Today’s guest blogger is Loucinda McGary, author of the Wild Sight. She’s going to be talking about the persistence of memory and we’re even offering up a contest with an awesome prize at the end. So make sure you stick around.
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The Persistence of Memory
No, this is not a blog about the weird painting by Salvador Dali with the melting clocks draped over a bare, apocalyptic landscape (though I will confess it is a favorite of mine). I just like the title and think it’s appropriate to a subject I’ve thought a lot about lately – genetic memory. By that I mean something in ye olde DNA is sparked somehow, and you experience a feeling of connection, a bond, a strange sense of déjà vu.
Have you ever visited a place and felt an inexplicable sense of belonging? Something that went beyond liking it because you had a good time, or always wanted to go there. Something more akin to a chemical reaction. A healthy case of love at first sight, as it were. To me this is a tangible case of genetic memory.
The first time I ever got this feeling was in my late teens, and it was my very first visit to San Francisco. Chalk it up to youthful enthusiasm, but The City By The Bay remains one of my favorite places in the world, though I must admit that subsequent visits have not stirred me nearly so much as the first. The only other American city I’ve felt so strongly attracted to was New York City. And I have yet to connect like this with any place in Asia. But Europe is that WHOLE NOTHER STORY…
The first time I went to Italy, I had about a dozen people tell me how much I was going to love Florence! In short, I didn’t. However, the minute I walked out of the Termini train station in Rome…Badda Bing, Badda BOOM! That’s amore! And every time I’ve set foot in Rome since (three times and counting), I’ve had the same wonderful feeling! As far as I know, I don’t have one drop of Italian blood in me, and no other place in Italy has affected me as strongly as The Eternal City.
So far, the only other city that has stirred this unconditional love-fest in me is Paris. This is doubly strange because not only am I not even a miniscule bit French, but I was prepared to NOT like the place. Let’s face it, Parisiennes are not known for their friendly hospitality, and that first visit for me was a month after Princess Diana died there. My head was not in a ‘good place’ about The City of Light, but it didn’t matter. Paris instantly stole my heart!
A few months ago, after more than ten years, I made my second visit to Paris. I had wondered right up until the point I stepped off the Chunnel train at Gard du Nord, if I would still feel the same about the place. After negotiating the crowds through the busy station and somehow making it onto the Metro with my luggage, I arrived at my destination at Gard du l’Est. Emerging from the subway into the bright afternoon sun it hit me. OOO LA LA! Paris wrapped her essence around my weary heart and, French or not, I was in love all over again.
Have you ever felt that instant attraction to a city or place? Do you think it might be genetic memory or something else?
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Thank you Cindy for stopping by Literary Escapism and chatting with us for awhile.
Contest time. Today we’re going to give away a copy of Loucinda’s newest novel, the Wild Sight. It’s a great Irish tale filled deadly deeds and forbidden love that will keep anyone glued to the story.
So how to you enter…easy, just answer Loucinda’s question – Have you ever felt that instant attraction to a city or place? Do you think it might be genetic memory or something else?. In order to be entered, you have to answer the question. So don’t be shy.
As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer.
And I’m adding a new way to get an extra entry…join the Literary Escapism blog group over on Facebook.
Unfortunately, this contest is only available to US or Canada addresses only. The contest ends at midnight on Nov. 18th. I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer.
First commentor again – Darn it! Number 1 never wins. :(
I have always had an affinity for all things Celtic and have been fascinated my whole life by Scottland, England and Wales, specifically, medieval times. I don’t have an ounce of Celtic, Gaelic or anything remotely in that area in my blood, but my life-long dream has been to go there and visit someday.
Cindy, I know I’m a peasant but I’ve always found those Dali paintings just too creepy to be borne! NOT my favorite artist! But as you say, a fantastic title that gets you thinking of all sorts of other things. I have had that feeling of connection to a place but generally it’s a really beautiful place so I’m not sure whether it’s something psychic or whether it’s just that I like a nice landscape! But I definitely LOVE the west coast of Scotland which is where the Campbells come from. Race memory? Not sure! EVERYBODY loves the west coast of Scotland!
Oh, and congratulations with all the good buzz that’s out there about the Wild Sight!
Hi Judi!
Thanx for being my #1!
I haven’t been to Wales (yet!) but I can vouch for England, Scotland and Ireland being WONDERFUL! There really is something magical about those British Isles that touches the heart. Oh, and the people are all so very friendly and charming! I hope you get to visit someday, I know you won’t be disappointed.
AC
FoAnna!
Aunty waves madly at her Bandita!
Trust a Campbell to sing the praises of bonny Scotland. Alas, I’ve only been there once and that was the lowlands around Edinburgh. I have SEEN the West Coast of Scotland, but I was standing on the northern end of Ireland at the time. :-) It looked… FOGGY!
You and I definitely need to take a trip to the Highlands to check out the laddies in their kilts. Now THAT is something I’m instantly attracted to!
Beautiful post, Cindy! It gives me chills just thinking about your travel experiences.
I’m not nearly as well traveled, but I did have that inexplicable feeling of having “returned home” when we visited Scotland, so beautiful, the people so lovely, and the accent — well, I’m a sucker for that Scottish brogue.
Interestingly, although I don’t generally believe in “love at first sight,” I had the same feeling when I met my husband. There was something that I connected with on a very primal level when I met him. I wouldn’t have said it was “love,” but it certainly was a feeling of strong commitment and sure knowledge that I could be very, very happy with this person.
Genetic memory? I dunno, but there’s certainly something very evocative about place.
Great post, Cindy!
Definitely! New Orleans has always held something special for me and I felt something very strong when I first visited Seattle and the underground Seattle. And the same with Tombstone. I love visiting ghost towns, but that one has that same aura for me. And each time it’s a sense of the past.
