Being Seen, Being Missed: Travelling in My Seventies

This personal essay, "Being Seen, Being Missed: Travelling in My Seventies," by Roberta Hill, explores the paradoxical experience of aging as a seventy-year-old traveller. Robert describes a dual reality in which she is frequently overlooked by staff and society, yet simultaneously singled out for her physical appearance, receiving airport security perks and offered seats on transit. While she finds a certain tranquillity and freedom in moving through spaces unnoticed, she also grapples with the frustrating stereotypes of fragility that others project onto her. Ultimately, the narrative highlights how slow travel allows for a richer, more observant journey that transcends societal assumptions about age. By embracing both her visibility and invisibility, Roberta asserts her continued curiosity and presence in a global landscape.