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Blogs by Joseph W. Montaperto
HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED! 1/6/2022 7:41:21 PM
When 51 year old Joe Montaperto goes on the budget roadtrip again after many years - he is in for a sobering experience! HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED
On a recent 'bucket list' road trip - I am met with some interesting observations!
I had just demonstrated the 'Yerba Mate Ritual' - a process stemming from a centuries-old Argentinian tradition of preparing and sharing a magical tea with a circle of friends. I was showing a few 20-something girls in my Denver hostel...I was sure they would be VERY impressed.
"Wow! That's amazing, sir!"
Sir...the dreaded word. Soul crushing, in fact.
Recently, taking advantage of the Covid respite from work, I decided to embark on a sort of 'bucket list' trip through Minneapolis, Montana, and finally, Denver. Travelling on a super-low budget meant staying in hostel dorm rooms and camping - easily the cheapest options.
Now, the last time I had traveled in such a manner (staying in hostel dorm rooms) was maybe 18, 19 years ago? Needless to say, much has changed since then! I am 51 now, so I was around 32 at that time - a world of difference - apparently! Back then, I was just a part of the scene, the 20's crowd who usually populate these establishments. When they would go on a pub crawl, for instance, there was no question that I would also be going. It wasn't even a second thought, and there was sure to be a good deal of drunkenness and heavy flirtation, to say the least.
This is why this 'sir' business was SO jarring. I had basically become an outsider. Not that I should have expected any differently, really, it was just that I had become 'the wise uncle' now - which was kind of a shock to the ego. The male ego. Especially when you have always prided yourself on maintaining your youthful appearance and physical condition! Ouch!
Now, when the crowd all went out on a pub crawl - I just wearily retired to my bed - and knit myself a gray shawl.
