tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9097125.post111711695223517651..comments2023-10-17T07:36:16.777-04:00Comments on NA Confidential: It was twenty years ago today ... and 48 hours to IstanbulThe New Albanianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10757531658514051905noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9097125.post-1117162767957891172005-05-26T22:59:00.000-04:002005-05-26T22:59:00.000-04:00This, more than anything, may be how we ended up o...This, more than anything, may be how we ended up on anything resembling a similar plane.<BR/><BR/>I've since traveled with friends, family and my wonderful wife and enjoyed every minute of it. But, it was that first, months-long solo wander across the European continent that made me understand what it is to be human, rather than just Hoosier, American, or any other ridiculously stifling definition we choose to strangle ourselves with.<BR/><BR/>Waking up in a room full of strangers, unable to speak the language and totally dependent on your own wits and the kindness of others makes one quickly realize why so many cultures thrust their young out into the various types of wilderness as a rite of passage. Vision quest , indeed.<BR/><BR/>Upon returning home and no longer recognizing my place in the community, yet understanding it in the world, even those who thought I was crazy for going said they were glad I'd taken advantage of what would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.<BR/><BR/>With the exception of my grandmother, my answer was the same to all of them:<BR/><BR/>No f-ing way.Jeff Gillenwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14644227936579446535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9097125.post-1117157411442194452005-05-26T21:30:00.000-04:002005-05-26T21:30:00.000-04:00Very nice! Enjoyed the stories thus far.Very nice! Enjoyed the stories thus far.Rick Carmicklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10200858355529289902noreply@blogger.com