at the long table filled with strangers
who transformed into friends
thirty days of adventure through China
the end coming near
attempting to swallow that hour-old fried egg
travellers milling around the buffet room
sharing experiences
making plans
offering suggestions
crunching that cold crusty bread
taking it all in.
One more day
twenty-four short hours
ticking away
too quickly
washing it all down with the far too sweet orange juice
tuning into the conversations surrounding me
focusing on the elderly Alaskan man
having travelled to hundreds of countries
offering advice to our group of new-found travellers
stopping
pausing
pointing
at me
me, taking my last bite of juicy pineapple
looking around
confirming his intention
me, he is talking to me
“You need to travel now. Not later, now!”
confused
lost
my perfectly paved future plans
shattering
slowly
then
quickly
as those words encircled me
TRAVEL
NOW
NOT LATER
NOW
How does he know
the questions running through my head
repeating
throughout this trip
He has given me the answers
Travel
Now!
A nod
acknowledging
his advice
Travel now, not later, now!
I wish I could speak to that Alaskan Man one more time. Two months after our brief interaction, I signed a contract to work in Vietnam. Six years later, I am still living overseas and travelling as he recommended.
He was right; travel now, not later.
Shaggers Picchu's Blog 
I have such fond memories of our time in China. You had a big decision to make and I was so happy for you when you went for it! Thank goodness the wonderful random (destined) encounters we have and the everyday people who inspire us to dream big!
You meeting the Alaskan man sounds like a divine encounter!
I am so sorry to hear that JMJD, I hope that you have been traveling since you have gotten your passport, I bet he is still by your side as you travel now 😀
What sage advice. I only got my passport when I was forty. My husband and I always planned to travel, but then I lost him to a heart attack at thirty-nine. Live while you can. So glad you followed his lead.
You will never regret taking that advice. What an adventure!
You had the courage to follow the advice. I am envious of the travel and adventure of living abroad. I don’t know if I’d have been able to pull up and do it. What a life you have!
What an amazing story! Moments like this, few and far betwee though they are, really change our lives.
This gave me chills! So glad you followed his advice…it was the best thing you ever could have done. I recommend it to everyone! 🙂
A great example of how simple words can stay with you and guide you. I wonder what words of wisdom you have said to others that have stuck with them. Great piece!