Back

The privilege of documents | Day 101 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Apr 11, 2023· 2 minutes

When we left Rome, we walked from Campo di Fiori to the garage near the Pyramid.

We had briefly met a guy selling us the blue helicopters to shoot into the air with a rubber band, just having a short conversation the last evening at the piazza while saying goodbye to the family.

The guy had left Bangladesh eight years ago and has lived in Rome ever since without documents. He showed us pictures of his wife and son, whom he had left behind, and shared how he had managed to live in the city for so long, sending money back to the family.

It was heartbreaking, even more so, when we met him the next morning working a stand in the marketplace.

Obviously, there is something very wrong with this world.

We had good conversations arising from this and from our overwhelming time in Rome in general.

We talked about the little things. How what matters the most is how we handle whatever is, rather than what it is. How our impact is mostly who we touch and how we touch them. How the learning journey is about diving into our humanity, learning kindness and love.

I am not saying the injustices in the world can be fixed by mindset. I do very much believe we have to do something about it.

I am afraid the guy is working for someone, not making his own luck but being part of a huge underworld cooperation working with all of the tourists in Europe.

Five years on the roads, and I see the pattern. The marketplaces are worked by the same products and same people; more or less, the landmarks and main evening hangout places worked by the same group, selling the same products, just as the white blankets with sneakers and bags are worked by the same people.

People without documents. Good people without options.

pyramid

Do I want to burn my passport and live without documents as a protest? No. I don’t. But I would like to see a better world arise from the ashes. If this guy is suffering, in the end, we are all suffering.

At the very least, we can stop turning a blind eye and make sure we care.

Love and light

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

# 101 of my 2023 writing challenge - Read them all here

Exploring Queretaro's marketplace reveals insights into personal freedom and community amidst chaos. The chaos allows for freedom. The options allow …Read more
I have to admit it. Now that I know, I will know for the rest of my life. There is no way around it. Once you know, you know. And I know it was me. I…Read more
I hate the binding structures of the traditions holding us all down and under deep waters of hot wine with cinnamon, locking our attention on the con…Read more
Explore the philosophy of radical unschooling from a mother's perspective, highlighting the importance of freedom and personal growth in parenting. Read more
Join us on a captivating Sunday walk through Queretaro, where street scenes, culture, and language learning blend into an enriching experience. Read more
Explore our journey through transit difficulties in Mexico and how sticking to personal values made it a meaningful adventure. Read more
Discover how Playa del Carmen offered unexpected life lessons and a chance for reflection, blending travel with personal insights. Read more
Join me as I reflect on our journey in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, learning to embrace a slower pace & the beauty of unplanned moments. Discover our in…Read more
An awe-inspiring day at the Mayan cities of Chichén Itzá & Coba, where history & adventure intertwine. Join us on our journey to these wonders of the…Read more