I
The morning is still. The sun still shrouded by the surrounding mountains. I venture out, unaware of what’s to come. How could Juliet have anticipated Romeo’s sweet handshake?
The streets are small and winding, the shade of their walls presses against me like a hug. Their open doors beckon me with warm welcome… enticing me with soldes. I avert my eyes. I need for nothing.
Suddenly, it is before me… winged beasts fill my heart and fly to it. Its rim is sheer perfection, its floral adornment is neither shy nor boastful. Oh how beautiful and unassuming. How unlike any other. And lo, what is this? A dangling, white price tag sealing my admiration:
10 Euros.
My heart is stolen. But I am afraid. How can I know if this feeling is fleeting or fervent? What will happen if I trade my gold for this €10 Floppy Hat? Will it fall apart in days? Will it be too much to carry? Will I really wear it? (Because most of the time I buy hats and they look really good but I don’t wear them because they’re too cumbersome, or I forget about them or I feel awkward because really who wears hats anymore except for the queen?)
These doubts swarm my mind. My fears overwhelm me.
I flee! I run! Far, far away, where I can forget about the €10 Floppy Hat in the safety of seclusion.
II
The Sun beats hard against my brow, swallowing me in its rays. I long for the comfort of shade…
Remorse begins to torment me. I cannot rid myself of its image. The €10 Floppy Hat haunts my mind. Still, I press onward, leaving it behind. Time will heal this longing.
But lo, I cannot forget. Regret does not fade, it sharpens. There is only one way to remedy this pain… I turn the till, starboard ho! I order myself to about-face. No more reverie, the €10 Floppy Hat will be mine!
€10 Floppy Hat where are you? These unfamiliar streets mask you from my eyes. Call to me and I will find you! Reveal yourself and I will never leave your side!
I grow weary from searching. Narrow walkways taunt me. €20-30 Floppy Hats throw jeers in my direction. They are too uproarious, they do not share the perfection of my €10 Floppy Hat. I am so tired, so hot… I begin to doubt I will ever see it again. Alas, I give up hope.
Oh joy! Oh unforeseen relief! You are before me! Your perfection shines towards me and ignites my heart in flames. I run to you and put you on my head. My heart is at peace. I feel complete.
I laugh at the winding streets as I walk, flaunting my €10 Floppy Hat. I have won, they cannot keep us apart. Nothing will separate me from my prize.
III
How have I lived this long without my €10 Floppy Hat? What shielded my eyes from the sun? What protected my skin from its rays? What on earth did I do when I was having a bad hair day? I cannot remember. I can only thank the heavens for introducing this glorious crown into my life.
My €10 Floppy Hat travels with me wherever I go… across countries and continents. We are one and the same. Those who know my name know my €10 Floppy Hat. I show it the world and it shows the world me (and the world says, ‘damn! You look good in that €10 Floppy Hat’).
I treat my €10 Floppy Hat with care. Daring not to leave it where it may be crushed or stained. On the bus I tuck it safely into the overhead compartment. But behold, my caution breeds disaster.
To: Info Autobus…. Subject: Sombrero Perdido… Ayudame! Dejé mi sombrero en un autobús.
I forgot my hat on a bus! Please if you find it, return it to me!
€10 Floppy Hat where are you? These unfamiliar streets mask you from my eyes. Call to me and I will find you! Reveal yourself and I will never leave your side!
I am overwhelmed with anticipation. Regret hammers nails into my heart. Still I hope and wait for a reply. I have faith my €10 Floppy Hat will be returned to me. Surely our affair cannot end so soon.
Days pass and my certainty waivers.
To: Wendy Bird…. Subject: Sombrero Perdido…. Buenas Dias, no se ha encontrado su sombrero. Lo sentimos.
They did not find my hat. They are sorry.
My €10 Floppy Hat is gone forever.
I grieve its loss. The end so unforeseen, so swift makes more bitter our parting. Sorrow overwhelms me but I press on. I try to imagine a young girl overjoyed to find it. One like me proudly displaying her €0 Floppy Hat as it shields her from the sun. The alternatives are too much to bear.
€10 Floppy Hat, forgive me. I hope you are happy where you are.
The sun beats hard against my brow but I cannot look at the hats that surround me, even though they proclaim beauty and good price. My heart is not ready to move on.
I buy a €1 Scarf and tie it around my head until time prepares me to love again.
Travel Like Bird 
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