Till We Meet Again

The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained - Bilal Nasir Khan

Meeting new people on the road is by far the best aspect of travel in my opinion. The beauty in connecting with another human being from a completely different walk of life. The magic in being able to identify with someone of a similar mindset. There is just something remarkable about the transition from stranger to friend, as if you have found someone from your metaphorical tribe. Consequently, connections will feel more intense compared to a similar situation outside of traveling. Misconceptions of having known this person for decades are common when in actuality you have only just met a few days ago. The time you have together will seem infinite, but that is a facade. A result of being fully caught in the flow of the moment. There will come a point where you will eventually part ways. This separation will surprisingly be a lot harder than it would seem. Additionally, these goodbyes will come at a higher frequency than it would be back home due to the nomadic nature of traveling. This constant emotional push and pull may be too difficult for some people to a point where they may start to withdraw from approaching new people. A little bit more reserved when meeting someone; a little more emotionally distant. Some may be aware that their perception is slowly changing, while others will be completely unaware as if an insidious seed has been planted in their mind. There is no doubt that saying goodbye is painful, especially if there is a very real chance that you may never see this person again. But it’s worth the pain; worth the emotional anguish. Don’t let the perceived conclusion be the only obstacle that prevents you from opening up your heart and soul. Understandably, this concept is often difficult to delineate. Why go through repeated and purposeful emotional distress? It is all about what is possible. The possibility of creating a new friend, lover or significant other. The potential moments you get to experience with one another that you will get to cherish in the present and reminisce about in the future. The hope of, if fate allows, another crossing of paths on this journey called life. Pain inevitably fades. Memories last forever.