The Mundane Brings Memories
While we have been home for nine months now, I feel at times we are still adjusting. We are both back to all those activities we enjoy, like Jiu Jitsu and yoga (guess which wanderer likes each of those),and have returned to a life we lived before the trip.
But sometimes, all it takes is a little glimpse of a photo from the Galapagos, a charm from India, or a scarf from Egypt to take you back in time.
And even more mundane than that, is my moisturizer.
Today I had a travel moment that took me back to the Middle East. You see, my Oil of Olay was bought in Dubai. And the package is written in Arabic. And today I ran out.
This is a simple purchase while I am in the grocery store. In the Middle East, it took me a few trips to find something I recognized as moisturizer. And when I saw that shiny Oil of Olay label, I knew I found a familiar friend.
And now its empty.
Why did this strike me so much? I think it was an everyday reminder that I went, I did that trip. I was there. A reminder as I get ready for work, ready to go out, ready to live my life as it is now, so different than it was.
So with a sigh, I picked up a new bottle of Oil of Olay at the grocery store today.
And promptly emptied it into my Arabic bottle.
Warren Talbot said:
Thank you for brining a smile to my face and sharing more of your “life after the trip”. From the story it is clear the experience continues to shape your perspective and I am enjoying everything you share. And thank you again for the healthy dose of perspective. We all need more of that in our lives.
Warren
Nina said:
I had to buy a bra in Dublin and I feel the same way. I feel like when I wear it I will be reminded of my short time there and I will smile.
Traveling is a great escape and the memories are little escapes from the everyday.
Masculino said:
Your longing to be far away also brought a smile to my face this morning. Luv the punchline. Sounds like you have a bad case of “far-sickness” aka “wanderlust” – the romantic desire to travel and explore.
Lise said:
Oh this was a wonderful post. I have so many things I’ve collected on the ways that remind me of ‘back there’. Nice touch with the arabic on the Olay bottle though that’s a real reminder seeing that everytime you put it on and bang you’re back there, love that.
I remember only a few months ago looking at an old travel diary and looking at a packet of crisps that I bought in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and it had arabic writing on the packet and when I looked at that I was back at the bar with drink in hand and eating those very crisps as if it were right then, but it was 27 years ago!
Greg said:
Maybe you don’t EVER need to get rid of the bottle…