A Wonder of my World!

Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, even though not listed in the "Wonders of the World" I am not sure why, but as far as I am concerned, it might as well be.

Last Saturday, we left the Chateau at 8:15 a.m. for what turned out to be rather long day and very tiring, but worth every minute of the trip. My study abroad experience continues to open my eyes to things and places I never ever thought I would see in my life time.  Now, like they say "to go is to see," and to literally to translate those word to the present,  I would never have imagined a more interesting site to see.  This castle first built in the 12th Century for simple pleasure and weekend hung-outs for the then emperor of Germany or the Lord of France (I can't remember who they told us it was), it beats all sense.  My question is how did they, I mean the architects break the rock on top of the mountain to form the basic foundation for the castle?  Ok, after they melted the rock and flattened it to make a foundation, how did they take the rocks and bricks to build the castle on the tip of the mountain?  According to the narrator, who was very excited to give us the history of the castle, there was no water available atop the mountain, and a well, the only well and only source of water supply then was drilled at the entrance of the castle", the well it is still there, since we were in awe, we did not ask whether it still has water or not. How many feet they had to drill to get to the source of the water beats me!

As we started our journey inside the castle, I was thinking, the rooms must be very small and maybe could only fit a few people at a time, to my surprise, the rooms were quite sizable, bedrooms, kitchen, ballrooms and even toilets that were then outside the exterior walls of the castle, which I imagined, were well decorated, but even though they had beautiful cloakrooms, the pit latrines were an open ended bottom that took in the lords' and princess' human waste, to the outside of the castle walls, the toilets were not the type of flash toilets we have today, but the waste was to be washed by rain water, enough information, just imagine the rest!

Anyway, all in all the castle is a master piece and for it to have withstood brutal attacks from war to war, and even though it was restored to almost its original state in 1908 and stands as such to this day, I must commend the builders of then and the young architect who restored the castle for a whole 8 years, to almost its original state.  Long live the dream world of "natural" architects!! - Caroline

You're not so far from home

Last evening, I was making the 5km trek from the university quarter back to Pourtalès by foot at about 11pm. It was a peaceful night; the air was cool and fresh. As I made my way through the now-barren fields that precede the château on rue Mélanie, I, for the first time since having arrived in Europe, looked up into the night sky and observed the stars. Now, my Astronomy 1010 class and a decent understanding of world geography made me aware that the stars scattered across the sky were, by and large, the same stars in the same positions that I would observe in suburban Atlanta. Yet, for some reason, I perceived a whole different set of constellations fixed in the universe above me.

At first glance, Alsace is an utterly foreign place to an American. Different languages. Different foods. Different customs and expectations. Tiny people squeezed into tiny cars making their way down tiny roads in mediævel neighborhoods. Sidewalks that roll up at sundown. Someone with little exposure to or a nascent understanding of Europe may perceive Strasbourg to be a different world, but it's oddly not quite different from 'home.'

In all the cultures and societies in the world, there are certain unescapable things. Appreciation of good food. Love and respect for family. Admiration of the arts. Social mores and taboos. While how each of these is defined undoubtedly differs from land to land, their presence is nearly universal. The casual observer, perhaps awestruck by the superficial surface variations, may fail to notice the parallels that every village, town and city share. One's mind is so distracted by his location on the map, he does not recognize the very essence of 'home' which lie at his fingertips - a friendship, a warm, comforting meal or the cool side of the pillow on a muggy night.

We should endeavor every day to see that Strasbourg is home for us… and to appreciate the constant familiarity of the evening sky.

Expectations VS Reality

I very much enjoyed the chapter on anticipation.  It really made sense to me, but this is the quote I want to discuss-

"In another paradox that Des Esseintes would have appreciated, it seems we may best be able to inhabit a place when we are not faced with the additional challenge of having to be there  (23)."

This really makes sense to anyone who has spent considerable time planning a trip, but since it makes so much sense, I am going to apply it to something completely different.  The expectation of the return home.

