Walking on these snow covered streets with piles of snow higher than myself reveals so much to me than i ever imagine. This trip to the Baltics made me know myself better by knowing others. Knowing others and discovering who they are, the principles on which their lives are built on, the underlying personalities that explain their behaviours and attitudes, it was a refreshing experience.
Three countries, three different languages, three currencies sharing the same Baltic sea that separates these 3 small rarely discovered jewels secluded from even their nearest neighbours. While the Lithuanians are the careful, reputation defenders, their closest linguistic cousins, the Latvians, the dill lovers, have a more sophisticated edge. Surprising how all these countries that come scarce on population carry the yoke of preserving their unique languages. Even more amazing that Lithuania has some of the world’s best basketball players, beat so many bigger countries hands down in this all-time favourite sport. Truly impressed by the Estonians, a small nation with such great versatility and being in the frontal of technology. Skype is their shout-out to the world!
There isn’t any better and more unconventional way to spend new year and winter holidays in the Baltics and celebrating with one of the most inspiring couchsurfer i’ve ever met. Even now when i return to my routine, lessons i learned from the people i’ve met still linger in my mind. To trust a stranger and to open up your life, displaying the most crude form of your lifestyle is not just showing hospitality but changing the world with this ripple effect of disintegrating all form of coats-selfishness, materialism, ignorance of the community, fear etc., down to the very essence of human-to-human encounter. When i picture this, the piece by Michelangelo “The Creation of Adam” flashed in my mind, specifically the part where the fingers are extended to touch each other. That was exactly what happened. I extended my finger.
It shouldn’t be such a difficult thing, for one to get to know the other. It shouldn’t have this inertia in every venture. It shouldn’t be overpowered by being over cautious about everything. It shouldn’t have this default skepticism in the reaction to every new concept. Developments and evolution brought us further from giving over our hands in the grip of others. We rely on ourselves, we center things around what is easier and skim off anything that gives a slight hint of putting ourselves out there and stripping off this self-encapsulation.
I am in awe of how God speaks to me throughout this trip. He lifted a veil from the front of my eyes and opened perspectives to me that i’ve never ever comprehended before. Just like a faithful father, teaching me each day and enlarging my scope towards life. I feel His promise of a greater, utmost fulfilling life through Him coming together piece by piece. Truly, i never stop being in awe.
well written grace, i especially like how you compare your experience to “The Creation of Adam”. The act of opening up and connecting to a stranger is such a wonderful one. It is always intriguing to know another person especially those who have different stories to tell. Equally wonderful, in my opinion, is the act of investing time and attention to someone who is not a stranger anymore. The feeling of friendship is being deepened and the increased joy of being in the presence of each other is sweet.
This world will be a better place if everyone can give constant effort to understand another human being.
by the way, what is being showed on the 2nd last picture? i cant figure out what it is.