Connecting Routes: Marking Milestones
MALI - VANUATU - GHANA
Here’s to “Connecting Routes” ~ a space to spotlight a common theme in my travels that offers snapshots from one place to another, like the tantalizing tease of a tasting menu or a shortlist of your next dream vacation!
Top Three Places for Marking Milestones
Recently, you may have been at the receiving end of a prank, or actually the mastermind who concocted it. While the origin of April Fool’s day isn’t cemented in science or universal consensus, it still sways some to surreptitiously strike!
What makes and marks a milestone? I wondered if it was photocopying what’s been done in the past, or if power and prestige were required for society to solidify it as tribute-worthy. I peruse some of those key moments in life where our timelines are stamped in syndicate. Be it purposeful disruption, imposed injunctions and eons of earmarking to more mainstream affairs - birthdays, anniversaries, achievements - the stuff that likely lets Hallmark and Hollywood stay in business.
I think of the time, thought and treats that we safeguard for certain moments in our lives. The dates on our calendar that we circle, clear off and countdown become ones that we might see as sacred, a stance that seems preserved across cultures and continents. Without these blips that differentiate our days, running the risk to flatline doesn’t seem far off. For it is within the usual cadence and chaos of life where, to mark a milestone, we permit life to purposefully pause and take a bow, in spite of the gymnastics required in our schedule or savings account.
Milestones jazz up daily humdrums. Interesting is it to see the flavours infused by others for example, at an individual level of buying a new home, the communal marking of a harvest and globally or where many masses mark religious traditions -such as the ones nearly a billion people are journeying towards next week. In spite the plethora of reasons and seasons, Life itself affords us this moment (and hypothetically in every instant) a chance to be a hallmark moment.
Mali: While I was most keen to explore the mud mosques and outskirts, given the recent kidnappings, my trip was relegated to Bamako - but no matter, through our gangster connection, generosity overflowed in Mali . The initial highlight was the National Parc of Mali, then I wandered through the markets … therein, skulls and skeletons of strange species were on sale for those who wished to bury them in their yard in hopes for bounty. No doubt, this hit the charts on cool customs for new home buyers!
Vanuatu: This is the land of post offices underwater and atop active volcanos, kustom villages with age old traditions, banyan swings and bungee jumping. In hopes of a good harvest, brave men of Pentecost Island jump off hand-made towers only with vines attached to their ankles. Who knew that an adventure sport can find roots in local traditions that celebrate the cycles of planetary rejuvenation?
Ghana: On Christmas day, I was whisked away by joy overflowing. A random woman leaned across the pew in a sidewise hug, bringing me and others into her voluptuous bosom. Her energy was infectious and as the congregation’s enthusiasm mounted, dancing, clapping, singing ensued. As strangers united in celebration, so too did we refuel our cups together. What a fun and free way to be pluralistically in glee, celebrating the Creator’s company.
Such myriad array of ways to mark milestones and meaningful moments. Bamako, Mali. May we be graced with an avalanche of blissful milestones, (early) Eid Mubarak!
♥️