Back from Seattle and it was wonderful. I love traveling by myself, it’s a total indulgence to completely set my own agenda for a week and live on whims. I walked all throughout Ballard and Fremont and the University District visiting parks and sculptures and eating interesting food and trying interesting drinks. I paddleboarded, kayaked, saw Bainbridge island, ate many oysters, saw the Experience Music Project and Sci Fi museum and met Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street. Went on an underground tour and learned all about Seattle prostitutes at the turn of the century.
But most of all I got really in touch with myself and realized I’m my own hero and I can get myself out of any sticky situation. I had to spend two hours one evening at a Kinkos battling a tour company’s stupid process for printing out my e-ticket and then I lost my check card and had to figure out how to get cash without stealing or hooking. And it all worked out beautifully. Because I am nothing if not freakishly determined and resourceful. And all of a sudden I had this beautiful realization that I am my own hero and that while other people are good for some things, I am going with John Lennon via Ferris Buller’s Day off when Ferris says, “A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, “I don’t believe in The Beatles, I just believe in me.” Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I’d still have to bum rides off people.”
Even if you are totally famous and rich and awesome, shit still happens, and it’s a lot easier to deal if you are your own hero.
Nothing like discovering that you know how to be your own best friend and take care of yourself! I love this story and your discovery!
Nice post. Discovering new places alone is really discovering yourself. However, my life experience has told me it’s perfectly ok and even laudable to believe in the Beatles.