Living in two worlds

Yesterday, I was hit by the reality of the complex and paradoxical experience of two worlds.

Our neighbors, a dear old couple who I’ve been helping with their holiday letting units, took us for breakfast. Both of them are in their 70s. He is a former veterinarian, and she is an old-school teacher. They bought the piece of land and built their dream vacation home. Subsequently, they’ve extended it to accommodate more holiday units. They take the long road every couple of months to not only “check in” on their property but also to visit their daughter and grandchildren who live here.

When we moved into our property, we “met” over the fence. Later, both of them popped in for a quick hello, and from there, we mainly communicated via WhatsApp or, again, a hello by the fence.

They’ve been asking us out previously, but we couldn’t make it. This time we had to say yes, even though it was at 8:00 in the morning. Yes, it is not a typo error; the meetup was for 08:00 and at a restaurant we were not familiar with and on the other side of town.

Although we’ve accepted, numerous thoughts crossed my mind. Why so early on a Saturday morning? Why this restaurant? I was wondering what we were going to chat about, as we hardly know them.

As Saturday arrived, I was not at all excited about leaving the warmth of my home for the miserable outside. I got so used to the warm weather that when it is a cool and wet day, it makes me miserable.

It was also my shift for curating, and my family knows all too well that only a bomb would be able to move me from my computer. How nice it would have been to have a date with my pajamas, my computer, and hot chocolate.

Driving to the restaurant made us feel guilty. There were joggers and walkers all over town. It should have been us. This is the world we can see, touch, and interact with directly. It is also the world of concrete objects and measurable quantities. A world that revolves around what we call our daily lives.

Surprised! That was the feeling I experienced when we got to the restaurant.

Not only was it packed at that time of the morning, but there was a buzz that is hard to describe. With windows wide open over the ocean, there was a cold breeze blowing, which was quickly swallowed by the warmth of the atmosphere. It was a place for joggers and runners to get together after the morning workout. There was laughter everywhere.

I could not help but wonder what if I had to add up the cost of only the running shoes in the restaurant the amount would be.

Did we inhabit a physical, tangible world governed by the laws of nature and the constraints of our material existence?

The next surprise was the menu. Every single item on the menu was inviting. In the end, I settled for venison carpaccio, served on crispy ciabatta with avocado, capers, and pouched eggs topped with a hollandaise sauce and cream.

The food took a long time, but it allowed me to experience another world. This time the world, the domain of thoughts, emotions, memories, and the ephemeral workings of our consciousness.

The two old people kept us entertained with their stories. Stories that were not only rich in wisdom and history but also provided us with an invaluable perspective on the one thing that is free… life. They took us through the sacrifices, hardships, and triumphs of their lives. By sharing their personal anecdotes, they gave us a window into the lived realities that shaped the world we are soon going to enter.

The food did not disappoint. It was the perfect blend of flavors and textures, which left me with a lasting impression that only good food can do. To crown it, I had that cup of hot chocolate I so wanted in my own home. This time, it was long-lasting friends.

Yes, we will be friends for years to come.

When we left the restaurant two hours later, I noticed the beautiful door of the restaurant downstairs, a restaurant we often visit, and a door I had not noticed before. Wow!

It reminded me of Shakin' Stevens's song,“Green Door.”

Midnight one more night without sleeping
Watching 'til that morning comes creeping
Green Door what's that secret your keeping?

We are humans living in two worlds, the physical and the mental, and it is up to us to maintain a balance. The only way we can do it is to anchor our senses in the material world while we create a rich tapestry for ourselves in our psyche ventures into the immaterial.

Yes, it might be a challenge at times, but don’t let it stop us from looking at what is behind the closed doors of our vivid worlds.