Outside of the World Trade Center, Insadong, South Korea
Skyline in Insadong
A sad day in American history. I hope our future is more bright.
Yet, when I read a description of the fall of the Shilla Dynasty, I wondered how much history truly does predict the future–our future. It went something like this: Given differences amongst internal and external ideologies, combined with internal and external disparities in wealth, the empire was destroyed from within and without.
On a “deluxe” bus for return to Sara’s. Just worked out that way due to timing; certainly more spacious, but there are only a half dozen of us on bus so matters not.
“How did I get here?” A question that repeats itself often; “Well this happened and then this happened and now you are here”. Somehow, however, that does not seem to completely or even accurately describe why I am on a bus in Korea. Something is missing. Or at least I hope something is missing, for if it’s not, I am stuck; stuck with a feeling that something is missing; something that I need to find. “What is it, where do I need to look, who do I need to ask?” Patience grasshopper.
Robert Francisco 
Not all who wander are lost.
Before I left on my 1985 nine-month journey to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, my friend Wanda told me that I should remember the phrase “Wherever you go, there you are.”
I was 24 and didn’t know what the hell she meant. Much later I discovered it’s the title of a book about Zen Buddhism by Jon Kabat-Zinn, so it likely refers to present-moment awareness.
But to me, it also means that you can go to some place exotic and new, but you are still you, with all your thoughts, ties, and emotional baggage that you have to deal with.
Granted, exploring other places, especially for long periods of time, is a great way to learn about yourself, to grow, and to figure out what to do with the next phase of your life. You may have important epiphanies and you may become a much happier and wiser person.
I do know that the two long stints I spent abroad changed me for the better and changed the direction of my life path.
Excellent perspective John and that has been my experience as well. It seems to me, however, that I am more aware of this truth when I am traveling.
[…] He’s on a long journey of exploration in Asia. Here’s a comment I made on one of his recent posts from South […]
“Or at least I hope something is missing, for if it’s not, I am stuck; stuck with a feeling that something is missing; something that I need to find.”
Joseph Campbell said,
“One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that.”
All the luck in the world on your search, my friend.
Alan