Sound Tracks

I always have an association with the first time I go wander around a place.

My sound tracks are more like thoughts and stories running through my mind.

First time I went to Syria,  I was reading William Dalrymple's "To the Holy Mountain" which gave a brilliant background. In those days you could easily pick up rip off CD's and I got a copy of "Life of Brian" by Monty Python. Hilarious and surprisingly spot on with some sketches.

A NOTE: My friend Samir lives in Damascus- we met and bonded over a passion for textiles- for so long Syria has suffered ... we keep in contact. He says life is now even more inspiring in the city than what I am seeing reported on Al Jazeera News. I am hoping as hard as I can for that lovely country. A place where I experienced and some of the gentlest welcomes and kindest people in my travels. 

Let Peace Reign.

Recently in Mexico, I .... I had so many books I was dipping into on my Kindle, sometimes there are too many different ways that Curiosity directs, then I remembered "Like Water for Chocolate".

I put the rest aside and slid into her story.

Great story and when you are there and listen to people's commentaries and dip into history, so many layers reveal themselves in that story.

There is something a wee bit magical to life in Mexico. 

Food is made with love and care everywhere.

There was music on this journey, an 80's sound track. I could remember a lot of the songs.... the 80's were probably the last time I listened to pop music too, haha.

Then I picked up Maya Angelou's biography.

My goodness.

What a story, what resilience,  what a lesson in shaking things off  and keep on keeping on.

Never give up....

And the insights into life as she experienced it growing up, just because of the colour of her skin being blamed for being alive.

Her experience in Ghana in the early days of Independence,  hoping it would feel like home.

Home, where is Home? So many observations and questions arise....

I am white, I know when my great, great, great Grandfather arrived in Australia. As a kid I thought when I finally visited England I would feel at home.

It taught me that I am Australian, not First People but it is my home, it is the place I feel most connected in all the World.

Why do we travel?

Why do we read inspiring books?

I think to learn more about who we are, about our place in the world.

Mexico will always have a profound 'soundtrack' in my heart.