Refill the Cup

As the sunroof was drawn back to bring in some life and light as we drove through a disserted highway, I could feel my ‘problems’ fade. That escape from reality is what we look for once in a while. We drove through the sunset not knowing the destination, an exhilarating feeling not having any anticipation in mind. It didn’t start like this, but the important part is I got to let go. We finally stopped at a familiar spot, it hadn’t changed much since I was last there. It had been almost ten years, makes you think what became of your old friends. Not necessarily that change is a bad thing, but the fact that your life can be someone’s museum doesn’t sit well with me. You know, living an archived life, one which everyone predicted or one that gives the impression that even with the clock having ticked, you stagnated. Food for thought! They still sold my favourite comfort snack and even though the packaging had changed, the taste on my pallet was the same. Being there brought back so many memories and made me want to create more in a spot that stood the test of time. Isn’t history really something?

Back on the road, no destination, us snacking, making fun, pumping a black coffee mix through the stereo, as the darkness drew in, the crimson hemisphere just made it even the more memorable. Soon enough, we agreed to check out one of the new hotels in the area to have our dinner. I am not sure if you have walked into a place and wondered if a piece of heaven had just landed here on earth. You talk about hidden gems but this was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that they normally told us. I am not sure if it was the design of buildings, the art on every corner, the secrecy of its location, the sound of the rapids from the river but, one thing for sure was, I was glad to be there.
The tour around the place was breathtaking, I can still hear the sounds of the waters as it flowed downstream, the culture exhibits but most of all, the fresh country air. The meal was amazing, for sure it was good just for once to live in the moment. As we sat and discussed how such a place could be so filled yet feel empty. Yes, I know, surprising. Most of the crowd around us was celebrating achievements, yet in a separate area, the crickets filled the air, unattended halls, dust collecting in the seats and no trace of life. It was never like that as the guide had earlier shared; but with the pandemic, you know how brutal the economy was on businesses. Such circumstances meant losses, if not having a lifeline for the investors, in such uncertain times. The whole experience made us think and rethink how secure are we, and what it takes to get there. This was a similar situation all over the world, but I am sure it was not something harshly felt by those celebrating achievements that night. You could say they are from well-off families or had gotten an annual bonus, but I tend to think that they genuinely wanted to celebrate the wins they had accomplished no matter how small. There is always a reason to celebrate the popular Kenyan slogan.

After a few short hours, we had to make it back to our lives, adulting, as we refer to it. Such trips make you refocus, reinvent your purpose, know what is out there and if impactful enough make you want a piece of it if not better. With the new year purpose: to explore, travel, meet new people, create new experiences. Be bold and trust me that you will never be the same. It doesn’t have to be fancy or far, even a walk to your former primary school playground will reignite something, and that’s what we need every now and again. Refilling your cup, as a writer or even any human being who pours into another, you can’t afford to have an empty cup. The best way to refill your cup is with new experiences. Try it!