Nietzsche for the sake of Nietzsche

Every time I try just writing for the sake of having words, it doesn’t turn out very well. Or maybe it does… because eventually I do get there and something valuable comes from the exercise… but I also manage to bullshit like crazy and I don’t think anyone really benefits from that.
I also use way more ellipses when I’m freewriting. So that’s weird.

So foreals… I’ve been reading more Nietzsche lately, revisiting some of the tidbits I read when I was traveling in France. Brings back good memories. When you’re traveling I think you develop a tendency to want to generalize about people in the world. Maybe it’s a coping mechanism– like, you just want to find any similarities you can in the world so you feel more comfortable and at ease. But that can be really dangerous, in my opinion, because it can close you off to learning about differences in the world and they [beautiful, necessary] ways people vary. If you’re too busy looking for similarities, what is that going to do to your ability to appreciate differences?

When I was abroad I definitely tried to make some broad generalizations about people, for better or for worse. But even at the time, when I was writing those things, I would know on some level that they were hollow observations and one could easily refute anything I was saying. After all, I had only been to the United States and Western Europe, which is but a tiny fraction of the diversity out there. And I was 19. What the hell did I know?

So I compromised by reading people like Nietzsche, who seems to relish making generalizations and grand overtures about human nature. You could expect that from someone who wrote a book called “Human, All Too Human.” Nietzsche filled the void for generalizations about humans, but was also a little over-the-top, so I could read Nietzsche and still keep a conscience about me. That is, I could read what he was writing and think, “aw, well, that can’t be totally true. What about ______?” That seemed more healthy than just buying into all he said about the world and humanity, and more healthy than writing those things myself.

A lesson for the Pac NW

One more time, I’m going to talk about the weather. You know I’m not usually one for letting clouds or rain have any bearing on my mood. I still feel that way, subconsciously, but I learned the hard way that you may find yourself affected by low levels of sunlight or long hours of darkness more than you’re aware.

Though I’ve felt pretty emotionally positive most of this winter, the past few weeks have been miserable, giving me a glimpse into the experience of having mono: I’m perpetually exhausted, could fall asleep at the drop of a pillow, I’m completely unmotivated and disinterested in many things I usually love, and often feel anxious and worried about things. A quick consultation at the health center told me I did not have mono, but got me concerned that I may have clinical depression and/or anxiety.

After a blood test, I was told I simply had a severe Vitamin D deficiency, which apparently is supposed to explain all of my symptoms. They gave me a prescription for the highest dose of Vitamin D possible, which I can only take once a week, and told me not to supplement with any other multivitamins because they would actually give me an overdose of Vitamin D.

I’m awaiting a newfound feeling of vigor and restfulness.

Vous Partez à Paris?

Someone recently emailed me and asked for tips on visiting Paris: What to see, do, eat… etc.

Oh, what’s that you say? you want my expertise on traveling in France? Gee, I mean, I suppose I could…

HELL YES I WILL IMPART MY KNOWLEDGE.

What you see/do/eat in Paris depends largely on how long you will be there, and have you both been there before, and if so, what have you already seen?

Museums: The Louvre is alright, if you’re into that sort of thing… Personally I prefer the Orangerie (for Monet’s work) and the d’Orsay (but it depends on the exhibit). The Centre Pompidou is pretty cool, and they’ll be showing Edvard Munch soon, which I love…

You must go to Sacré Coeur and wander around the neighborhood (it’s known for being really artsy and fun– this is also where Edith Piaf grew up). I maintain that the best gelato in Paris is up there, too. And of course the basilica and the view are breathtaking. Definitely walk up there and back down; don’t take the funicular.

Go to the 5th and 6th arrondissements (the Latin Quarter and Saint Germaine. I lived in Saint Germaine for three weeks and when mom and I went we stayed in the Latin Quarter). Right in between these two districts is the Greek Quarter, which is never on a map and which I have only ever learned to find by accident. But it is totally spectacular, especially for the nightlife. It’s totally worth it, if you do find it: the food is amazing and there are some hookah bars, which can be fun.

Personally I think the view from Sacré Coeur totally trumps the view from the Eiffel Tower, so you could probably skip the tower. But you should endeavor to see it at night, when it’s all lit up and sparkling (I think it sparkles hourly for a few minutes?). Same goes for Notre Dame. It doesn’t sparkle, but it’s amazing at night. And when you’re at the Notre Dame at night, wander along the Seine right by is and see if there is live music down along the bank. Sometimes really good groups play down there and it’s quite the show.