Linda
Hey Aunt Cindy!
Interesting post! Haven’t ever felt that way about a city, but then, I’ve never been to Paris, Rome, San Francisco, or New York! But I’m going to Las Vegas later this week, so maybe I’ll feel something when I get there!
No need to put me in the contest: I’ve already got a copy!
Hey, hey, AC! So good to see you here today! I love the subject of your post. I adore travel and while not as frequently aboard train or plane as some of our fellow Romance Bandits (You, KJ, the Annas), I’ve traveled a bit. I fet the way you describe in London, in Charleston, and in the wilds of Kenya. While I liked Switzerland, it was merely interesting and historical, not a “coming home” experience. Neither was Canada or the Carribbean. I felt that way in Maine, however, and in the outlying areas of Massachusetts. As Jo says, it could be race memory, but to really put it to the test, I’ll have to go to Scotland…anyone up for a trip? Grins. (Oh, btw, I’ve got my fab copy of TWS!)
I felt this way about Yellowstone National Park and about all those lovely, wide open places throughout the American West. When I visited Muir Woods and the Muir Beach overlook this summer, they were fantastic as well. I could have sat in either place for hours and just “be.”
Hi Cindy! What a lovely post! I think you’re right. There must be some kind of mystical connection with some places. I had it in many places when I visited England. Not sure if it’s because I write about the place, but Rye felt like somewhere I’d been before, as did Bath. Hey, one can dream–maybe I was an English aristocrat in a former life!
I am STILL waiting for my copy of THE WILD SIGHT. Can’t wait to read it!
Jo,
I’m not surprised you and your hubby had an instant connection. The two of you really do seem to complete each other. Not that you are not whole entities by yourselves, but the two of you together obviously share a very special connection. I’m envious!
AC
love all things irish!!!!!1
we move to a house, i swore i had lived in it before
Linda,
I’ve always loved Nawlins too! To me it feel more European than any other city I’ve visited in the US. Haven’t been back since Katrina, just too sad….
How very COOL that you have a connection with ghost towns! I’m surprised you don’t write western historicals.
AC
Hey Cheryl,
I hope you enjoy The Wild Sight.
Vegas is a kick! You can visit New York City, Paris, Venice, and Ancient Rome all within a few blocks! Oh, and don’t miss the volcanic eruption. ;-)
AC
Jeanne,
I’m so jealous, I wanna go to Kenya!
I liked Switzerland, Germany, Portugal and most of western Europe too, but Paris and Rome were just… for lack of a better word SPECIAL!
Hey, I’m ready for a trip to the Scottish Highlands! Meet me at the DC airport!
AC
Hi Trish,
Waving to another Bandita!
I loved Yellowstone too, but I guess I’m just a city girl at heart.
AC
Christine,
You mean you’re not an aristocrat in THIS life? Don’t we all call you MADAME D-W?!?! LOL!
I too found Bath fascinating, but the Roman ruins were the highlight for me. I haven’t visited Rye but will definitely put it on my must see places. My other favorite English city was York– history piled upon history!
AC
Tami,
That sounds spooky to move into a house and feel like you’d lived in it before! Was it a very old building, like over 100 years old? Most all of the houses around my area are newly built, no cool history or anything, which is a shame in my opinion.
When we visited Northern Ireland and went into the cottage where my DH’s family had lived for generations, it was an extraordinary experience.
AC
Several places come to mind when I think of having instant attractions to a city or place ~ at the top of my list (and it’s been previously mentioned) would be Yellowstone. Also, San Francisco, Skagway and Cabo.
Uh oh….I normally answer my questions when I post a contest and I didn’t this time….Have you ever felt that instant attraction to a city or place? Do you think it might be genetic memory or something else?
I loved Guadalajara, Mexico. I spent 6 weeks there studying Spanish in 1999 and by the time I made it back home, I was trying to figure out a way to go back. There was just something about the city that made it special. You didn’t need transportation, you had the old world charm mixed in with modern conveniences and there was always something to do! I finally made it back in 2001 and I ended up spending 3 months there. Even after 7 years, I can still see certain parts of the city and I always get a longing to go back. I can’t wait until Ian is older and I get to take him down there.
Cindy! You’ve been making my day all day today. The fact that you’ve been popping in is a first for me and I’m lovin’ it. Thank you so much for taking the time to read all the comments and answering them today.
Aunty Cindy, I have never been there yet, but Cornwall pulls at me. Any time I read about it, see pictures of it, hear stories…well, it calls to me. I don’t know that it’s a genetic memory (though it could be), but it certainly holds an allure. I haven’t traveled enough to feel that way about other places, but I’m willing to give it a go!
Any chance I can stow away in your luggage, you world traveler you? :-)
Hey, Cindy! Nah, just heard ghost horses and had the letter C appear on my son’s wall, then disappear…but nothing really that unusual. :)
Christy H.
Skagway is the CUTEST little old Gold Rush town! (And I’ve seen a lot of them living in Northern Cal.) But I have a feeling that I would NOT enjoy spending a winter there. Did you go up the pass on the train? I regret not doing that and am hoping to return (which would entail yet another cruise — OH DARN!) someday soon and not miss it this time.
AC
Jackie,
Thank you so much for hosting me here on your lovely blog!
Popping in and out to interact is something we do all the time on both my group blogs, Romance Bandits, and Casablanca Authors.
The DH went to Guadalajara and San Miguel Allende without me! Believe me, he did much groveling and apologizing afterward. I LURVE cruising the Mexican Riviera (West Coast of Mexico), and my favorite stop (We’ve also spent several weeks there too) is Puerto Vallarta, the OLD section. Like you said, the charm and lovely people are wonderful.
AC