To overcome an irrational fear...
replace it with a habit.
If you're afraid to write, write a little, every day. Start with an anonymous blog, start with a sentence. Every day, drip, drip, drip, a habit.
If you're afraid to speak up, speak up a little, every day. Not to the board of directors, but to someone. A little bit, every day.
Habits are more powerful than fears.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Just Seth Godin, saying it like it is B-)
Thursday, April 23, 2015
#filters
Despite the trending popularity of #nofilter, we all apply our own filters everyday.
And that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Whether it's the chill one, the silly one, the career-oriented one, or the quiet one, we're different selves around different people simply by design. We only want to show the side of ourselves that is most likely be accepted or will most fit with people's expectations.
So in moderation, these filters are helpful. We use them to protect the people around us from what they might not want to see and to protect ourselves from rejection or shame. We hide our silly sides during interviews so we don't overwhelm potential employers, and we shield our professional selves from friends so we don't look like we take ourselves too seriously. The filters we apply all depend on social context. Establishments decide for us what's permissible to show, and we comply with these standards so as not to stand out and become an easy target for criticism. It's hard to expose the authentic selves we hold so dear to a sometimes savage world.
But these socially imposed standards sometimes cause us to overdo it. Have you ever seen a picture that has been so over-edited that you want to look away? Humans can do that same sort of over-filtering to themselves. It's the crux of all things fake, cliche, or basic. But rather than contempt, we should meet these cliches with empathy. Over-filtering is merely going to further lengths to become more likeable, and we all strive for that. Except with over-filtering, we run the risk of becoming cookies from the same cutter, cakes from the same mold. For the sake of acceptance, we lose the quirks that make us each uniquely individual. We hide a part of ourselves that the world could benefit from. Because the world needs uniqueness. The world needs the new perspectives it offers, the different opinions it encourages, and the innovative approaches it sparks. Each person offers something new, but only if they express themselves as the individuals they are.
It's dangerous that institutions impose these standards, because they not only hurt us, but also damage themselves. By restricting norms to a checklist rubric, institutions drive people to fit themselves into a mold. This results in a culture of exclusivity and uniformity that drives away the valuable perspectives of people who would rather lose out on an opportunity than sacrifice self-expression. It's the root of the gender gap in Silicon Valley; it's the reason why MIT is so special with its wide-ranging diversity of students.
So for the world's sake, we should all strive to be a little bit more of ourselves. No doubt, vulnerability is hard: you have to remove your protective filters to reveal an individual that some might not expect. But it's not really getting rid of your filter; it's just taking it off of yourself and applying it to the world. Instead of filtering yourself for the people around you, filter the world for the people who can handle your uniquely awesome self.
But these socially imposed standards sometimes cause us to overdo it. Have you ever seen a picture that has been so over-edited that you want to look away? Humans can do that same sort of over-filtering to themselves. It's the crux of all things fake, cliche, or basic. But rather than contempt, we should meet these cliches with empathy. Over-filtering is merely going to further lengths to become more likeable, and we all strive for that. Except with over-filtering, we run the risk of becoming cookies from the same cutter, cakes from the same mold. For the sake of acceptance, we lose the quirks that make us each uniquely individual. We hide a part of ourselves that the world could benefit from. Because the world needs uniqueness. The world needs the new perspectives it offers, the different opinions it encourages, and the innovative approaches it sparks. Each person offers something new, but only if they express themselves as the individuals they are.
It's dangerous that institutions impose these standards, because they not only hurt us, but also damage themselves. By restricting norms to a checklist rubric, institutions drive people to fit themselves into a mold. This results in a culture of exclusivity and uniformity that drives away the valuable perspectives of people who would rather lose out on an opportunity than sacrifice self-expression. It's the root of the gender gap in Silicon Valley; it's the reason why MIT is so special with its wide-ranging diversity of students.
So for the world's sake, we should all strive to be a little bit more of ourselves. No doubt, vulnerability is hard: you have to remove your protective filters to reveal an individual that some might not expect. But it's not really getting rid of your filter; it's just taking it off of yourself and applying it to the world. Instead of filtering yourself for the people around you, filter the world for the people who can handle your uniquely awesome self.
Vulnerability is difficult, but it can be so worth it. All of the most impactful events in my life have involved making myself vulnerable: to criticism, but also to acceptance. My summer in Singapore gave me the chance to be my authentic self for people from a different culture, and their willingness to accept me was humbling. I was afraid of making my blog public because I didn't want someone to read it and see a Connie they didn't expect. I didn't want to release my private opinions to a public that might not agree, or worse, think they weren't worth anything. But it was so fulfilling to hear friends and strangers alike accept and resonate with a self that I usually conceal. The fear of feeling worthless often keeps us from being vulnerable, but being vulnerable is the best way to realize your self-worth.
These acts of vulnerability gave me a new love for humanity. To see how willing people are to accept the authentic me made me value the incredible human-ness of being understood. No other animal can understand and empathize with each other in the same way that humans can, and that makes showing yourself in all your quirky, dimensioned, unique individuality so beautiful.
These acts of vulnerability gave me a new love for humanity. To see how willing people are to accept the authentic me made me value the incredible human-ness of being understood. No other animal can understand and empathize with each other in the same way that humans can, and that makes showing yourself in all your quirky, dimensioned, unique individuality so beautiful.
Vulnerability is the new #nofilter. Join the trend?
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
10 Tips for the Travel Newbie
Everyone has a first time sometime.
And what's not to like about a little advice to start you off? As a newbie Euro-traveler myself until recently, I'm glad to share a few things I wish I had known (and learned along the way).
1) Find out about all of the common scams
For example, there's a lot of pickpocketing in Barcelona, people giving out flowers in Italy, and men tying wristbands on tourists in Paris. Avoid them so you don't get tied up in any scam shenanigans!
2) Get cash before you leave
You can get the best exchange rates by submitting a cash order to your bank instead of withdrawing from ATMs abroad or exchanging US dollars at the airport. However, make sure to take precautions to keep your cash safe while traveling. A money belt is a good investment to keep both your extra cash and your passport close to you. They might look tacky, but you'll have a better peace of mind!
3) Pre-search, but don't overplan
Don't pigeonhole yourself into specific plans or attractions: checklist traveling is one of the easiest ways to make a trip a bore. That means skip the bus tours and public transit and walk! Get lost in the streets of [insert awesome city] and be delighted by what you find :)
4) Pack light
Try to stick with only one pair of jeans and a single coat for layering. For girls, bring a few pairs of tights that can be worn underneath jeans on cold days and alone on warmer days. I opted to travel with my laptop, but with smartphones these days, you can go without it. Bring mini shower necessities and lots of socks and underwear so you don't have to skip out on doing fun things just to deal with laundry. Skip the towel: they're too bulky and you can usually rent them at hostels.
5) Find exciting hostels in a central location
Look for hostels with a fun, energetic vibe. If they have some mention of a large lobby bar, music, or student-targeted events (such as bar crawls, tours, etc) in the hostel description, that's a good sign. It'll greatly facilitate meeting new people, especially if you're traveling alone, and provide a nice hang out spot if you're traveling with friends. Also, make sure it's in the city center! It'll allow you stay out later, give you a place to retreat midday if you need a break, and give you more of a chance to explore to your heart's desire.
6) Especially if you haven't traveled for a while, be careful of tap water
Although it may be certified as safe, your body might not be used to certain minerals or things in the water that natives would naturally be immune to. Go the safe route and stick with bottled water instead, unless you're traveling for longer than a month. In this case, you might just want to bear through the sickness once so you're safe for the rest of your trip and beyond. However, bottled water is a guaranteed way to avoid water poisoning, and it'll make your travels happier times.
7) Stay healthy!
Forreals doh! With all of the excitement of new sights to see and foods to taste, it's easy to forget about eating your fruit and veggies, drinking enough water, and taking breaks. But believe me, you'll burn out quickly if you're not health conscious: the easiest way to ensure healthy habits is to start out each day with a fruit and something energy boosting. Then you can indulge in all of the deliciousness you want throughout the day! And pace yourself. Don't use all your energy in the first few days or hours. Traveling with friends naturally gets you to travel at a good pace, but if you're by yourself or with one other, you need to be more aware of building breaks into your schedule because the lack of human inertia means you might end up traveling at a burnout pace.
8) Preload maps
GPS still works without wifi, so preload a map to your phone and off you go. Google Maps also has a nifty feature called Offline Maps that allows you to save maps and zoom in and out on the streets to get a bearing of where you are.
9) Try traveling alone
It's lonely at first no doubt, but it'll put you outside of your comfort zone and that's when you grow most. It'll also make you appreciate your friends, family, and privileges all the more. Of course, take precautions to stay safe. Don't stay out too far past sundown, consult others about which cities are safest to visit alone, etc. But also have fun! Don't be so concerned that you miss out on a good time abroad :)
10) Make new friends
Traveling and especially living in hostels is the best way to meet people who you normally wouldn't interact with. Talk to them, learn about their lives, and share your own stories with them. It's basically learning about many corners of the world for the price of one! Hostel boarders often come from all nationalities and backgrounds, but often all speak English together since it's the one language most young people have at least a working knowledge of.
So that's it! :) Now go crazy and explore!
So that's it! :) Now go crazy and explore!
Eurotrip (Part 3: The Self)
If you want to learn more about my Eurotrip, check out Part 1 of this series. These posts are all focused on the lessons I learned and adventures I had during my travels. This leg of the trip reflected my solo travel experience.
The Self
After a whirlwind of upset stomachs, exotic foods, and vaulted ceilings, I arrived in Berlin for the last leg of my journey: the self. My plans were to explore Berlin and Amsterdam after a few friends recommended that these are safe places to travel alone as a very obviously, non-native female.
So off a went to Berlin. And almost instantly upon arrival I was hit with an unfamiliar feeling: a helpless loneliness. I just wanted to curl up in bed and not think about how far away I was from everything familiar to me. It wasn't like I hadn't traveled before: I'd been to Singapore, I'd visited Thailand, I'd traveled solo in the US. But this felt entirely different. Without the security of familiar faces or even a purpose for being there, I was crippled with a case of the loneliness.
But this triggered my instincts to seek out company, so I started striking up conversations with strangers. One thing led to another, and I ended up spending a whole day with a new Italian friend and another day sharing stories with a girl from Argentina. And through these new friends, I was able to learn about the world, different cultures, and new perspectives. They shared stories of their pasts and dreams for their futures and I did the same. It was a practice of trust and vulnerability that helped me adopt a new humility. I learned about Let's love for her hometown of Buenos Aires and Cecco's conflict between his Italian roots and his love for the progressiveness of other parts of the world. But despite our disparities, our laughter was universal. No matter our disparate paths that brought us to Berlin, we could still share laughs about terrible Lego constructions and the craziness of German weather. We had our differences, but could all appreciate the beauty of the city around us.
After a delayed flight and the previous three weeks of travel, I arrived in Amsterdam excited, but ready for a break. However, plans dictated otherwise. Luckily, the freedom of solo traveling allowed me to spend the next few days on my own to experience the other side of traveling alone (besides meeting new people): meeting myself. I'm already quite big on self-reflection, so being with just my thoughts was nothing novel. However, in the past it was always for a few hours, not a few days. Which inevitably led to me getting bored with my own company and resorting to people watching, self-reflecting, and thinking about tremor pen (intellectual thinking is not my natural state).
There is definitely a lot of merit to traveling alone and I would recommend it to everyone, but perhaps only as a one time thing. Of course everyone gets something different out of solo travel, and it really depends on your mindset and starting state. No matter what though, it takes you outside of your comfort zone and that's a learning experience just waiting to happen. However, the way I see it, a lot of the benefits to solo traveling can be gained through other means. Learning from people, self-reflecting, and being inspired by new experiences can all be done by just making a more conscious effort to connect with yourself and the people and places surrounding you on a more regular basis. Appreciating the privileges you have or adopting an understanding of the sameness among humanity are all lessons learned from the first time around. I see a diminishing return to the benefits of traveling alone, but then again I may be a special case. I love exploring the world, but I love sharing those experiences with others even more. I feel like travel is inherently an experience to be shared. It's not about the city, but exploring together, laughing together, making memories, and so much more. Traveling is about new experiences, and those are best shared with others.
I went back and reread all the Quora posts that had raved about the benefits of solo travel and inspired me to go on this adventure in the first place. I now read these with a much better understanding of what they mean. When they mention that you will be very lonely or when they rave about the insane amount you will learn, I see my own experiences. One Quoran wrote: "a smile goes a long way anywhere in the world." And it's so true. Through my travels, I've discovered how sporting a friendly face is all that is necessary to open up the doors of conversation with that group of girls from Ecuador working in UK nurseries or the fun Italian man who loves to laugh and studies Mandarin.
So off a went to Berlin. And almost instantly upon arrival I was hit with an unfamiliar feeling: a helpless loneliness. I just wanted to curl up in bed and not think about how far away I was from everything familiar to me. It wasn't like I hadn't traveled before: I'd been to Singapore, I'd visited Thailand, I'd traveled solo in the US. But this felt entirely different. Without the security of familiar faces or even a purpose for being there, I was crippled with a case of the loneliness.
But this triggered my instincts to seek out company, so I started striking up conversations with strangers. One thing led to another, and I ended up spending a whole day with a new Italian friend and another day sharing stories with a girl from Argentina. And through these new friends, I was able to learn about the world, different cultures, and new perspectives. They shared stories of their pasts and dreams for their futures and I did the same. It was a practice of trust and vulnerability that helped me adopt a new humility. I learned about Let's love for her hometown of Buenos Aires and Cecco's conflict between his Italian roots and his love for the progressiveness of other parts of the world. But despite our disparities, our laughter was universal. No matter our disparate paths that brought us to Berlin, we could still share laughs about terrible Lego constructions and the craziness of German weather. We had our differences, but could all appreciate the beauty of the city around us.
After a delayed flight and the previous three weeks of travel, I arrived in Amsterdam excited, but ready for a break. However, plans dictated otherwise. Luckily, the freedom of solo traveling allowed me to spend the next few days on my own to experience the other side of traveling alone (besides meeting new people): meeting myself. I'm already quite big on self-reflection, so being with just my thoughts was nothing novel. However, in the past it was always for a few hours, not a few days. Which inevitably led to me getting bored with my own company and resorting to people watching, self-reflecting, and thinking about tremor pen (intellectual thinking is not my natural state).
There is definitely a lot of merit to traveling alone and I would recommend it to everyone, but perhaps only as a one time thing. Of course everyone gets something different out of solo travel, and it really depends on your mindset and starting state. No matter what though, it takes you outside of your comfort zone and that's a learning experience just waiting to happen. However, the way I see it, a lot of the benefits to solo traveling can be gained through other means. Learning from people, self-reflecting, and being inspired by new experiences can all be done by just making a more conscious effort to connect with yourself and the people and places surrounding you on a more regular basis. Appreciating the privileges you have or adopting an understanding of the sameness among humanity are all lessons learned from the first time around. I see a diminishing return to the benefits of traveling alone, but then again I may be a special case. I love exploring the world, but I love sharing those experiences with others even more. I feel like travel is inherently an experience to be shared. It's not about the city, but exploring together, laughing together, making memories, and so much more. Traveling is about new experiences, and those are best shared with others.
I went back and reread all the Quora posts that had raved about the benefits of solo travel and inspired me to go on this adventure in the first place. I now read these with a much better understanding of what they mean. When they mention that you will be very lonely or when they rave about the insane amount you will learn, I see my own experiences. One Quoran wrote: "a smile goes a long way anywhere in the world." And it's so true. Through my travels, I've discovered how sporting a friendly face is all that is necessary to open up the doors of conversation with that group of girls from Ecuador working in UK nurseries or the fun Italian man who loves to laugh and studies Mandarin.
My encounters with these new friends and my travels overall have made me more grateful than ever: for being English speaking, for having a friendly face, for having the chutzpah to take off and travel alone and learn so much. I also have a new appreciation for my friends and family for being the stability I need in my life and the people I can forever share my experiences and memories with. So it's with a new humility and openness to experiences that I sign off on this Eurotrip. Arrivederci, au revoire, adios, and until next time :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm so grateful that I got this opportunity to travel and discover the world. I just turned 20 right after this Eurotrip, and with that comes the realization that I will never be this young again. Hell, I'm already getting tired a week or two into traveling; imagine the exhaustion I will feel from traveling a few decades from now! I'll be limited in the places I can see as my muscles weaken and I have more responsibilities to my name. The upcoming 5 or so years are the best years for me to hike the mountains of Peru or explore the streets of Vietnam. Despite this Eurotrip, there's still so much (if not more) that I want to see. However, it's nice that this trip has taught me so much about my traveling preferences. Through travel, I want to learn how people live so I can better empathize with others and expand my mental schema to understand the world. It'll be a long term goal, but I'm excited to see where my future travels will take me and what new lessons I will learn.
