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Missing Neon

The ferry ride from one shore of the lake to the other was accompanied by the non-stop chatter of a wise-cracking tour guide that we might have enjoyed had we understood the language. As much as translator apps are the savior on such trips, it failed to keep up with her sarcasm and rapid change of context. The other passengers seemed to enjoy it so I am assuming she was funny and entertaining. 

The sky remained heavily overcast but it was hard to tell where the fog ended and clouds began. The scenery was a painting in shades of green blending into grey - there was no room for other colors. As we neared the pier where were going to dock and disembark, a set of singing voices broke through the air and all at once the mood changed - from a light despondency to one of brightness. 

Often I have arrived at a place full of anticipation of what it will be and then reality seemed a large deviation from imagination. Like seeing sky-scrapers going dark for the night, broken LED panels blinking bleakly and no bright neon signs anywhere. None of those things mean anything consequential to me and yet by being absent, there was some disappointment. It is okay to miss the scenery because it was obscured by a middle-aged man tapping away furiously at his cellphone brining attention to his very expensive watch and a diamond encrusted signet ring with a large blue sapphire in the center. 

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