The pavement on the ground was sticky, as if I stepped on gum or some goo like substance. I was running as fast I could, past every memory, past every stoplight, every inch of every mile. The strumming like Nirvana, a drone of sorrow searching for fresh air, trying to escape but couldn't.
I lived in Budapest for three years, climbing the mountains and working on a local farm. The evenings were cold and everything around me was beautiful. For months I lived outside with the sheep and drank Bourbon to calm my nerves; I looked pale and thin.
I grew up in New York City and have lost touch with all my childhood friends. I roam the streets in Budapest on search for a new beginning, new hope - a new world. My hair is extremely long and I smell musky. The locals call me River and my grandfather has passed away.
All I brought with me was a small suite case that included my journal, several pairs of underwear and a long pea coat.
I returned to New York last week and has the city changed. Overly populated, smog, sale signs in all of the windows and no integrity of truth. My stomach has been upset as I am readjusting to American food. What I have learned abroad is independence, self respect and the notion that I can in fact be happy alone.
-Alex Smith - Journal entry 203
1 comment:
I don't have experiences to share like yours. I did however learn a lot about independence in London when I was at The Royal Ballet Theatre studying dance. Mind you i was just a child.I lived in a huge white house with expansive grounds full of large white deer. I was a pre-teen and doing things I hadn't though of doing, like keeping track of my own schedule after forming it. Making sure I had clean clothing, when all that was done for me at home. Also the strict rules about phone calls took its toll on me. One phone call a week and I being homesick a lot of the time did not make me feel at home as they said I would. I quickly got over that and decided to focus on my dancing career. When I got home my parents were proud that I could do my own washing, and make sure my appointments were up to date, not to mention the loads of dance material I've learned. Unfortunately, I had to quit a few years after this due to injuries not caused by dance.
I loved this blog entry, reading about peoples experiences makes me remember my own and what I learned through those times. I often rediscover things about me that I had forgotten
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