Along the Way
When people say that everyone should have a customer service job to know what’s it’s like to have to deal with people, they are right. It makes you so much more aware of yourself and how you come off to people. From your tone of voice to even trivial things such as word choice. It instills sympathy and compassion in you. As someone who worked in the customer service, hospitality, tourism and entertainment industry, I can tell you that people can be a lot to handle at times.
The bright side is that I meet people from all over the world; people who even with a small conversation inspire you to change your life completely. That’s exactly what happened to me. One of the guests who I was attending to at work was telling me her stories about solo traveling all around the US and how great it has been for her thus far. She told me that she wished she had started sooner and that everyone should travel in their lifetime. It was truly a ‘say no more’ moment because that’s what I intended on doing just not in the US. I was tired of work being my only means to meet people from other countries. I wanted to go there myself; go to them for a change. So I woke up one morning and bought a ticket to Copenhagen. No plan, no accommodation, no notice. All I knew was that I was finally going to go somewhere and that’s all I wanted.
Two months is all I had to prepare for the journey. At first I thought two months was more than enough time, but two months passed and I was nowhere close to ready. So I ended up missing my flight, but the worst part was watching the plane leave right as I approached the gate. Teary eyed, and dismayed I began my walk of shame to the airport exit. As sad as I was, I knew I couldn’t let this be it. The next day I found myself on a direct flight to London. Smiling ear to ear as the plane landed, still with no clue where I was going or what I was going to do.
None of that mattered to me and I’m glad I didn’t plan anything because the events that unfolded from that day on would not have happened had I planned. The unknown is a beautiful sentiment, something I now cherish more. Similar to being alone, as it opens up space for someone or something to come.
I’ve learned and experienced so many things that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to had I not taken such a necessary leap. From cultural exchanges and making lifelong friendships to attending university in Italy, I’ve been on a road that I didn’t think was accessible. One I definitely didn’t think would lead me to a beach in Noordwijk, Netherlands counting all the blue jellyfish that washed ashore. Or attending the BFI London film festival where I listened to the screenwriter and actor of my favorite film talk about the creative process behind it. Despite the many things I am grateful for doing, there are many more that I want to do.
There’s so much more to see, feel, and know. There’s so much I don’t know yet. But, the most important lesson that I’ve learned is to embrace the good and bad along the way. To not let one hiccup hold you back because if you want something bad enough, the how, what, and why don’t matter.
– Kortni Meri
