d. talking to people
Like in Ireland, I met a lot of people in Lisbon. They were all great. From one guy working at our hostel hugging us goodbye, to the tour guide passionate about history, to the shopkeeper asking me about my family. The man who gave us directions, and the woman who welcomed us into her bar to listen to Fado, and the man behind me in line helping me order lunch.
A couple of days ago, one of my favorite authors John Green was experiencing some unfortunate layovers in various airports. He tweeted from the MSP airport, stuck there over night. Fortunately a bookstore was open and he decided to sign some copies of his books. He also had a wonderful conversation with the woman who worked there, making his night just a little bit better. About that experience he wrote "it was the pleasant conversation with a stranger that really pulled me out of myself, and as a result, a long night became bearable. So tonight I give thanks for kind strangers, and hope that I can be one each time the opportunity arises."
Yeah Lisbon was beautiful, and the river was tranquil, and the houses were colorful, and the history fascinating. But I really loved the trip because of the people I met. So, thanks guys for making Lisbon such a wonderful place.
In talking to these people, about their travels, their lives, I learned a couple of things. But before I tell you what they are let me at add this: I know this makes it seem like the only plus to talking to people and making friends is learning about myself, and not, you know, learning about other people as well, and I know it seems that talking to people turned me inward towards myself instead of, as Green said, pulling me out of myself. I've always been told that the best thing I can do is become interested in other people, rather than trying to get people interested in me. And that did happen. I promise. I spent a night laughing so hard I cried as a group of strangers played spoons late into the night. I asked people questions--why do they sing, what languages they know, why do they like that band, what was there favorite city, what plans do they have for the future? And I'm fairly certain I've gotten better at question asking.
But asking all these questions inevitably makes leads to the raising and answering of some of my own questions.
I've noticed I almost always get really jealous when I hear about other people's experiences--the other gap year student who biked across America and then road the trains through Europe, the two au pairs, the Canadian just arrived from Central America, the spanish expat. I still can't help but compare my experiences to theirs, and, because I am seeing their experience only through the words they have told me, they seem perfect and flawless and astounding.
And, as the theme often is for this blog, I have to remind myself that my own adventure isn't done yet. And as much as I'd like it to be otherwise, my adventure is grounded in real life--just like theirs--which means it won't be perfect and flawless.
Astounding? Yes.
Astonishing? Yes.
Maybe the best decision ever? Yes.
And to be honest, would I trade what I'm doing for what they've done? Probably not.
I am not them. They are not me.
But, we can contribute to each others lives. We can sit and talk over breakfast one day, we can play cards for an hour, we can tell each other stories of history. And together, make our adventures even more wonderful.
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