Cabo Da Roca
Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 9:19 PM 
Exactly one week ago I was standing on the cliff top at Cabo da Roca in Portugal – the most westerly point of continental Europe.
I gazed out across the seemingly endless Atlantic, knowing that somewhere beyond all that blue sea was America. And I reflected that, despite the apparent vastness of the ocean, the world is – these days – a very small place.
I can hop on a plane and be in the States in a few hours. I know 'cause I’ve done it. Lots of times. What’s more, I can pick up the phone; or tap a text into my mobile; or click a mouse on my Skype page; or send an e-mail; or tweet a few brief words; and, in seconds, can be communicating directly with someone all those miles away.
How phenomenally – astonishingly – brave were those explorers who set out in wooden boats with no idea of what was at the other side. Or even – more to the point – whether there actually was another side.
That’s the kind of courage – or recklessness – I can’t begin to fathom.
Reader Comments (5)
Hi Helen; yes, yes, yes. It is so amazing what a human faculty can comprehend and create, I recognize that feeling of deep awe by the fact that anyone came to imagine and create just that.... I sometimes try to imagine how much brilliant kindness we can create in the coming times if we put our best focus and brilliance into that too, for real, it seems it should be easy after completing alle that amazing technology. (I know, not so easy, but at least doable?) Hugs from here!
i love your thoughts on this...
technology helps me feel so connected...yet so disconnected. i often wonder what life would be like if we (our family) totally unplugged ourselves. maybe it would force us to actually get in a "wooden boat" and explore the world...
Love your thoughts, too. Your 'wooden boat' musing has sparked all kinds of ideas here....
Sometimes I regret to myself, do not travel more. Now with new technologies, we can know "virtually" a lot of people, but I think that could be interesting to meet these people in the "real" life. Even just for to take a coffe and talk looking at their eyes. I've dreamed about a trip around the world visiting my "virtual" friends... It could be amazing... ;)
I have the same dream....and dreams have a curious habit of coming true! I think my dream will come true and I'm sure yours will, too. One day we will have a coffee in Barcelona or Yorkshire... ;)