Our journey begins aboard AerLingus en route from Dublin to Berlin. Sitting in the Logan airport (Boston) before the flight last night, my parents, Dave, and I stared at the Aer Lingus sign in quiet camaraderie.
Suddenly, I put my finger on a strange disquietude that had been itching in the back of my brain: Why was this airline name so unsettling to me? After a little kibitzing with my parents, we agreed, from each of our travels in India, that either ‘lingum’ or ‘lingus’ was the word commonly used for phallic sculptures in Hindu temples.
I don’t know whether my knowledge of Indian sculptures and other tidbits from past travels will assist during the next 8 months’ adventure. I can only hope. The real adventure – the unknowns of North and West Africa – is still several weeks off, after joyful reunions with old friends (Cindy and Mike) in Berlin and a short jaunt through Spain.
But, we have officially left the U.S. of A. – and just in time to save us from the final weeks of primary push campaigning (don’t worry, we are voting absentee), and to read a European perspective on Bhutto’s assassination (two Irish newspapers on Dave’s lap next to me). So much to come. Thank you for reading and please comment at will.
December 30, 2007 at 5:31 pm
You two globetrotters:
Ha! Lingus! Well I will definitely keep an active eye to this blog, and travel this journey with you through your words. I am so glad you are who you are, where you are, doing what you are.
Love,
Laura
December 31, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Happy New year to all. I am glad your trip started so successfully.
I was glad to see you over Chrsitmas
Love you
Nana
January 4, 2008 at 10:55 pm
hmmmmm… sooo you are flying into (penetrating?) africa in a large spear like object named lingus? That poor continent has no idea whats about to hit em…