I found myself nodding in agreement to much of this. I lived in Switzerland for five years and then another year in the Netherlands. Living out of a suitcase is vastly different. I learned the language (required!) and came to know my neighbors. I recommend the experience.
True indeed, you cant know a place until you’ve lived there. Which is why I wanted to live in the South, to see if I could understand it. After 5 years, I can’t say I do.
Being in Italy- particularly Sicily- for 4 months during Covid lockdown was huge. My landlord (now good friend) for 15 of those weeks repeatedly said, “You’re not a tourist,” which was the best compliment he could give me. I fell in love with the island and expect it may be a decade before I truly understand the place and people.
As gorgeous as being a hero- there’s a huge difference between doing heroic things and actually being a hero, at least in the sense of the hero’s journey, being the hero of your own life. In this respect, I find it incredibly helpful to know that a hero will face trials, extremely difficult challenges, and even have to face death (of some sort, typically the death of a way of being, of an identity) - and - if one is willing to die, to surrender to the change, then a transformation can occur. New life will happen. THAT is what it means to be a hero. Many people prefer to hang on to the past, to dwell in their hell, so to speak, then to go thru the death and be transformed. Change like that is painful AF. But when we do it, we become truly alive again - and our vitality vivifies others.
A hero is not passive, and that alone may be the most important lesson for living, yes?
You write: "Anyway, my suggestion for Barcelona town hall: ban the cruise ships." They can't. (It's one of many, many local frictions between Barcelona and Madrid — which I'm surprised you haven't yet picked up on. The Ajuntament and the Catalan Parliament have very little say in the matter of administering the port — ports are regarded as national (i.e. Madrid led) infrastructure. In 1992 the Spanish state ended Barcelona port's autonomy. The entity which now runs the port, yes, has a few local representatives on its board but they are (deliberately) vastly outnumbered.
Loved all three parts of this post. Thanks Russell.
I found myself nodding in agreement to much of this. I lived in Switzerland for five years and then another year in the Netherlands. Living out of a suitcase is vastly different. I learned the language (required!) and came to know my neighbors. I recommend the experience.
True indeed, you cant know a place until you’ve lived there. Which is why I wanted to live in the South, to see if I could understand it. After 5 years, I can’t say I do.
Being in Italy- particularly Sicily- for 4 months during Covid lockdown was huge. My landlord (now good friend) for 15 of those weeks repeatedly said, “You’re not a tourist,” which was the best compliment he could give me. I fell in love with the island and expect it may be a decade before I truly understand the place and people.
As gorgeous as being a hero- there’s a huge difference between doing heroic things and actually being a hero, at least in the sense of the hero’s journey, being the hero of your own life. In this respect, I find it incredibly helpful to know that a hero will face trials, extremely difficult challenges, and even have to face death (of some sort, typically the death of a way of being, of an identity) - and - if one is willing to die, to surrender to the change, then a transformation can occur. New life will happen. THAT is what it means to be a hero. Many people prefer to hang on to the past, to dwell in their hell, so to speak, then to go thru the death and be transformed. Change like that is painful AF. But when we do it, we become truly alive again - and our vitality vivifies others.
A hero is not passive, and that alone may be the most important lesson for living, yes?
You write: "Anyway, my suggestion for Barcelona town hall: ban the cruise ships." They can't. (It's one of many, many local frictions between Barcelona and Madrid — which I'm surprised you haven't yet picked up on. The Ajuntament and the Catalan Parliament have very little say in the matter of administering the port — ports are regarded as national (i.e. Madrid led) infrastructure. In 1992 the Spanish state ended Barcelona port's autonomy. The entity which now runs the port, yes, has a few local representatives on its board but they are (deliberately) vastly outnumbered.
Gonna miss you buddy, take care and see you when you're back.
Love this post. I am at one year two months in Italy and agree with everything you wrote here! Esp about overtourism and your ideas to beat it.
I like what you wrote about finding meaning in life. I will keep reflecting on it !