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| New York, September 11, 2011 |
This is a self-portrait was taken outside the US Tennis Center in New York, at the site of the 1964-65 World’s Fair. The “Unisphere” was created by United States Steel, out of Stainless Steel and is an appropriate background for a shot at the end of my trip. My round-the-world trip ended in New York, as our ship sailed past the Statue of Liberty at 5 AM on September 10th. My sabbatical is over; now it is time to return to work…
During my travels this summer, the question I was asked most often was “what is your most favorite place.” Early on it was Mt. Bromo in Indonesia, where I got to stand on the lip of a volcano and look down into the hole from which heavy smoke spewed. Later, it was Penang, Malaysia, where the food is great and where I got to hike into the jungle and learn about other religions as I explored with a blogger friend. Then it was Vietnam, with long white beaches and very friendly people. Later, it was Mongolia, with incredible mountains and more friendly people or Lake Baikal, Russia, which is also beautiful… Culturally, St. Petersburg, Russia, with the vast art collection at the Hermitage is hard to beat. And as I neared the end of my journey, Prince Christian Sound in Greenland rose to the top, a place filled with gorgeous fjords, surrounded by rugged mountains and filled with icebergs. But the truth is this: there wasn’t a place that I disliked. I could find something good about every place I visited and there were always good people around. And such an insight shouldn’t be surprising for one who believes that God created the world good and that all humanity is created in God’s image. In every place I traveled, there was evidence of God’s handiwork. Any place on this planet in which we find ourselves, we should stand in awe of God’s work and be led to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. And anyone we meet, anywhere around the world, can open us up to the possibility of seeing God fresh and new. We just have to be open to such encounters.
nice..i would hope to one daytake a similar trip and see the world...will note these places as must hits....but youare right in that no matter where we go god is there and we can see him if we look...
ReplyDeleteWhat a once in a lifetime trip. I'm so glad you enjoyed every aspect of it and have returned home safely.
ReplyDeleteLove the pic.. how the Unisphere appears to be your hat's ornament.
God's beautiful world - thank you for sharing your journey with us, Sage. I loved it and I'm glad you had such a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteI spotted that globe from the air when I flew into LaGuardia airport in May - nephew clued me in after I asked.
Each place has its charm, if you can but find it.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your last three lines, they flow like the beautiful world around us, as do all the people in the world....some of which we are lucky to meet, or get to know in a number of other ways! Thanks so much for all the tid-bits and joys of your trip that you shared while you were away! Glad you're back and thanks for stopping by my blog Sage!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteGreat review of your trip! It was fun and much cheaper to live vicariously through you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd have gone with the volcano :)
ReplyDeleteNice thoughts. With so much bad in the news, it's nice to be reminded there are still plenty of good people.
"God's Creation" is probably the best answer to the "favorite place" query.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
wonderful after-trip thoughts, Sage and they are shared by me when I reflect on a trip. The world we live in is so beautiful and we should all give thanks daily that we are allowed to be here.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to here the rest of the story once you get caught up. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI like your perspective. The image and beauty of God can be found just about everywhere if our eyes and hearts are open to it.
ReplyDeleteIt's when I'm outside that I feel the closest to God's handiwork, and what an artist, huh? Amazing!
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