Before I had the pleasure of travel for fun, I traveled as a road warrior in pantyhose and girl shoes. For one full year, my territory was western Canada. I wasn’t traveling “lighthearted” yet–work is work after all–but I did learn how to pack light enough to toss my bag from the dock onto a commuter sea-plane.
One of my frequent work destinations was the futuristic, wind-swept city of Calgary, Alberta. As a small town southern California girl, I never got used to stepping outside the airport to bitter winter winds that made my nose hairs freeze.
The night that opened my heart to lighthearted travel occurred in icy February. I arrived late in Calgary and checked into one of those homogeneous high-rise hotels for business travelers like me. The only thing on my mind was the swimming pool in the health center on the top floor. But where was the fluffy white hotel robe that is de rigueur? And why the heck didn’t I pack any flip flops along with my bathing suit? I’d packed only a thin cotton robe.
At ten o’clock, the hotel halls were quiet. I looked right, then left. Nobody. Just the ubiquitous trays of soggy leftover cheeseburgers and fries, tiny salt and pepper shakers, one vase with one limp daisy.
I pushed the elevator button impatiently; this was going to be a quick dash up 5 floors to the pool and back again.
When the door opened, I gasped. The elevator was filled with men carrying briefcases: eight gentlemen in long white robes, with white turbans and wisps of long wiry hair. They looked at me and I looked down, wiggling one bare toe over the other.
Then the oldest of the gentlemen spoke in a kind, but weary voice, like a grandfather: “Come in dear, you will never be safer.”
Susan Troccolo is a writer, gardener, and community volunteer. She travels light and lighthearted whenever she can.
John Parkhurst
Marilyn McFarlane
susan troccolo
What a delightful story! I was caught unawares by the appearance of the men in the elevator, but I can see the lighthearted touch is the best approach when you don’t know what will be around the next corner. Thanks, Susan!
Perfect setup! I laughed out loud at the unexpectedly packed elevator. And the kindness of the oldest turbaned businessman warmed me to the world. Thank you, Sus!
The toes, loved the toes! No doubt the girlish embarrassment of the moment disarmed the gents too. Thanks for the lovely recollection.
What can I say? I love your writing. I was right there with you. Thanks.
The image of one woman in a bathing suit and see-through robe in an elevator with eight very respectful gentlemen with white turbans will stay with me for a long time. What a lovely, lovely story and so wonderfully told. I am a fan. Thanks Susie.
Quite an art to convey a personal story like this so beautifully and humorously, and in so few words. Keep writing and sharing! I loved it.
Margaret,
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Love,
Susie
Susie, what a compliment you had from the white robed man! Think about it, he could have put his hand towards you in a gesture of: sorry madam! and zipped away to another floor with you waiting for the next elevator.
I imagine the men were from a culture where women do not go around in thin robes! a beautiful LIGHT-hearted moment! Love how you write BTW, I can “see” everything you describe.
Ciao Marisol–thank you! In retrospect, I think the men were Sikh. Yes, that grandfather/elder sure could have been many things other than compassionate in that moment.
con amore, Susie
Hi Susan, the feel of lighthearted and the drama of the unexpected really makes this a treat! When the mind is thinking, “What will she find at the pool?”, the surprise jumps at you from the elevator! Great storytelling.
If the grandfather had a beard along with his robe and turban, then he is certainly a Sikh. Otherwise, no.
Thanks for sharing the story with me.
Soma
Yes! Long beards on all of the gentlemen…
Thank you for your wonderful comments Soma.
Can you tell me where the majority of Sikh people live? Are there other things that I might have noticed that would have identified them?
Susan
Susan Hello! And to Patrick xx this is Gillian Warrior (quartly Watson) now in London and I would like to get in touch. Email is gqw@btinternet.com. I hope this is you!