Travelling is Cryptomnesia

Greetings all. I know it’s been a while since I last posted. First off, I want to post what the word “Cryptomnesia” means, according to Merriam Webster dictionary online: the appearance in consciousness of memory images which are not recognized as such but which appear as original creations. https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/cryptomnesia

It is a bit freaky. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, boy oh boy, it’s far out. Sometimes, when I am travelling, I find myself in certain landscapes and topography which feel and look so familiar to a place I previously frequented before in my life. It’s a sense of déjà vu but on a very intuitive and surreal level.

As I was in Changi Beach Park area in Singapore for vacation, I found that there was a complimentary shuttle bus in the area I could take. This bus would take me to a shopping center which was right next to a metro station. The Changi area is not near downtown Singapore, it is more in a suburb, remote type of place. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my stay NOT in the hustle, bustle and heavily touristy area of the country.

I am just amazed at how one can totally be in another part of the world completely, and yet, still, be transported back to a previous place. As I took this shuttle bus, we made various stops along the way in other villa, vacation style areas where people can get on and ride to the shopping mall and metro. The shuttle bus driver is maneuvering our bus throughout all these roads and in and out of these nooks and crannies and I am intrigued. I’m instantly transported back to a place in Western Pennsylvania, called Moon Township. It was uncanny to me how the hills, the trees, the villa houses and places were all nestled on this area with a similarity to how the areas in Moon Township looked years ago. This is an area that you probably need to have some form of motorized transportation other than your two legs and feet in. Then, we eventually made it out of that topography into an area that looked like an Industry Park. Once again, I was reminded of the shift and change like when Moon Township would change into Robinson Township, and you would see all the businesses and chemical factories present.

This intense feeling of familiarity and déjà vu continued until this topography changed into more of a modern city feel and look. I am not sure if anyone else has experienced this before. I am sure I am not the only person who has. If you have, please feel free to add your comment to this.

I just felt the need to share this experience because it happened not only on the trip to the shopping mall but also on the return trip, later in the day, back to near my hotel. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, the feeling is very, VERY strong.

Maria Mocha