Tonight it randomly came into my mind as I saw a photo online of a poem copied on to a map. If ever I copy a poem on a map (likely, given my map obsession) this is the one I'd use.
Ithaca
When you start on your journey to Ithaca,
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
then pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
Do not fear the Lestrygonians
and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon.
You will never meet such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your body and your spirit.
You will never meet the Lestrygonians,
the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not raise them up before you.
Then pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time
with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
That the summer mornings are many,
that you will enter ports seen for the first time
with such pleasure, with such joy!
Stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony,
and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds,
buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can;
visit hosts of Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from those who have knowledge.
Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for long years;
and even to anchor at the isle when you are old,
rich with all that you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
Without her you would never have taken the road.
But she has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,
you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean.
-K. P. Kavafis (C. P. Cavafy), translation by Rae Dalven
The words resonate so much with me given the journey I'm on and where I'm at. I'm in that strange position where I'm finally starting to realize that I'm leaving. And finally, I want to soak it all up. I want to leave here without regrets. I think I did a damn good job, and as I come upon yet another night of sickness, I'm heading to bed at 8pm knowing that 2 months and 6 hours from now I will probably be landing home. Holy crap!
I have gained so much from living here for 2 years and from traveling around Asia, and I am so excited to continue my journey. To soak up new knowledge, meet new friendly faces, and devour delicious food in another country.
When I reach whatever it is I'm searching for, I intend to beat to the bone. But I also intend to have peed on the streets of every country I've been to. I intend to try thousands of new foods, participate in as many nights of dancing as possible, drink my way through new beers, wines, and local liquors. I intend to make as many friends as I can. I intend to learn some new hobbies, have interest in new musics. I intend to feel completely full. In fact, maybe I'm never meant to find my Ithaca, because searching is just the fun of life.
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