My sister tagged me a while ago and I, naturally, never did anything about it. I was supposed to list six weird but unknown things about me, which naturally I never did- there really isn't any need for me to add to the reasons for people to think that I am a basket case. So I decided to tweak it a bit and list six of the things that stand out in my memories about a fake camping trip that I was just shanghaied on.
1. I experienced an extraordinarily unexpected moment of peace while crossing a mile high suspension bridge between two mountains. The bridge was made of metal and it was a windy day so there was considerable swaying involved. The wind, as it blew down the bridge, created these unbelievably soothing sounds which created an almost choral effect. Feeling safe and warm and at peace while I was walking down a narrow strip of metal bars that hung suspended on wires between two mountains, while there was a near-gale blowing and there were people milling about, was such a contradiction in terms that that time-space moment will always be unforgettable.
2. The odd homogeneity of insect life that I saw on the trip. I kept seeing the same species of spider wherever I went. I was convinced that it was following me around but then I saw two at the same time, so now I know that there were two that were stalking me in shifts apparently.
3. The dispelling of my notion of what a nature photographer does. In my mind, this species of photographers trek through the wilderness in waistcoats with too many pockets and take pictures of bark and such like. But not so any more. Apparently one can be a nature photographer from the comfort of one's car and the "nature" that one sees at the designated stop points along the highway are enough grist for their mill.
4. The sweet-turned-creepy old guy who offered to whisk me away to the beach in his private jet but abruptly stopped talking to me when I said that I didn't speak Malayalam. Yeah, I don't know.
5. The complete lack of curiosity or interest or individuality in the people that I went with. It really never fails to amaze me that there are adults who follow like drones what other people tell them. There is not, evidently, even the littlest shred of critical thought that pops into apparently rational human beings. And what is worse, the mere mention of a contrary opinion is considered disloyal. Who lives like this?
6. The insensitivity to other people's opinions, wants, comforts and to a certain extent, existence. I had always considered myself, and was frequently reminded that, I was too self centered and dismissive of what other people thought. I have found however, that there are people who are infinitely more self involved than me.
That was it. My first tag. Althuogh can this actually be a tag since I haven't tagged a bunch of people as well?
1. I experienced an extraordinarily unexpected moment of peace while crossing a mile high suspension bridge between two mountains. The bridge was made of metal and it was a windy day so there was considerable swaying involved. The wind, as it blew down the bridge, created these unbelievably soothing sounds which created an almost choral effect. Feeling safe and warm and at peace while I was walking down a narrow strip of metal bars that hung suspended on wires between two mountains, while there was a near-gale blowing and there were people milling about, was such a contradiction in terms that that time-space moment will always be unforgettable.
2. The odd homogeneity of insect life that I saw on the trip. I kept seeing the same species of spider wherever I went. I was convinced that it was following me around but then I saw two at the same time, so now I know that there were two that were stalking me in shifts apparently.
3. The dispelling of my notion of what a nature photographer does. In my mind, this species of photographers trek through the wilderness in waistcoats with too many pockets and take pictures of bark and such like. But not so any more. Apparently one can be a nature photographer from the comfort of one's car and the "nature" that one sees at the designated stop points along the highway are enough grist for their mill.
4. The sweet-turned-creepy old guy who offered to whisk me away to the beach in his private jet but abruptly stopped talking to me when I said that I didn't speak Malayalam. Yeah, I don't know.
5. The complete lack of curiosity or interest or individuality in the people that I went with. It really never fails to amaze me that there are adults who follow like drones what other people tell them. There is not, evidently, even the littlest shred of critical thought that pops into apparently rational human beings. And what is worse, the mere mention of a contrary opinion is considered disloyal. Who lives like this?
6. The insensitivity to other people's opinions, wants, comforts and to a certain extent, existence. I had always considered myself, and was frequently reminded that, I was too self centered and dismissive of what other people thought. I have found however, that there are people who are infinitely more self involved than me.
That was it. My first tag. Althuogh can this actually be a tag since I haven't tagged a bunch of people as well?
3 comments:
That was a great description of "the trip"! I feel quite at a loss that I am not able to think of even six different moments that I experienced!
Hmmmmm. interesting, and appropriate , I guess. Thankfully another trip , not strictly a camping trip, was able to dispel the gloomy thoughts that this was the only way it could have been :-)))
Hmm... tagging - looks like a wonderful idea. y didn't i think of that.
about the nature photographers tho, i beg to differ(if not disloyal). the professionals -- from what i know, they do risk a lot.. go in great length to find things appealing to _them_.
tho i agree, sometime for regular work or deadline, they may visit an ordinary beaten track; but still make it look extraordinary. if so, then the credit is due their very keen perception.
or u perhaps meant something else by 'nature photographer'. on the fake trip :) .... with drones as ur company, huh.
hmm.. this is a risk u take, not going with ur _own_ friends, isn't it? well... i am assuming this from ur tone.
But then doing so may be worth it. see on the other hand, the unknowns might have turned out to be too curious, fast and furious... with critical creativity... and we might have enjoyed a supercool travalog of the Antarcticas... or possibly even some hero_saved_others_but_.. tribute/story in ur blog or others...
u seems like.. very astute observer, one of those with super-antenna who knows the deal with a person after a short meeting. i for 1 find myself confused, or too afraid to make a wrong judgment. sometime so i suffer for my such indecisions.
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