Conversations with John

This has really nothing to do with anything. "Conversations with John" just reminded me of "Coffee with Jesus"

I don't think I mentioned how much I appreciated having conversations with my host John at the first farm in Rosscarbery. He gave me much food for thought. You might remember my post about how much he can't stand the Catholic Church. Well, he loves being Irish Catholic, nonetheless. This has nothing to do with religion and all to do with culture. Back when the British controlled Ireland, they gave job preference and other perks to Protestants. Apparently, an Irish Protestant could be so sure of job security that education was superfluous. Catholics, no matter how gifted or learned, would not be considered first. However, Catholics got smart and educated themselves in a way that made them invaluable. Near the end of British rule in Ireland, from what I remember John saying, the economy started to dictate that people with the skills and schooling be hired for certain positions. The British started hiring Catholics. Protestants were obviously startled and felt betrayed by this, and the Catholics became the wealth-building and educated group between the two of them. It sounds to me that this is still a point of contention today. John is certainly proud of this part of his history.

Also, as I was peeling carrots in the big house one day, John shared with me the theory that travel is actually more difficult nowadays with technology than it was without it. Let me explain. Obviously, it is more convenient to plan and book travel arrangements with the use of today's technology than it was 50 years ago. That's not what he means. He means that because people are so connected with their own homes and familiar people and places through the use of technology, it has become incredibly difficult to really experience a culture (travel) without the baggage of what you know brought around with you. For instance, I'm blogging (more to record my travels than to communicate), and all this time spent writing and uploading photos and editing videos is not being spent getting to know the people, places, and things that are present to me. At the end of the conversation, we decided that being present to the moment in front of you--to the people and circumstances right where you are--is becoming more difficult with technology's advancement, not just in travel but in all of life's realms.

Did you know that Irish towns participate in what is called "twinning"? This has nothing to do with Charlie Sheen, nor is it about the Olsen twins. (I'm throwing that out there because these were my first two thoughts.) Twinning is a cultural exchange program between cities or towns that have matched at least one commonality between them. For instance, Clonakilty twins with Waldaschaff in Bavaria because of the esteemed brass bands that both towns boast. John and Sara's daughters play in Clonakilty's brass band, and I believe at least one of them has traveled with the band to play at a festival in Waldaschaff. My understanding is that the goal of twinning is to unite over a common bond and then share their differences with each other. This can open the doors to many collaborations and deeper levels of communication. Oooh, here's an article about it. I really think we should get this going in WV!