Other music… when you’re wandering by churches (which will happen approximately every 3.2 minutes, if you’re walking at a consistent pace) look for fliers that advertise concerts there the day of. I found some amazing (cheap) classical music concerts on the spur of the moment. Tourists rarely pay attention to them, so they’re attended mostly by locals and the crowd will be small. Just bring a sweater because it gets damn cold in those churches at night when you’re just sitting listening to music.

A lot of people say that going to cemeteries is a good experience, but I never much enjoyed it. I went to Pére Lachaise (if you do go to a cemetery, go to this one) and saw Jim Morrison’s, Edith Piaf’s, and Oscar Wilde’s graves, but the most impactful part was the Holocaust section, because they adorn the graves with incredible, heart-wrenching sculptures.

I’ve always wanted to do the underground tour of the catacombs. If you have time, I’ve heard it’s very cool… if you don’t have time, go to the Panthéon. You can go underground to the crypts there, or go to the top for the view, and the Luxembourg gardens are nearby. Sometimes there are Shakespeare plays in the park.

Don’t miss the footbridge, or Pont des Arts. It’s also called lover’s bridge, because there’s a tradition of putting locks on the chain link that symbolize eternal love and luck in relationships. The view to the tip of the island is sweet, too.

Eat: Have you seen Amélie? If not, watch it and then go to the café where much of the movie takes place. It’s in Montmartre by the Moulin Rouge (12 Rue Coustou), and it’s absolutely delightful. They have a drink called a Black Shadow, I think, which I drank when I was there (because, duh).

Go out on Sundays and look for any street market. They’re fantastic. The locals go out with little carts on wheels and pick up veggies, sometimes there’s live music, and the sights and smells are amazing.

Bakery: I wouldn’t say it’s the best bakery in Paris, but it’s the one I visited almost daily. It’s on rue Dauphine, in the Saint Germaine quarter, about 2 blocks away from the Seine. I don’t know the name, but it’s a little hole-in-the-wall place with very friendly women working there and totally divine pastries. You will also be about 40 paces from the apartment we had while I was there :)

Background

Though I’ve spent the past two days back from the Holy Land in a jetlagged and mostly-sleep-filled haze, I have also been trying to ruminate on an incredible trip. Many of my fellow travelers kept blogs and have been writing more extensively about their experiences, but (not to discredit their writing) I’ve been avoiding their sites so that when I sat down to write my own thoughts they would be purely my own.

–

I’m going to start with some background:

I just got back from a week long trip to Israel put on by a group called Project Interchange, which is a division of the American Jewish Committee. The trip was offered to two groups: students of campus media studies, and California student leaders (who may be in student government or coordinators of student groups). I went as part of the Campus Media group.

This was an all-expenses paid trip funded by AJC, which is in turn funded by private donors and organizations. For an editor of a news publication, taking the trip rose some questions about ethics and legality. I spoke to my former newspaper advisor, my current newspaper advisor, the Director of Student Activities at Evergreen, the Student Press Law Center, my friends and fellow editors, and of course, the entirety of the Cooper Point Journal staff. I vowed not to go on the trip if the entire group did not reach consensus on the decision. If one person strongly believed that it was unethical to take the free trip, I would not attend.

All members approved, however, and we all agreed that it would be an excellent learning opportunity, even if it was one-sided and propagandizing. It may even help me understand Evergreen’s divestment and BDS (Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions) movements. Other writers volunteered to cover stories for our paper that involved Israel or BDS, just in case my bias got in the way of accurate reporting in the future.

I was heartened by that response and accepted the invitation. Incidentally, the Student Press Law Center said that it was unethical to take a free trip to cover a specific story, but it was not unethical if the trip was for the purpose of learning, rather than reporting.

And with that, I embarked on this journey barely one month later. Coming soon: detailed accounts and analysis of experiences during the trip.

Israel, Day 6

Today we visited historical sites on the Sea of Galilee, an IDF base, a school for underprivileged children, a restaurant, and a new hotel in Tel Aviv.

Israel, Day 5

Yesterday we toured the old city in Jerusalem, went to the Dead Sea, had talks about two-state solutions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and had the most unique New Year’s Eve experience I’ve ever had. Here are some pictures to make you jealous.

Also, I know this is totally incomplete and inadequate– I will post more retrospectively when I get home!

Israel, Day 3

Just photos for today. I am beyond exhausted. Also, rode a Segway today! And this evening was a great Shabbat celebration where we met some Israeli students. Went to the western wall during Shabbat, which was intense and exciting. We also visited a settlement (Ephrat) in the west bank.

