It is the second day, here in Manhattan. We are still very tired, because of the jet lag. This full of lights America can’t stop itself: shops always opened, continuous traffic, people who eat at anytime. Maybe, exactly how we were thinking about it… and then lights, lights, lights. There is often a typically British fog, but a smiling sun is shining this morning. Yesterday we have been walking a lot, always with a look towards the sky (it is so impressing to watch at the buildings: you can’t even see the top of them). I don’t usually love modern things, but the skyline of Manhattan is something unique. We thought New York was a city with more social contrasts and differences, but it’s too early to understand it. People are very good, it is so simple to start speaking with anyone, from the homeless of central park to the merchant of Chinatown.
Nomadic travel
What are you doing still here?
Do you think to learn something sitting there?
The only way to grow is to travel the world,
to cultivate the spirit observing various cultures.
Do not stop yourselves in the gaze,
but learn to observe with attention…
A gentle note, a whirling dance,
a smile will be enough to give you
the joy of a petal that opens,
of a flower that blooms!
Do you think to learn something sitting there?
The only way to grow is to travel the world,
to cultivate the spirit observing various cultures.
Do not stop yourselves in the gaze,
but learn to observe with attention…
A gentle note, a whirling dance,
a smile will be enough to give you
the joy of a petal that opens,
of a flower that blooms!
Tomorrow, it’s going to be America.
Travel, the landing place
…Keep Ithaka always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the travel at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvellous travel.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean
Arriving there is what you’re destined for.
But don’t hurry the travel at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so you’re old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.
Ithaka gave you the marvellous travel.
Without her you wouldn’t have set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean
(Costantino Kavafis, Ithaka)
…a nomadic travel along the Americas
…a nomadic travel along the Americas is coming up on June 2, 2006