The Promisedd Land

Put your wig on

At a glance

‘The term "origin" does not mean the process by which the existent came into being, but rather what emerges from the process of becoming and disappearing. Origin is an eddy in the stream of becoming’. Walter Benjamin

James Clifford asks himself in his book ‘Routs’ “with what degrees of freedom do people stay home?” This question can lead to inquiring; in what degree of freedom people stay who they are. ‘Identity’ is a problematical term to define for it is impossible to grasp - our ways of being changes constantly whether we like it or not. Furthermore time is unbeatable and the reality that surrounds us changes us over and over again. Taking yourself into the Promised Land can bring you to where you always wanted be.

Each person found himself in the Promised Land at one time or another. We all put the ‘wig’ on from the time to time; pretending to be someone we are not. Some do it to be liked by others, many do it for the sake of getting away from troubles and others to get away from responsibility. As a human being living in society you reposition yourself constantly in order to function in life. We all use the ‘wig’ to disguise and protect ourselves. The problem is that most of us do not enjoy it.

But the possibility of going to the Promised Land and assuming a new identity makes it our own is always there. ‘It’s never too late to have a perfect childhood’ said Chuck Palahniuk and indeed, visiting the Promised Land is an experience that can last forever. For it is a place of transformations, where the visitor can reinvent himself time and again.

Every person has its own Promised Land; a dream figure of a better improved self. It can be your physical body that stands in your way but it can also be your social skills that you would rather change. You can switch identity and start a new life far away, or one street further from your current one. Some of us will get far with less of a change. In the ‘How to Disappear in Europe’ guidebook you can find advice about the art of disappearing and switching identities. From the newest technology of plastic surgery to the 'how to make new friends' guide.