Wonderful Holly! The back and forth between the world and your thoughts is fantastic. And the way you grapple with your inner contradictions and how you can see them more clearly now with hindsight — it’s all so true to life and the complex nature of how everything unfolds for us. :)
Thank you, Michael! Oh, life; oh love. I have a friend who often says that--meaning the paradoxes inherent in both, which is to say, in everything. I think we're drawn to both complexity and simplicity. And maybe that duality is where much of the richness of life and art (and love) exists.
Riveting, Holly, though having recently read Mayra's story with the truck driver, I was holding my breath in hope you weren't running from that. But no. You were running toward the best part of humanity! One of my lessons right now is in recognizing the paradox of my own and others' lives. We stand for one thing and contradict it before we've even stepped off the soap box. I'm trying to figure out how to stand up for what I believe to be my beliefs while still allowing for someone else's to be true. Thanks for giving me more ways to think about that.
Oh, that story. I know versions of it well. And I have run from that. But no, this time, a much much better running toward. And gawd, did Marya tell that story well or what?!
I soooo resonate with this paradox. I love how you word that, too, "what I believe to be my beliefs." We're all so dug in these days. Or at least that's my experience. I know that rigidity is never my goal. And yet ... I know people are getting information from vastly different silos. And yet ... I know contradictions are baked in everywhere. And yet ...
Thank you so much for reading and commenting and sharing. It means a lot.
You do have a feel for fresh phrases: I fly aboard atop the joy of my good fortune. Nice. It is a pleasure to read what a real writer has put together.
This one is so relevant to my current life. I find most bus drivers to be very nice. After traveling by bus in Ecuador for a few months now, it doesn't surprise me that he was standing there with your bag.
A lot about taking buses in Ecuador is relying on the kindness of strangers - because the whole bus system seems to rely on word-of-mouth.
Yes, weightlessness - when you realize you are way too light and you are missing everything.
That’s true! You have such a close perspective of this particular moment just about now. The whole word-of-mouth thing is so true. You just have to keep asking questions or looking for very small signage or otherwise deciphering the system that gets clearer only by consistent use.
Happy exploring in Cuenca! Thank you for reading and commenting. ♥️
Thanks, Troy! I honestly thought at the time the pack was likely gone. I have no real knowledge of how long it was. But it felt like that driver waited an inordinately long time for my return. Running back to try to find the platform was surreal. I kept thinking, I can't believe this is happening.
I was right there with you, Holly—and I have been there. That weightlessness is a familiar feeling! This was beautifully written, and such a great reminder that there is kindness all around us.
Thank you, Kaitlyn! I’ve very much enjoyed thinking back to all the many times kindness has been a part of my life and travels since starting this collection. And I love hearing from others about the kindnesses they’ve known.
"Was it here we passed glimmers of ribbons tied to thin posts marking terraced lines, passed the thatched-roof wooden homes of those who farmed these steep slopes, passed laundry stirring on lines, brightly colored ghosts? By the time dusk had cloaked the land and my uncertainty in silvery softness, sleep had sidled up." Utterly gorgeous writing, Holly. And this too be back to the probably even slower days of travel in the 1980s in Ecuador. Buses or trains seemed to take forever. But the journey was the thing...
Aw, Jeffrey. Thank you. I so dearly appreciate your reading and reflecting. And I love that we share Ecuador. I can only imagine how slow the pace of travel by bus and train must have been in the '80s. But you're absolutely right. It was/is the travel, the movement itself. I love a good bus or train ride for that exact reason. It's life, moving, just as we all are always.
Weightlessness. Wonderful imagery, Holly. Weightlessness makes me think of 'feeling free, unbound' and then the overwhelming certainty that we aren't, maybe ever, weightless.
So true. Even in this moment where the weightlessness was not desirable, I remember feeling so light and free as I hurried to buy the ticket and not realizing why— until I did.
And I think you’re right. I don’t suppose we’re ever quite weightless, are we?
Thanks so much, Leslie, for reading and commenting.
The kindness of strangers, the inner contradictions we see so much more clearly on hindsight - I loved listening to this Holly, I could feel the urgency, the sense of panic! You read your posts so beautifully, thank you 🙏🏼x
A beautiful story! So often I think of "making a difference" as grand gestures and dramatic moments, but this is a reminder of how these small acts of kindness live on.
