One of the first comments I ever received on this blog was from an English woman named Gill. I had written about a rained-out ancient kite-flying excursion in Dalian, China, and Gill responded with a link to a blog post she’d written about a similar excursion. We shared a virtual laugh over the unusual Dalian custom we’d both experienced of being served watermelon slices with our tea.
And as they say in Casablanca, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Except that we’d never actually met.
For the past nine years, Gill and I have followed each other’s blogs, communicating through comments and emails. I always look forward to reading her insights and comparing notes on places we’ve both visited or plan to explore. This blogging version of modern-day “pen pals” has been an unexpected joy, and we’ve both written about how really wonderful it would be to share stories and conversation around the same table.
That table serendipitously appeared in early August, when Herb and I found ourselves with one day in London before heading to Dover to begin our Route of the Vikings voyage. I wrote to Gill to see if she and her husband Mark were available that day and suggested meeting somewhere between their home and London. Not only were they free, she responded with great enthusiasm, but she insisted on taking care of the details and getting together in London to make our jet-lagged traveling life as easy as possible.
We met at 45 Jermyn Street, a favorite restaurant of theirs, just a few Tube stops from our hotel. Gill and Mark were already seated at our table, and the moment Herb and I walked through the door, it was as if we were reconnecting with the dearest friends whom we’d always known.
The afternoon flew by in a wondrous blur as our conversations spilled out with ease and grace and oh-so-much laughter. These are extraordinary people – incredibly kind and thoughtful and endlessly interesting and interested. I felt as if we were catching up with them rather than getting to know each other.
We talked about travel and our families and world issues. We shared stories from our pasts and dreams for our futures. Our experiences and mindsets were so similar at times that I joked we must have been living in a parallel universe in our two different parts of the world! And I found myself caught between the exuberance of experiencing such meaningful conversation and the reality that this precious around-the-table moment was so fleeting.
Much too soon, it was time for our marvelous afternoon to end. We said our good-byes and watched these lovely people disappear into the crowded streets beyond the restaurant. That night, Herb and I continued to talk about how much the four of us had in common. Gill texted two words that said it best of all: “Kindred spirits.”
It’s funny how you can meet someone and instantly know you will become great friends. There’s an immediate connection, a feeling that comes from somewhere deep inside. What’s especially fascinating to me is that this can happen even when you haven’t actually met in person.
And when you do finally meet and you’re sitting around that table like old friends, well…it’s magic.
I have also been Gill’s Pen Pal, following a similar virtual friendship that you described so well! Through the years our travels have just missed each other! Passing ships in the night, I’m afraid.
Lovely post! Thank you!
Jennifer Errion
Thanks so much, Jennifer! It’s fascinating to me how we somehow gravitate toward our fellow kindred spirits, even when we’ve yet to meet in person. Perhaps there’s a subtle “reading between the lines” in writing that reaches us in the same way that “reading between the words” impacts us when someone speaks?! I like to think so, anyway. I do hope you do get to meet Gill one day. She’s a real gem, and I have a feeling that you are, too.😊
This “magic” couldn’t have happened to a nicer meeting of friends!
Aww, that’s so sweet of you to say, Nancy. Many thanks!❤️
Another priceless benefit of traveling…meeting kindred spirits.
Priceless indeed, Robin! And truly unexpected. There’s something really special about travel that brings kindred spirits together. I’m incredibly grateful for the people I’ve met in person as well as the friends I’ve “met” through this blog!
Seeing 2 of my very favorite bloggers getting together was a real treat! I’m sure that it was a very special time for all of you!
That’s so kind, Bob! We truly had the most wonderful time. I hope one day Herb and I can move you and Jeannie from the list of “unmet” to “met” friends, as well!
Mary,
Congratulations on the meeting with your email friends. You are very fortunate to have the time and resources to travel so far and wide. When you return home from your travels, you will enjoy these memories and be able to share them with your old friends from your childhood, high school and college.
Thank you, Victor! I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to have met such special friends and to have these wonderful travel experiences and memories to share.
Mary,
I served in the US Army when I was 19 years old. By the luck of God, during the Vietnam era, I was shipped to Heidelberg and Stuttgart, Germany to serve my three years. I was able to travel to the UK, France, Italy, Austria and Hungary. Some of the best memories of my life.
Best regards,
Vic
Thanks so much for sharing, Vic! Best regards to you, too!
Mary,
How special to able to connect in person after sharing your experiences with each other through the internet postcards!
Recently, I have had the good fortune of making great friends on a hiking trip in Quebec. We hope to experience another hiking trip together next year. I do treasure these “kindred spirits”.
XO
Deb
I love that, Deb! It’s incredibly special when the stars align and we meet people who quickly become important in our lives. I look forward to catching up with you and especially comparing experiences from our travels in Quebec!😊
We’re on our travels right now and so I’m only just catching up with you, Mary (and blushing somewhat, as I do!) We had such a special time that day and we just *knew* that we had to meet up someday, didn’t we? After all, it’s not everyone who gets excited by having a foot in each hemisphere, or standing on some meridian or other, is it?! Our life is so much the richer for such friends – thank you dearly.
Now one day, perhaps Jennifer and Georges, Bob and Jeannie and the four of us will sit around a table for eight, somewhere or other and my word, wouldn’t that be something to look forward to?
Oh, Gill, you continue to make me smile long after our lunch has ended! Yes…it’s things like having a foot in each hemisphere that will never fail to excite us! I’m so grateful we were able to finally meet, and I absolutely treasure your friendship. As for that table for eight, well, I have a feeling we’d need a very long lunch to even scratch the surface of such wonderful conversation!❤️
Mary, I am again fascinated by how your writing always sparks my brain and hugs my heart, Weirdly, I felt Deja vu, seeing Gill’s face! Thank you for sharing this magical connection. As a mariner for so many years, I get it. Hugs to Herb. Would be so nice to see you guys again!
Sue, I am truly touched by your lovely comment…thank you! That means so much. Déjà vu is such a strange feeling, isn’t it? I hope you can figure this one out.🤔 Herb and I had such a great time with you and Don and would love to see you again, too!