Musically reminiscent

I was stuck in a car with newly sworn in PCVs on my way – finally after weeks on the road – home to Atar. Incredibly, the driver Dia had gotten his hands on an excellent mix tape. Not the usual warbling of local singers accompanied by erratic guitar plucking and off tempo drumming. No, this tape had been recorded by a recently COS-ed volunteer and featured everything from Johnny Cash to Counting Crows. The perfect mix for a road trip, the perfect tone for contemplation.

I remembered listening to Damien Rice, gossiping in my compound with the mix tape’s author. I remembered talking online to an old college friend while he sent me Iron and Wine mp3s. I remembered late nights at the Girls’ Mentoring Center and Donkey Kong over a soundtrack of Imogen Heap. I remembered “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” while driving to visit a childhood friend in New York with her dad, my almost-dad. I remembered making tea and banana bread in Paris while humming to Bob Dylan.

I felt, having too quickly departed from these pasts, left behind. Immediately, I had the impulse to find someone to comfort. Needing a hug, I wanted to give one. I looked around me and realized I was surrounded by a car load of people, my new site mates, who might eventually need a hug, some advice, comfort. Maybe they might, inadvertently, reciprocate said comfort.

To those with whom I originally shared these tunes: I’ll continue missing you. But I’m on a journey, and the car keeps moving forward.