Just as good as being there myself..

My sister Bebis is in Florida in these days enjoying a well deserved vacation before coming to England in order to start her year-long English course. She's been to one of the greatest places in the world: THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. To someone who "easily gets lost in time and space" while watching starry nights (that would be me of course!), this space center is sort of a pilgrimage site, and therefore going there has been a whole life dream to me.

Leaving aside for a moment all the political intricacies and controversies about manned spaceflight I think space centers are a living homage to people who have believed so much in dreams and exploration and have given everything, sometimes even their own lives, in the name of the progress spaceflight can bring. Space centers are places boldly built with sacrifice, sweat and blood, and it's up to the governments to use them for their own benefit or instead for the benefit of “all mankind”.

Space centers are very meaningful places to many people, not just to me, and thousands of them gather around them whenever there’s a chance to see a launch. It’s all about people going to the skies, few people, extremely well selected and special people. Astronauts are special people, and seeing them reaching the skies must be a wonderful sight. Special yet ordinary people flying higher and faster than anyone else: it sounds like a religion to me… and it certainly is!!

Watching the pictures my sister e-mailed me I just can't believe that it's been already three years since last time we met.. Watching her smile in every picture is simply as good as being there in the space center myself. I just can't wait to see her again. I have been waiting for three years to do it! Three years! Welcome to Europe, dear sister of mine. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. I love you Bebis.