Retrospect: Some Of My Travels

By Kevin J. W. Driscoll (c) 2024

I‘ve been around the block more times than a city bus, mostly due to my stint as a computer trainer, a job that seemed to require me to be everywhere but home. The US, of course, was my stomping ground, a vast and varied landscape that never failed to surprise and disappoint in equal measure. But it was my trips abroad that really opened my eyes.

Japan, for instance, was a revelation. I mean, I knew it was clean, but it was like they had a secret army of tiny ninjas whose sole purpose was to sweep up every speck of dust before it even had a chance to settle. And the food? Forget the sushi, I’m talking about the salads. I had a salad in Japan that was so fresh, I swear I could hear the lettuce giggling. And the people? Well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly waving “We Hate America” flags. In fact, they were so polite, I half expected them to apologize for the weather.

Then there was England, or as I like to call it, “The Land of Fish and Chips and Endless Apologies.” London, in particular, was a fascinating melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world, living side by side, mostly getting along. It was like a real-life episode of “Friends,” but without the annoying ones.

I remember one particularly memorable experience in London. I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when a complete stranger stopped me and said, “Excuse me, but I believe you dropped your wallet.” I thanked him profusely and checked my pocket. Sure enough, there it was. I couldn’t help but laugh. In the US, someone would have probably picked it up, kept the cash, and then donated the wallet to charity.

So there you have it, the shortened version of my global adventures. From the cleanliness of Japan to the politeness of England, I’ve seen a lot. And while I’ve certainly had my fair share of mishaps and misunderstandings, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. (Ha ha.).

After all, what’s life without a few good stories to tell?

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