Your story made me wonder: Do you think the 'round square' of constantly changing plans and following your heart is ultimately about learning to accept and integrate all the different parts of yourself, even the ones that seem contradictory?
Hmmm. Yeah, I do think that. And maybe that integration looks like simple acceptance. Just as nuance and paradox and yes/and are integral and often beautiful parts of life, so too are they integral parts of ourselves--or myself; I should speak for me.
Thank you, Alexander, for reading and for your always thoughtful reflections.
“Es mio!” Ahh, what relief!!! I could feel your young self colliding with your adult self throughout this piece, the innocence and the 20/20 hindsight clarity both offered space to coexist. Just beautiful.
Thank you, my friend! Oh my stars, the relief upon spotting that bag. I was truly fairly certain I was in for a long few days of searching and, perhaps, never finding that pack. And I was at the beginning of a trek I planned to continue for at least the next month and a half.
Aw hindsight, she's a gloriously brilliant companion, eh. ;)
Thank you, Kimberly. I'm always so grateful for the kindness and clarity of your take.
Oh, the kindness of strangers! Holly, that's a great one. Makes ya feel there's hope in this old world. I find in Central and South America a true respect for humanity. People really seem to feel each other in these southern climes. Good post--my heart was in my throat praying your pack was still there!
Thank you, Jeanine. I so appreciate you being there with me.
I have loved connecting with people in my South American travels. I've only been to Mexico a couple of times for very short jaunts. And Central America is among the many places I dearly hope to pass time in soon. I had planned to explore the coast of Baja this winter. That's been thrown off a bit by the health stuff. But I'm itching to get back to it!
Oh, that rush of panic at the weightlessness, the absence of the familiar burden. I was sprinting through the station with you. 💜
Thanks, Sherry! 💕
Wonderful Holly! The back and forth between the world and your thoughts is fantastic. And the way you grapple with your inner contradictions and how you can see them more clearly now with hindsight — it’s all so true to life and the complex nature of how everything unfolds for us. :)
Thank you, Michael! Oh, life; oh love. I have a friend who often says that--meaning the paradoxes inherent in both, which is to say, in everything. I think we're drawn to both complexity and simplicity. And maybe that duality is where much of the richness of life and art (and love) exists.
I couldn’t agree more! :)
Riveting, Holly, though having recently read Mayra's story with the truck driver, I was holding my breath in hope you weren't running from that. But no. You were running toward the best part of humanity! One of my lessons right now is in recognizing the paradox of my own and others' lives. We stand for one thing and contradict it before we've even stepped off the soap box. I'm trying to figure out how to stand up for what I believe to be my beliefs while still allowing for someone else's to be true. Thanks for giving me more ways to think about that.
Oh, that story. I know versions of it well. And I have run from that. But no, this time, a much much better running toward. And gawd, did Marya tell that story well or what?!
I soooo resonate with this paradox. I love how you word that, too, "what I believe to be my beliefs." We're all so dug in these days. Or at least that's my experience. I know that rigidity is never my goal. And yet ... I know people are getting information from vastly different silos. And yet ... I know contradictions are baked in everywhere. And yet ...
Thank you so much for reading and commenting and sharing. It means a lot.
Always a pleasure.
Mmmm...I love this. Thanks so much. The exchange of kindness between strangers always renews my hope.
Thank you, Mary. And right?! It is lovely to remind ourselves that this does happen all the time. People are there in each others' times of need.
You do have a feel for fresh phrases: I fly aboard atop the joy of my good fortune. Nice. It is a pleasure to read what a real writer has put together.
Gah! Thank you, Diane. :)
This one is so relevant to my current life. I find most bus drivers to be very nice. After traveling by bus in Ecuador for a few months now, it doesn't surprise me that he was standing there with your bag.
A lot about taking buses in Ecuador is relying on the kindness of strangers - because the whole bus system seems to rely on word-of-mouth.
Yes, weightlessness - when you realize you are way too light and you are missing everything.
That’s true! You have such a close perspective of this particular moment just about now. The whole word-of-mouth thing is so true. You just have to keep asking questions or looking for very small signage or otherwise deciphering the system that gets clearer only by consistent use.
