It's now two hours before I go to the airport. Most of my stuff is packed. It's crazy for me to think I'm actually going. I said good bye to most of my American family/friends. Sorry if I missed anyone, but I will be back. I can't wait to get on the plane. It's going to be an insane journey. I hope I keep up with this blog.
Whenever I'm about to do something I haven't done before, a passage from Moby-Dick consistently comes to mind. It is what Ishmael thinks the night before he embarks on his sea-journey, what helps him to eradicate his fear, and how his mission to sea is what will give his life meaning. I believe it is a good testament to turn to when the door is more ajar than open. I think it's appropriate to start here with Melville's wisdom:
"It needs scarcely to be told, with what feelings, on the eve of a Nantucket voyage, I regarded those marble tablets, and by murky light of that darkened, doleful day read the fate of the whalemen who had gone before me. Yes, Ishmael, the same fate may be thine. But somehow I grew merry again. Delightful inducements to embark, fine chance for promotion, it seems--aye, a stove boat will make me an immortal by brevet. Yes, there is death in this business of whaling--a speechlessly quick chaotic bundling of a man into Eternity. But what then? Methinks we have largely mistaken this matter of Life and Death. Methinks that what they call my shadow here on earth is my true substance. Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air. Methinks my body is but the less of my better being. In fact take my body who will, take it I say, it is not me. And therefore three cheers for Nantucket; and come a stove boat and stove body when they will, for stave my soul, Jove himself cannot"(ch.7).
Catch you all in the Old Country!
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