I came into this trip with next to no expectations, due in no small part to the fact that we had no idea what we would be doing, so I have to say that the reality trumps the anticipation in this case.  However, I am 97.3% sure that the reality of returning home will be much less grandiose than my anticipation.  Don't get me wrong, I am loving France, and Europe for that matter.  Its been a blast, but I also will be glad to be able to go to the grocery store on Sunday again!  It is the small stuff like that that seem like they will be so very amazing when we return, however I am sure that the daily grind will return within a week.

It is incredible to me how as soon as you leave a place for an extended period of time, you nearly instantly forget everything about it that drives you crazy.  You complain about having to walk everywhere, but completely disregard how much you hate traffic.  The idea of home is wonderful, especially when you aren't there.  You ignore the never-ending list of things that need done at home, and imagine it to be a place of constant merriment and relaxation where everyone is always happy and nothing ever goes wrong.

Okay, so that may be a tad exaggerated, but we still have a very optimistic view of home whenever we are cut off of it for an extended time.  When home, we need to get away, and when away, we can't wait to return.  It seems that we best inhabit the place where we aren't.  Perhaps just the act of being in a place makes it that much less desirable.

- Zak

Anywhere, But Here.

I am what is commonly referred to as a nomad, wanderer, seeker, vagabond, traveler.

I am unable to stay in one place for too long. I seek change for changes sake. I've moved 5 times in the last 4 years, including 4 different colleges. I cannot stand to stay in one place for long.

Considering this, I am a creature of habit, I am always heading to a new place, a new home, a new life. I am consistently changing things up. So when I read about Baudelaire, starting with the disillusionment of travel, then concluding with the itch for change again, I knew that we were on the same page. We are seeing the same thing "It always seems to me that I'll be well where I am not and this question of moving is one that I'm forever entertaining with my soul." (34)

When I move, I am moving because I am seeking, I am imagining the greatness of another place. The superiority of a new location. Baudelaire describes this as childlike cynicism and idealism, which can be good and bad. But I think that after 4 years of this, i've come to a very healthy balance of the now and the future. I know how to be happy with where I am while I am, and at the same time dream of the thing that will come next. The first time that I moved away I could not wait to move on to the next thing, but now it's become a part of me that I can just live for the time that I am here and move on when it is time for me to depart.

Still sometimes I tend toward the idea of "The destination was not really the point. The true desire was to get away, to go, as he concluded, 'Anywhere! Anywhere! So long as it is out of the world!'" (34) I'm with Baudelaire on this one, sometimes I just want to pack my things and go.

I am what Baudelaire refers to as a poet.

Something new with the same ole'(well matured) me

Something new with the same ole’ (well matured) me
At the beginning of The Art of Travel by Alain De Bottom, he deeply describes every moment and feeling he has travelling abroad. Towards the end of chapter, he has already arrived at his destination and his feelings are now in complete control of his mind. He makes the statement on page 20, “A momentous but until then overlooked fact was making its first appearance: that I had inadvertently brought myself with me to the island. It is easy to forget ourselves when we contemplate pictorial and verbal descriptions of places. At home, as my eyes had panned over photographs of Barbados, there were no reminders that those eyes were intimately tied to a body and mind which would travel with me wherever I went and that might, over time, assert their presence in ways that would threaten or even negate the purpose of what the eyes had come there to see.”

