I travel a fair amount, for vacations, family obligations, writer’s conferences. I always have a book with me, but am usually up for conversations. Because sometimes the only thing better than people watching is people listening...
My most memorable “fellow passenger” was a soldier who had enlisted to avoid the gang life that had taken his brother. He was open and ambitious and articulate, and definitely contributed to the “heroes” I write today.
But then there was the honeymoon couple who bickered from London to Los Angeles (and are probably only memories to each other now).
And the woman who was stone cold to my family and me--until she learned that I, too, was a writer. Afterwards, my husband said, "Looks like you made a new friend."
I can’t forget the lovely chef who dictated recipes to me for moms who don’t like to cook.
Or the hottie from my single days who only came alive to lean over me and flirt with the flight attendant. (Just call me Chopped Liver.)
More recently, there was the woman who needed to vent about her mother-in-law, and said: “If I have a problem with someone, I tell that person. When she has a problem with someone, she tells everyone else.” (Think she got the irony? I bet not. But look for that ditty to appear in a book of mine someday.)
Finally, kudos to the flight attendant who, upon landing, announced my first book sale over the P.A. system and told everyone to clap!
These people--and countless others--have contributed to my memories, my characterizations, dialogue and storylines, and have taken the tedium out of traveling.
Who is the most interesting stranger you’ve met while traveling?
Tina
Top Ten Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress, March, 2007
How to Hook a Hottie, Spring 2008
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9 comments:
Tina,
I actually met someone who worked with Tom Hanks before Band Of Brothers was aired and he told me all about it. I told him I was a writer and pitched one of my books to him. He then said to send it to him and gave me his card. Which I did. Well, nothing came of it. But it was a few suspenseful months waiting for the reply.
I used to travel a lot on the bus when I was a kid. My parents would put me on the bus in Central Oregon and I would spend the day heading up to Washington with a two hour layover at the bus station in Portland. Yeah, I can't believe they did it either.
I used to love to sit with old ladies. They were the best and always packed treats and tell me I reminded them of their grandchildren.
On one return trip. one grandma type even invited me to come up and stay with her at her vacation condo at The Inn of the Seventh Mountain. I think she was lonely. Being fourteen, I lost her information and didn't call. I still regret that. I should have called.
Teri
Great topic, Tina! I met the sweetest girl in the elevator of my hotel at Nationals last summer. We started laughing about something & just sort of clicked. I wish I knew who & where she was so I could send her one of my books. :)
xo,
Steph
www.myspace.com/stephhale
Steph, that was me in the elevator! (Kidding--though I wish it was.)
Janie, how great that you got to pitch a book...even if nothing came of it, that beats the average voyage, huh?
And TJ, that was really sweet about you and your old ladies. And yeah, hard to imagine parents letting a kid travel like that--but parents gave us big freedoms back then, huh?
Tina
As you know, I'm not the chatty type with strangers. I'm shy! But an interesting person I met when I was younger was Otis from Superman. =D
Great post, Tina!!
Wicked cool, Kelly, that you met Ned Beaty. That's pretty random.
I have to admit that when I traveled for business, I was pretty much a go-straight-to-sleep kind of gal or a put-on-the-headphones-and-don't-bother-me one, too.
If you know me, though, you've probably heard my Julie Garwood story from Reno Nationals where I got to sit next to her on the flight from Dallas. Sweet, charming lady.
I never seem to get interesting people otherwise. Sunday's Air France flight had Mr. Finger Sucker. He suckled on each of his fingers (up to the knuckle) for 45 minutes (yes, I watched the clock) and then thanks to that, the very air around him abounded with the smell of his breath. (GAG!)
I agree that airplanes and traveling *definitely* makes for interesting people watching and story ideas.
Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com
Kelly, tre cool about Ned Beaty!
And Marley, LOL about Mr. Finger Sucker. Will he appear in one of your books???
Tina
And Marley, LOL about Mr. Finger Sucker. Will he appear in one of your books???
I think he's going to have to. It's something that one of my heroines would DEFINITELY not put up with. LOL!!
= )
I have met some intersting (and puzzling) people on planes. On the way back from Atlanta this summer, the man next to me gave me his headphones for free, then proceeded to read over his notes from the "Intelligent Design" Conference. Probably fascinating, but not wanting to have a conversation with me, obviously (from the headphones lending, I mean!)
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