Bus Quote by Caryl Phillips
“Sometimes I can be walking down the street, or riding a bus, and suddenly I see somebody who remind me of somebody I know back home, and I close my eyes and find myself thinking of the sea, or the taste of grafted mango, or the smell of saltfish frying, and then I come back to myself and open my eyes and realise where I am.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Caryl Phillips on Memory and Diaspora, BBC Radio, 2018
The narrator experiences sudden, vivid sensory memories triggered by strangers, linking distant places and personal history.
In simple terms: Strangers can spark vivid memories of home.
Key Takeaway
Notice how sensory cues trigger memories.
Themes
memory
nostalgia
identity
diaspora
sensory triggers
Mood
nostalgic
contemplative
Type
cultural
personal
When to use this quote
- travel
- social encounters
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology of memory
cultural displacement
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What senses most often recall home?
- How do you stay present amid sudden recollection?
A Different Perspective
Memories may be fleeting and confusing.
