Friday, September 25, 2009

Let Me Be Misunderstood

The more I write the less able I am to express what it’s like being in Sri Lanka this month.  I am not sure why being able to do so seems so important to me.  It’s sort of like my blog in general, I suppose.  I honestly think my experiences are more profound than those of many others; and that they deserve to be shared.  To be honest, though my eJournal and images ends up being ‘external memory’ where I can go back to recall the name of something or the date of a specific event.  Even with all this said, I still wish I could share exactly what it’s like to be here now.  This might even be of interest to me on a rainy winter day in Vancouver.

Photo: My favourite Sri Lankan beer costs under $1.Yet, life is all a matter of perspective.  When I mention a simple word, such as dog, you most probably recall a specific one that you owned either now or in the past.  If you never owned a canine, then you will undoubtedly picture something a little more generic.  How can the world agree on anything if we cannot even come to an understanding on the precise meaning of the word, dog?  Which reminds me about something I’ve always been intrigued by: When a a St. Bernard meets a poodle do they really think of each other as the same species?

If a simple word can have so many meanings, then what about a concept such as a perfect day.  Furthermore, how can I explain to you what it is like visiting Jay’s family?  How can I possibly, let you know what it’s like to experience things of which you have no firsthand knowledge?  What about the weather, geography, the taste and variety of the food, or the multitude of physical and emotional differences.  How can I share a culture you’ve not known?  I haven’t a clue how to express daily frustrations and pleasures.  I finally ‘get’ the idea of the saying a picture is worth a thousand words.  Underlying any image, there are far too many details which cannot be examined nor shared.  You will see one thing and I another.  I fear that even words, most certainly these, fail the same test as well.

So, I shall just stay trite and nearly mute on this day of rest between travels around this amazing country. Having a nice time; wish you were here!


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