Thoughts From Places: La Iglesia de San Juan de los Reyes

Hey all!

It is not a Saturday or Sunday so this is coming to you a little early. What a treat! Actually, I just wanted to remember what I'd been thinking earlier today, so writing down my thoughts will help me out. Although I guess you get to benefit too. Yay! And I must be really reflective late at night (or early in the morning. Depends on what 2:24 am counts as in your eyes.) Warning: These are my musings about life and time and isn't as happy-go-lucky (and/or sarcastic) as my normal blogs. I actually think sometimes, guys. So here it goes.

Today for my Art in Toledo class, we went to this fantastic monastery/church that has probably been my favorite to date. It was built in the 14th century and I was struck, as I am whenever wandering around Europe, how old everything is. It's crazy to look at a building and realize the length of time it's been sitting there and the fact that it remains (at least mostly) unchanged for hundreds and hundreds of years. Through wars and political unrest and transitioning from monarchies to democracies and the changing religions and demographics of a country. And the building just sits, beautifully, through the ages.

And even with that, what really fascinates me is the number of people who have gone through the same halls as me, living in the same city, thinking the same (similar? different?) thoughts as me....

And even more than that, they lived their own lives. They cared about their own friends and families and had their own problems and worries. And all that really remains are the shells of their lives, and although beautiful, the buildings don't really compare with the complexity that once was. Everyone who had been and lived and worked and cared there, was gone. Not even a little remembered. (I mean, I know people lived there. But it's not like I can say Maria was born on this day and was friendly and funny and....etc) And it's weird to be so aware of time moving by, as it passed those people and will pass me and will pass future generations. It's hard to truly get this sense of time until you actually see and experience the moment in person. Like, hey, this building has been here 700ish years. And people live for at most 100ish years (and significantly less in the past). And although you know your time is fleeting, it's different to see a structure that says I've been here eight centuries. And you might make it through one. Sucks to suck.

While I was at the church, I kept thinking about a passage in a book I read:


"There will come a time when all of us are dead. All of us. There will come a time when there are no human beings remaining to remember that anyone ever existed or that our species ever did anything. There will be no one left to remember Aristotle or Cleopatra, let alone you. Everything that we did and built and wrote and thought and discovered will be forgotten and all of this will have been for naught." -The Fault in Our Stars

But even though that thought (the inevitability of earthly oblivion) is mildly terrifying, it reminds us, and grounds us, in our place in history. So while this mildly terrifying thought exists, we can come to terms with it and realize time passes and chances aren't high we'll be famous or remembered forever or whatever. Whatever, time, you think you're so cool.


"I think being special is overrated. All we can do is try to be as useful as possible, and as fulfilled as possible, you know? You're probably not going to change human history. You're probably not going to be remembered for a thousand years. But the truth is, the coolest stuff we do, we don't do alone." -John Green

So although we're all doomed and shouting into the void and the sun will collapse and whatever, today is pretty good. You guys are all pretty great too. (Even when you're sassy, Mom.)

Deep(er) thoughts, I know. In conclusion: realizing how incredibly long time is, is crazy. (Or alternatively how short it is) And makes you think about life. And people. And what's important.

Don't worry, next time will be more like: Hey, friends! Spain! Portugal next weekend! Food! Siestas! Fiestas! Pretty buildings!

(The Fault in Our Stars, while sounding like a bit of a downer in the quotation I chose, is actually a really outstanding book. If you're interested you can hear the first chapter here)