On the Road

We are all guilty of it. We’re so busy and consumed with our lives, we lose perspective. Flights delayed. Middle seats instead of aisles. Very little time, if any, in the cities we fly thousands of miles to, to perform in. Laundry service screws up or worse yet – they lose our clothes.

The comforts of home turf are stripped from us, especially in 3rd world countries. Language barriers, requests lost in translation, yet here I sit in one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in. Posh, well-appointed, modern - all comforts accommodated, right in the middle of a city of 21 million people in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Forty percent of the population live in shanty towns and here I am amongst deluxe bedding, hardwood floors, running water and air conditioning. My lofty view from the 18th floor certainly puts things in perspective. Across the way is an office a building and a few floors above I see a helicopter land on the roof, presumably to transport an executive. I am here with a famous band. And directly below us both is a shanty town. Kids running bare foot in garbage covered streets, dogs scavenge for food and women hang their just washed yet still dirty clothes from fencing and along the dirt covered walls of their home. Pollution is intense & visually fills the air. Hierarchy will always be there, where do you want to stand?

I am certain I complained at least once today over something insignificant. This goes for all of us. No more whining about coach class seats. Cease all complaints that the next installment of per diem is two days away. No more bitching about difficult border crossings. Surrender all sulking to the fact cell phone reception is crap. Stop being huffy that the internet is slow; we’re in a field for crap sakes! And no more crabby fault –finding in a 10am lobby call to head to the venue.

We lead a very charmed life and from where I stand at this moment, I am fully aware of how lucky I am. Accede to the fact….. you are as well.

Leave a Comment