, NADA. This region is really super! Thanks for telling us all the neat places to go! Great photos!
Once more with feeling
I agree with other comments; this is a very interesting post in being far more than a travel guide: it's a thoughtful reflection on self and place. It's true how much what we see is more a reflection of our mental state than the actual place, which is sort of neutral, yes? Buddhists say something like, "it's how we see that makes the world." Even Paris, I suppose, though THAT beauty can't be contested. Nevertheless, people could see it from a place of melancholy or loss, or as unfair wealth vs. the relative poverty of some areas just outside l'Ile de France.
And "Paris" represents much that goes far beyond the actual place: it's a dream, a longing, a symbol of freedom and a mythical place where artists can retreat, connect, and be free. (Of course that was when Paris was inexpensive!) At any rate, fun to read this post! 😀
So happy I signed up for these. I like how articulately you shared about negativity bias when something is new. I also, liked the Ben Hur comment regarding building of that beautiful bridge. Last, I might suggest you have eaten enough crow & could consider forgiveness as to be human is divine!
Love you, Beth
Sara, did you happen to find Steve's hat in Ronda? A few years back, as we looked to the east, the wind came up, caught his sunhat and sent it right down the cliff... despite several efforts to retrieve it, NADA. This region is really super! Thanks for telling us all the neat places to go! Great photos!
Ahh, I loved hearing about the cats!! As I'm sure you're not surprised. 😻