Not all who wander are lost…. or are they?
I’ve done a lot of wandering around lately and I have felt pretty damn lost. Discovering and understanding how systems function in a new city, in a new country can take a lot of “getting/feeling lost” experiences. The silver lining is that once you have everything figured out, it’s more tools in your toolbox of life’s hacks and tricks!
I have come to realize that most people, have been lost at some point or another on their journey. You’re figuring out bus stations, bus stops, train stations, train stops, metro stations, metro stops…. what goes where and which one and in this process you are lost. Completely and utterly lost. Despite technology, Iphones, apps, forget it. It’s still a process. Will always be a process. I sincerely hope that life does not become that easy, where we never get lost sometimes.
I wouldn’t have said that 2 weeks ago, but here I am. Not lost. Sipping coffee. And yet, the experience was so nerve-racking, it has taken me two weeks to write about it.
I got to the train station. Bought a ticket. Didn’t quite fully understand exactly what kind of ticket I had bought, but whatever, I just went with it. Missed my stop. Why? Good question. I was unaware that in order for the doors to open, one has to press a button. So I waited. The doors did not open. I was confused. And more than anything panicked. In that state of panic, I got off on the next stop. Looked again at my phone (which had very little service) and discovered another route, which had me getting off on the next stop. Perfect! Waited. Got back on the train. Pressed the button!! And got off on the next stop. Problem. Aside from the fact that I was already late for work. I couldn’t get out. I felt like I was in a film by Bruñel, unable to leave. My ticket simply would not allow me access to exit. Now, fully immersed in my panic mode and on the verge of tears of anxiety and confusion. A little old lady asked me if I needed to leave and used her ticket, to let me out. I cried. People are nice. People are good. People are helpful. We always make the terrible mistake in assuming, and then assuming the worst. And we do this to humanity all the time. When I finally got out, I found my bus station. I asked a guy (must’ve been around 18) if my bus came to this station. Yes it did and then he told me, it was a half hour wait… In the meantime, he asked me where I was from, how I old I was. I told him 32. And as if that had no relevance, which it didn’t, he asked me to go out for some beers. And I’m thinking… in the states, this could be illegal, meanwhile this kid (however old he is 16-20) has more balls than most 30-40 year old men I know. So kudos to you! Moreover, he begins to roll a joint, to have a quick smoke before the bus arrives. Niceeee. I could’ve used a hit, myself. Maybe we will go out for some beers… (we did not and I do not smoke). The bus got there. I got on. 30 minutes later I got to work an hour and a half late at 10:30 am, only to find out, that on Mondays my classes start at 12:30. Greattttt!!!
A three hour experience of being lost, taught me some things. People are nice. And helpful. Sometimes, you have no other choice but to rely on them. For as much as we want to do things on our own and be independent and not ask for help, it’s sometimes necessary. It is necessary. You make connections, have human interactions, you are humbled and ultimately you create stories to share with other people.
Are all who wander lost? Sometimes. But the point is, one will always be found, and most likely, one will find one’s own self.