100 Naked Words — Day 9
Reflections, Ripples and Ramblings of a Restless Mind
Exchanged
I left you a couple of days ago at the tail end of my childhood, now we’re into what I’d consider the golden years of youth. Enough responsibility to ensure I was still on the path to adulthood, but certainly not so much as to become a burden or crimp my burgeoning social life.
From 11 to 15ish I was still a pretty chubby, geeky goody two shoes. I got the grades, I turned up for my flute lessons, I towed the line.
There are events in life that are transformational, their impact leaving echoes into your future. For me, it was a series of exchanges and trips I went on, mainly to Spain and Italy. They gave my (already growing confidence) a boost and exposed me to a life beyond the books. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Anyone who knows me will tell you I talk a shit-bucket-load. That’s the technical term. Some of my mates had a slightly more ribald turn of phrase to describe it. But, I digress (see what I mean). I talk a lot but now imagine that but 3x — multiple languages, multiple ways to natter, chatter and generally throw down a bit of patter.
The first time I went to Madrid on an exchange I was pretty much the only bloke speaking the lingo, I didn’t mind getting it wrong, I didn’t mind learning.
The second time was when life happened. Romances blossomed, jokes were had, beverages were drunk and I discovered that being a social animal wasn’t something I disliked.
But what it was that lit the fuse of change for me was the series of house parties that ensued back in London. OK, I know that this sounds a little ridiculous, but you’ve got to remember, there was little else that a youth of 15ish could do in those days, the house parties became our escape, we had them here, we had them there, we had them pretty much any damned where.
They were the couples’ escape, the cool kids clique, where a hangover or two were experienced, where we chose the music but really, the music shaped us.
Our friendships were forged in those moments, in those memories. I see reflections of who were were then in who we are now. How we talk amongst ourselves, how we laugh at the same tired jokes, the fact that it’s still us doing the laughing.
It wasn’t just students that exchanged in those halcyon days, we traded our youth and took one step closer to our futures.
About me: Citizen of the World. I love writing, photography, travelling, reading, learning and growing. Medium is another journey in my life, let’s see what sights we may see.