People are starting to get more comfortable with one another, which means that more dialogue is happening. Like, right now, up and down the hallway at the hotel. It’s amazing that people are talking about everything we’ve seen and that we seem to have similar impressions of the speakers and experiences. And yet, we’re all different people, so we still all have different interpretations and, of course, different ways of taking everything and applying it to life or our roles on campus.

That sounds really cheesy.
Anyway, photos.

Israel, Day 2 (more)

Today was tough. Luckily I felt a bit more rested than yesterday and was able to take more in and be more alert. The day started with breakfast, where I was able to help a French woman identify types of juice. In French. (I’ve never felt so happy telling someone, “that’s grapefruit juice.”)

Next we talked to a correspondent to the New York Times who is covering Israel and the Middle East. It was fascinating and a little less dramatic than I expected — in a good way.

Second was the interfaith relations talk about which I blogged just before this one.

We then had another talk, this time about Israel’s peace process. I learned a ton about the current relations between Israel and Iran and the Arab Spring… Though there are still so many gaps in history and my knowledge of it.

After that. The day got pretty sobering. We were taken to the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, where we had lunch and went on a guided tour. The whole time we were eating, all I could think about was a part of the movie “The History Boys,” where they’re talking about Jews visiting Holocaust memorials. A teacher in the movie wonders, “what do they do when they go there? Do they have meals? Do they take pictures of one another? Are they smiling?”

They say there are 13 million Jews in the world today. Nearly half of that number died in the Holocaust. I did learn that though Germans and others did all they could to erase every trace of those Jews, historians and researchers have been able to learn the names of 5.2 million Jews of the 6 million who were killed. They are all represented in this museum’s Hall of Names.

The museum was really tough. I’m not sure about other people on the trip, but I found some parts nearly impossible to get through. And in some ways I couldn’t believe that Jews were walking through this with us. I wanted to tell them to leave and I wanted to shield this from them. Sometimes I am so ashamed of people.

It is no wonder, then, that every speaker so far has mentioned the word “victimization” on association with Israel and Israelis. A few have said that the victimization is outdated, that Israel is a strong country now that knows it is a strong country, and needs to move on from its fear. But all have said that this feeling of victimization has, at several times in Israel’s history, been justified.

We had another speaker at the museum who really stood out to me. With tears in his eyes, he left us with the words, “journalists and academics need to learn how to cry.” It’s probably true. I resisted crying in the Holocaust museum, even though I wanted to several times, but maybe I’d feel better if I had.

Then we had another speaker who works under Israel’s current president, Shimon Peres. I felt it was the most contrived talk we had had. Each speaker before had charisma and a genuine sense of spirit that s/he conveyed during the talk, by this man answered our questions like a man who had been prepped for a press conference (which he probably had). Still, I did learn a lot about the technicalities of the Israeli government, which is fascinating. The speaker reminded us that for all its problems, Israel is only 63 years old, and “think of where America was at 63.” He’s got a point.

Lastly, we had food (mon dieu, so much food) and a woman talked to us about emigrating to Israel from Ethiopia when she knew nothing about the country or life outside of her village. Very cool.

Now it is 9:30pm and I’m sitting in the hotel room contemplating a drink. My traveling companions are all fantastic and the time so far has been spectacular!

I’ll leave you with a couple pictures: tonight’s sunset, and tonight’s dinner.

Israel, Day 2

Here are some notes from the second lecture we had today, on interfaith relations in Israel. The speaker was Rabbi David Rosen, director of the AJC Dept. of Inter-religious Affairs.

State of Israel guarantees freedom of religion.

Secular democracy

Public places must provide kosher catering

Family law governed by religious institutions. No civil marriage.

Connects Africa, Asia, and Europe

Cyprus has secular civil marriage.

Israel problem: civil marriage should exist.

Totally Sunni community. 12 recognized Christian communities.

Non-orthodox Judaism is very new. Vast majority of rabbis don’t have power under Israeli law.

Tradition vs. modernity. Modern assimilationist. “get rid if the cross on our back and modernize”. Ultra orthodoxy is modern development.

Modern orthodox, Reform (new), Conservatives. Tension between tradition and modern.

God wants us to live in the modern world.

Rabbinical standards community: should people be able to drive to synagogue on the sabbath? Modern orthodox: use your car to go to pray but nothing else. Affirming moden culture.

Israel is color blind. Any differences are about cultural norms (use of modern equipment, traditions, etc). Israelis don’t have much conception of why modern Christianity is. See people as Jews and non Jews. Everybody thinks that someone is out to get them. Rarely engage with people on a personal basis.

