Sightseeing
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Captain Imperfecto, Washington, DC
January 13, 2015
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
How many times do we take the time to observe people on our vacation? There were so many faces around me during my 6-state cold-weather vacation, about 1,000 miles away from my home, back in Florida. When I write that, I think, “Damn, it’s nice to get away from the constant, warm sunny Florida days to visit the cold in late December.” And it’s true.
On this trip, I interacted with so many people daily that I wondered if I would ever reencounter them. They were alive and well before I met them, and I’m assuming they are alive and well today. However, they are so far away, and I don’t even know their names, so they might as well be long gone.
The list goes on and on of all the people I encountered on this Thelma and Louise ordeal, of people behind the scenes that didn’t involve isolated witnessing a spectacular monument or breathtaking scenery.
The interactions with people began before the plane took off. It started off badly when I spoke with the friendly USAirways ticket agent. Even though I smiled and thanked her for her hard work, she unknowingly moved my pre-paid, row 4 window seat, to the last row, middle seat. Yup, a 6-foot-2-inch, 230-pound man moved to the worst seat of the plane. Guess I shouldn’t have told her I was a police officer.
The passengers and crew were short on the plane, and it seemed they were annoyed with everyone who breathed. Although I sat next to a nice newspaper journalist, who made the flight go by fast.
I moved leisurely through the airport terminals as I saw pissed-off parents, in-a-rush businessmen, and women who couldn't care less that I was on holiday. But I was in no rush. Life is short. So, move slower?
My short 10-dollar taxicab talk with the driver, who had no choice but to listen, was the best captive audience, as they took me from destination to destination. I even tried to interact with hotel guests, who ignored me in the elevator as I traveled back and forth to my room on the eleventh floor. I went out of my way to make eye contact with people on the street when I left my downtown hotel behind and hiked around the city. I even looked inside cars as they passed my rental car on my road trip, an adventure along the highways. Life was in a whole new commute.
I did have incredible journeys and met some wonderful people along my adventures. In one area, those happy faces were attached to droves of people walking around, talking, and living in Philadelphia. It shocked me because Philadelphia Eagles fans scare me. So, of course, I didn’t know what to expect from the “normal people.” Once at a Miami Dolphins game in Miami, they pretty much scared the shit out of me. A little crazier than the New York Jets fans.
In my deep thoughts of all the fun I was having enjoying an original cheese steak from Pats, I never knew these people I was encountering existed until I showed up in the Keystone State, wanting their happiness, when I realized I would never see them again. Of course, I will always have a reminder of the people who happen to walk by my camera phone as I snap countless photos.
People-watching can be entertaining.
Look, there’s a mom and dad. Dad is so disinterested in what is going on around him. He is even less interested in what his wife does; she does her best to ensure the kids are comfortable. I noticed her husband gazing off into the distance as she did this. His eyes captured the 3 young high school girls giggling after each selfie they took. I can only imagine, though his constant staring, that he remembered a time, maybe around 1992, just guessing his age, that he would be free to talk to them.
“Eyes front,” his wife said as she tucked the blanket around her son’s legs. She was keeping him warm on this chilly night.
Kids were running around the Philadelphia Penn’s Landing Waterfront Winterfest. Those kids were having so much fun, and their laughter reminded me of my kids, Nico and Christopher, who were back home in Florida. I longed to share this moment with them. I wanted their embrace. The boys and girls ran around the decorated Christmas trees and bales of hay. Their youth and excitement made them oblivious to some sad faces that stood out among the sea of smiles.
Their path led my eyes to two men.
The guys were sitting on strategically placed rocking chairs by the architects of this temporary Christmas village. Their seats were resting just outside the awning structure. A structure was covered with clear isinglass so the cold weather would be held while it was warm inside. Inside this structure, there were plenty of faux fireplaces and comfortable seating. While transfixed on these men, I could tell that one of them wasn’t happy just by seeing the scowl on his face. The other man looked at his phone, feverishly scrolling with his right thumb.
Were they bothered? Lovers? I did not know. But I knew they were upset with one another. I decided they were lovers as their universal sign for ignoring each other gave away their relationship. We, as people, are genuinely the same, no matter what the sex the relationships are.
This place was amazing. It was in an open space alongside the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, just outside Downtown Philly. During the Christmas holidays, the area along the water is transformed to gather people with much to do. Ice skating, open drinking, an indoor lodge, fire pits for S’mores, Christmas lights, and music drew us all in to celebrate the cold weather and fun times.
I rested my body on hay bales set up to be used as couches. I covered my body with a wool blanket, ignoring that these were public blankets. It was a beautiful, cool, crisp night. The music played the latest pop songs while the ice skaters jammed to their favorite tunes. Every 15 minutes, the outdoor lights would dim. Then, the Christmas lights would take over and dance in synch with the Christmas music playing on the overhead speakers.
These wonderful people of Philadelphia were in my life for only a few hours. Still, I will remember them for a lifetime. I only traveled 1,127 miles to meet them. But it only took 1,127 minutes to never forget them off to my next adventure.
© Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
1,099 words
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