A Prolonged Post About Life & Stuff.

I spent the morning with a group from an outdoor store I love called Out & Back. Many of the humans that attended were nothing shy of rugged granolas. Riding their bikes to the meet up spot, huskies attached to their hips, hair down to their shoulders & beards big enough to house a small family of birds. We started our hike early & trekked into the afternoon. I found myself making conversation with one of the gentleman whom I had carpooled with. He was one of those people that gives you hope & makes you realize how big & inviting this world really is. As he talked to me I kept attempting to make a mental list of the amazing things that he was telling me. Hoping to jot them down when I got home & honestly try to live by them. To my dismay I can hardly muster together half of the wonderful things he shared with me but I will do my best to write a few thoughts that have stuck with me.

We talked a lot about travel. He had been everywhere that I could possibly imagine & he had an admirable respect for so many different cultures. He gave me a lot of tips, things that would help me when I make my way around the world but the thing that he couldn't stress enough was the people. "Places are as neat as the people that dwell upon them." He told me that building relationships with the people is the key to breaking the tourist mold. 

He spoke of the simplicity of nature which was something that I was more than able to understand. I appreciated him. His experiences working for national forests and his gratitude for what surrounds him. 

We chatted about literature. Thoreau mostly. As a teacher he knew a lot. More than I could ever dream of retaining. 

This man was more open to different religious views than anyone else I have ever met. He said his favorite thing to witness is people worshiping. Regardless of their beliefs. As long as they are passionate about it he finds it touching. He spoke of his Hindu beliefs, as well as his bishop, all the while talking about the beauty of his temple tours in India. He cherished a higher power & that was rad. 

When we were driving home he started spewing Italian & that lead to an amazing discussion about communication & the importance of variation. 

I made one of my classic "This old body doesn't work the way it used to" comments & he was very quick to tell me all about the beauty of aging. He said something along the lines of "The way I see it you are just becoming vintage." He told me that he has enjoyed every single year of his life more than the previous. He prompted me not to cram events into my life but also not delay feelings or desires. 

He shared with me a few of his hobbies. Some were strange really. I was very interested by the fact that he made wine & cheese not because he was the classiest man on earth but because he was all about learning the process. He simply enjoyed knowing how.

When I told him that I was considering studying architecture he introduced me to Teds Talks. I've spent the last few hours watching them. They are amazing. I highly recommend them. But then again they might turn you into an over thinking freak like myself. 

In conclusion I just want to let you know that I have not turned into some dirty hippie. I just liked this guys style & think I have a thing or two to learn from him. Maybe you do too. Until next time folks!