A wander takes you to new places where every person is a stranger and every site is unfamiliar. You background becomes as blank as a new canvas and a fresh memory comes as easy as a summer sunburn. An old newspaper tells new stories and a smiling face promises a new friendship.
Hex, fresh off a “windowless and doorless” freight train from Michigan, explains his love for travel. He describes the excitement of a cross country train ride as he holds up his handmade sign. “Travelling, broke & ugly”, accompanied by some doodles, bounces on a piece of cardboard in his lap. I point out the wandering spirit in a freight train ride and he slowly tilts his chin up. A lady sitting in a parked car interrupts and informs me that he is not only a wander, broke and ugly, but funny as well. I imagined her giggling as Hex paraded his sign to each passer. A mom and child stroll by and Hex points at the little girl and gives her a silly thumbs up. The little girl giggles and the mom, reluctant to reach into her purse, awkwardly smiles.
Hex and I shared stories of train rides through foreign lands. Still young, he carried himself with the mature charm that surprisingly becomes victorious in the most unfavorable conditions. I can’t help but hope his story is true. He informed me why he chose our village and I nodded with approval. I shared stories of his new home and expressed wholeheartedly the beauty of Carlsbad.
His story might just be a clever way to lure change from those eager to hear his story, but nevertheless, I reached into my pocket and donated a few bills to him and his journey, but more importantly, to the the spirit of the wander!
What is your most memorable wander? Where did you end up?
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