The castles are a snapshot of a time long gone but the gas stations are an ever changing place of now times. In those foreign places, gas stations are a glimpse into life now. A gathering place to pick up food and get directions. A place to buy keep sakes or just be a local for a few minutes. I’ll never forget waiting on a hot dog at a gas station in Iceland. Gas stations make the world go round … or enable us to go round the world!
Well, looking at the bright side… it could have been travel memories of collecting spoons, shot glasses, t-shirts, ball caps, or fridge magnets. Not that any of those are not worthy remembrances. Although I kind of draw the line at the old penny press machines or canned air. And if you have known a collector of any of those, they will take any amount of time during their travels, “to find just the right one to take home”. Bless their hearts… But, for you, it is the respite and recognition of gas station odors, decor, and snacks. At least you are not sitting in the back seat scrolling in your phone the entire trip. And think of all those opportunities to buy beef jerky or a winning scratch off card! What’s not to like and linger over? Kind of a snapshot of modern civilization itself.
I love – live this. It’s not the meticulously orchestrated events in our lives that stand out, it’s the unplanned scenes we walk into and improvise we treasure the most. Like when our double -thumbed friend, David, picked us up at 6am to drive to Inverness, he mentioned since we all hadn’t had a proper breakfast we’d stop by the petrol station to pick up a bite. I’m in thinking, another ASDA sausage roll, but grateful. This tiny place doesn’t even look open. David returns with a full brown corrugated cardboard box of thick unwrapped chocolate bars which look like factory casts offs, and warm Iron Brew. This was my introduction to the Highlands, and what I remember most is getting blackmarket sweets as the sun rose in the valley.
It’s what we could never have imagined we treasure most, the unplanned interactions, the ad libs that make it in the movie, our meet cutes which respin destinies, the points on our journey reminding us life is lived between our objectives. The ultimate goal is to notice the way.
I hope you've had time to recover well, and that the next adventure is one that brings you joy & mischief!
As you know, I'm a magpie when it comes to collecting shinies of little victories. Fairylights of moments that can be strung together & guide you home when you're w(e)ary.
If you're doing things on purpose, there's magic in the 80/20 if you care to look for it. Thank you for having the courage to do so. Every time. And, for bringing us with you.
The castles are a snapshot of a time long gone but the gas stations are an ever changing place of now times. In those foreign places, gas stations are a glimpse into life now. A gathering place to pick up food and get directions. A place to buy keep sakes or just be a local for a few minutes. I’ll never forget waiting on a hot dog at a gas station in Iceland. Gas stations make the world go round … or enable us to go round the world!
I couldn’t agree more
Well, looking at the bright side… it could have been travel memories of collecting spoons, shot glasses, t-shirts, ball caps, or fridge magnets. Not that any of those are not worthy remembrances. Although I kind of draw the line at the old penny press machines or canned air. And if you have known a collector of any of those, they will take any amount of time during their travels, “to find just the right one to take home”. Bless their hearts… But, for you, it is the respite and recognition of gas station odors, decor, and snacks. At least you are not sitting in the back seat scrolling in your phone the entire trip. And think of all those opportunities to buy beef jerky or a winning scratch off card! What’s not to like and linger over? Kind of a snapshot of modern civilization itself.
I love – live this. It’s not the meticulously orchestrated events in our lives that stand out, it’s the unplanned scenes we walk into and improvise we treasure the most. Like when our double -thumbed friend, David, picked us up at 6am to drive to Inverness, he mentioned since we all hadn’t had a proper breakfast we’d stop by the petrol station to pick up a bite. I’m in thinking, another ASDA sausage roll, but grateful. This tiny place doesn’t even look open. David returns with a full brown corrugated cardboard box of thick unwrapped chocolate bars which look like factory casts offs, and warm Iron Brew. This was my introduction to the Highlands, and what I remember most is getting blackmarket sweets as the sun rose in the valley.
It’s what we could never have imagined we treasure most, the unplanned interactions, the ad libs that make it in the movie, our meet cutes which respin destinies, the points on our journey reminding us life is lived between our objectives. The ultimate goal is to notice the way.
I hope you've had time to recover well, and that the next adventure is one that brings you joy & mischief!
As you know, I'm a magpie when it comes to collecting shinies of little victories. Fairylights of moments that can be strung together & guide you home when you're w(e)ary.
If you're doing things on purpose, there's magic in the 80/20 if you care to look for it. Thank you for having the courage to do so. Every time. And, for bringing us with you.
Stay safe out there