sitting on the dock of the bay

I wish I could explain it in words. Do you ever do that thing where you're listening to your ipod and you're surrounded by strangers and you're walking slow or standing still, so it seems, the world is just passing you by or is frozen. Again, my words may be failing me, but for a second, or a minute you're perfectly fine knowing you are found by everything that matters, but shadowed by bodies who know you no different than a blue pea coat and Sperry shoes. 

I still remember sneaking out of our hotel that night in Geneva and taking my walk to the docks. It was near sun down and I was a little anxious due to the vulnerable position I could easily find myself in, a single young lady in a country foreign to her natural language, but I reveled in the thought that I was alone, yet I didn't have the feeling of loneliness. It was exciting to sit on the closed cafe steps and watch the street walkers pass me by. They didn't know I was a Mormon college student on tour just for the week staring at their fancy scarves, listening to their fancy accents telling them I wanted to be alone, but wasn't lonely.

Most days I'm good with the current situation, but I think I'll forever have my dreams whisper the songs of the eastern lands to my soul.  No one can leave America without their heart decidedly bringing them back home, but sometimes - you just want to see what else is out there - touch it, breathe it, and love it.  Mr Smith and  I will travel someday. Until then, we just need a really good book list.