“But I now leave my cetological System standing thus unfinished, even as the great Cathedral of Cologne was left, with the crane still standing upon the top of the uncompleted tower.
Herman Melville
Thursday
Long terms are not much fun, but they are satisfying to conclude.
Di is visiting for a few days before she heads off to Italy.
I admire solo travelers. There is bravery in visiting foreign countries on your own.
Even more impressive is the solo female traveler.
“What gives value to travel is fear. It is the fact that, at a certain moment, when we are so far from our own country … we are seized by a vague fear, and an instinctive desire to go back to the protection of old habits.”
Albert Camus
We open a few bottles of wine.
It is good to catch up.
Bed early.
Friday
We head to Dubai Mall. It is not my favourite place in the world but it has an impressive bookshop.
Di and Shell hit the shops.
I grab the Border Trilogy by McCarthy. I only have Stella Maris and The Passenger to pick up and I have his complete collection. In addition, three books by Susan Sontag – Against Interpretations and Other Essays, Regarding the Pain of Others and Illness as a Metaphor.
“Do stuff. be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It’s all about paying attention. attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. stay eager.”
Susan Sontag
I finish Suttree and start Blood Meridian.
Suttree is the best work I have read so far from McCarthy. It drifts along with no place to go. The protagonist is flawed and well-crafted.
“What do you believe?
Cormac McCarthy
I believe that the last and the first suffer equally. Pari passu.
Equally?
It is not alone in the dark of death that all souls are one soul.
Of what would you repent?
Nothing.
Nothing?
One thing. I spoke with bitterness about my life and I said that I would take my own part against the slander of oblivion and against the monstrous facelessness of it and that I would stand a stone in the very void where all would read my name. Of that vanity I recant all.”
We head to Pasha Sarayi and Di shouts us lunch for our birthday.
A magnificent meal.
Home and sleep.
Tomorrow, Budapest.
Saturday
We head to Mirdif to get a battery for the trip.
These travel batteries for tech are getting lighter. We only travel with a carry-on, so weight matters.
Dubai Airport has never let us down—smooth, efficient, short lines.
We are through customs and at our gate in ten minutes.
I read over half of Blood Meridian on the flight over. Stopping when my eyes blur.
“This is the nature of war, whose stake is at once the game and the authority and the justification. Seen so, war is the truest form of divination. It is the testing of one’s will and the will of another within that larger will which because it binds them is therefore forced to select. War is the ultimate game because war is at last a forcing of the unity of existence. War is god.”
Cormac McCarthy
My watch says 8.00 pm but my mind says midnight.
Budapest is even faster than Dubai, we are waiting for a taxi in five minutes.
Tomorrow I turn 50.
I look at the plane window and see the sunset. Things are going well.
As we drive into the city I take in this ancient place. Before World War I it was one of the largest and most powerful empires in Europe.
The room is not what we booked.
Never mind. I need sleep.
Amazing. Meal looks great. Happy birthday/s. Some strong reflections stepping into Budapest. Enjoy.
Would love to have the HBK here with us.
I love it that I get to read this mid flight – how amazing that seems.
It is amazing. Although there is the digital panopticon theory which is a little concerning.
A discussion in a few weeks when you pass through.