My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to Italy, Turkey, and Greece, following the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. The majority of our trip was a cruise, with numerous port stops along the way. Twice, we had a little card on our bed that said, “We are time traveling,” with instructions to set our clocks ahead or back.
I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of time travel and enjoyed books and movies based around this theme. But on this trip, time travel spoke to me in a new way. Following are some thoughts:
Time Travel is More than Changing Time Zones
We had the opportunity to travel back in time to Ostia, Pompeii, Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, as we visited the ruins of these civilizations and heard what life was like in centuries past.
We learned fast food restaurants are nothing new as we viewed the “to go” counter, learned of “togetherness” in unpartitioned public rest rooms, and saw ruins of public bathhouses, complete with intricate piping systems for creating saunas.
We saw plaster casts of Pompeii victims, most of whom died from toxic gases released from Mount Vesuvius when the town was buried in ash. Although they saw smoke and flames from the volcano, they assumed they were not in danger. How often are we the same, failing to heed warnings, and later, experiencing the consequences.
We learned about burial customs. The most moving was a round vase for burying infants, which mimicked the womb.
We visited the jail where Paul was imprisoned in Rome, saw the stadium in Corinth, where he addressed leaders, and the place where he was executed.
As I time traveled in these ancient ruins, I realized the fears, grief, and concerns we have today are no different from those of people centuries ago. The joy of home and family, togetherness with friends, the value of community, and enjoyment of nature was as real for them as it is for us. In many ways, our earthly journeys are parallel, yet separated by time.
Reconnecting with Friends from the Past
In our fast-paced lives, we sometimes unintentionally lose touch with friends. On this trip, we had the joy of reconnecting with friends we hadn’t seen for years, making new friends, and deepening friendships with those we see on a regular basis.
The journey we were on drew us together. We watched out for each other, prayed for each other (even those we had just met), and assisted each other through the ups and downs of ruins of ancient civilizations.
Friendships are precious, to be enjoyed and appreciated.
Travel Brings the Unexpected
In Santorini, Greece, we experienced new flavors, blue and white dwellings, and amazing vistas.
In Turkey, we drove through terrain that felt like home.
In Mikonos, Greece, we enjoyed a seaside breakfast al fresco. As we exited the restaurant, I had the unexpected experience of having a seagull relieve himself on my head! However, this did not deter the joy of the day as we battled turbulent winds to see the windmills.
In Crete, we visited charming shops and enjoyed breathtaking harbor views.
In Rome, we enjoyed Italian cuisine, took a deep dive into Roman culture, and experienced the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, where we learned that Michelangelo labored for four years to produce his paintings.
One of the best parts of travel, is moving beyond the familiar and embracing what is new, yet old.
Memorable People
The people we encountered added flavor to the trip.
One of my favorite parts of the trip occurred in Rome, when our tour coordinator joined streetside musicians and sang along. His high note at the end of the song was greeted with applause by outdoor restaurant patrons and nods of approval from the musicians.
Other memorable people included our waiter and assistant waiter for our evening meals aboard the ship. Their attention to detail was flawless. They learned and remembered our names and preferences. We learned a little about their lives and families. Their names are now on my weekly prayer list. We parted with words of blessing and hugs.
In Santorini, several of us rented a minivan and toured the island. Our driver took us to places he considered the most beautiful and helped us capture the adventure with photos.
In Turkey, we saw street musicians, met twin brothers who were gracious and funny, while allowing us to barter for purchases. One informed us his name was “Good Price.” Only he and his brother know if we got good deals!
And then, we met an odd, rotund shop owner in Greece, who was rude to customers and informed us he hated tourists. This encounter reminded us of the value of gracious hospitality and keeping some thoughts to yourself.
Time Travel
We are all time travelers, moving through our days and seasons of life, gaining forward motion as we advance on our earthly journey. Let’s make the most of the days God gives us, gaining wisdom, growing spiritually, encouraging, supporting, showing kindness, and creating positive memories with those we encounter.
“The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever” (Psalm 121:7-8 NLT).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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