I admit it. I talk to strangers. I’d probably also take candy from them if offered. It may be a character flaw, and Roy seems to think so, but usually because I end up befriending them with few inhibitions.
Earlier this year I made a list of things that truly made me happy. Traveling and spending time with friends was at the top of the list, closely followed by the work I do– inexplicably, I’m still quite passionate about it. I decided to put myself in the path of life, to make it easy for the world to unravel itself, giving me what I truly wanted. I made lists of ideas on how to get more adventures in, how to travel more, how to spend time with the people I love.
Things started to fall in place. I visited friends. I had adventures. But I wanted more. I was addicted (and still am).
So at the end of the summer I made a list of possible adventures involving traveling. And lo and behold, the next day I was visiting my sister when a future tenant she had found on craigslist found his way to her doorstep. Steve, a traveling nurse, who was starting a quarter long stint in Sacramento, kept talking about what he does in his time off (he works half the year and travels the rest). He was about to leave for Nepal to hike over three mountain passes in the Everest region. I immediately felt a connection. This is what I do. I travel. I seek out new things. So I not so subtly invited myself on this trip, and Steve was kind enough to oblige.
Roy of course, freaked out. When I mentioned I was going trekking in Nepal, he said “please tell me you’re not going with someone you just met on the internet”. I smiled. He does know me… after all, he has been my best friend since I was 13. I assured him I hadn’t just met him. My sister had met him on craigslist. I had actually met him in person for a whole 15 minutes before I bought my plane ticket. Â And that’s how I ended spending a month trekking in Nepal with Steve, and then James, and then Natalie. Best thing I ever did!
You see, I could’ve stayed at home, and not open myself to new people, and new experiences. I could’ve played it safe. I could’ve watched Netflix for a month. But I opened myself to being hurt, being lost, and quite frustrated in another country. In exchange, I had one of the best experiences in my life in the company of extraordinary people: walking together, snoring together, getting lost together, sharing dreams together, and even getting sick together far more than I care to remember.
Open yourself to people, and in the process, miss them like hell when they’re not around. Â I miss you three.
Such a wonderful adventure! I had the pleasure of meeting Steve back in June I think it was he had seen my husband’s dirtbike for sale on craigslist and came down and bought it (and then horrifyingly had it stolen a couple of weeks later out of his was driveway!) but I knew as soon as I met him and he began that this was going to be a friendship that might even last a lifetime! He is an awesome spirit; he’s very genuine and caring. When I met him it felt as if I was reacquainting with someone I’ve known for a very long time.
Thank you so much for sharing that part of your life. I followed along with you all as you ventured and even from my ringside seat it was great.