I love travelling. Almost all of our travels are related to work (generally Einar's) or family, but if it gives me a chance to see something new and take some good pictures, I'm happy.
Yesterday something happened to dull that desire. It took me by surprise.
We met some new friends at a fundraising banquet. We were all there for one purpose (the organization doing the fundraising) and so it wasn't difficult to connect with at least 2 of the new couples at our table.
One of the men at our table may have been there for other reasons, though. Maybe his wife dragged him out. Or maybe he felt obligated to be there. Because he didn't really pay attention to any of the program. His cell-phone had his full attention after the meal was done.
Either way, he did hear Einar mention that he was from Norway. So he wondered how often we travelled there. Twice, is what Einar told him. Only twice? He'd be there all the time if he was from there. Why only twice? He didn't let it go even after I mentioned we had also travelled to a few other places. I should have just said we couldn't afford the trip more often. That would have been an honest reply. But he didn't look like he'd understand those words. So I mumbled something about not travelling all that much.
Well, he'd been to Europe (and he rattled off all the countries and the number of times he'd been to each of them) and Australia a few times - at least 4 or 5. All the while still focused on his phone as if he might miss something important if he looked up for a minute.
His matter-of-fact listing of his travels made me sad. It didn't sound like much fun.
I couldn't help but compare what I imagine our lives are like... they have the money to travel, I have a husband who pays attention to me and our activities. Hmmm... I think I'll count my blessings.
No comments:
Post a Comment