Jamie I felt like I was people watching with you! You are such an awesome traveler! I’m always too worried about whatever I should be working on rather than actually just being present. Congrats on stepping out of your comfort zone. Solo travel is the only way to do it imo. 🥰
When you were describing the people around you, I was reminded of Paul Simon's song "America." Difference: he made up their stories, while you watched them show & tell their own. 💜
You make me wanna hop on a train, in the BEST way! 😉
This reads like a beautiful moving meditation, Jamie - one in which the train does the movement and you are along for the ride. I loved having a view of all that you observed! I was reminded that I always carried something to read when learning to be comfortable out and about on my own. At one point in more recent history, I realized I was not reading what I carried. Instead, I was fascinated by what was unfolding around me - and still am. I am so happy that your solo experience was such a delightful one!
It really does. The outer world makes an impression on us, but it's always filtered through our inner world. It's an interesting dynamic. A dozen people (or a hundred, or a thousand) can take the same trip and come away with a dozen (or a hundred or a thousand) completely unique experiences. It's all about what you notice, what you choose to pay attention to, and how you interact with the world you've stepped into. 💜
I absolutely love how you turned mundane waiting moments into a deep philosophical exploration. It's true, isn't it? We're so often rushing through life, checking off lists and managing schedules, that we miss the little spaces in between. Those pockets of time, where we're just… waiting? That's where the magic happens. It's like life gives you a pause button and says, "Okay, pay attention now." Your observation about becoming "the traveler" instead of "the frantic organizer" really resonated. It’s as if stepping onto that train transforms you. I’m now going to actively seek those moments of enforced stillness, not as an inconvenience but as an invitation to simply be. I've been writing about liminality, and this is just another one of those liminal spaces. I LOVE it. 🩵
Thank you so much, Alex. Liminality is such an enticing topic - there is so much possibility in those in between spaces. Having this interstitial time to myself in some ways felt like traveling back in time to a version of myself unburdened by the layers of identity and responsibility and obligation that I have wrapped around myself over the last few decades. It was a strange feeling to sink back into the bones of my old self, the one who saw the world with fresh eyes and tried to capture its every nuance in a small notebook.
I love when I can sink into my more innocent self, the one that saw the world as exciting, fun, and fresh, with adventure! Rather than with duty and obligation.
How lovely!! This was such a beautiful exploration, and encapsulated why I love traveling, though I'm not great at giving myself time to wait and take things in like you describe. But I do relish reaching that point of no return and surrendering to whatever adventure awaits! :) Also, I'm glad I am not the only one who personifies books and other things in my imagination, lol
Thank you, Claire. 🥰 "Surrender" is the perfect word to use ... there is definitely a healthy dose of surrender involved in enjoying the unknown, right? We have to let go of control and be willing to adapt to whatever happens. Not easy, but very rewarding.
And - yes - I personify everything! Not at all surprised you do too. 💜
Jamie I felt like I was people watching with you! You are such an awesome traveler! I’m always too worried about whatever I should be working on rather than actually just being present. Congrats on stepping out of your comfort zone. Solo travel is the only way to do it imo. 🥰
Beautiful, Jamie!
Isn’t it fun and relaxing to sit and watch people Jamie ….? I don’t do that this often enough.
When you were describing the people around you, I was reminded of Paul Simon's song "America." Difference: he made up their stories, while you watched them show & tell their own. 💜
You make me wanna hop on a train, in the BEST way! 😉
This reads like a beautiful moving meditation, Jamie - one in which the train does the movement and you are along for the ride. I loved having a view of all that you observed! I was reminded that I always carried something to read when learning to be comfortable out and about on my own. At one point in more recent history, I realized I was not reading what I carried. Instead, I was fascinated by what was unfolding around me - and still am. I am so happy that your solo experience was such a delightful one!
Fun how travel expands our outer world as well as our inner world!
It really does. The outer world makes an impression on us, but it's always filtered through our inner world. It's an interesting dynamic. A dozen people (or a hundred, or a thousand) can take the same trip and come away with a dozen (or a hundred or a thousand) completely unique experiences. It's all about what you notice, what you choose to pay attention to, and how you interact with the world you've stepped into. 💜
I absolutely love how you turned mundane waiting moments into a deep philosophical exploration. It's true, isn't it? We're so often rushing through life, checking off lists and managing schedules, that we miss the little spaces in between. Those pockets of time, where we're just… waiting? That's where the magic happens. It's like life gives you a pause button and says, "Okay, pay attention now." Your observation about becoming "the traveler" instead of "the frantic organizer" really resonated. It’s as if stepping onto that train transforms you. I’m now going to actively seek those moments of enforced stillness, not as an inconvenience but as an invitation to simply be. I've been writing about liminality, and this is just another one of those liminal spaces. I LOVE it. 🩵
Thank you so much, Alex. Liminality is such an enticing topic - there is so much possibility in those in between spaces. Having this interstitial time to myself in some ways felt like traveling back in time to a version of myself unburdened by the layers of identity and responsibility and obligation that I have wrapped around myself over the last few decades. It was a strange feeling to sink back into the bones of my old self, the one who saw the world with fresh eyes and tried to capture its every nuance in a small notebook.
But that is fodder for my next post.
Thank you for helping to encourage such reveries.
Happy waiting!
Oooooo I can’t wait to read 🩵
I love when I can sink into my more innocent self, the one that saw the world as exciting, fun, and fresh, with adventure! Rather than with duty and obligation.
The world is more fun.
How lovely!! This was such a beautiful exploration, and encapsulated why I love traveling, though I'm not great at giving myself time to wait and take things in like you describe. But I do relish reaching that point of no return and surrendering to whatever adventure awaits! :) Also, I'm glad I am not the only one who personifies books and other things in my imagination, lol
Thank you, Claire. 🥰 "Surrender" is the perfect word to use ... there is definitely a healthy dose of surrender involved in enjoying the unknown, right? We have to let go of control and be willing to adapt to whatever happens. Not easy, but very rewarding.
And - yes - I personify everything! Not at all surprised you do too. 💜