What has changed in five years...

[peacetraveler22]

Today I was reminded by Facebook that I was in Kyiv five years ago today, standing atop a monastery. It was my first visit to Ukraine, and since that time a lot has changed. My Ukrainian friend I was visiting now lives in France. He played an instrumental role in reigniting my passion for travel so many years after I left my job at the airlines. Since then, I've visited 10 new countries and 15 new States here in the USA. There are so many positive emotions locked in my mind from all of these experiences. The people I've encountered along the way, struggles with companions, roads, schedules...all of it a journey for discovery, not only about the world, but myself.

Many personal relationships have shifted - some closer, and some almost extinct. I've slowly let new people into my tight circle, yet toxic people are now banished. I can't say that I'm harsh or unforgiving, but I definitely give people way fewer chances now than I did two decades ago. I think it's a normal process of aging, somehow you look to insulate yourself with a protective layer of humans who support, provide warmth, comfort, security and other positive emotions. For me, these people have always been family and a few close friends. There's no point in wasting time on those who are constantly trying to belittle, tear you down and ignite all types of wildfires in your soul and heart. In youth, I somehow thought I could change people like this, take their hand, and guide them to some sort of light and positivity, but I failed each time. In essence, I think it's impossible to really change another human, although your presence in an individual's life can be the catalyst to facilitate or motivate change. Sometimes for the worse, but hopefully the better.

We can say that life, and everything, is in a constant state of flux - one moment you're floating peacefully on the calm sea, and the next your world is shaken, as if life is constantly hovering over a tectonic plate, or in the midst of some volcano with lava quickly creeping to the edge. For me personally, everything now is calm and fine, but boring. I don't have motivation to write long posts anymore, for several reasons. First, it seems the entire audience has disappeared. Second, there is nothing new to say. After three years of communicating on this platform, almost all of my views are known - about sex, gender, relationships, exploration, Russia....many other topics.  If you have questions which remain unanswered, you can ask me in the comments, and I will express my viewpoint if the inquiry isn't too personal, and I know something about the issue.

This is really just a simple note to let you know I'm alive, as many people have sent me messages. Thank you for your concern, and continued dedication to my stories, thoughts and blog. :) When I feel a burst of creative inspiration, new stories will follow. I still post lots of short notes, thoughts, and travel photos on Facebook. You can find me here. In two weeks, I'll return to Montana and then onward to Alberta, Canada for a quick mountain adventure before the big expedition through Georgia in autumn.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! Cheers from the USA! :)

Comments

[alex-laskin.livejournal.com]

Ласкаво просимо!

[seadevil001.livejournal.com]

Author was male. I remembered now. It was Kobo Abe, novel "The Box Man".

[mjol1nir.livejournal.com]

If you have questions which remain unanswered, you can ask me in the comments

Whom are you going to vote at the USA president election for?

[maks j-fry (from livejournal.com)]

why would you use facebook? you should try vk. this thing is way better than that stupid facebook. also vk more popular here in russia. only liberals and terrorists use facebook in here.

[d-byzero.livejournal.com]

Travel is really a good thing!
This summer is the fifth all our family goes to Europe from Moscow by car. First we pass Belarus and Poland, then go to Hungary, Croatia and other countries. Two years ago we reached Italy. Now we are in Slovenia.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I'm also on VK. But what's the point? I hate the platform and all of my Russian speaking friends are on Facebook, as well as many of my readers. Why do you think VK is better? For me, it's like a piracy den for stealing films, music, movies, and I don't support such behavior. Plus, it's enough to be on one busy social network. There is no desire, or time, to be checking five different sites a day.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I love road trips. :) I prefer to travel in autumn and winter, but usually take at least one summer trip with my family. This year they are all going on a cruise to the Caribbean, but I'm going to Montana/Canada instead. I don't want to spend a full week with thousands of people on a ship, sitting at the pool and beach. Plus, I don't support that the cruise makes a stop in Haiti on a "private" island. This is one of the poorest countries in the developing world, and I'm against creating some type of fake haven like this island for Americans and other tourists to luxuriate and relax, when most other people outside the compound are living in misery and dire conditions. So, I'll go the mountains of Canada and Montana instead - and get some fresh air. :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Hillary, of course. :) Trump stands for almost everything I despise in humans.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course. :) As adults, we are responsible for ourselves, the choices we make, and our actions in life.

