July 15 Don and I will travel to Ireland for two weeks, where I will help coordinate a study abroad program for first year students coming to MSU in the fall.
This is a photo at Tara in Ireland from last summer when I visited two study abroad programs. The yew trees welcomed me with ancient arms. I felt I'd lived there forever, that I was one of them.
I want to be in that churchyard today, sitting among the yews. I can close my eyes and be there when I need a break from a crazy day at work (today!).
Isn't it nice to have a spot to "go to" when you need to meditate, go inside, or just chill?
Or is that escapism?
For me, it's not. It's not that I want to be there, not here. I just want the peace I feel in that place. So by closing my eyes and "going" there, I find peace within.
20 comments:
I think we all need places like that, Ruth, where our Souls are nourished. I think you're lucky if you can close your eyes and "be there." If our eyes really are the Windows of the Soul, it makes sense to me that by opening and closing them we have-n-hold the memories that are dear.
i agree.
i don't think it's escapism.
it's how we each deal with the crazy stressful days, in this fastpaced world.
if only every day could be like that churchyard in ireland.
stress free. calm. enlightening.
it is great that you have a place like that.
i still have yet to find mine.
i'm so glad dad's going with you on this trip!!
Such places are temples for our soul. We need them. I find you lucky to be in Tara. This is a place I wanted to be when in ireland. However I saw part of it: the famous Tara Brooch.
Ginnie, thank you, that makes complete sense the way you put it.
Les, you will find yours. You need one especially in NYC, right? All that busy-ness around you all the time.
I will love exploring Ireland with Dad!
Mei, I love how you put that. It is a temple for my soul.
I LOVE the tara brooch!!! I fell in love with it in my guide book before leaving Detroit for Ireland last year! I hope you can get to Tara sometime. I really felt connected there.
Heather, no plans for Italy, although I would LOVE it. I'll leave that to YOU and Critter!
Yes such places make a difference Ruth, some are inspiring some generate ideas they just make you feel good.
There was a reference to flute in your Paris Deconstructed blog, I remember one musician, a flautist, James Galway, don't know if he is from Galway or Cork. He has given Some breath taking flute pieces, classical and semi classical.
Irish are not much different from Indians, though there is a huge cultural differences (perhaps climatic). Laid back slow pace of life like India, not many people though. Pubs and pubs and pubs and gossip. The British perhaps rules for over 500 years ?
they tried to erase the local Gaelic but couldn't erase the language from people's hearts. I am very fond of Irish music, ullean pipes specially (please correct my spelling). Their history is smeared with blood, the pain lingers on through their music and poetry
The British committed more atrocities in Ireland than in India. Both Irish and Indians have forgiven them.
Can't wait to see your unique perspective of Ireland Ruth, through your words and pictures. enjoy your holiday.
You lucky devil, you - I have always wanted to go to Ireland. On my 'To Do Before I Die' list is a visit to the Trinity College Library. And like Rauf, I too am fond of traditional Irish music.
I do believe that everyone should have a chosen spot to go to and "just chill"...I have mine :)
Rauf, yes, Irish history is painful and yet, as you say, they have come through with joy and a beautiful culture. The Uileann pipes are wonderful. We had a small session with Peter Browne last summer, one of the premiere uileann pipe players in the world. He spoke and demonstrated with our students. Such a treat. You sound as though you've been to Ireland? But I think I recall you saying you haven't been out of India.
Dreamwalker, the Trinity College library is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, Book of Kells, but the gallery of books is just incredible. We get to stay at TCD again this summer, which is a treat, let me tell you. I read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in my room with 11-foot ceiling, 10-foot window, with a full moon in full view. I'll be sure to post photos from Trinity in a couple of weeks. I hope you can go there some day soon.
And where is your chill place (if you want to say)?
Hi Ruth,
I came by to say hi. Are you going to be able to check in here on your trip?
I look forward to some more amazing photograghs.
peace.
Yes, Healing Room, I hope to post while I'm away. I don't know the availability of wireless where I'm going, but there's always the occasional cafe with it. Thanks for stopping by!
Never been out of India Ruth but have read Irish history in my childhood, forgot most of it now.
I was interested as Irish suffered most at the hands of the British. India was easy to rule, they adopted a policy of 'divide and rule' There was communal harmony before the British came. They introduced communal bloodshed. More over the highest cast were seeking favours from the invaders unlike Iraq, and the British found it easy to rule. Whereas Irish offered tough resistence causing more bloodshed like Iraq. They were victims of forced potato famine. then came the Easter rishing 1921 I think. Gandhi's quit india movement 1942 was largely non violent. We adopted passive resistence. Then British left India burning with communal riots bloodshed created India Pakistan and never ending hatred for each other. Looted both India and Pakistan, left both the country very poor which were rich in natural resources and 365 days of sunshine. Taj Mahal was studded with diamonds, all the diamonds are gone only empty sockets are left now. On the positive side, they introduced Railways, Administrative system, and English language. they did not try to wipe off local languages are there are far too many, like what they did in Ireland. Gaelic was almost completely wiped out. But they still hold Ulster which is a criminal occupation, hope it joins Ireland soon.
Ruth, India's constitution is adopted from the Irish
Most of the rich artifacts like the moghul Peacock throne, paintings, are in british museum, and they stole Kohinoor which is in queen's crown.
Rauf, It would be a fascinating (if disturbing) study and travel trip to visit India's artifacts and history throughout the world.
That will be an amazing journey!
My friend Ingrid plays the Celtic Harp and her parents live in England. I put together a slide show of her pictures from visiting Ireland, and scheduled a show for her. She played the harp as the beautiful images came to life. I could have listened to her play all day!
This is just an idea for a recruiting event:)
Rachel, I love this! Would you be able to make me a copy? We have two study abroad fairs at MSU (as you probably know, having been there yourself), and it would be so nice to have that running on our table! At any rate, I'd love to see and listen sometime. This is such a cool thing you and Swede do. I'm so sorry I'm going to miss you guys when you visit.
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