Interreligious relations board. Arab Jewish cooperation and interfaith.

Pay some of highest taxes in world, security challenges,

Must make huge real effort to interact with different others, but those people are amazing. Academics, politicians, leaders

Everyone has opinions about everybody else, ESP those they’ve never spoken to. Everybody feels they are victims. Different paradigms. Fear one another. Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not trying to kill me.

Tend to compete for love. If someone is going to love me then he has to hate the other.

Value of each one is dependent on the love of everyone.

I get the impression that people only bond over this shared feeling of victimization. Is that true? What else to people bond over?

Atheists: even if you are you can’t get away from the traditions. always connected to religious customs. Religion is everywhere. If you dislike religion it doesn’t make any sense to live here.

Deuteronomy chapter 6 , every morning before news on radio and tv.

Israel, Day 1

I got here after 24 real hours of traveling and 36 hours including time zone changes. 7 hours of sleep in the past 72 hours. Had to make it through 3 seminars and food.
As you can see, it all was worth it. Notice the three-pronged fork.

Here are some notes from those talks. Excuse the whole not-making-sense thing. They were typed on this iPod and in the heat of delirium (seriously, I was so tired the room was spinning). These notes are all from our second speaker.

“if you will it, it is no dream” -Herzl
Ongoing battle to undermine Israel
Judaism as a diamond: religion, faith, Israel as a state as a nation of people as a symbol, nationalism,

Offer no parallels between west and Israel because it’s such a unique complex idea

Not a colonial movement because they weren’t conquering new lands: they were just coming home

Existential conflict about the denial of the right of the jewish people to have their own state (Israel vs. Palestine)
It’s resolution may not be immediate

Cannot set neat divisions between church and state when talking about Israel

Difficulty of conflict is that there are two rights. It doesn’t make for a good simple story.

If Arab countries accept back Israel, Israel will accept back all refugees. (idea for comprehensive peace plan). Pal prob endless because of the idea that Jewish people/Israel should not exist.

Speakers: Linda Epstein, assoc VP of Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Einat Wilf, member of Knesset (Israel parliament), Chair of Independence Party

wants.

I absolutely love my friends to death. The most recent reason for that:

Also, that they encourage me to keep learning bass… which hasn’t really been happening. I really want to get good at it, though, because if they ever get their band back together… I WANT IN ON THAT.

And I really want to go to Ireland. And watch more live music. For free.

Plus de français

This video is genius. You won’t get it, but just trust me. It’s amazing, and would have helped SO MUCH before I went to France!

It’s telling foreigners how to “faire la bise”.

Les bises are the characteristic French cheek kisses, which can get very complicated. When do you use them? With whom? How many kisses? That all changes in different regions of France and with different levels of a relationship.

Dreaming.

I know at least six people in France right now. They’re probably just chillin’, speaking French and eating baguettes, drinking the best espresso ever. They’re wearing black and passing people on the street with barely a nod, using a Carte Orange to make phone calls, and smelling rainy French asphalt.

I just have to tell myself that I’ll be back sooner than I know. In the meantime, I try to pretend France doesn’t exist… but it’s more difficult to do that when I sometimes play Scrabble in French, I get asked to say things with a French accent, and I read great articles about Paris in the New York Times.

This year is delightful, and challenging in all the right ways. And I will so enjoy not feeling tied down to any particular place when it’s over. A lot can happen in a year, so I hope a great portion of my year is spent planning to return to France and parlez français again.

Too Much Memories

After I got done spending eleven weeks in France in the Spring of 2010, I went to Germany for a week to visit a friend. She’s French, and I met her in France, but she was living in Regensburg, Germany at the time, and had invited me to stay with her. Germany was incredible; Regensburg is in the south, near Bavaria, so many Germans who are from that area also speak Bavarian, which apparently is very different from German. It was beautiful the whole time I was there, and I was able to just sit back, relax, and spend the time like I would have if I was spending summer at home.

We piled many bodies into a tiny car, blasted Credence Clearwater Revival, and went to a lake. We went for bike rides and played volleyball. We drank beer so thick that a pint was worth a day’s meals. And, like ya do, we introduced one another to awesome YouTube videos.

This is one that Lise, my friend, showed me. Amazingly, she knew all the words and sang along impeccably.
Yeah, she’s pretty cool.

Anyway, this is Bonaparte, with “Too Much.”

(P.S. The incorrect grammar in the title bothers me too. But you get it, right? Right?!)