Haven't caught up and another year is skating past... Today went to Leiden to see the exhibition on Carthage in the museum for old and ancient times (Oudheidkunde museum)... Very informative, and I gained a great sense of space, for although it's a relatively small museum there was no feeling of squashed-in items. Also pleasant to recognize those thousand-year-old pieces of pottery, and draped marble statues; seen their brothers and sisters in Turkey, Greece, Italy ... nice to think at last I develop an understanding of Mediterranean cultural history.
And here are Dido and Hannibal and various old friends not encountered for the past fifty years or so.
We discuss age and where we want to spend out latter days. Near to my children and grandchildren and people I love. Maybe not in a big city, too much pollution of all kinds. We wonder whether the world is any worse (more violent) today that in the eighth century BCE. Think probably not (maybe, even, on the whole less bloodthirsty...?) Just that our speedy-Gonzalez media blaze the bloodthirstiness within a matter of moments. When I don't read the violent news, have I lost touch with my world, I wonder?
Looking forward to sleeping rocked by the waves once more, and the sound of the wind in the rigging. In one week's time we return to Bari. Much to be done here until then...
And now to bed... so many great books to read, while the light lasts.
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