I lived across the street from the Colosseum for a very long time. It made me stop, sometimes only for a few seconds, every time with a teensy bit of awe. (2000 years & it’s just there for me to see in my way to the grocery store) I just moved to Venice & people keep asking me do I think I will get tired of it. Tired of the crowds & thoughtless governance, absolutely. But tired of the late afternoon sun glint off the Palazzo Ducale & the green of the lagoon at the end of my street? I certainly hope not.
I often think of this. People are somewhere taking photos and selfies then move on, but have they actually absorbed the moment, absorbed what they’re looking at.
Nature often gives me those moments, particularly sunrises or sunsets.
Great post thanks! I think awe just happens and yes I agree it does tend to be in nature. One that stays with me is the Grand Canyon, even though I’d seen it on film it was just awesome!
Travel opened people's minds and eyes, but like anything that's been overused and became cheaper with popularity, it has been commodified as well. Many use it like a drug, but oh, when you are present and experience those unexpected moments of awe... it's something to remember!
Funny that you and I share some similar moments of awe. Last year at some of the distant temples in Angkor Wat, I felt both awed and transported back in time. Five years ago I stood on the beach in Ko Lanta and was stunned by the electrical storm out over the Andaman. Truly magical.
We just saw Fiordland National Park in New Zealand and while everyone told me I would be amazed by Milford Sound -- which was magical -- it was Dusky Sound that truly caught my attention, partly because I knew so little in advance about it.
Awe is something which comes at its own. To me it is a new place or new experience I’m after. Walking alone in a new place without any hard schedules is the best! But all the same, coming to the usual beach for the 100th time, seeing new colours of the new day is equally awesome (:
I lived across the street from the Colosseum for a very long time. It made me stop, sometimes only for a few seconds, every time with a teensy bit of awe. (2000 years & it’s just there for me to see in my way to the grocery store) I just moved to Venice & people keep asking me do I think I will get tired of it. Tired of the crowds & thoughtless governance, absolutely. But tired of the late afternoon sun glint off the Palazzo Ducale & the green of the lagoon at the end of my street? I certainly hope not.
I often think of this. People are somewhere taking photos and selfies then move on, but have they actually absorbed the moment, absorbed what they’re looking at.
Nature often gives me those moments, particularly sunrises or sunsets.
Great post thanks! I think awe just happens and yes I agree it does tend to be in nature. One that stays with me is the Grand Canyon, even though I’d seen it on film it was just awesome!
Travel opened people's minds and eyes, but like anything that's been overused and became cheaper with popularity, it has been commodified as well. Many use it like a drug, but oh, when you are present and experience those unexpected moments of awe... it's something to remember!
Funny that you and I share some similar moments of awe. Last year at some of the distant temples in Angkor Wat, I felt both awed and transported back in time. Five years ago I stood on the beach in Ko Lanta and was stunned by the electrical storm out over the Andaman. Truly magical.
We just saw Fiordland National Park in New Zealand and while everyone told me I would be amazed by Milford Sound -- which was magical -- it was Dusky Sound that truly caught my attention, partly because I knew so little in advance about it.
Great article! What you describe totally resonates with me.
I've visited most of the places you've mentioned and am still on a journey to discover what contributes to a *real* experience...
Awe is something which comes at its own. To me it is a new place or new experience I’m after. Walking alone in a new place without any hard schedules is the best! But all the same, coming to the usual beach for the 100th time, seeing new colours of the new day is equally awesome (: