Be, Stay, Live — 5 Lessons to Travel By
La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
“Donde esta el bank-o?” I asked, as though adding “o” to “bank” would make the word sound Spanish.
It was our first few hours in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and we were clearly off to a brilliant start. When I was met with quizzical looks by the store clerks, I realized that my time on Duolingo had not helped me recall how to speak Spanish correctly; I sounded exactly like the American I am.
“El banco?” they asked. “Si,” I responded sheepishly. Once I got a general idea of the directions to the nearest bank, my friends and I quickly scurried out of the gas station. While we walked, taking in the sights, a stern policewoman warned us to not go the way we’d just come because of the “banditos.” We quickly obliged. Proper pronunciation aside, Duolingo had at least helped my keywords that managed to get us through the city... Our first adventure out was a foreshadowing of a comical, blundering, yet enlightening two-week trip.
Myself and several friends embarked on our trip to Buenos Aires under the ruse of a study abroad program, which we squeezed in before our final semester of law school. We rented an apartment in a hip section of town, and decided that we would plan excursions once we arrived, rather than creating an itinerary beforehand. This laid-back style of traveling, as well as a social split between those who were more daring and others who were more cautious, was challenging for some and tensions inevitably rose. My biggest regret is that I realized too late that my, and some of my companions’, travel style conflicted with the need for certainty within our friends. I wished that we had set boundaries and established an understanding of our needs and wants before we arrived. That was one hard-learned travel lesson.
In spite of Argentina’s hiccups, I continued to travel. I experienced New York, California, the sandy white beaches of Fort Walton Beach and the not-so-white ones of Myrtle Beach, among others. These trips, with my closest friends and family, strengthened our relationships and helped us love and appreciate each other more. A grateful lesson to be learned.
Desert Safari, Dubai
Then traveling took an even more exciting turn when what I perceived to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip came across my path. I was invited to Dubai to celebrate my cousin’s friend’s 30th birthday. My nervousness about visiting a country so culturally different was amplified by the fact that I didn’t know anyone else who was going aside from my cousin. My nerves were quickly eased however by the trip organizer who had curated a diverse, fun-loving, and caring group of people. During our 3-day whirlwind, we took care of each other, had fun, learned about a beautiful country and people, and cultivated new friendships, all while enjoying clubs, historic markets, the world’s tallest building, and the desert where we surfed in SUVs.
Victoria, Canada
The following year, I briefly visited Seattle, Washington with my daughter, mom, and sister, which included a day trip to Victoria, Canada. Nothing had prepared us for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with its brilliant sunsets and eclectic local lore. While we certainly got on each others’ nerves during the trip, it was comforting to travel with some of the most important people in my life.
Phuket Big Buddha, Thailand
James Bond Island, Thailand
Less than a month later, I was on my way to Phuket, Thailand. Another whirlwind trip with a few of the people from the Dubai trip, but this time, I invited some friends of my own. Unlike anywhere I’ve been, I was struck by Phuket’s simplistic beauty and laid-back vibes. We arrived toward the end of the rainy season, so tourism was relatively low, which meant fewer crowds. Exploring the local town, visiting a Buddhist temple and paying our respects, and a day on a private catamaran to see the “James Bond” islands provided ample opportunities for kick-ass photos and shenanigans. It was nothing short of magical.
Beyond forming new friendships and fortifying old ones, my travels over the years have allowed me to rediscover and fall in love with myself more. I encourage everyone to travel or experience something new, no matter how near or far. There are so many things to discover about the world, but more importantly, about yourself.
Here are the lessons that have stuck with me most, and hopefully will stick with you as well:
Travel with intent. Fully experience the locale and people, and take the time to appreciate your surroundings.
Be mindful of where you are. Be safe, of course, but don't let fear of the unknown and the unfamiliar stop you from experiencing the majesty that the world has to offer.
Go with people you care about and who care about you. Being in unfamiliar places can cause stress and anxiety, but if you're with people that you care about, trust, and feel comfortable with, they can be a safety net. If you travel by yourself, always be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let fear prevent you from experiencing your trip in full.
Be respectful and self-aware. Sometimes you'll find yourself in communities or within a culture that is entirely different from your own. That doesn't mean that people deserve any less respect or honor—especially if it's a religiously different country. Treat their beliefs with the honor that you would want your beliefs to be treated with.
Travel with a childlike wonder. Appreciate the beauty, diversity, the world has to offer. The world is a wonderful, wondrous place and there's so much to explore and to learn from it, and so much to learn about yourself while doing so.
Aside from revisiting the places I’ve already been, there are so many new places I plan to explore. Next on the list (hopefully) is Bali. (Fingers crossed!) Please, Corona, please go away!
