As well as bringing back fascinating memories of times spent travelling around Asia, this week's Friday Fictioneers photo prompt also made me cast my mind back to when I decided to give up my London life and move to Spain in order to get to know a man I'd met there. Everyone said: you can't do that. I said: watch me.
Reader - I married him.
 |
| PHOTO PROMPT © Fatima Fakier Deria |
WATCH ME
Jen took a window seat,
wrestled her rucksack onto the floor and settled back with a happy
sigh. Backpacking at fifty. Living the dream. Now or never!
She had left behind two
perplexed children and a mundane marriage.
Everyone said, 'you
can't do that.'
Jen said, 'watch me.'
'You can't just leave,'
they said. 'And besides, Asia is dangerous for women travellers.'
'Hah! Watch me,' she
said.
Jen swivelled in her
seat, back to the window, and took a selfie. She'd upload it
later when she found a wifi signal.
All her photos carried
the same slogan: Watch Me!
I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments.
If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE
If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.
On a final note - I always attempt to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been redirected to your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign into wordpress first.
Please check and amend your settings. Thanks.
|
|
|
I can relate, some thing happened to me when I studied abroad. Yeah watch me ��.
ReplyDeleteEver since I made that first 'wayward' decision my life changed dramatically and the naysayers still remark with envy, thirty years later, on my 'interesting' life. :)
DeleteSo many more things are possible if we only dare to dream
ReplyDeleteExactly! I always say, 'life is not a rehearsal.'
DeleteThat's the dream, although like looking at instagram, I can't help but feel a little jealous - and I do hope the children aren't left damaged by their mother abandoning them!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the children. She's fifty - they're adults. :)
Deletep.s. I couldn't find anywhere to comment on your story, Iain.
Good for her! I love the defiance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra. She realised that if she didn't get on and do it, she would live to regret it.
DeleteGood for her! A person should always have the courage to follow their dreams.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I can still remember the heady feeling when I got into my car and drove off. :)
DeleteDear Susan,
ReplyDeleteGood for Jen! I started pursuing my dreams at 50. By then my kids were grown and gone and it was time for me. I love Jen's attitude "Watch me!" Pitch perfect.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I drove off into the unknown aged 31: never regretted it. :)
DeleteOne life, got to live it.
ReplyDeleteI ache for the people who never live their dreams.
Over the years I've had so many friends tell me how lucky I am and I always tell them, 'it's got nothing to do with luck, you could do it too.' And they shake their heads in disbelief. Yet 'belief' is all it takes.
DeleteI can relate to that, only I started trecking around Asia and beyond solo when I entered my 60's and there's no way I'm stopping any time soon!
ReplyDeleteHere's mine!
Good for you for discovering how anything is possible at any age (health permitting). The first time I backpacked with my husband was when we were in our forties and we've never really looked back.
DeleteNice story and real life backstory. Great way to tie Jen back to your personal experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trent. Sometimes you reach a crossroads in your life and you can make the decision to play safe or to go for it. My mantra is: never play safe - what's the worst that can happen? :)
DeleteYou Go Girl! You are serving as an inspiration for all who haven't tapped into their courage -- yet!
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for the comment, Jade! The world needs more Jens. :)
DeleteYes! I am with Jen all the way... matter of fact, I did the very same thing in 2016 - only I went to Tuscany by myself. Will never regret it and now it has created a travel monster inside of me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Dale. (Good for you!) It's wonderful how this story is resonating with so many others.
DeleteWhat is life about if you don't take a chance. I love your story and your real story. Safe is not always the way
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Imagine reaching old age and feeling regret for not taking control of your own life?
DeleteI hope she has fun, and stays safe! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I think she will be very sensible about her safety. :)
DeleteGood for her! I completely understand :)
ReplyDeleteAnd when she returns home, she will always have the satisfaction that she did it. :)
DeleteMore power to you/her. I love the slogan: watch me. Powerful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sascha. Like Jen, I had to give it a go. I couldn't imagine living my life always wondering: what if?
DeleteYou tell 'em, Jen. You're never too old!
ReplyDeleteHe he - absolutely! Better late than never. :)
DeleteLove her spirit and spunk! 😀
ReplyDeleteYes, she's the sort of person I'd like to know. Thanks for the comment, Brenda.
DeleteSometimes I wish I'd done that about 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe important thing is whether you're content with the choices you did make. There's nothing sadder than living with regret for not following your heart.
Delete#watchme should go viral - it's a wonderful slogan. I absolutely love this story, Susan. Becoming the person you truly are is so important.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Penny. Funny how the decisions we make shape our lives. Little did I dream that discarding my London life would catapult me into so many adventures! (Of course, not always good experiences, but I don't have any regrets.)
Deletegood for her. if she didn't pursue her dream she'd likely live a life full of 'what ifs' and regrets.
ReplyDeleteThat's it - exactly! Thanks for commenting. :)
DeleteI love her spirit. Yep, women always being told solo travel isn't safe. Anyone who is traveling needs to take precautions, not just women. Seeing as I never got to fulfill my dream of backpacking Europe in my 20s, and now with family commitments, I can see myself doing just what your character did. Watch me!
ReplyDeleteFor sure, you have to be sensible and alert to what's happening around you, but barring unforeseen problems, travel is a wonderful thing. I hope you will make the opportunity to go and have some adventures, Fatima - and thank you for supplying such an inspirational photo! :)
DeleteIt's never too late to follow your dreams. Great take!
ReplyDeleteNo, never! Thanks for commenting, Russell.
DeleteShades of Shirley Valentine! As a woman "of a certain age" I applaud her / your bravery. Long may it last.
ReplyDeleteAh, you're right - I never thought of the Shirley Valentine connection! Thanks for commenting, Siobhan. :)
DeleteA great reminder of what we can do if we just step out of our comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteI think it's something everyone should try - even if it's only the occasional small step. :)
DeleteHow romantic, in the story and in real life.
ReplyDeleteIt is romantic, isn't it? My husband always gets a bit embarrassed when people remark on the romantic element of our story. :)
DeleteJen is courageous, and so were you! Good thing she (and you) didn't listen to the naysayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Magarisa. Whenever I review the last - amazing - thirty years since I drove off to Spain, I feel so glad that I plucked up the courage to do it! I have lived in Spain, France, Fiji and now Ireland and have travelled around the world with my husband. I would never have done all these things if I hadn't taken that first step. :)
DeleteAmazing things happen when you are brave enough to say "Watch me!".
ReplyDeleteYes, you have to try it otherwise you will always wonder 'what if'. :)
DeleteHells yeah! Good for her. And I love your real life story too. Never wonder what could have been... wonderful
ReplyDeleteHe he - thanks for the feedback, Laurie. Living with regrets for not taking control of your own life is just plain silly. :)
Delete