The Czech Republic is the furthest place I’ve traveled to. Back in 1991, it was still referred to as Czechoslovakia, had recently become democratic and open to foreign travelers. While backpacking through Europe, we jumped on a train heading east to Prague on a whim. We knew nothing about the country and were greeted with cobblestone streets and an old country feel. We rented an inexpensive room from a local boarding house, dropped off our backpacks and set off to explore the city. Unlike other European countries, the dollar was strong here and we ate pizza at four cents a slice. I over ate on pizza and felt my stomach ready to burst. It was OK to gorge for one day. In the midst of a heat wave, we ducked into a movie theater seeking relief from the humidity. Star Wars was playing on a big screen, dubbed in Czech, of course. The mismatched words and lips amused us as we curiously watched. Darth Vader never sounded so cool. Later that evening, we avoided a number of rough skin head types that were congregating by the train station. No place is perfect and we steered clear of trouble. The day before I was unable to pinpoint Czechoslovakia on a map and now here I was roaming their old world streets. What a time in history – not only in the world, but also for me, my life teetering on the cusp of adulthood. The world was becoming bigger right before my very eyes. I’ve been grateful for the experience ever since.
Roam by the B-52’s seemed the perfect choice for the playlist since we were backpacking through Europe, roaming from one country to the next. At least that’s what I thought before I did a little research this morning.
. . . it was actually a song not about traveling from place to place but the mysteries of loss. “‘Roam’ has many meanings, but it’s a beautiful song about death,” she told Classic Pop magazine in 2019. “It’s about when your spirit leaves your body and you can just roam.”
– ClassicRockers
It turns out Roam is about transitions, moving on after life’s end. In a way, I was going through a similar figurative transition myself. My college life had come to an end and upon returning home, I’d be removing the guard rails, transitioning into adulthood. The question was, was I ready? At that point in time, I didn’t have any answers let alone an understanding of the questions to ask. All I had was youth on my side and given the freedom to roam into the next chapter of life.
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For a complete playlist, please click here.
For the Spotify playlist, please click here.
I hear a wind Whistling air Whispering in my ear Boy mercury shooting through every degree Oh girl dancing down those dirty and dusty trails Take it hip to hip rocking through the wilderness Around the world the trip begins with a kiss Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without wings without wheels Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without anything but the love we feel Skip the air-strip to the sunset Yeah ride the arrow to the target Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Around the world the trip begins with a kiss Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without wings without wheels Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without anything but the love we feel Fly the great big sky see the great big sea Kick through continents bustin' boundaries Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Around the world the trip begins with a kiss Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without wings without wheels Roam if you want to, roam around the world Roam if you want to, without anything but the love we feel Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness Take it hip to hip rock it through the wilderness
MyGenXerLife 
An exciting time in Eastern Europe, so soon after the Berlin Wall came down.
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It was. We went to see the Berlin Wall. We were amidst history and that weighed on us. I remember as we crossed from west to east Germany on the train. We looked outside the windows and saw colors change to a drab darkness as we crossed the border. It was surreal. So long ago
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Wow! Cool memory of such an exciting, promising time.
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BRILLIANT SHARING, here.
Thank you so much for this considered and generous sharing.
…from ONE GenX’r to a clearly hearty and vibrant ‘nother.
Be well and ENJOY.
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Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. Good hear from a fellow GenXer! Thank you!
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