Sunday, February 28, 2010

A Smaller World


As I've mentioned before, this blogging thing really does make the world seem smaller.  I commiserate with blog friends in the UK, France, and Austria about the dreary weather and am cheered by the sight of spring blooms in Turkey. But now, news of an earthquake in Chile has me concerned about two blog acquaintances. 

Maria Cecilia  of the beautiful blog  Casa Dulce Hogar (the roses below are hers) lives near Santiago and tends what must be one of the most romantic gardens ever. I slip over there for refreshment on these bleak wintry days.  She hasn't posted recently -- on vacation for all of February, she said.  Santiago was well beyond the epicenter of the quake but even so, sustained considerable damage.

I'll be glad when Maria Cecilia posts again.

UPDATE!! Maria Cecilia has just posted to say that she and her family are fine. She asks for prayers for her countrymen who have lost loved ones and homes.

A more recent blog acquaintance is Pamela of Vanellus Chilensis and  Recorriendo la Patagonia.  She, too, is in Chile -- and, if I read the Spanish correctly, she's okay. 

But my point is this: a year ago, I would have heard about an earthquake in Chile and thought oh, how dreadful and moved on.  Natural disaster is everywhere. But now, I'm worried about people I've actually communicated with.

Do you suppose, in time, as the blogosphere expands, we really will begin to feel like everyone is our neighbor?  That no man is an island?  That we're all in this together and what affects one will eventually affect all?

It would be nice to think that blogging could put an end to war -- but man's ability to make war on his neighbors is well documented.  Still ... it's a thought.


And Patagonia seems closer than ever.



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14 comments:

Martin said...

Vicki

It is extraordinary, how we build and maintain friendships through blogging. In just a few months, I have been privileged to get a glimpse into the worlds and lives of others across the globe.

I agree, when we've been communicating with someone, a connection is made and a bond is formed. Consequently, we get concerned for the health and well-being of the other party. In many ways, blogging brings out the best in us, and it would, indeed, be nice to think that the philosophy the drives it might lead to a better world.

Carol Murdock said...

Hey Vicki, I knew Pamela is from Chile and I thought of her yesterday.I hope she is safe.It seems nature is on a rampage this year, I hope it doesn't mean a furious hurricane season for us.

NCmountainwoman said...

I do hope that what you are dreaming will come true. How wonderful to think of the people with whom we share out planet. Perhaps it will bring us closer together for the common good.

Marina said...

Vicki, thanks for coming to my blog, I really appreciate your visit. I agree with you, bonds can help the world become a better place. Sometimes dislike from one another is rooted in ignorance or stereotypes we have about what is different from us. I really share your hope.

Friko said...

Do you suppose in time, we will all become friends......

If only; wouldn't it be wonderful. I too have felt concern for two friends in Hawaii and am glad to see they are safe.
Blogging is amazing, I have made so many friends whom it is a pleasure to visit. (see, I'm here!)
Perhaps, we bloggers could shove our oar in when politicians push us into wars of their own making.
Here's to blogland and peace!

Miss_Yves said...

"It would be nice to think that blogging could put an end to war -- "
A great dream , but I fear It's only a dream...
Cachou was both shy, afraid and happy !

Vicki Lane said...

All together now! Sing along with John Lennon --


Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Victoria said...

Wouldn't that be wonderful? Here's hoping...

Merisi said...

I hope blogging helps to work through prejudice and lack of understanding of other people and peoples, opening a world to many who otherwise would have had no means to explore and travel. "Gone to Patagonia!" is not reserved anymore to adventurers like Bruce Chatwin, but anyone with internet connection can do it with the click of a mouse.

Who I am worried about are those whose income severely restrict adults and children alike to take advantage of the information highway. There is a high monetary toll to pay to acquire the means to ride on that unfortunately not free road. How does a minimum wage earner's struggle allow him or her to take part and not be left behind? Their children? Schools' and public libraries' funds are cut even in wealthier neighborhoods, imagine the poorer ones. The gap between the have and have nots is growing, even in the virtual world.

Vicki Lane said...

Too sadly true, Merisi, though there are some initiatives underway to bring simple battery powered laptops and internet connection to children in some poor areas of the world. (A good job for Bill Gates, I think.)

If at least schools can offer a glimpse of the wider world -- and of course there must be schools and all children not just boys should be allowed to attend . . .

So many problems -- and of course not solved by blogging. But perhaps these international blog friendships are a tiny step in the right direction.

Merisi said...

I couldn't agree more with your thoughts and hopes blogging building bridges, Vicki. I did not in any way mean to intrude on that. I just kept on rambling. The thoughts about the price of being connected came to me because I was reflecting about how much it costs to keep our four children in school and clothed and provided with the necessary tools nowadays (just the necessities). May there be peace and a better world in store for everybody.

Vicki Lane said...

What you said needed to be said, Merisi! It will take more than a bunch of Suzie Rainbow Moonshine Sixties' hippie positive energy thoughts to straighten out this world!

But, as I said, it's nice to feel the connection!

Vagabonde said...

What you say is so true – about being connected to people around the world. After retiring I did not have much connection to anyone as my friends were too busy with work. Now I meet friends as soon as I get on my laptop. Right now I am listening to a beautiful rendition of Chopin Piano Concerto #1 on San Francisco radio KDFC that I would not have known about, or thought about, without my blogging friend Louis in SF. Pamela came on my blog and said she is OK but shaken. Also I tape recorded a couple of years ago John Lennon’s Imagine sang by a Palestinian in Hebrew. I thought that is was great.

Tipper said...

I'm glad both of your blogging friends are o.k. I've experienced the same thing-having made friends with folks in other countries through blogging-I immediately think of them when I hear something about their homeland. And you know-I'm betting they think of us when they hear about the US too.