On this grey and rainy day, I will recount you the story of Ergen, the traveler. Ergen was a middle class laborer in his early thirties. He used to travel quite much, up to several times a month. Always in different places, yearning for something outstanding and unique. Nevertheless, he would always travel by train, and leave his house early in the morning. This is just who Ergen was.
The evening before his departures, he would always spend it at his favorite pub, eating fish & chips, along with his favorite Belgian beer. He there met a young and beautiful women that he has never seen before. She wore a dark blue dress and held a rose-shaped key in her hands. Cheerful approacher, he quickly accosted her. Cold, mature, with a serene tone, she said : “I am going to change your life forever. Your habits, the ones you shared your life with, the places you knew and loved; everything will differ“, after which she stood up and fled. What did she mean ? He didn’t understand, but somehow, he was moved. On the slippery cobblestones outside the pub, he ran after her. In vain, she was gone. Astounded, he headed home and struggled to sleep. He wanted to know. The very next morning indeed, the train will take him away from this need.
On the way to the station, it is ravaged by tiredness that he embarked on his new journey. He didn’t sleep much. Our little friend couldn’t help but to think about what the mysterious lady told him. Did they meet before ? Will they meet again ? On those busy thoughts, the tedious sound of the wheels on the railway helped him fall asleep again. When he woke up, the sun took the reins, it was night. The train went way too far. “You slept all day, you seemed so tired. I wouldn’t have dared to wake you up! We arrived at the last station, and this is the last train. I can advise you to go to that youth hostel“, said the ticket inspector. Standing skeptically on the docks, alone and soaking wet, he had no other alternative. Not really the outstanding and unique kind of place he was looking for.
When he entered the small inn, warm people welcomed Ergen with open arms. Hosts and guests. They met, shared some experiences, he then finally drank and ate. “You should stay over for a few more days, at ease. The storm will be fiercer and the trains harder to seize“, said an old man. Which he did. He almost forgot about that strange women and changed his journey plans to stay longer in that small village instead. He met a really beautiful girl with whom he stood a chance, considered some new job opportunities and tried local beers and different food. One night, on the verge of falling asleep, he heard a high-pitched tolling sound on his bedside table. Jumping out of the bed, he saw no one standing but recognized the rose-shaped key lying on his books. Frightened at first, he finally understood everything.
Ergen went to see a lot of places, but he didn’t live them. He was stuck in his habits, but he never dared to get off the beaten track. After his life took another perspective, getting up late in the train, he was finally awake. He met a person that changed his whole world, forever. She didn’t say quite much, but she showed him that there was an alternative. The storm of confusion and change in a different environment forced him to adapt himself. With this special travel, he also lost the notion of being home. His life changed forever, but also the one from those who shared their lives with him. How could he take the train back ?
It may bless, and it may hurt. But in the end, you only learn from life when covered in dirt.
About : I wrote this story while spending my first year abroad, in China. I was in the process of understanding if leaving everyone you love and starting a new life really was rewarding, or just a selfish choice. Today, I have my answer. Do you ?
Take care,
Musicalligraphy