Thanks Coco! That trading card image came from meeting someone who prided himself on being a traveler and quantified that as a country count. I’m always suspicious of those people, especially when they’re monolingual—travel is not a consumer product
Most definitely agree. It’s not about the number of countries, more the depth of the experience, and if anything a humbling experience vs taking pride in them.
Thanks Sandra! I really love Lispector, and she’s still pretty unknown in the English-speaking world despite a series of new translations coming out in recent years. Give her a read!
Fellow WoP traveler here. Congratulations to this mesmerizing piece, Jake!!! Wonderful writing – insightful, thought-provoking, and poetic. I like to think and (try to) write about similar topics like time, memories, reality.
I am now thinking of even ‘hinting’ at the role (potential but also danger?) of veneers in our memories, as part of the drafting/finishing of my essay titled “Befriending Time and Memories”. Would you mind reading it and sharing a couple of thoughts with me about it?
So many beautiful quotes in here, many of which make us think and lots of feels.
Loved when you commented on “We collect countries like trading cards”. Writing a card to the barista inspires kindness.
The poetic tone reminded me of An Intimate History of Humanity by Theodore Zeldin.
Thanks Coco! That trading card image came from meeting someone who prided himself on being a traveler and quantified that as a country count. I’m always suspicious of those people, especially when they’re monolingual—travel is not a consumer product
Most definitely agree. It’s not about the number of countries, more the depth of the experience, and if anything a humbling experience vs taking pride in them.
“I write to you because I don't understand myself.”
What a lovely quote and essay — I really enjoyed this, Jake!
Thanks Sandra! I really love Lispector, and she’s still pretty unknown in the English-speaking world despite a series of new translations coming out in recent years. Give her a read!
Fellow WoP traveler here. Congratulations to this mesmerizing piece, Jake!!! Wonderful writing – insightful, thought-provoking, and poetic. I like to think and (try to) write about similar topics like time, memories, reality.
I am now thinking of even ‘hinting’ at the role (potential but also danger?) of veneers in our memories, as part of the drafting/finishing of my essay titled “Befriending Time and Memories”. Would you mind reading it and sharing a couple of thoughts with me about it?
Hey Brigitte—glad you liked the piece! And sure, send it my way. Tag me in the Circle group when you post the draft.
It’s already posted under my name…and thank you!