Places We Have Been: Musings at the start of a journey - Europe

In flight to Munich, we have just left Reykjavik International. We will visit Dachau later today. I was asked why by a friend. That is an interesting question. For the same reason we would visit Wounded Knee, the site of the Boston Massacre, or the Sudan, except the horrific proportions of the holocaust are searing and unavoidable. We must remember, then form a resolve and hope to overcome and preclude recurrences of such events. And it is only a hope - that is clear from recent history. We are one thin line away from murder and genocide, corporately and individually. So we will remember the holocaust; and commit to make our globe a better place one person at a time. It starts with us. That is the core of it - work to better our own sphere of influence.

October, 2013

Compound entrance October 17, 2013

Arbeit Macht Frie - Work makes (you) free

Facility built for 6,000 - over 63,000 were held here as the war came to an end.

Liberated by Allied forces 29 Avril 1945

NEVER AGAIN

The journey also is to celebrate and absorb the great cultures of Europe. Monet's water lilies were in the museum in Zurich when I last visited there, over 40 years ago. I hope to see them again - with an entirely new perspective. What has changed these many years? - technology, travel, borders, family, me . . . . ? And yet - so much is the same. The human condition, Maslow's hierarchy, great symphonies, fine literature, the Word. We seek history, art, fine wine, food, and hiking! For the moment I am celebrating this iPad and the Verbatim keyboard. This tin can at 38,000 feet is cramped, confining, and claustrophobic - a phobia I do not have but in small measure - thanks be to God. Even stretching has short-term effect. When we land we will rejoice and enjoy. Solid earth, fatherland and motherland to so many uncounted millions.

Stretch again and break concentration. . . . . I have airplane funk. For a well crafted description of this phenomenon consider Salman Rushdie's description of air travel in "The Ground Beneath Her Feet".