Deuxième Jjour (Day Two)

David and I like to watch a television program called Ancient Aliens. The premise of the show is that much of what cannot be understood or explained on Earth must be the result of ancient visitors from space.  Now, clearly we do not believe that aliens helped build the pyramids (or did they?). But, one of the things that always intrigues us is the repetition of similar structures, images, and stories in far flung places.  There are pyramids in China, there are shaman in Australia, and there are pictographs on every continent.  While we question that this is the work of aliens (or is it?), we are fascinated that societies around the world have evolved in similar ways.  My argument is that all humans have the same needs and, consequently, have come up with the same answers.  Humans need shelter and places to worship. Ask any child playing in the sand, a pyramid is the simplest structure to build. Humans want to understand the world around them and so they devise gods and religions to explain it.  Humans need to express themselves, and so they draw stick figures to represent themselves.  

This has become more obvious to me this week.  I am in Quebec.  Je ne parle pas tout français. (I do not speak any French.)  I have gotten by on a smile, a lot of merci's and Google translate.  But being metaphorically deaf to the verbal context clues of conversation, I have had to become very observant.  For instance, I do not know the meaning of the sign that reads mettre vos serviettes sales dans le panier.  However, it is in the bathroom next to a basket of dirty towels, so I can take a good guess.

So here are some things I have observed about the commonality of experiences.  Pizza is the same thing in English and in French.  Young girls giggle in the presence of cute boys no matter the language they speak.  Babies like sweets regardless of whether you call it a cookie, or a biscuit, or a biscotto.  Teenage boys drive too fast and play their music too loud in every city in the world.  People are gracious and kind when they are treated graciously and kindly.  It truly is a small world.