In the Air

How fortunate I am to walk across the promenade from our office to the little specialties market, where I can purchase a piece of French brie and a decent baguette.  I recall walking through a "regular" grocery store in Laramie, Wyoming thirty six years ago with a dear friend from France.  I remember clearly his dismay as we sauntered through the dairy section, his disappointment of the very limited cheese selection.  A couple of years later I gained  complete understanding of  his feelings as I stood marveling at the cornucopia of cheeses before me at a sidewalk market in Paris.  Now, in today's technologically advanced world, I can not only enjoy cheeses from half way around the planet, but I can completely immerse myself in the culture of that place with the simple push of a button and click of the mouse.  If I wasn't so "linguistically lazy" I could learn the language of those who reside on the other side of the world, online, through personal interaction with a native speaker, but even with that laziness I can still watch French television, listen to Edith Piaf or Serge Gainsbourg when I want to experience "l'ancienne saveur Parisienne sauvage",  simulate driving an auto to view the sights with Google Maps, and have a multitude of experiences via the internet I would never have dreamed of those many years ago.  No matter where one is at the moment, he or she can turn on their computer and instantly be transported far away. 

In relation to this rapidly changing orb we inhabit, not so long ago I experienced a small panic attack, fearing we might be in danger of losing uniquely  individual cultures scattered around our planet.  I was touched by fear of "Internet Travel" endangering the sanctity of cultural identities, making everything so easily accessible one needn't jump on the Silver Bird to experience places .. mixing the stew pot of our humanity so completely that every place will eventually be like every other place .. every person homogeneous .. one reality .. one language .. one mass mentality ..  one culture .. no culture.  Can you imagine this scenario?  A robotic existence of humanity, with no flavor, no spice, no difference,  completely void of excitement for discovering the unknown.  Can you imagine?

Thankfully, these fears were dispelled upon my recent return to Kauai, following an extended visit to our other home in Tucson, Arizona.  Like so many times before, I stepped out of the airport terminal in Lihue and, like so many times before,  I closed my eyes while the incredible island air caressed my face .. and, like so many times before, I felt the spirit of this beautiful culture envelope me, awakening memories and visions unique to this island paradise.  My spirit smiled with sudden recognition of a truth which will never allow our cultures to be diluted, to dissipate as a result of our technology.  The memory of experiencing this same wonderful sensation when walking outside the terminal to the rental car parking area at Charles de Gaulle softly entered my thinking .. the uniquely ethereal contact of light breezes I only feel in France.  Breezes that whisper ancient secrets and hint of modern marvels which only exist in that place.  The flood gates opened for me as I stood there a week ago .. stood there "feeling" Kauai, knowing I have "felt" France and hundreds of other places in the same manner through my lifetime.  We are kissed by the place we inhabit .. kissed by the places we visit .. and within those gentle kisses the culture of that place dwells. 

I walked from Lihue terminal to the car wearing a huge smile on my face, knowing we will never lose the flavors of humanity .. knowing France, and Hawaii, and Tucson, and every other wonderfully unique culture is safe, protected by our inability to grasp and destroy it.  The beauty of our individuality will remain, shielded and nurtured, never to change  ... ​

​In the Air 
​​
​from Kauai to Paris .. and all places between
​

Facker
November 9, 2017