I’ve been thinking about change a lot these days.
After decades of living in one place, many of them in the same house, we are poised to make a move in the near future. I don’t know exactly where or when at this point, but the idea of uprooting myself is both terrifying and thrilling. Change is good, and change is scary, but having lived through upheaval before, I know that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” I also know we can change our external surroundings, tipping ourselves precariously into new situations, but equilibrium always seems to right us, swinging us back to the mundane similarities of daily life, wherever we are.
Beyond the home front, I’ve been thinking about change in the world as well. As an avid traveler to some unique places, I’ve occasionally found myself in a hot spot, a place where climactic forces or social and political tensions boil over before, during, or after I’ve been there. The change in Jerusalem came to mind this morning as I read about clashes on the Temple Mount between Israelis and Palestinians. I was there this summer during a period of relative peace, and I spent some quiet hours in this sacred place one morning, feeling lucky to have missed the previous summer’s violence there. But just when we think things have calmed down, they can change in a heartbeat and erupt yet again.
Likewise, I think about Nepal, where my recent photos and memories contain scenes that no longer exist after last spring’s devastating earthquake. Or Tibet, where whole portions of the Tibetan quarter get gobbled up year after year by the Han Chinese as they take over the mountaintop city. I feel like I was just basking in sunny, relaxing Croatia, thinking about little more than a cold drink on a ledge over the Adriatic, and today it is stressed by hordes of refugees at its borders. In an opposite swing of the pendulum, there is the heartening re-blossoming of economies and tourism in places like Mexico City or Colombia – cities and countries long excised from my travel list – now back on it after years of drug-fueled violence.
Sometimes I feel it’s a race to see parts of the world that may change before our eyes – like Cuba, where the inevitable influx of Americans in coming years may simultaneously revive and potentially ruin the Caribbean nation. I am eager to get there soon, before the change, knowing even so that the transformation will be both good and bad, and that it is not my place to judge that as an outsider.
More painful to me as a student of the world, I know my visit and my presence itself cause change in both positive and negative ways. By visiting the Arctic before it thaws, do I accelerate the melting? By walking through Machu Picchu before the government further limits visitors to protect the ancient stones, do I wear them down myself and exacerbate the dilemma?
For now, I jump in where I can, keeping my conscience and safety in mind as much as possible, knowing that Mother Nature will continue to rumble capriciously through regions unknown, that politics and social forces will disrupt life in places we can and can’t predict, and that these winds of change will continue to blow through the world as they have for millennia.
LaVagabonde said:
Those photos are treasures. This is exactly what has begun to motivate me – see it before it changes, because it will. Belarus, Serbia, and Transnistria are done. Next up is Iran and North Korea. Cuba…forget it now. It was already too trendy (in my opinion) with Europeans, but the impending invasion has dissuaded me totally. It’s just too convenient for Florida tourists, the Disneyworld type. Iran has begun to open up, and Europeans are already filling up tours. I give it five years before it becomes the trendy destination. Like you said, as an outsider, we really shouldn’t judge the changes, but it will be sad to see Starbucks and McDonalds and selfie sticks in Cuba and elsewhere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
LaVagabonde said:
p.s. good luck with your move!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Iran had just recently appeared on my radar – I’d better hurry! You know, I really do feel a sense of mild panic when I think of getting to certain places, and that is not a good thing!
LikeLike
LaVagabonde said:
Yeah, I’m a little panicked about Iran. Just today I met yet another person who just got back from there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LaVagabonde said:
FYI: about Iran…they won’t give you a visa if you’ve got a stamp for Israel in your passport.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
I was so careful to have the stamp put on a separate sheet of paper in my passport twice in Israel and then the third time, I was not paying attention and got the stamp! The good news is my passport expires soon anyway, so I’ll have a new one with no inflammatory countries in it!
LikeLike
Jolandi Steven said:
What a beautifully written piece. May the change you are planning be a blessing onto your life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
anna said:
Lovely post! Good luck with the next move! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thanks! Oddly, a move does not stress me out as much as figuring out my next trip(s)! Well, that’s not totally true – it’s less onerous logistically but more difficult emotionally.
