Experiences, New and Old

I came back today from a 2 day backpacking trip to the Utah wilderness. Elevation: 10-11 thousand feet. We planned this trip in 2 furious days. I made some new friends, and off we went. We bonded,  lugging our packs up mountains and past lakes. We stood in awe of our new experiences while talking about our pasts, our presents, our futures.

My mind is crowded; I need to sleep but I can't. Memories from my past, thoughts of my boyfriend, of the friends I love, are crowding for room with the recent experiences. I came home giddy with excitement, riding the rush of a difficult two days finished off by singing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, in harmony, at the top of our lungs, and then by eating the best "scones" ever, at a cafe in a small-town in Utah. (The scones were in reality fluffy, buttery bread with a little lake of butter in the middle, that you cover with honey and pull apart with a fork.) My body is pumping adrenaline after completing the first hike I have ever planned myself. After spending the night in a rocky mountain pass (decorated with a sun-bleached moose skeleton) and waking up to see the sun rise over the mountains. After bonding with people who I hope will be good friends for a long time after.

And this makes me think of my long-standing friendships. The people who I think of when I think of friends. I love these people; I feel a great deal of loyalty towards them. Sometimes, I have the feeling that my friends are somehow a strictly defined group of people. That I have reached an age where you do not form bonds easily any more. When the die has been cast, and the friends you have made up to this point are the one and only ones who you will feel close as to as siblings. But maybe that is not true. It would make me happy if I could still form strong friendships.

My new friends and I talked about lots of things. About our loves. I told stories about my boyfriend, they told me stories about their girlfriends. How we met, how we miss them and try to keep in touch. It makes me happy to be able to share these things. I haven't seen C-- in several weeks, and I can't wait to see him again soon.

Now let me try to fall asleep. Dee breath, and good night!