For the past few weeks I have becoming more anxious about the idea about going home. This is just one of many unraveling thoughts of late. What will I do when I get back home? Where will I live next year? How will I afford the traveling life that has become so normal to me. What I realised was that I have a fear of stillness. I was afraid to go back there. What if everything was the same? What if all that had changed was me and I did not fit into the life that was? Then something changed. I stopped worrying about it.
I think I was worried that I have reverted back to my old self and am not the same person as I was in Argentina. I really loved the person I was there – free and happy. But after calling my second home of BA and speaking to my friends there, I realised that person has not left the building.
I really am looking forward to going back home - time with family, friends and the familiar.
To long has pasted since I have posted anything. Part of the reason was that leaving South America, particularly Argentina has been one of the hardest things I've had to do. This year has been one for challenges, but who could have predicted my falling for Buenos Aires. The longer I am away from BA the more I want to be there. My heart and mind have changed in these bast 8 months.
10 months in to this odyssey and I'm heading back to London. The past month and a half in North America has been great as well. Spending some time with Estee makes the world seem better. Having time with Stee and Kristen has helped numb the pain of not being in South America as well as being a lot of fun.
So now I leave to the airport. I am taking the subway. I might get there by next week:)
It's been a few weeks since I left my home of Buenos Aires. I only have time to write a quicky today though, but needed to say something before I leave in the morning for a 4 day trek to Macchu Pichu.
Quite a lot has happened since I left BA. I flew to Lima only to find myself on my own for the first time in a very long time again. It's taken a bit of adjusting. In fact, I still feel the pains of not being in Argentina and having my family and friends around. But this year is a year of change and challenge. I know this is difficult, but I guess that is the point.
I am now in Cusco (after a week in Lima and Arequipa). Tomorrow I trek for 4 days through the Lares Valley to Macchu Pichu. I can't wait to be in the mountains and experiencing life beyond the city even if its just for a few days.
I am coming to my last few weeks in South America. My heart is in this continent. Can't quite explain it yet but this whole continent has changed me. It has given me new life and for that I am truly privilaged and grateful. Maybe once I have been through the mountains for a few days I will have more clarity.
Words can not express how i feel about this country completely. I am in love with this place and my friends & family i have made here. I leave this city (for now) with my heart full and with a big smile.
To all those who have been a part of my life here - you have my heart and I look forward to the Russian Dolls soon.
I am not the person I once was. I will forever be me, but I am moving towards the person I will be. I live in this world. All my life I see the world through the eyes of a boy. But the world is not as it was – in my head or in reality. I knew of injustices. I knew of pain. But they were always external. I don’t pretend to have seen the world and all its problems, but my eyes and ears are open now.
This world is no longer our world. Run by ideas that are not for the people or by the people. The power plays the people. And those with it, say this is the way it is. But it is only that way because they make it that way.
If you have a chance, take a look at this BBC documentary 'The Century of the Self' (4 x 1 hours). It's on youtube and for any Spanish speakers - my friend has translated the first episode and made subtitles for it. The documentary is about the control of the masses.
Another really great documentary is call 'The Story of Stuff'. There are a few parts to watch but is world watching because it is very clear and easy to understand. It's about 'our consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'
My eyes are opening to all possibilities - of what is actually reality and for me... what should not be a part of my reality. I now realise I have a choice. But the revolution will not be televised always... it will happen. But for that to occur we have to have a better understanding of what is happening.
I am sitting here in Buenos Aires and have just watched a video that has just rocked my world. Al Gore has just made an address that has challenged the US to commit to producing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy and clean carbon-free sources within 10 years. I felt that it is something worth sharing and putting it out there for discussion. For most of us who do not live in the US, I still feel that this is an important thing to see and question about our own
If you have half an hour to spare, please go to this website to watch the full 30 minute speech or read the transcript. The video below is a 5 minute highlights version.
To put a real world spin this. As I travel around the world on what is turning out to be a year long Earth Odyssey, my ideas are evolving about the way we live our lives and the way things are structured. With every city i go to the people are all saying very similar things - the weather is changing, food is becoming more expensive and for most people in my generation, the thought of owning property is science fiction. Our world is definitely changing. It's winter here in Buenos Aires and although a year ago it apparently snowed here in the capital - this year its been sunny and averaging 23 degrees celsius.
Traveling for almost 7 months ago has also made me think about my footprint on this planet. I feel so selfish to be flying and traveling around when most people on this earth struggle for basic needs. My hope is that i use this experience for good. That is the my impact on this planet will be offset by the things I do with my life. I don't just mean Carbon Offsets, which are important (and I wish to learn more about), but also in what I achieve with my life. Finding the balance is always the goal... now i just need to find the method. Maybe I should not just look at it as an individual thing which is why I decided to email this post to many people.
If you have any ideas - my ears and my eyes and my heart is open for discussion...
If you have more time, here is a documentary that has really opened my eyes to what has become of our world.
The Story of Stuff - there are 7 parts Explains our 'consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to iPod incineration — exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff.'
Santi made dinner tonight. I ate part of a cow. And now I can't sleep.
I would not say i am a vegetarian, but all my beliefs and ideas about eating meat have been somewhat warped here in Argentina. Back home I very rarely ate red meat, mainly for environmental and cruelty reasons.
Save the Environment A recent United Nations report entitled Livestock's Long Shadow concludes that eating meat is "one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global". The report finds that eating meat causes almost 40 per cent more greenhouse-gas emissions than all the cars, trucks, ships and planes in the world combined.
Here in Argentina, I hear people talk about how the meat is better here because the cows get to roam free, unlike in other counties. Does any one know more about this? To me it sounds somewhat naive. Raising cattle still impacts the land and the air, and I would think the slaughter methods are similar too... so how is it better?
As I ate the meat it reminded me of the first time I became conscience of the issue. It was a Sunday afternoon. I turned on the TV and started watching. I sank to the floor in awe and watched the most incredible film I had ever seen. I later found out that I was halfway through Baraka. There was a scene involving the cruel practices of chicken farming. I sat there and cried. The truth is this film changed my life and understanding.
But for some reason I seem to justify eating meat here. I have met so many vegetarians here that have had the same experience. It baffles me so.