LikeLike
anna said:
I bet. Is it a big move or still local, just different house?
LikeLike
lexklein said:
Most likely a big move … waiting to see where a job change will take us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
anna said:
Ohhh, i’ll look forward to hearing whats next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alison and Don said:
We’ve found change to be something of a gift and at times a great disappointment. The gifts – Myanmar now instead of 40 years ago when I was travelling in my 20’s and missed it. Forty years ago visas were limited to 7 days, now you can visit for 30. And Sargada Familia – forty years ago the interior hardly existed, now it is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been into. The disappointments – Nepal 😦 From a purely selfish point of view I haven’t been there so will never see it as it was. Heartbroken for the people. Another disappointment – our recent visit to Pamukkale, the amazing travertine terraces in Turkey. They now control the water and in two and a half days we had there there was no water allowed onto the terraces. Heartbroken for me 😦
We get what we get. We dance the dance of Life. The Earth dances the dance of Life. Nothing ever rests but the hub of the wheel.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Yes, the adage that “the only thing that is constant is change” is certainly apt when it comes to our ever-changing world. I largely think of it as a good thing; things evolve for a reason, but I still selfishly want to keep some things the same forever. I love your examples of change as a gift … I cited Tibet as a place where change is hurting them, but without the changes I never would have had the gift of being able to see that magnificent, formerly-inaccessible land!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paula said:
Great thoughtful piece – I also wonder about my desire to witness vs how that affects the environment of what I wanted to witness. But one of my special travel memories is the short time I spent in Yugoslavia in the early 80’s….what is it about travel that makes one feel even more a part of the world, and its history? Anyway, good luck on your move!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thank you (twice)! You are so right about travel making us feel more connected to the world and its history … and funny you should also mention Yugoslavia in that same sentence because it was in Sarajevo that I finally sat down at a cafe and had the whole Yugoslavian break-up fully explained to me by a wonderful Bosnian man. No textbook could ever have done as good a job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paula said:
Yes! Travel (done right) is the best school there is….
LikeLiked by 1 person
vizon said:
What a great picutres and place..
I like them..
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thank you very much!
LikeLike
snowsomewhere said:
“By visiting the Arctic before it thaws, do I accelerate the melting” – That’s something I sometimes think about too, travel is selfish but on the other hand, I also think that seeing is believing and speading knowledge of environmental problems etc. might hopefully wake people up to do something about it (with all the traveling world leaders do, I wish they’d travel to real areas of (environmental) concern and step outside of their hotel/PR venues to really get inspired to act on correcting those problems, instead of just bland talk)… Anyway, it’s also true that nothing lasts forever and change is natural. We are a part of nature, too, and if we destroy the planet then it was a natural disaster, sort of. (I’m not even going to comment on political stuff, ust sticking to enviromnetal here!) … Well, happy moving days, hope all goes well in the end and I’m sure it will! Good luck! 🙂 Hope you’ll still have time to blog every now and then! (I’m hoping that for purely selfish reasons!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thanks for this long, thoughtful comment! I think about all those things, too. As things get busy for me, you may see slightly fewer posts, but I don’t tend to post really often anyway! With a December trip on tap, there will surely be something about that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
litadoolan said:
I love the closing meditation on the power of Mother Nature. Thank you for this post. Happy Autumn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Well, thank you! We modern-day beings think we are in control, but having been to some much-loved places that have subsequently been harmed or even destroyed by natural disasters, I have learned to appreciate the fragility of our world and to savor each part of it when I can.
LikeLike
Tina Schell said:
Well said – and thoughtfully laid out. Love the photos too. You’ve been to some very interesting spots. It’s an amazing world out there and I, like you, am doing my best to see it! Good luck w the move.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thanks, Tina! Together we will leave no ground uncovered!
LikeLike
lisadorenfest said:
This post is beautifully poignant Lexi. I guess that we have to cherish the good moments and remember that ‘this too shall pass’ when things turn bad. And your images? Every one is GORGEOUS but the last is spectacular. Will watch this space to see where change takes you. Adventure awaits.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Ahh, I hope there is some adventure to be had as part of a change/move … still waiting to see where a job will take us. And it’s not mine, so I may have to juggle my own work life to keep funding the adventures! When do you start your contract job in Australia?
