So I had an interesting encounter today on the way to class. I ride the east side IRT 6 local from Grand Central down to the East Village to teach graduate students at NYU. The 6 train was crowded, but not packed so there were a few seats available and as I made may way over to one of them a man, roughly my same age, crossed in front of me first and sat down. This forced me to squeeze myself in between him and a large person on the other side. Not that I need men to be giving up subway seats for me - I am actually really relieved when they don't because it makes me feel ancient. But this did seem rude even for New York.
Perhaps it was my audacity in having decided to squeeze in next to him anyway, but he then decides to talk to me though I'm clearly reading my newspaper. "Let me ask you," he says, "Have you ever been on one of those big cruises where you know you go for like a week or so?" Not exactly what I'm expecting, but he seems so earnest and I was getting off in three stops so I answered.
"No I haven't. I don't think that would be my choice."
"But do you know someone who has?" He persisted. It was clearly a dilemma for him.
I conceded that I had and that it seemed to have been enjoyed. I said I thought it was like a big hotel and that I knew someone who had seen Alaska this way; glaciers and wildlife and all. I offered the notion of a river cruise and he said, "Ah that's Viking. They are very expensive." It was clear he had done his homework. He continued to muse about Alaska and then said, "The lady at Carnival says not everyone likes it. You go to the Bahamas. They let you off and then call you back again several hours later." I commiserated the best I could. He said, "Sometimes you just need to get off of this island you know?" He was referring to Manhattan. I nodded. I did know. Sometimes we all need to get off our islands and see something else.
Today is Ash Wednesday the first day of lent. It occurred to me as I saw people streaming past at the subway escalator with great smudged crosses on their foreheads. As a lapsed Catholic I barely pay any attention to this practice, but I understand its importance. The value of cyclical rituals. Abstinence after a period of feast. Saving for times that are lean. Running away on a cruise or the open trail in order to return to our "islands" renewed and refreshed. Sacrifice in remembrance of Christ.
Though I've not much every practiced the sacrifices of Lent in past, I decided this year it could be a cleansing ritual. Lord knows there is much that could be cleansed. It's six weeks - a much easier challenge than this blog! So I've decided to give up being critical of my partner for six weeks. He knows this and has given up something of his own. A mutual pact. In relationships you need to work at renewal and this involves commitment. Intimacy is a delicate bond sorely missing in our digitally bound world and needs cultivating. My encounter with this stranger reminded me. I don't know if he will travel alone on his cruise, but for a few brief minutes today I had the privilege of sharing his doubts. I wish him bon voyage on his journey.
Perhaps it was my audacity in having decided to squeeze in next to him anyway, but he then decides to talk to me though I'm clearly reading my newspaper. "Let me ask you," he says, "Have you ever been on one of those big cruises where you know you go for like a week or so?" Not exactly what I'm expecting, but he seems so earnest and I was getting off in three stops so I answered.
"No I haven't. I don't think that would be my choice."
"But do you know someone who has?" He persisted. It was clearly a dilemma for him.
I conceded that I had and that it seemed to have been enjoyed. I said I thought it was like a big hotel and that I knew someone who had seen Alaska this way; glaciers and wildlife and all. I offered the notion of a river cruise and he said, "Ah that's Viking. They are very expensive." It was clear he had done his homework. He continued to muse about Alaska and then said, "The lady at Carnival says not everyone likes it. You go to the Bahamas. They let you off and then call you back again several hours later." I commiserated the best I could. He said, "Sometimes you just need to get off of this island you know?" He was referring to Manhattan. I nodded. I did know. Sometimes we all need to get off our islands and see something else.
Today is Ash Wednesday the first day of lent. It occurred to me as I saw people streaming past at the subway escalator with great smudged crosses on their foreheads. As a lapsed Catholic I barely pay any attention to this practice, but I understand its importance. The value of cyclical rituals. Abstinence after a period of feast. Saving for times that are lean. Running away on a cruise or the open trail in order to return to our "islands" renewed and refreshed. Sacrifice in remembrance of Christ.
Though I've not much every practiced the sacrifices of Lent in past, I decided this year it could be a cleansing ritual. Lord knows there is much that could be cleansed. It's six weeks - a much easier challenge than this blog! So I've decided to give up being critical of my partner for six weeks. He knows this and has given up something of his own. A mutual pact. In relationships you need to work at renewal and this involves commitment. Intimacy is a delicate bond sorely missing in our digitally bound world and needs cultivating. My encounter with this stranger reminded me. I don't know if he will travel alone on his cruise, but for a few brief minutes today I had the privilege of sharing his doubts. I wish him bon voyage on his journey.
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