This passage spoke to me because I found myself thinking the exact same thing for weeks. Preparing for my first study abroad trip was stressful. As previously mentioned, I had to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually mature, while entering the “real grown up world” as my dear sister, Loretta Cain would say to me. Back in Maryland, I would research the Chateau and make countless lists of things I wanted to do while I was in Europe, like I was never coming back. I wanted to see it all because chances like this don’t come often. I planned to travel everywhere all in 4 months, visit all of my other friends studying abroad in Europe and make new European and American friends.
 Those that know me well know, I’m very introverted person to new environments. I like to call myself a “slow to warm up “girl, very quiet and observant. Back at WVU, although the school has over 30,000 students I think I could count on all 20 fingers and toes all of the people I would actually have a conversation with without getting nervous or feeling awkward. (But, this does not mean that I don’t “know” a lot of people at WVU) However, when I was making my lists of things I wanted to do and people I wanted to meet, it never crossed my mind that this minor detail of my shyness could get in the way of doing what my mind wanted to do and my eyes wanted to see.  I’m not sure why this is, I guess I was just excited and expected everything to be the same.
Now that I am here in France, I can honestly say that everything is different. I have to come out of my shell and do new things but not just with talking to people but with exploring the food, friendships, location, language, and new churches. (Yes, going to an English speaking- church today for the first time was an experience, but so worth it even if we got lost and arrived late.) I have noticed that a few people also on this trip with me are still in that old world, where high school and other American cities are their highlights.  This mindset could very well “negate the purpose of what the eyes had come there to see”.  I hope that my mental and emotional growth continues to expand so that my body and mind are completely able to enjoy everything in France and not hinder my growth. With this being said, I hope to reach out to other people so that no one on this trip is left behind in this journey, even if it takes me being ignored or rudely spoken about.  I understand that people are different and adjust to new situations uniquely, so with patience and peace within my heart I think I could tackle new friendships, cooking new food, visiting different locations, and learning a new language without a doubt. After praying about the challenges I may face, I think that God has spoken to me and placed the determination within me for a reason and I have to use this gift wisely.  My old quiet self may sneak up on me at times but the new matured me is ready to face everything on this path.

"If our lives are dominated by a search for happiness, then perhaps few activities reveal as much about the dynamics of this quest--in all its ardouor and paradoxes--than our travels. They express, however inarticulately, an understanding of what life might be about, outside the constaints of work and of the struggle for survival. Yet rarely are they considered to present philosophical problems--that is, issues requiring thought beyond the pratical." - Alain de Botton
I've never really asked myself why do I travel. Like, why do I love to go out of town and spend loads of money on plane tickets, hotels, food, and souvenirs? Is it truly worth of it ? I believe, I do honestly get a joy from traveling. Why else would I do it? I know I cannot speak for everyone, but I have two general ideas of why people love to travel: for a change of scenary and for the story.
In West Virginia, we joke that we only travel to two different places, Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head. Every West Virginian knows someone that travels to these two places every single summer or they themselves do this. Going to the same place every year has to get old, right? No, they love it! West Virginians are known as hard working people, so once a year, they reward themselves with one week of relaxation. The mountains begin to get boring and people like to drive south and see the beach.
The second reason I think people travel is a bit more arguable. I don't think some people go for relaxation,but more so, for the story. They cannot wait to get back home and to tell everyone what a great time they had. It's more so a way to show off, but some people do actually get a joy out of this. These people don't care to tell you how much money they spent on their private villa or how much it costs to fly their entire family overseas first-class. They could've struggled to pay for their trip or had a horrible time, but you'd never know because they don't want you to know that. They just want you to be jealous of where they went!
Once again, this is all personal opinion, but everyone's free to tell me their opinions also!
- Erryonna

