steppenwolf and the ghost

“Quiet is only a state of mind here in Babylon. Solitude is unknown. But the other evening, I experienced a somewhat surreal moment alone and apart from the constant roar of generators et al. It was late and I was walking up the hill Saddam built for his palace. The night was lit by a half-moon. For a moment there, I was away from the above mentioned noise with neither a soul in site. Just me and the ruins of a civization gone by the wayside. The moonlight played on the remnants of walls built by Nebuchanezzer some 2,700 or more years ago. The dust that covers my boots is mingled with the dust of the souls that lived so long ago. Hammurabbi, Neb II, even Alexander the Great died a stonesthrow from where I stood. And then there are the Bible stories that are to have taken place here. Daniel in the lion den, the fiery furnace, the finger of God writing on the wall, and all of the children of Israel that lived and died here in exile. I relished the moment, I will tell you. I have made this walk numerous times, but for that particular occassion, I felt the ancients speaking "We were Here."”

“Very cool. Thanks for sharing.”

“Yes, thank you. It nibbled at my cynicism, which is a good thing.”

“What an awe-inspiring moment for you. That's cool that even in the midst of the noise and distractions there you were able to have those moments and appreciate the historical weightiness and significance. I bet you won't forget that for the rest of your life.”

“Thanks, steppenwolf.”

“Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Steppenwolf.

It amazes me how history comes alive when you're exploring somewhere... and, as an adult, a person has the curiosity to want to know more... and take the time to sock away the history and ponder on it.

We don't seem to realize the impact of places and history when we study it as youths.”

“Lizs - you used to be one of those, a "youths"?”