I spoke with Tony, a guy who picked me up when I hitch-hiked towards Bré, in Ireland.
He was telling me how he speaks Irish, but no one is really bothering learning it, he told me about a really old cemetary and St. Monochg, that Dublin was originally spelt 'Baile Ath Ciath', he started talking about the world in general (politics and the lot), and how they changed the Irish writing, and they made things shorter etc.
How money is destroying our heritage, our environment, our own true possession which is the gift to walk on such a beautiful planet, how 20 years ago you'd see foxes, birds flying everywhere, and all sorts of animals over the country side when driving the car; but now nothing. How all of this, including the corruption of the cops in Greece and everywhere, is beacuse of money.
"When I was in the USA, I was in the Navy and we travelled all over the world for many years. And wherever I went to, I saw corruption. You know, 'something's wrong with with your papers, how much?' Money, whiskey, cigarette, anything - corruption was there."
So it seems that wherever/for as long as there is money, there is going to be corruption.
"Exactly."
[...]
One could say that people are a lot happier in societies where they care less about money, or use them less.
"I think that the best life is where they don't use money at all."
Now, this coming from a person with the experiences that Tony's had in his life, is something I should at least try to keep in mind.
I think the difference between London and Dublin is that Dublin has some integrity, while London doesn't. London is an amazing place, where you can see Art from all over the world, ancient ruins from all over the world, listen to music from all over the world, see movies from all over the world, eat food from all over the world; but when it comes to what London has iherited throughout history, all that remains is the Big Ben and the Tower Bridge. I'm not saying London doesn't have an interesting history, but my point is rather that this interesting history behind London has been hindered by the incredible amalgam of cultures. But unfortunately, all this is just an illusion. You can't really appreciate something unless you go to the place it comes from. And I am not talking about intent here, I'm talking about Heritage and culture.
Chinese food in London has nothing to do with actual Chinese food in China; the Egyptian and Greek ruins in the British Museum are nothing compared to seeing ruines in Egypt or Greece; italian olive il in London is not the same as italian olive oil in Italy; and hearing traditional Irish music in a concert hall is nothing compared to seeing people play in a pub in a village in Ireland where they barely speak any English.
It seems that the British should stop taking things from other cultures and start travelling more. Or rather, travel more without trying to make everything the same as their home. Travelling is indeed one damn good mind-opening experience.
"The further away you go
from the things you are familiar with,
the closer you come
to finding who you really are"
"Στον κόσμο, δύο είναι τα πιο μεγάλα πράγματα: εσύ, και όλα τα άλλα που δεν είσαι εσύ."
"Τι είναι η ιστορία αν όχι αναμνήσεις σε κάδρο σε κρύες αίθουσες, σε μουσεία, σε μια μεγάλη πόλη;"
