Dell's Journey

Chapter 13: San Diego And The Power Of Myths

"That's about how it went," Dell said. "One day I'm

sitting miserably in my kitchen, reliving the painful

events of my adolescent life, the girl I liked and how she

didn't care about me, the way I never did the things I

believed in, you know."

Dell was walking slowly beside a tall lady who looked

to be in her mid-40's, automatically moving left and right

to avoid colliding with the masses who filled the busy

street. It was oppressively hot. Both Dell and the lady

were very sweaty, but it posed no serious social issue for

either of them since everyone outside was in the same boat.

Dell kept talking, motioning a lot, "And then it hits

me." He laughed sincerely. "Sorry, I'm not telling this

very well, am I? It just sounds so text-book, you know?

'Then it hits me.' I might as well throw in, 'like a ton

of bricks!' Oh well, that really is what happened. I

mean, a revolutionary thought occurred to me and wouldn't

leave me alone: why not go on a pilgrimage?" (More

laughs.) "So, I'm on my pilgrimage."

There was one thing that he did not want to say just

yet. That he was going after Rian in California.

The lady walking beside Dell, if one were to judge on

stereotypes, had almost definitely been a hippy at one

time. She wore light-green pants, sandals, and a thin

white shirt that was kind of puffy and flowed about. She

was remarkably tanned, and wore a fair amount of jewelry,

some of which appeared to have some kind of new-age

significance. Her hair was nearly grey, and she was

clearly not the type to hide it. (When you really think

about it, you may wonder why anyone would.) She looked

wonderfully nice. She was holding Pet in her arms as they

strolled. She said,

"A pilgrimage."

"Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I know it's a lofty name

for wandering the streets of San Diego with absolutely no

plan for what happens next, but you 'start where you are,'

as they say."

"I think it's great – it is a pilgrimage," she said

with great fervor. "These things don't always have to take

place around Mecca or Jerusalem; they can happen wherever

you are, whenever you truly desire and seek truth. That's

what you're doing, Dell, and I think you are going to

discover some wonderful things about yourself and about

what you believe and value. You're going to learn so much!