The more I travel, the more I value the connections I make with people along the way. Whether they are fellow travelers or locals. Some develop into lifelong friendships, others are there in the moment but all significant and I learn from every connection. I learn that most of us have way more similarities then differences. We have the same fears and hopes. We have shared aspirations and chase similar goals. We struggle with the same type of problems.
I had an interesting encounter just recently which really inspired this post. I happen to arrive at this restaurant which was recommended to me in Segovia at the same time as two other women who were around my same age. We stood looking at the daily menu posted outside and decided to go in just to find out there were no seats available and with no reservation we would not be eating there on that day. My taxi driver had given me another recommendation not far from there so I told these two of the other recommendation and off we went. By that time two more ladies had walked up so all five of us headed to the other restaurant and we all decided to eat to together. For me, that is the best! I personally don't like eating alone. I do it all the time but I would much rather sit down to a meal with someone. I struggle with the eating alone while traveling thing but that's for another post.
During the introductions, it became clear to everyone that I was not Spanish but American, which was somewhat disappointing at how noticeable it was. I tend to overestimate my Spanish speaking skills. Right away, one of the women inquired about my thoughts on the US presidential election outcome. Internally, alarm bells went off and a voice inside my head told me to change the subject. I couldn't believe it - out of all topics, this was what they wanted to discuss during my one chance to engage with a group of Spanish women?
I commented that it is a politically complex country and left it at that. The woman who had asked then expressed her approval of Trump's election, while the others disagreed.
Curious to hear their perspectives, as none of them had lived in the US, I listened as they respectfully debated for about 10 minutes. Their view points had been shaped mostly by "news" stories on social media, which is in itself alarming but not surprising. There was no name-calling or disrespect, and eventually, they found common ground to discuss. The election topic was soon forgotten as we moved on to other shared interests like family, aging, and more.
All the women in the group lived nearby either in Madrid on a neighboring town and had been to Segovia many times. They were more then willing to walk me through the historic center pointing out things of interest, it was like I had my own private tour!
Interestingly, the woman who approved of Trump's election was such an fascinating woman. She was into medicinal plants, esoteric practices and conspiracy theories! Such a contradiction! I loved my time with these women and we all exchanged information before calling it a night.
This experience only enforces my growing belief that we don't all need to be the same, think the same or have the same beliefs in order to connect or engage. Now days there is so much talk about seeking out a community of "like minded" people who share a common belief or perspective but I am beginning to think that is not the answer to the connection we all seem to seek.
The next time you come across someone who may have a different opinion than yours, take a beat and show interest in their point of view. You might discover unexpected common ground.
Comments