On Wisdom

We met on the train, at 6am, February 15, 2007. It was about to be a four-hour ride to the bus stop at Aguas Calientes, where we would then head toward Machu Picchu. Somehow I had boarded a car full of non-English speaking tourists - not that I mind that part, but thought since I most likely don't speak their language, I'd be stuck "signing" my conversations away and at that time in the morning it seemed too tiring. So I was relieved to meet them since they were from the US and thus speak my language. And they were fun!

We talked almost all four hours. I learned a lot from them. I thought I'd write them down before I forget:

- They have been married almost 50 years and been to 41 countries together. So they are probably in their 70s.

- They are from Alaska. Although originally, Nancy is from the South and Bob from the mid-West. Most people who currently live in Alaska were not born there; they moved to seek a better life. Hence, Alaskans also travel a lot. It's the adventurous spirit they all share. At which point images of Northern Exposure entered my head...

- Also, whenever they travel, they stay at hostels. Bob said hostels are more fun, they are more conducive to conversations and meetings. Plus, he likes talking to young people. He said he'd scan the room, find the person looking the most lonesome - or at least sitting alone, and make him/her talk to him.

- "The secret to happiness," says Bob in his most fatherly voice, "is to welcome change." He told me this after a story about their stay in Mexico (at a hostel, of course). They had to forego a normal sleeping pattern because of the night-time habits of the community who, apparently, partied a lot. So they went to bed straight after dinner, woke up at midnight, then took their lounge chairs out to the street to join the revelers, until 3 or 4am or whenever the crowd decided it was over, then went to sleep again.

- They love to read books together as a couple. Besides the sheer enjoyment of sharing, they said it gives them an avenue to discuss their views with each other. As they talk about a particular character or conflict or plot, they in advertently reveal themselves: what they appreciate, how they cope, how they make sense of things.

- And then - a seriously wonderful sense of humor:
me: So, where to next for you guys?
N: I want to go to Antarctica.
me: Really? Why? (You're from Alaska!)
N: (Shrugs). I think it will be fascinating. But Bob doesn't want to go.
B: (shaking his head)
N: He wants to go somewhere warm. So he can see women in bikinis.
B: (nodding his head, winking)
B: (to N) I told you, you can go on your widow trip. You know, when I'm dead.
N: (to me) Yeah, I'm gonna take his ashes with me and then spread it in Antarctica!

Way to go, guys.