A long road trip gives me plenty of time for such deep thoughts ;) A man, a car, the road, and his solitude. This hermit loves it!
Only a few weeks ago, my blog-debate-partner went on his own road trip in the old country. He wrote about crossing the mighty Brahmaputra river. The logistics involved in that experience on the other side of the world easily demonstrates the immense material affluence here.
After paying a five-dollar toll for the privilege of using one of my favorite bridges, I exited on the other side to contemplate.
The road trip confirmed, yet again, that this is a phenomenally rich country; a land paved with the metaphorical gold. Perhaps it is because I am an immigrant here that I appreciate this much more than the typical native-born American does?
I stood for a while looking at the San Rafael Bridge and thinking about life. I thought about the affluence that came via a huge human toll that was paid for by Native Americans, African-Americans, Chinese-Americans, and more. I thought about the ease of my daily life now that was made possible by the pioneers of generations past. I owe them all. I owe them big time.
Later, at the motel, when I stepped out to get some fresh salty air, I struck up a conversation with an older gentleman with a well weathered appearance. "My wife and I are on a road trip from Tennessee" he said with a drawl and an accent that I thought had disappeared from this country. I struggled to get some of his words. "I've already seen people my age die or not able to move around, and I wanted to get a look of this country while I can" he added.
We talked some more about the places he has seen and I have been to. "There is one part of the country I don't care for" I told him. I know a honest man when I see one, and I knew I could talk frankly with him. "The desert of Nevada."
He agreed. "I don't get Arizona and New Mexico either" he said.
"I too don't care for that high desert."
But, I am glad that even that land is my land.
3 comments:
There is much to say for a road trip, especially a solo one.
Your country is indeed blessed and rich. And very special at that because it did not become rich because of a bounty like oil or history. It became rich because the people made it so. And yes, a feeling of awe and thanks to those who paved the road for us to lightly tread on is very appropriate.
What is your quarrel with Nevada ?? Human effort also created the kitsch on Las Vegas. Even if you don't like that sort of a thing, you cannot but appreciate cresting something like that virtually in the middle of nowhere. And spend a weekend in the Sin City. You may find Eugene a tad boring after that :):)
Could you kindly suggest a remedy for spelling goofs that happen all the time , especially since I do not have the patience to proof read my "wise" comment and since the "Publish your comment" button creates an irresistible urge to be clicked
I have been to Vegas one too many times ... it is one of a kind, yes.
I use Vegas as an example when discussing economic geography. For that matter, Phoenix in Arizona too.
Tell you what; Eugene is far from boring ;)
Why worry about the spelling issues. It is not like the whole world might get to read what you have written ... oh, wait, the whole world can ... hehehe ... I know what you mean--I wish Blogger had a feature where posters would be allowed to edit their own comments. But then I can't complain much about a free thing ;)
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