“On the road, serendipity is given space to enter my life.”
– Andrew McCarthy
In a blur of purple and pink, she appears in front of me, motioning for me to move my bags aside so that she can have a seat on the bench I quite selfishly have taken over.
It’s hard to blame her – the Saigon Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is packed on this Wednesday afternoon. I have a feeling that with its century of history and impressive arched ceiling, it’s a tourist attraction in all types of weather, but clearly even more visitors have flocked inside once rainclouds let loose over the city.
After all, that’s what drove me to sketch here – as a way of staying on top of my sketches but also escaping the showers. And at first, it is seriously slow going. I survey my sketch after an hour: I’ve managed to do a quick outline in pencil, and then exactly one section of the ceiling in pen.
Only thirteen more to go…
But then she appears, a girl around my age in a lilac tank top and a long skirt and scarf the same shade of dark pink. She sits down beside me, pulls a book out of her backpack, and extends it towards me, her arms straight out and a huge smile on her face. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I have no idea what’s going on.
I take the book from her and crack it open with all the hesitance of someone sent to dismantle a bomb. The fact that she has yet to say a word only adds to my bewilderment. What greets me first is a colorful drawing of rice paddies; on the next page, a Cambodian farmer in a conical straw hat with his cow. And then I get it: She’s a fellow sketch artist.
Her name is Ksyucha, she’s from St. Petersburg, Russia, and she has spent the last seven months working in Thailand as a tour guide for Russian tourists. We talk briefly about our travels but are soon swapping sketchbooks, looking through each other’s drawings, and even comparing what mediums we use (I use watercolors while she prefers colored pencils and markers).
It is such sketching serendipities I have come to live for – no matter how long the actual sketch itself may take to complete.
I love this whole story! It’s a beautiful sketch, but I really love how art brought you two together. What a great experience.
Thank you, Carmel! It really was one of my favorite moments in Saigon – just as you say, I’m so grateful for how sketching keeps opening up these encounters. Hope you and Shawn have had a great holiday weekend!
Wonderful story! What a chance encounter and fun way to meet others on the road.
Thanks so much, JoAnna! Sketching has definitely become one of my favorite ways to connect with people now.
I love it! Candace, I’ve been meaning to say. When you publish your book of sketches it would be AMAZING if you also published a page of photos of everyone you’ve sketched with. All those wonderful children and this woman and the others… I just love that sketching brings you all together.
Kim!! You are a genius, my friend. I love that idea, and am absolutely going to make it happen 🙂 Thanks for such a brilliant suggestion!
This is such a beautiful experience, Candace. Every time I read your posts I’m reminded how much I used to love sketching and how much I’d love to take it up again! One of these days I’ll get past that mental block but for now, each of your beautiful posts coaxes me one step closer. Thank you for that, and don’t ever stop! 🙂
Thank you so much, Lindsey! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear that this inspires you to take up your sketching again…I certainly know how difficult it is to pick art (and other creative hobbies) back up again, but hopefully that will happen one day! Your encouragement means the world, so thank you again for stopping by 🙂
It is so beautiful to see the way your artistic talent draws people in on so many levels. And I absolutely agree with Kim – a section of your book showcasing these remarkable moments of serendipity would be a wonderful way to tie everything together. Oh man, I am SO excited to get my copy. However it turns out, I know it will be spectacular.
Hannah, my love, you know how much your kind words mean to me. I also *loved* Kim’s idea and will definitely be doing that – it will be so fun to see everyone I crossed paths with in the same place 🙂 I’m just working on my last post of the trip right now, and what I’m left with is nothing but pure gratitude for all the sketching serendipities – they made my trip! I can’t wait to get the book finished, and I’m beyond stoked to share it with you. Sending lots of love to Cambodia tonight!
I am in love with your sketches. They really bring the scenes to life. Amazing!!!
Thanks so much, Rambow! That really means a lot – I’m so glad you enjoy them 🙂 Hope to see you here again!
I love it! and she has such a different style than you. At first I thought it was very juvenile but then i started to see something quite whimsical. What’s the name for that type of drawing style – it’s folky, right?
Whimsical is a perfect word for her style! I especially loved the bright colors she uses – her sketches would be perfect in a children’s book, you know? PS – and yes! I think folksy might also be a good way to put it…