In an hour I'll be waiting for the bus just down the street from my friend's house in Goettingen. Germany. We met 17 years ago in Mongolia and have only seen each other once since then, 15 years ago. He and his wife were very welcoming, showing me the best of Germany: swimming, Boules, cheese, bike paths, parks, forest, Berlin, ruins, quaint villages, old churches and so much more. Who knew it was such a great place to visit?
My friend was born here, and has lived his whole life in this town. Granted, it is charming. The right size. Great food. No need to own a car. University town. For sure, he has traveled ( I told you we met in Mongolia.) But he has had one hometown his whole life, and he's still here. What is it with me that I feel driven to move, to go, to see, to experience, and find myself unsatisfied to just relax at home and take it easy? The 6 weeks I enjoyed in Anchorage between New Zealand, and Boston-Europe-Boston-Europe were delightful. I was content to be gardening, biking, fishing, visiting my long time friends and napping on the sunny couch with my dear Arabicat. Yet here I am again, about to begin the biggest journey yet.
I know I made a good choice to embark from Germany to Zambia. I'm already in the correct time zone. And I have only two reasonable-length flights (via Dubai) to reach Lusaka. The other four people who have also signed on to this project are just now arriving in NYC and will endure a 16 hour non-stop to Johanesburg before changing for another 2 hour flight north.
I don't yet know these others, but for sure what we have in common is the desire to use our skills to do something helpful for others. For me, it's not enough just to recreate in the mountains or cultivate in the garden. Of course for all my altruism, in the end, this experience is for me. Seeking satisfaction and contributing to justice.
I know I made a good choice in signing on to this project. As one friend said, it's one thing to have something on your list but another thing to do it. Alaska will still be there when I get back.
My friend was born here, and has lived his whole life in this town. Granted, it is charming. The right size. Great food. No need to own a car. University town. For sure, he has traveled ( I told you we met in Mongolia.) But he has had one hometown his whole life, and he's still here. What is it with me that I feel driven to move, to go, to see, to experience, and find myself unsatisfied to just relax at home and take it easy? The 6 weeks I enjoyed in Anchorage between New Zealand, and Boston-Europe-Boston-Europe were delightful. I was content to be gardening, biking, fishing, visiting my long time friends and napping on the sunny couch with my dear Arabicat. Yet here I am again, about to begin the biggest journey yet.
I know I made a good choice to embark from Germany to Zambia. I'm already in the correct time zone. And I have only two reasonable-length flights (via Dubai) to reach Lusaka. The other four people who have also signed on to this project are just now arriving in NYC and will endure a 16 hour non-stop to Johanesburg before changing for another 2 hour flight north.
I don't yet know these others, but for sure what we have in common is the desire to use our skills to do something helpful for others. For me, it's not enough just to recreate in the mountains or cultivate in the garden. Of course for all my altruism, in the end, this experience is for me. Seeking satisfaction and contributing to justice.
I know I made a good choice in signing on to this project. As one friend said, it's one thing to have something on your list but another thing to do it. Alaska will still be there when I get back.
I wish you a great experience in Zambia and the mountains of Alaska will be there for you when you return!
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