Old Faces, New Places
Once someone leaves their comfort zone and
immerses themselves in an environment contrary to their own – that sensation of
complete freedom and detachment is never to be forgotten. When we truly travel
we abandon familiarity, security, and comfort and expose ourselves to a novel
place where our excitement, curiosity, and intuition guide us.
It was a long, cold, and wet winter in Florence
that kept most of us indoors or bundled up for brisk walks to the
cafes. As the end of March came around,
I was eager for a little getaway. Yet, this was a different kind of
restlessness. The laziness of a long winter deterred me from taking a trip
completely on my own to a country where I knew no one. I wanted the best of
both worlds – comfort of friends and new countries to explore.
So with the help of my best alliance, Ryan Air,
I booked two trips. I would spend Easter in Guernsey Island and then a weekend
in April in London. After purchasing my tickets, I instantly felt relieved – I
satiated the travel bug.
I willingly went backwards in the seasons. It
was 17 degrees in Florence around Easter and I walked off the plane into a
sharp 5 degrees with wicked winds on Guernsey Island. However, as I’ve grown up
I have learned that it’s the company you surround yourself with that matters
most.
I spent four days on the Island with Marci, one
of the dear friends I made in Croatia. He recently moved his life to this quiet
place to work as a fencing coach so we were able to explore the Island together.
We visited the old fortress, military museums, and an aquarium. We walked along
the cliffs, rented a motorino to cruise the island, and dined and drank in
local spots.
On my way back to the airport the taxi driver
told me of the local saying, “Guernsey born, and Guernsey bred; Strong in the
arm, thick in the head.” I laughed because of how perfect that little rhyme is
for the Island. There is a sense of pride among the locals that is easily
picked up on. Also, they pay no mind to the harsh climate. Locals surf in the
winter sea, exercise in shorts and tank tops, and their going out attire is a
t-shirt. Amazingly, 5 degrees with whipping wind is no battle for them.
It was lovely to be back by the sea and explore
the sights of a new place; yet it was even better to see a good friend. We
enjoyed long, lazy meals filled with our usual never ending conversation. We
took comfort in the ease of being in each other’s company.
There are friendships during our life that need
constant tending to and there are ones where distance has no effect. Neither is
better or stronger than the other – it is simply the way two souls must maintain
their connection. So when we find ourselves across the state, the country or
the world from our friends, we learn which type of friendship it will be. I
believe the period of when the relationship is born marks the course of its
path. Whether the friendship began during a chaotic time of your life, a
peaceful one, a dark and troubled one, or a period of transformation– the
energy of that creation will be reflected in the bond between you.
The friendships I have now that have survived
several moves, personal challenges, and time have flourished into lifelong
bonds. The connections I have created during my travels, where my soul and
heart have been fulfilled, are honest and solid. So when life finds a way to
reunite friends, or when a long overdue phone call or email is made, that
relationship has not altered – we are able to pick things back up where we left
off.
These types of friendships have brought me to
Ireland and San Marino. They bring comfort of home through e-mails and Skype
calls. And they continued my Beginning-of-Spring-Getaway from Guernsey to
London.
A couple weeks and short plane ride later, I was
arriving at our hostel in Russel Square at 3:30am with the other half of the
dream-team – Clare. We attempted to
devise a big Camp reunion in London; however life responsibilities and prior commitments
swatted the plan away. Nevertheless, Clare and I still wanted to meet and catch
up properly – Viber phone calls can only go so far – and since we both have
never truly visited London, the decision was made. Luckily Nicole, another dear
friend from our time in Croatia, came to share the weekend and a summer Pim’s
with us.
It felt familiar and refreshing to be in a city
again. Yet even amidst the energetic chaos of London we found plenty of time to
catch each other up on our lives with the typical topics: work, future plans, family,
friends, and men – the latter taking up most of the conversation.
It’s funny how people you meet and know for just
a few months can understand you better than others who you spent four years of
high school or university with. The conversation never falters and the advice
is never belittling. I know there is a reason fate had our paths cross
thousands of miles away from our homes in a little village in Croatia. I know there
is a reason fate has introduced me to my friends here in Italy. We are all
meant to share each other’s experiences, learn from one another, and grow. We are all on our own personal journeys and
when we are able to build these connections along the way, we share parts of
our souls with another that are carried on within them.
So as I continue my journey and tell my tale, I
am forever grateful for the people I have met and the light and love they have
given me. In my upcoming travels I know that I will return to places close to
my heart and explore new ones completely on my own – but sometimes we’re lucky
enough to do the best kind of traveling - when we see old faces and new places.
Comments
Post a Comment