Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

 

Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest, Hungary

 

Sa Pa, Vietnam

The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

 

 

In this post, we will explore different methods of ascension. Ascension is more than just an action; it is also an idea. Whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually, ascension is the notion of reaching a higher plain or level.

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO world heritage site located in northern Vietnam. “Ha Long” translates from Vietnamese to “descending dragon.” The legend of Ha Long Bay goes back to the formation of the country, when it was said that the Vietnamese people had to fight off invaders off the coast of Vietnam. In order to protect the country, the Jade Emperor called upon the gods to send the Mother Dragon and her children to aid them in battle. The dragons descended from the heavens and defeated the invaders. After they were defeated, thousands of limestone islands (as seen in the first photo) ascended from the Earth and appeared in the bay. Legend says that those islands are jewels that the dragons spat out, left there to create a barrier to halt future invasions.

At the Széchenyi Thermal Bath in Budapest, people enjoy a getaway from their daily lives. They wade in the baths, steam hitting their faces and heat soothing their bodies. As they soak in the feeling of the hot baths, they begin to relax, ascending to a state of calm.

Roaming through the mountains in Sa Pa, Vietnam, it’s hard not to feel like you’re dreaming. All around you see terrace farming lining the mountains, adding a unique beauty to the landscape. The third photo was taken 2,333 meters above the ground, which felt like the top of the world. This photo displays a more literal definition of ascension, as our group member reached that point through a mixture of buses and elevators built into the mountain.

At the Colosseum in Rome, ascension happened in a different way. You could ascend to fame and glory through feats of strength or events, such as gladiator battles and chariot races. At the same time, ascension could happen through death, as public executions were often held in the Colosseum. There truly was a duality to the events that took place there and their reputations.