Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The night before they had told me that the one thing they really needed in order to spread
their message, in order to introduce themselves to the world, was a music video. Like with
Willy, I realized I didn't just want to help people fill a need; I wanted to help them fulfill
a dream. And their music was a dream worth hearing. Just like me, they wanted to make it
around the world. They just needed the fuel to do it.
“And so,” I continued. “I have decided to help pay for your video.”
I could feel time slow as Finesse and Tchale realized what this gift could mean, what
it might look like to see their hard-earned dream come alive. They looked at each other
in total shock, and then they began chatting quickly in French. Although I had studied the
langue de l'amour
for nine years in school, I must admit I never learned a word. (Sorry
Madame Beauvais and Monsieur Parfour.)
I could see that the two chaps from Benin were getting emotional. Tchale seemed the
more stoic of the two, but Finesse had tears in his eyes.
Tchale looked at me and said two simple but powerful words, “Thank you.”
“No, no,” I replied, my own eyes filling with tears. “Thank you. It's passion like yours,
not just for music, but for people, that touches everything. That changes others.”
“You have changed us,” Finesse replied.
“And you have changed me,” I told him, knowing that should I ever question my jour-
ney from this point on, it would be Finesse and Tchale's music that would carry me along.
I remember months before I left London, I had a dinner with eight of my closest friends.
I told them of my plan to travel to America, how I needed a change in my life. Only one
person at that table believed I would do it. That person was me. The rest told me to stay
put, that the feeling would pass. They didn't mean to shoot me down, but sometimes going
out and changing your life is even more terrifying to those who can't.
I know that's why vagabond hearts scare so many people. It feels safer to have a family,
to stay put, to let the need for adventure, or even connection, fade into the quiet comfort of
a predictable life. And living for music, living your dreams, loving strangers can be scary.
Though I could have listened to my friends and stayed in that London apartment, miser-
able and static, I didn't give up on my dream. Che inspired me, and now, I was inspired by
Tchale and Finesse. Inspired by their absolute commitment to doing what they loved, no
matter the cost.
I walked from their house to Kindness One with that goodness pumping through my
soul. As I turned the corner, I saw a small blue and white envelope on my bike. What could
this be? A love letter in French? Not exactly. It was rather a very expensive souvenir from
