Inspiration in the D.C. Metro, USA

 

Usually the metro is far from an inspiring place. It’s to be passed through, as quickly as possible, on the way to somewhere else. It can often be hot, shaky, cramped, and/or uncomfortable.

Optimistically, we can describe metro systems as useful; At worst, they are inefficient and perhaps even dangerous.

Despite these utilitarian-at-best connotations, the Washington, D.C. Metro is, strangely enough, somewhere I can go to find courage and inspiration.

This is a globetrotting story that winds through the USA, Central Africa, and finally Chile.

— — —

I met Nate during my sophomore year at the University of Delaware. Nate always made incredible first impressions. He was a bundle of energy, and a big bundle at that. Nate was imposing physically – a rugby player – but that just made him a better hugger. He was Ferdinand the Bull. He loved movies and Philadelphia sports teams.

It wasn’t always this way with Nate. Like any normal human being, Nate passed through a darker stage. Uncertain about his present and his future, he shut himself in his room and slept. He missed classes (In fact, he never officially finished college). He shied away from social gatherings. He knew heartbreak. He had an inexplicable self-conscious streak.

At some point between those gloomy days and his 25th and final year, Nate discovered his calling. He became involved with an organization called Invisible Children (IC), which since 2004 has strived to end conflict in Central Africa. One of their greatest goals has been to eliminate the use of child soldiers by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army.

After learning more about IC and what they were trying to do, Nate decided to dedicate his time to their cause. He used his charisma, sense of humor, and great networking ability to fundraise and raise awareness. Much of this money would go to educate former child soldiers in Uganda and Rwanda. He traveled all over the United States, living out of a cramped van with other non-paid IC volunteers, spreading knowledge as to what was happening in Central Africa.

The last time I saw Nate alive was at American University in Washington, D.C. I had gone to see him present the latest Invisible Children news. I heard the heartbreaking testimonies of former child soldiers, the latest casualties in a long and tragically recurrent African story. I was shocked and proud to see how much Nate had grown, how well he spoke in front of a crowd, and how passionate he was about what he was doing. After the talk and a powerful Q and A session, he told me that he could see his career developing before his eyes. He told me he’d never felt so sure of something.

A few months later, Nate finally got the opportunity to travel to Uganda to see what was happening there first hand. He had become close with many former child soldiers turned IC representatives. They re-named Nate ‘Oteka’, or the strong one.

I spoke with Oteka that day in July; it was just a quick exchange of messages. He told me how much fun he was having in Kampala. He was going to watch the World Cup Final with some friends. He was excited to head to Rwanda the next morning. He missed “ice, and American toilets”. He was learning to appreciate “funny things” – the little things.

I wish I could speak with Nate now. I wish he didn’t die in a bombing orchestrated by Somali militants that same evening, July 11th, 2010.

If I could talk to Nate, I would tell him that every time I look at that picture of him, pensive, on the D.C. Metro, I feel inspired. I see his humble bravery. I would tell him how much his actions changed my life. He guided me to take a leap of faith of my own and move to Chile, despite all the obstacles and naysayers. I’d tell him I’m doing well. I’d wait for him to tell a cheesy joke, and to hear his contagious laugh soon thereafter.

Nate decided to live with purpose and to do something that he loved, every day. And why not? Life is too tenuously beautiful to be scared to take seemingly ‘illogical’ chances.

Memories often become hazy and distorted with the passage of time. And in the age of photo saturation, the post-Facebook age, pictures have lost some of their former potency. But sometimes, pictures can be sacred. They can stir up forgotten emotions. In that picture, I can always meet Nate in the D.C. Metro.

Nate was no Batman or Superman; he was a great human being. He was, and continues to be, my hero.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

Gratitude Travel Writing Contest

We hope you enjoyed this entry in the We Said Go Travel Gratitude Writing Contest. Please visit this page to learn more and participate. Thank you for reading the article and please leave a comment below.

One response to “Inspiration in the D.C. Metro, USA

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Said Go Travel