Hmm….Learning

Sunday, October 02, 2011

2:54 PM

Today,  I decided to visit a church that I found online. I told Sharrell so she came and Reeva did too. So that was very interesting. We left late because we wanted to eat breakfast and also, Dr. Gregory came to have a conversation with us three. So...we got on the bus, got on the tram, and got another bus. We passed the church, and there was a big sign on the street!. I should have gotten the name of the bus stop instead trying to remember the name of the street. Lesson learned. Towards the end, I started to get a little frustrated, but the girls started singing. So I joined in. We started so "no body greater", "How Great is our God" and some other songs. I asked a couple of people and we finally made it. When we entered in, we were a little confused and for a split second I had the of the door being locked to restrict late comers. I was wrong. We walked and a lady sitting next to the door, seeing that we were confused, pointed us to some empty seats. Now this far different from my church. In home church, we have people called ushers. There job is to show hospitality and lead us to some empty seats. Here the lady just pointed and we were on our own. We found three seats in the very back, then  a lady towards the front saw us and welcomed her the seats beside her. She moved over and I felt comforted. When I enter to place, especially a place of worshipers who collectively are called love their neighbor as they love themselves, I do expect to be treated with hospitality. When I saw her smile I relaxed just a little bit and we three went towards the front. Even though, I've never met the people there I did feel a familiar feeling of belonging. We believe in the same God, we believe  and read and follow the same word, (the bible). Without even hearing what the preacher was speaking on, I felt like crying because the Spirit of God was there. At my church, we are little more active and rowdy, but here they were calm and the place was really quiet. Catch me a few years back and I would have wanted to leave. However, now that I am more mature in Christ and understand Him more than I did when I first began, I understand the Saints of God come from all walks of life. We have different gifts and different things that work for us, according to God's word of course, but we or at least we are supposed to adhere to the same Spirit of God.

We only got sit and listen for about 15 minutes. Service started at 10am and we arrive at about 10:45am. At home, the choir would be singing right about, just before the preacher would come and deliver.  The message at that time came from Matthew 5, The Beatitudes.  At this point was speaking on verse 9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Its funny because this morning I was trying to open up an email from one of my many mothers at  home and I "accidently" opened up  the devotional from Joel Osteen. He was speaking of  peace and how when we are in peace, we are in position of power. We're not allowing uncontrollable circumstances and the behavior of others steal our peace of mind.  At the church, the Preacher explained that we learn how to have peace when we walk hand in hand with Jesus. One may ask, " How can you walk hand in hand with Jesus, it's not like he's physically standing here next to me?" You walk hand with Him by communicating with Him. Talking to Him daily. Telling about your plans and asking Him to come along. But we must also listen, because sometimes, or often times, our plans don't match up with His, even though we mean well.  Both messages were on point for all three of us. We've really been trying to hold our peace, maybe in different areas, but we've trying.

We got back to the Chateau, God definitely rewarded us for our efforts. Breakfast was still out and it was almost 1pm! We fixed some sandwiches drank some coffee and juice, then went up for a nap. I enjoyed today. I'm going to try again next Sunday, but ultimately, I just want God to place me where He wants me.

Where Are You Really?

I 've hard people often wish they could be in two places at once. What most people don't realize is, they are. I had never considered this to be an option myself until recently. In his book Botton is very descriptive of a number of things. Sometimes (especially near the beginning), I felt like he was too descriptive. I was wondeing, why must he drag things out? I still felt the same emotions until I saw something that interested me.

" It is unfortunately hard to recall our quasi- permanent concern with the future, for on our return from a place, perhaps the first thing to disappear from memory is just how much of the past we spent dweling on what was to come; how much of it, that is, we spent somewhere other than where we were."-- A. Botton.

At times while I've been here, I wished I could be in two places at once. What I didn't realize, was I had been. It's that time in most of our college careers when realize, " Oh crap, I'm graduating soon." I'm don't consider myself to be much of a worrier, but lately I have been. At some point I realized I don't have a plan for my future. I thought I did, but this experience is slowly changing that.

I 've just been spending time, thinking, researching, praying about what to do. I realize I'm not the only one who feels this, but yet that doesn't make it any better. I have managed to be in two places at once. My body has been here positioned in France, but my mind has been everywhere else.

This passage I choose was the first time I could really connect with this book. Everyone's been saying, " Don't worry about, enjoy Europe." I couldn't tell you how long I've spent dwelling over these decisions. That statement, that passage was so true, and applied to me personally.

Elusive Treasures

"...We may witness in nature certain scenes that stay with us throughout out lives and, every time they enter consciousness, can offer us a contrast to , and relief from, present difficulties. He (Wordsworth) termed such experiences in nature 'spots of time'".
-Alain de Botton

The following is a small poem by William Wordsworth that follows this selection in The Art of Travel:

There are in our existence spots of time,
That with distinct pre-eminence retain
A renovating virtue...
That penetrates, enables us to mount,
When high, more high, and lifts us up when fallen.

