ILLUMINATION

Simone by Simone, A Trick Task

People say that I am a box full of surprises.

Rare wild trout lilly. Photo by the Author.

In my twenties, on a solo backpack trip, the front desk clerk of the B&B stared at me while checking my passport. I was embarrassed and wondering what was wrong until I asked her.

Her answer, in an astonishing way, was:

”You look Japanese but your passport is Brazilian. You talk and dress like an American but your name is Italian (I think she meant Latin)!”

And I replied with a shy smile: ” Hi, I am Simone!”

Back in the earlier ninetys, prior to the smart phones, wifi and cheap flights, solo female travelers were not usual. A short young asian looking woman wandering around Europe with no itinerary was even more rare like the wild trout lilly above.

Selfie at the park. Photo by the author.

That’s me, Simone.

A quiet ordinary woman, mostly unnoticed in social situations.

While my mouth is closed, my mind is talking nonstop. I find release for my thoughts through journaling and here on Medium.