Translocation

On Wednesday, April 28, I entered the following post on my iPhone:

To feel as if you are transported to another country. Unexpectedly. That's amazing. I have never been to Italy. I guess that was the beauty of my ignorance, perhaps. I had a doctor's appointment in Tribeca. (One of the things I have been doing is taking care of myself while not working). After the appointment, I was wandering around in the gusty, 43 degree weather (in April!?!?). It was freezing and the wind was whipping. It felt like November. I had my heart set on Mexican food, but I did not know the neighborhood well enough to know if there was a Mexican restaurant close by. I didn't see any in the immediate area. And I was too cold to stop and ask anyone walking by. At this point, I was ready to settle for anything.

I quickly scanned my surroundings and my eyes landed on a white board in front of a little cafe with large windows. I like windows. Lots of light inside. I also liked the white board so I did not have to stick my nose up to the window to read the menu while the diners on the immediate other side pretended to ignore me. It was Italian. Pasta is not may favorite food. But they had salads and soups. Soup sounded perfect.

I walked in. The young, friendly waiter had a thick, Italian accent. I was the only diner except for 2 women (in the window in which I wished I was sitting, but I was perfectly content were I wound up). There were probably about 5 other people in the restaurant, all of whom apparently worked there. They were all speaking Italian. The music playing was Italian. The tables were rustic wood and the tableware beautiful. The food was delicious -- clearly fresh herbs. Another diner walked in and he, too, spoke Italian. Again, I have never been to Italy. But I did not even need to close my eyes. I felt at that moment, I was in another country. The sounds, the smells, the scene. I felt translocated. Unreal. My own little mini-vacation before I even stepped foot out of the city.

I plan to travel during my time off. I am still deciding where to go. Likely Southeast Asia. I am finding, however, these fantastic experiences in my everyday life to be just as rich and wonderful as those I might find overseas. While traveling, I will no doubt have the opportunity to see different cultures, sights and sounds that do not exist here. Yet I cannot overlook what is right beneath my nose.