travel – Making it in Toledo

Reading, remembering, and thinking…

It’s a little thing, but I am committed to doing the little things I can do. I want to share this insightful article. Please read it. Please tell me what you think.

I didn’t know the word “patrimonialism” when I briefly visited South Africa decades ago, but as I learned about how that country worked, and how the tension between the broader good and tribal good caused even good people to make bad decisions. If you have a job to offer, competence can be less persuasive than closeness. Surely a member of your family or at least a member of your tribe can do the job. Or, yes, a member of your party. The rules to prevent abuse are fragile, even here.

When I visited SA, focusing on enjoying the beautiful country and spending time with my daughter who was studying there, Elon Musk was a privileged young man, and the influence of his upbringing is obvious.

Car rental for that trip included instructions about what to do in case of unexpected road obstructions, which might be part of a carjacking attempt. (Keep going.) Every place we stayed as we traveled the garden route was heavily guarded. Is that the direction we are headed in? We were stopped and our car inspected in case we were carrying meat or anything else we weren’t supposed to have, with an unsubtle suggestion that it would not take much of a bribe to make sure nothing was found. Much to think about, much to learn…

I learned more about patrimonialism when I visited Lebanon. I traveled with a diverse group of women who wanted to run for office. I saw women and non-governmental organizations running schools, hospitals, orphanages – running the country when the government broke down. The opposite of patrimonialism, I think: women who created not to get rich, but to help those who needed it. We may need that here.

In Lebanon, too, armed guards were ubiquitous.

As I cringe at current events, I remember so many people and places who have experience this and worse. It makes me both sad and hopeful. It makes me grateful and makes me want to do the small things that are possible, even now.

Just a year ago

It was nearing the end of our time in Spain and the end of my several weeks in Europe. We had spent hours every day walking in Barcelona, and I needed a break from that, so we bought tickets for a bus trip to Montserrat. Despite the rain, there were spectacular view of the mountains.

The walk from the parking lot to the site included a row of vendors selling local cheeses. Each one was better than the last, so I decided to risk confiscation and add several to my suitcase. I didn’t regret that.

Yesterday Johana and I took Aloisa on a road trip – we drove for forty five minutes, all within a couple of miles of home. After weeks of isolation, Loi was ecstatic to see a slightly larger world: “bushes!! flowers!! flags!!” Her enthusiasm was fun but a bit heartbreaking.

I’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit and I enjoy the memories. Right now it’s nice to remember the weeks I spent in Europe last year, both on my own in Romania and Hungary and, later exploring Budapest and Barcelona with John.

Trips in 2020 are certain to be much closer to home. Soon, the warmer weather should allow us to expand into the outdoors. In a few weeks, maybe we’ll get beyond the neighborhood. But I suspect that continuing efforts to grow my world will look very different from here on out.

City of Brotherly Love

Our three-generation household means I am not often alone, but last week was different. We spent almost a week in Philadelphia. It was my first visit, and I explored the city while John attended conference meetings.

Chinatown, and me trying unsuccessfully to capture a pic of the woman selling vegetables on the street

I loved the dragons, two Korean and two Chinese

We stayed first in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood and later in the historic district. Every day was sunny, but the tall buildings meant that I had to search out places to bask.

History, of course, was everywhere I went, including the history of public health, which fit with John’s purpose for being there.

Christ Church Burial Ground, where Benjamin Franklin is buried

I visited some wonderful restaurants and a new-favorite museum (more on those later). I listened to some incredible jazz in a unique venue. I browsed a few stores. I slept late every day. My first visit to Philadelphia made me want to return, and I’m am grateful that I had the chance to go.

I am happy to be home.