The older we get, the more we need the people we knew when we were young.
It’s 2:30 AM and we’ve just finished with the dishes from tonight’s dinner with friends. Lots of wine, picadas and pizza. Wow, it is so nice to be able to socialize with a few familiar faces. Sometimes, this adventurous lifestyle of moving around and conquering a whole new city can deprive one of the comforting, stable joy of good friends.
Throughout my travels, I’ve met a lot of people. Crazy, smart, fun individuals who bring their own spice to life. But as amazing as its been to run around and party with a bunch of strangers who have nothing to lose, there’s nothing more heart warming than catching up with people who’ve known you while sober. It is so nice to talk about politics, old travel stories, and memories of years past from the comforts of the kitchen table, instead a sticky kiosk from a smokey bar. Simple, down-to-earth shared time. It makes such a difference.
The last time we met with Greg and Ana was six months ago when I was here in November. Back then I was full of pent-up travel angst. I was itching to hit the road, to see Asia, to wander and jump on the backpacker band wagon. I wanted to be everywhere at once, happy to be in BA but even happier that it was for a limited amount of time. Wow, how things change after a little time and a lot of experience. Today, there is zero desire in me to run around marking countries off a long list of things to do.
I *love* the little home that we’ve built here with our small basil plant and fresh daisies. I love the routine of school, work and coffee dates with friends. I love the subtitled movies, cheesy Spanish pop radio and corner fruit stands. I love the stable, constant, tenderness of being with my love. It has been so good for the soul.
I wish I could kidnap all the important in my life and plant them all in BA. I don’t need many people. Just a few good friends, my parents, my brother, my dog. They’re enough. Actually, they’re more than enough; they’re everything.
These pockets of time catching up over coffee, sharing a meal, going for a walk, or sending an email that is real and open and intimate – all with friends who make a positive difference in my life – are such blessings. I need to make sure these connections happen more often. They’re the moments that matter most.