[margot-yyc.livejournal.com]

Having a wonderful summer where you are going( Alberta, Canada).

Here is a little teaser from the teahouse hike in Lake Louise.

Lake Agnes

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Do you live in Alberta? I will definitely visit Lake Louise. :) I'm hoping for much cooler weather!

[maryasha-b.livejournal.com]

Your contribution to livejournal community is enormous ! You express opinion which differs from many of your readers. That broadens our scope, and yes, people don't change, but maybe get a different prospective on common topics. Pity to hear that you feel like there is nothing more to say...

I personally find American sense of community unique, nowhere in the world have I meant such a strong community sense like in the US. I wish you could write more about that... It could inspire people back in Russia to be nicer and friendlier with their neighbors, help strangers, unite for some volunteering events.

[maks j-fry (from livejournal.com)]

I didn't say you should use many different sites. You simple should choose the best one.

>all of my Russian speaking friends are on Facebook
what is it? some kind of women's logic? of course if you are on facebook all your friends on facebook too. but if you are on vk you can have even more russian friends, like me for instance. don't i deserve to be your friend?

[popados.livejournal.com]

you have perfect English))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

The best for me is FB, or you wish to decide which is best for me? It is enough that you're my friend here, given your proclivity for subtle trolling. :) "Women's logic" - I don't even know what this means, because each woman is different, and there is no uniform logic or thought process amongst us. We are each individual flowers, blooming in different ways, shedding petals and layers at different times and phases. :)) You just have to be perceptive and patient enough to figure out the cycle and absorb all of our joy and delight! :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Haha, well thanks my dear! :) I'm glad you understand my words and thoughts clearly!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

What nice words! Thank you! There are many stories I can write about America, especially from my trip to the Midwest a few years ago (Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri...). I only published a few of those stories, and in these small American towns, the sense of community is even stronger. It's what I love most about my country - friendly, open people, many of which will go out of their way to help...I think you can find such people everywhere, we just lose sight of them because we constantly hear about the bad and scandalous all the time. Have a nice evening! :)

[maryasha-b.livejournal.com]

True, there are nice people everywhere, but in the US people are particularly open. It almost seems they take national pride in being friendly and helpful. Would love to hear about people common people in small American towns!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Then I will try to tell the story about a pharmacist I met in Oklahoma. The town where he works is almost entirely empty now, yet he keeps his tiny pharmacy open so that people from neighboring small towns can get their prescriptions filled. For him, these neighbors are family. He was a really sweet and interesting man. :)

[margot-yyc.livejournal.com]

Yes, I live in AB. I don't think it will be hot but I remember one time when it was + 30 in Lake Louise... But only one time, ha ha. If you have a chance do a Sunshine Meadows hike ( near Banff), it's gorgeous and easy. #1 hike in Canada as per Lonely Planet. Plus Lake Agnes teahouse hike in Lake Louise.

[maryasha-b.livejournal.com]

Please, do! Sounds like a very nice story. And by the way, this is another thing which amazes me in American people - they do their job well and with pleasure if not to say with heart. Like the pharmacist in Oklahoma.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

We will definitely do some hikes and canoeing! I'm not sure on which trails yet, my travel companions will plan all that. I'm meeting them there. Thanks for the suggestions! I've long wanted to visit this part of Canada, and am looking forward to the journey!

[maks j-fry (from livejournal.com)]

o man, this is poetry!

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

I have a poetic, romantic soul! :) This is very scary for many men. :))

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)