The spaces in-between the places: On frequent travel

In my current version of life as a speaker and consultant I am thrilled to get invited to work across Canada. Then last year, I decided to actually live in two places about 5,000 km apart (Whitehorse, Yukon and Ottawa, Ontario). Already in my sixth year as a frequent traveler, I have had to find ways to not feel disconnected or plain lonely. It feels like I have finally found some groove in the last couple of years that keeps me socially connected and engaged with wherever I am.

Today a touring musician friend posted this update on Facebook:

Things that make me really happy:
Great Luggage.
New movies on Air Canada.
Great conversations with taxi drivers.
Swedish meatballs as snacks.

That post reminded me about the spaces in between the places I go. As my travel schedule has grown I’ve come to focus a lot more on all the life that can happen in those spaces: like that hilarious late night conversation on the plane to Whitehorse the other day with one of the House of Commons staffers travelling with the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform.  Or that messenger chat with a distressed friend while waiting at the gate. Or talking to the mom with the kid that is having a terrible flight and not making her feel bad about her child being a child. Or drifting off on that after lunch nap on an Air North flight to YXY – while in my regular seat (yes, I always get the same seat when I check in on AN) – and listening to my favourite artist on my iPod. Or binge watching new movies on Air Canada flights. Some of my friends may be surprised that I rarely work while in transit … to me offices and conferences are for working. I’ve come to prefer to be in transit and see what life there holds in store.

Of course, my friend managed expressed all that in the songpoet’s way in 4 half-lines!