Considering that my travel adventures have experienced a dry spell for the last few years, I have suddenly regained the motivation to scratch that proverbial itch, cross oceans and stand in on the other side of the world. A colleague of mine recently said something quite profound, he said "Traveling to another country is like reading a thousand books."
How appropriate of a quote that is for an English teacher and a lover of kinesthetic learning. Thank you Dr. Gibson & Jullien!
However world travel to me is literally a spiritual journey, as I seek to uncover cultural similarities or 'roots' of my own mixed heritage. Although I grew up in America, and arguably bi-nationally as a Trinidadian, I come from two countries that are predominantly anglophone and hispaophone. Traveling this time to France, the first and original francophone nation, and sphere of influence to much of the colonized world, made me realize how many of my roots, both culturally and linguistically extend to France.
On a side note, I spent the last few days of Lent in Paris as I wandered through Notre Dame and other breathtaking Cathedrals. Being a Catholic and experiencing my religion in a different country is always a reawakening of my faith, as I see how much it extends to people of different nationalities and languages as well. Whether I experience Mass in Dutch, Spanish, English, Korean, Hindi and now French, the Lord's message is constantly heard and my faith is never wavered.
This was my first trip to Paris, the City of Lights. And while I have been in numerous cities that were well lit (New York, Seoul, Port of Spain, Chicago, London, Dubai), none compare to the feeling of standing in this historic setting gazing upon the glory that is the Eiffel Tower. The tower which was built for the World's Fair in 1889, is a iron lattice structure that remains the most iconic symbols of any city in the world. Although this was not a romantic trip for me, being in the shadow of this glorious monument, and at the top at sunset, made me long to be embraced like a scene from any cliched romance movie. Funny Face comes to mind because I was undoubtedly channeling Audrey Hepburn in my chic trench coat and heels.
But as a city girl, who loves the concrete jungle and admires the grandiose character emblematic of most cities I've visited, I had to ask myself "Whats up with all these BIG structures?" Sure Washington DC has the Washington Monument, of course we all think of NYC when we see the Chrysler or Empire State Buildings, and London has Big Ben. Chicago has the tallest of skylines of any American city I've been to, Dubai has the Burj, Piza has its leaning tower and Paris redundantly has an obelisk thrusting toward the sky.
So what is the common thread here? Indeed, it is the phallic symbolism conveyed through various aesthetic translations throughout the world. Shall I now channel Freud or Butler in my analysis of this theme?
Is it because of male architects or founding fathers' obsession with power and strength that the symbol of the phallus was adopted by each of these cities and countries?
Is it an obsession with sex and male genitalia? Is this some sort of ancient phallic worship creeping up in modern society... Dan Brown do you know anything about this?
Is someone's mind in the gutter, which makes her see the penile organ wherever she travels?
NO to the last question by the way. And FYI there is a Phallic School of Architecture which is also responsible for the theoretical movement that supports the aesthetic designs of buildings that conspicuously resemble breasts or echo vaginal symmetry .... China's M'inge Stadium anyone?? Its nice to see a modern version of Yoni worship for once... vaginal worship in Tantrism.
I have yet to figure out what I have actually learned from all of this, but at least my latest trip has inspired some truly fascinating food for thought. Where will my next jet setting adventure take me? Who knows. Will I see more clues to architectural perversion? Maybe.
Will I learn more abut myself, my identity and uncover more cultural roots? Absolutely. Will I remain on a spiritual journey with the Lord at my side? Without a DOUBT
Happy Travels!