This particular passage struck my brain like a hammer on an anvil, while simultaneously playing my heart like the the most nostalgic of melodies. There is, in this poem, so much truth. Such an axiom is something I search for in poetry. After all, why do we appreciate poems or the poets that so eloquently place their inner-most thoughts on paper? It is because we identify and find truth within these scriblings. We draw upon our own experiences and in this case memories in order to feel slightly less alone in this huge world, this often confusing and lonely existence.

Yesterday I found myself in a depressed state, as I often do for no particular reason. Perhaps my frustrations concerning my own life culminated into some philosophical paradox from which I could not escape. I pondered my own morals, my intelligence, and my perspective on life, while considering my lack of vanity and and presence of emotional depth. Though I do not consider myself at all exceptional, I thought comparatively. Who are my peers, and why do I feel so different from them? Why do I consider my own values to be more esteemed than theirs? Why, if that which I hold true and good is, in fact, worthy of value, do I feel such misery and insignificance. The Indian Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, "It is no measure of health to be well-adjusted in a profoundly sick society." I would love to accept this as truth for my own sake. However, I am beginning to think that it was Thomas Grey who was the wiser when he wrote, "Ignorance is bliss, when 'tis folly to be wise."

As I lay in bed, listening to music, I pulled out The Art of Travel and began to read. I found Wordsworth's poetry in the section On the Country and the City to be incredibly pertinent to my own life, and I punched myself for never having read his poetry before this. It was after I read the passage on 'spots of time' that I closed my eyes and succumbed to Wordsworth's advice. I thought of the picturesque lake in Maine that my ex-girlfriend and I stayed at for a week last summer: The crispness of the air, the moon hovering over the treeline and coming in and out of view through their desultory yet orderly branches, like an ever elusive treasure. We drifted across the lustrous basin, all silent aside from the hypnotic call of the loon. I had never been so in love, and am all but certain that I will never feel such enchantment again. It was my own spot of time; It was something that will stay with me forever and that I can summon when I feel unsure, lost, or sad. And as Wordsworth put it, I was instilled with a "renovating virtue".

Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.
-William Wordsworth

-Tyler Collins

Picture Perfect

“If we are inclined to forget how much there is in the world besides what we are left to anticipate, then works of art are to perhaps to blame, for in them we find the same process of simplification or selection at work as in the imagination.” –De Botton

I always understood that nothing I experienced on this trip would be what I anticipated, but I never realized how often an example like De Botton gives would occur. For instance, this weekend, we had two excursions. One was to a castle, and the other to a concentration camp. At the castle, the first thing we were all struck by was the fact that part of the castle was under construction. This did not go in accordance to how I imagined castles to be. I imagined the castle to be a shining example of a beauty from another era. Instead, I was partially given an image from what my imagination had given me (stemming mostly like De Botton says, from works of art), and partially an image of modernity from my own times.

In all the pictures I took of the castle, I made sure to block all the construction out. By this action, I continued the myth of the perfectly preserved castle. These pictures could go forth and fool others. No one who looks at my photos will suspect anything other than a picturesque castle on a hilltop. Through my actions, I have furthered the action of anticipation for what a castle “should” look like. Even though I was partially let down by the castle (due to my overly anticipating it), I wasn’t about to let anyone who stalked my photos on facebook be let down due to their imaginations as well.

Still, despite the fact that I was let down at first due to my anticipation, the castle was still enjoyable. In fact, I enjoyed certain parts of the castle quite a bit, simply because I didn’t expect them to be there. It was due to my surprise over them that I enjoyed it so much. If I had anticipated and expected to see these aspects, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed them as much due to my expectations. In this, anticipation (and the fact that people forget that there’s more to what they imagine) can be both a blessing and a curse. You will be let down, yet also pleasantly surprised.