Happy exploring in Cuenca! Thank you for reading and commenting. ♥️
My heart was literally pounding imagining you had lost your pack! Holy cow! Great save, and great story. :)
Thanks, Troy! I honestly thought at the time the pack was likely gone. I have no real knowledge of how long it was. But it felt like that driver waited an inordinately long time for my return. Running back to try to find the platform was surreal. I kept thinking, I can't believe this is happening.
I was right there with you, Holly—and I have been there. That weightlessness is a familiar feeling! This was beautifully written, and such a great reminder that there is kindness all around us.
Thank you, Kaitlyn! I’ve very much enjoyed thinking back to all the many times kindness has been a part of my life and travels since starting this collection. And I love hearing from others about the kindnesses they’ve known.
I much appreciate you reading and commenting. ♥️
"Was it here we passed glimmers of ribbons tied to thin posts marking terraced lines, passed the thatched-roof wooden homes of those who farmed these steep slopes, passed laundry stirring on lines, brightly colored ghosts? By the time dusk had cloaked the land and my uncertainty in silvery softness, sleep had sidled up." Utterly gorgeous writing, Holly. And this too be back to the probably even slower days of travel in the 1980s in Ecuador. Buses or trains seemed to take forever. But the journey was the thing...
Aw, Jeffrey. Thank you. I so dearly appreciate your reading and reflecting. And I love that we share Ecuador. I can only imagine how slow the pace of travel by bus and train must have been in the '80s. But you're absolutely right. It was/is the travel, the movement itself. I love a good bus or train ride for that exact reason. It's life, moving, just as we all are always.
Weightlessness. Wonderful imagery, Holly. Weightlessness makes me think of 'feeling free, unbound' and then the overwhelming certainty that we aren't, maybe ever, weightless.
So true. Even in this moment where the weightlessness was not desirable, I remember feeling so light and free as I hurried to buy the ticket and not realizing why— until I did.
And I think you’re right. I don’t suppose we’re ever quite weightless, are we?
Thanks so much, Leslie, for reading and commenting.
The kindness of strangers, the inner contradictions we see so much more clearly on hindsight - I loved listening to this Holly, I could feel the urgency, the sense of panic! You read your posts so beautifully, thank you 🙏🏼x
Oh, hindsight. What a companion she is.
Thank you, Susie. I do very much love doing the recordings so I’m glad to hear when they work for people.
Your listening and commenting means a great deal. I appreciate you.
A beautiful story! So often I think of "making a difference" as grand gestures and dramatic moments, but this is a reminder of how these small acts of kindness live on.
Right. It helps me remember how easily I can be the good side character (rather than the shitty one) in someone else’s story.
Thanks for reading, Katharine. 😍
Your story made me wonder: Do you think the 'round square' of constantly changing plans and following your heart is ultimately about learning to accept and integrate all the different parts of yourself, even the ones that seem contradictory?
Hmmm. Yeah, I do think that. And maybe that integration looks like simple acceptance. Just as nuance and paradox and yes/and are integral and often beautiful parts of life, so too are they integral parts of ourselves--or myself; I should speak for me.
Thank you, Alexander, for reading and for your always thoughtful reflections.
Thanks for sharing. I really like that perspective! And of course - thank you for thoughtful writing :)
“Es mio!” Ahh, what relief!!! I could feel your young self colliding with your adult self throughout this piece, the innocence and the 20/20 hindsight clarity both offered space to coexist. Just beautiful.
Thank you, my friend! Oh my stars, the relief upon spotting that bag. I was truly fairly certain I was in for a long few days of searching and, perhaps, never finding that pack. And I was at the beginning of a trek I planned to continue for at least the next month and a half.
Aw hindsight, she's a gloriously brilliant companion, eh. ;)
Thank you, Kimberly. I'm always so grateful for the kindness and clarity of your take.
Oh, the kindness of strangers! Holly, that's a great one. Makes ya feel there's hope in this old world. I find in Central and South America a true respect for humanity. People really seem to feel each other in these southern climes. Good post--my heart was in my throat praying your pack was still there!
Thank you, Jeanine. I so appreciate you being there with me.
I have loved connecting with people in my South American travels. I've only been to Mexico a couple of times for very short jaunts. And Central America is among the many places I dearly hope to pass time in soon. I had planned to explore the coast of Baja this winter. That's been thrown off a bit by the health stuff. But I'm itching to get back to it!