My favorite reading this week was a piece from Susan Bassnett entitled, “Travel Writing and Gender” which challenged me to question, “Do women’s travel accounts differ from those written by men in any fundamental way, and is there a way in which travel writing is inherently gendered?” (227).
Bassnett began her piece with the following quote: “The essence of adventure lies in taking risks and exploring the unknown...”
In an effort to apply this quote and gender writing to my Phoenix Bus Station travel experience, I would like to (try to) continue my story, but from a third person omniscient point of view.
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With no set schedule or mandated destination, he sat in the Phoenix Greyhound Bus Station, listening to the Scorpions singing “Arizona” on his Walkman. As was his custom, he began people watching when he noticed a beautiful girl, sitting across the room, in the front row seats, on the corner. His gaze lingered on her, as he took in her natural beauty. She was certainly easy on the eyes. It appeared as if she was reading a book, but not wanting to get caught staring, he continued people-watching, but regularly looked her way. During one of his prolonged gazes, she looked up, directly at him, and caught him. He was rewarded with a quickly flashed, beautiful smile. Encouraged, he thought to himself, “How nice....she returned my gaze, with a smile!”
Understanding his fortune, his attitude after leaving the ship was only to meet friendly people, and have a relaxed time with no rules and regulations. His only set plan was to sight-see on his way back to North Carolina to visit his own family once his summer came to a close. Unconcerned, he knew he could end up scattered across the U.S. while catching MAC flights, until he eventually reached Annapolis where he would begin his second year of college - his Youngster year.
He continued people watching, hurrying along on their own private journeys, occasionally attentive to the bus destinations being announced over the speaker. When he heard the call to load the bus to Tucson, he gathered up his bags, taking note that the girl across the room had also begun to gather her things, giving the impression that she might be headed toward the Tucson bus as well. He delayed his movement toward the bus, thinking that if she got on the bus first and sat down, he could sit strategically nearby. After she boarded the bus, he got into the line to board the bus and scanned quickly to locate her. She was sitting about midway back, on the right side, next to the window. He thought he would sit in one of the seats behind her, but noticed that the bus was not very crowded and seeing the open the seat on the aisle, he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you mind if I sit with you?” He noticed that she nervously began twisting the opal earring in her right earlobe, and much to his surprise, she replied, “Sure!” And so began the bus ride that changed his life.
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Next week I am being challenged to incorporate an interview or conversation that illustrates the concept of "multiple stories" for my next blog! Perfect timing...because next week you get to read about how these two travelers finally started talking!