Discovery The True Immaculate Beauty

by Colin DeVico (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

How many people plan to take a tour of a historic site, museum, town, or building, and expect to be completely alone? No one; and neither did I. The 2020 election year is among us, with presidential candidates, major federal and state senator seats, and various local law proposals on the ballot; the need for a proper understanding of the role and impact of the election drove my desire to visit the state capital. The morning was cold, but nothing that a second-year New England winter veteran couldn’t handle. Keeping my head facing the ground to avoid tripping over the relatively short steps or better yet my own two feet, the only thought was not to fall flat on my face. As I reached the top series of stairs, I noticed that there was no way to push or pull open the three golden doors; leading to nerves shouting down my spine that I might not be in the right place. My once freshly pressed suit and tightly tied tie began to feel loose and wrinkled. Panic, and being stuck, set in. Thinking and problem-solving was the only way to get to where I intended to be. Being a millennial, I whipped out my iPhone and proceeded alongside the state capital building, taking in the sense of height and elevation from up above the city. All the way around the building, to the other side, with a little help of Google Maps, I found it. Nodding at the security guard as I walked through the metal detector, with my tinted glasses and newly confident looking attire, we were ready for our tour. “Right above us” shouted the security guard, taking a seat at a miniature desk across the room and pointing straight up as I swiveled my head around to take in the historic beauty. Not many 116-year-old things looked as well kept as herself; “immaculate” is the only word to describe the feeling of looking at it all from within. Watching my feet as I climbed the multiple-level marble and gold grand stairway and trying not to wake the entire state political assembly with my echoing steps, the library and starting point of the tour was within sight. Preceding inside, only finding a few computers, a bajillion old-looking books stacked higher than the vaulted ceiling, and a set of chairs. The noise of a vacuum machine could be heard from down the hall as I took one of the two available seats. Within a few minutes, a young man, about my age walked up to myself; looking confused but prepared for what I figured was some sort of meeting. The maroon and golden embroidered polo with the letters R, I, and C led myself to believe it was a fellow local college student from Rhode Island College. Nick was the name he used to introduce himself, before explaining that he was our tour guide for the morning. “Is this you?” was the first question showing myself an email with my name in bold; “only you?” was his second, looking even more confused. “Yes, only myself. I had booked for me and my partner, but she was unable to make it” was my reply. It was tense and awkward, but not uncomfortable. Although the tour was planned for both of us, the overall experience was different and new. I had to truly listen, follow along, and remember enough to come home and talk about the tour. It was less about the funny moments and corky questions and more about the tour, the feeling, and me. Solo traveling has become a new, rising trend. For as long as I can remember, I have always taken on opportunities like these with someone, a friend, a family member, a loved one, etc. And for the last year, it has been my best friend and partner-in-crime. Leaving the state capital building feeling for-filled and “like I knew myself better”, as I described it to my girlfriend, the actual adventure came from being truly alone. Solo travel is exactly that, a little bit of fear, a little bit of panic. For a lot of joy and the discovery of the true immaculate beauty.