LikeLiked by 1 person
lisadorenfest said:
Hopefully November 15…if I get hired 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Fingers crossed for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lisadorenfest said:
PS. Good luck with the job taking you all where you want to go and with your juggling until it does
LikeLiked by 1 person
gallivance.net said:
Your upcoming change sounds mysterious and exciting Lexie. We’ve bounced around a fair amount, and have grown so accustomed to change that it feels weird if we don’t have change. It’s also interesting that in her corporate life, Terri taught change management classes for executives. So, bottom line, whatever it is you’re thinking about sounds good to us. Our philosophy has always been: we can always settle down, but we won’t always be able to travel and move. So go for it girl, and keep us posted. ~James
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
“Mysterious” makes it sound much more interesting than it is! It probably does sound mysterious because I am being so vague … it’s just that it’s very nebulous at this point and somewhat out of my own control. My job is perfect, but my husband is actively seeking a range of new opportunities, and many of those may involve a move. So while change is upcoming, I don’t know when or where! Tough to plan and get too excited, yet both the thrill and angst of it are lurking full-time in the background!.
LikeLike
badfish said:
Well you had it right…at the start…change is good and change is scary. And things stay the same. I’m also glad Mexico is now a bit safer…I love Mexico. And now Colombia opening up. Is that the back of the Dome of the Rock…or another mosque?
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Yep, Dome of the Rock. Have you been to Colombia? I’m going next month at the end of the semester!
LikeLike
badfish said:
No, haven’t been to Colombia. Always wanted to…maybe find the jewel of the Nile. But no…too scary. Let me know how safe it’s gotten, eh?
LikeLike
LDG luciledegodoy said:
It’s a poignant post, Lex, paired with gorgeous photography.
Reminding us that with change, all stay the same, is equally a reminder to keep trying, to keep traveling. Good luck with your new adventures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thanks, Lucile! You are kind to comment … I will keep you all posted on the next adventure(s)!
LikeLike
LDG luciledegodoy said:
My pleasure!!looking forward to hearing about it.
LikeLike
rdesaintpern said:
This is so interesting. I’ve had some similar experiences. Last year I was in Jerusalem when the three settlers went missing, and I just knew I should end my trip early, despite everyone telling me I was being paranoid. I’m so happy I did, because when I got home I realised how distorted the media was over there, and then bam the attack began on Gaza. I think if you grow up in the west you take safety for granted, and when you realise how fragile you are, and how quickly things can change, it’s quite frightening!
I’d never heard before that Machu Picchu was in any kind of danger, so thank you for sharing! It’s such a double edged sword between sharing the world, and sharing too much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
At Machu Picchu, Peru and UNESCO are working to limit the daily number of visitors and to keep people from wandering all over the site. When I first went, I could go sit on an uncrowded terrace and enjoy some peace away from the crowds, but even by the next time I was there, visitors were being kept to certain areas. There are so many places I want to see before they are closed off or limited, yet that is a selfish thought in itself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
rdesaintpern said:
It’s really cool that you got to experience something so natural and beautiful without the unnatural and un-beautiful crowds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
williamayoung said:
I really like this piece. It does feel so often with travel today like we’re riding on the edge of a wave, and we have to do the best we can to surf it before it breaks. I suppose that’s life though, isn’t it; there’s only a little time given to us to do anything, and we have to make of that time the best use we can.
You seem to be doing a pretty good job of it, at any rate! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
lexklein said:
Thanks! I love the image of riding on the edge of a wave; it’s exhilarating and frightening at the same time and, yes, (a good, fulfilling) life is staying on that crest as long as we can! Looking at my blog and its far-flung travel adventures, it does appear I’m doing a fairly good job, but you can’t see my feet treading water like crazy to stay on top of the water! AND, so nice to see you back!! Hope you’ve been gallivanting and not editing or some such thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person