I've been traveling between Chicago and New Orleans, taking my time in Memphis, Clarksdale and Natchez too. My name is J. F., I was born in Portugal, and that's where I live.
It was on my way back from New Orleans to Chicago that I was given this book. I wondered what the purpose was and I still do, but I'm glad someone did it, as it made me think of what's this trip all about and what's the purpose of traveling.
What first moved me into this trip, like the character in this chapter, was the need to find something, the need to find who's left and what's left of the landscape that created the Blues, those raw feelings put into words and music.
Mostly, it's not there anymore. You won't find any wise old man delivering himself in words and music, but I believe that when you search for something, even if you don't find it, you find something that has a lasting effect on you.
You find how to enjoy your freedom in a way that really suits you, which is not as easy as it seems. You define yourself in the path you choose and in the moment you decide it's time to leave.
I could fly from New Orleans to Chicago, but that feels more like time traveling. I need to feel the gap between places and there's something about long distance trips aboard a train. It's not comfort, as your body struggles to find it in an ice cold environment. It's a soothing effect, to know that among all the decisions you need to make, you are now on rails, there's no way you can get lost. You also won't have a flat tire.
August 28th, 2008
-J.F.
2 comments:
So, yes! This is the writing that came back!
The tract was written by Steffi Drewes (which is not featured in this post, and which is a shame, because it's beautiful,) the bookmaking and printing is by Laureen Mahler.
I'm planning on getting photos of each tract before it went traveling on the website, www.train-tracts.com, along with the stories/poems. I'm realizing as I'm posting the work that comes back that I need to have the untraveled tracts up there, too.
So, website re-design coming soon.
-Amie
Amie, my heart started beating faster when I read this post! I can't believe our little book made it so far (emotionally/thematically speaking)! Thank you again for organizing this amazing project, and for inviting me to be a part of it.
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