Monday, March 25, 2013

Euro(ccupy)trip


Hey Everybody,


Just so you know I am writing this with a mixture of feelings. One of those feelings feels somewhat like loss, but thankfully this is only temporary.

I am going to Europe. The original reason was the World Social Forum in Tunisia, but last I checked there were no flights out of Barcelona into Tunis. Once I arrive in Barcelona I am going to give finding a flight one last shot and see what happens, but if I can't find a plane or a ferry there then I will be staying there in Barcelona for a few days. After that I am going to make my way to Paris and see what happens from there. The ticket I bought was one way and I am taking camping gear. I think I need some open air for a while.

Since I became active in the movement in September 2011, I have not stopped. Every waking moment I have had- even in the midst of great joy and pain- has been devoted to participating in this movement. I have a lot to learn, but I am a believer. My biggest problem is that when I commit myself to something I go all in. I, like many of you, have been all in since 2011. I have been through marches, arrests, trials, meetings, city council hearings, national rallies, national gatherings, anniversaries, relief efforts, conference calls, in addition to the normal trials of life. I am tired. I need a break. I need air. 

I want to be upfront and acknowledge that this is such a privilege to be able to do this, knowing that I have a support network or friends and (as far as I'm concerned) family that will always be there for me. I also want you to know that while I will not be at work for a while, I will most definitely be at work. I need some headspace, but I never stop.

The main reason I want you to know my itinerary is because I want this to be a work trip too. I am planning on meeting up with some movement folks from Spain and France. If there is anyone I should meet up with that you folks know from anywhere (I am going to try to make my way to Italy, Slovakia, Amsterdam, really wherever I can), please, do tell. I would hate for this opportunity to go to waste. When I come back I hope to bring experiences and ideas that will be helpful for the movement. Whether it be networks, tools, or tactics I want to share and share alike. I am going to write out my experiences on this blog

Some of you I will miss and some of you I will long to see, but just know I'll be alright. I think we all have a pilgrimage to somewhere to take. I think it is telling that the places I want to go are churches, cathedrals, and monasteries. For those of you who are so inclined: pray for me. Everyone else spare a thought for me every now and again, fondly I hope. 


With A Pocket Full Of Dreams,
Larry