One life is not
enough, so you have to give yourself to traveling as often as you possibly can.
George Harrison’s
“Inner Light” had a lovely tune, but philosophies always get it wrong (philosophies,
remember, don’t expand your mind – they are merely a distraction): you can only experience
things by seeing them. By kissing them goodbye. That is the way it works.
There are places,
however, that drag you back. You don’t just think to yourself: ‘Hey, this was
good – so what’s next?’ As soon as you leave these places, your mind starts
searching for ways to go back. This does not necessarily depend on objective
arguments (good museum, good weather, good food) – this could all be down to a
number of memorable scenes or, indeed, one such moment. Like a thunderstorm
started and you had to hide inside an old church. Or maybe there were four girls
playing violins in the street. Or you heard an Italian tenor sing “Una Furtiva
Lagrima” in circumstances so intimate you went back to your hotel exalted and a
little insane. Or you just lay down in Piazza del Campo for two hours doing
nothing.
So while people may
choose their Romes and Florences and Venices and Veronas – I will find a way to
go back to Siena. It may stand in the way of more expansive traveling and
something I have never yet experienced, but it’s a plague I’m willing to contract.