Eurotrip (Part 2: The Group)
If you want to learn more about my Eurotrip, check out Part 1 of this series. These posts are all focused on the lessons I learned and adventures I had during my travels. This one is on the second week, which was mostly spent with MIT friends. I hadn't seen many of them in months, so this served as a wonderful Italian reunion :)
Florence was one of my favorite cities with all of its quaint village charm. I was glad I got to share my time in Florence with such great friends as we ran from market to Duomo, leaving raucous American laughter in our wake.
Cinque Terre was also one of the best hiking experiences I've ever had, especially in the company of avid hikers. The initial day of rain didn't dampen our spirits as we prepared for an early start the next day over thick hot chocolate and tiramisu. The villages all sported infinite winding alleyways that allowed for easy exploring for our energetic selves. We spoke with shop owners, marveled at the simple yet charming lives of the residents, and enjoyed our youth over the views of teal blue water.
Traveling in a group definitely contrasts with both traveling alone and with one. With a group, it's easy to feed off the energy and adrenaline of everyone, so 7AM wake up times and late night drinking are no thang. However, with more people comes more inertia. Moving from place to place takes longer and there was a lot of splitting up that led to some panic attacks, but mostly "searches" that ended in carousel rides and running through shops. It's also nice because you have built-in breaks. You linger over meals, spend more time deciding where to go and how to get there, and generally spend time enjoying each others' company. Solving problems with a group is also inherently less stressful than doing it by yourself. The whole bag storage fiasco ended in more laughter than anxiety, although I know I would have been stressed out had I been on my own. I also developed a deeper appreciation for hiking. In no other context would I have woken up at 7AM to catch the sun shining through the clouds from the top of a cliff. And without my friends dragging my ass out of bed, I would have missed a beautiful view of the world.
Traveling in a group of good friends is no doubt the easiest guarantee of a good time. It's easy, it's fun, and you have people you love to share the experience with. It's definitely my preferred mode of travel, but that's not to detract from the unique benefits of traveling alone or with others. More thoughts on that in the next post! :)
The Group
Traveling in a group of five, Ruth, Priya, Virup, Jin, and I took on Italy. I took the train from Rome to meet up with them in Florence, and of course, ended up jumping on the wrong train and making a 1 hour journey into a 4 hour one. Luckily, I was able to get in contact with them thanks to our universal wifi savior: Mcdonalds. You can always count on Mcdonalds, no matter what country you're in!Florence was one of my favorite cities with all of its quaint village charm. I was glad I got to share my time in Florence with such great friends as we ran from market to Duomo, leaving raucous American laughter in our wake.
Cinque Terre was also one of the best hiking experiences I've ever had, especially in the company of avid hikers. The initial day of rain didn't dampen our spirits as we prepared for an early start the next day over thick hot chocolate and tiramisu. The villages all sported infinite winding alleyways that allowed for easy exploring for our energetic selves. We spoke with shop owners, marveled at the simple yet charming lives of the residents, and enjoyed our youth over the views of teal blue water.
Traveling in a group of good friends is no doubt the easiest guarantee of a good time. It's easy, it's fun, and you have people you love to share the experience with. It's definitely my preferred mode of travel, but that's not to detract from the unique benefits of traveling alone or with others. More thoughts on that in the next post! :)
Eurotrip (Part 1: The Boyfriend)
In classic Connie fashion, I'm making this trip a learning experience.
My travels took place in three parts: with Mike, with friends, and with myself. Each leg of the journey lasted about one week, and I'm writing a post about the unique experiences and lessons from each. The location was much less important than the people I was with; I would have had very different experiences in each place had the people been different. It just makes me all the more grateful for the wonderful people with whom I get to share being alive. So without further ado, I present Part 1: The Boyfriend!
The Boyfriend
We started off in Paris. Both carrying only a backpack for the next three weeks, our mobility was streamlined, meaning one less worry for the trip. Our time in Paris was largely characterized by pastry consumption and lots of walking. I'm interested in understanding the cultures of the places I travel, so I strongly prefer walking over taking public transportation so I get a chance to see more of the city. It's crazy to see people casually go on a daily run by the Louvre or observe the friendly interactions among the people of Florence, moments that I would miss if I didn't see them in passing. I enjoy wandering with loose plans that give me a chance to serendipitously discover the pulse of a place.
I don't mind tourist traps with a great view though. Anything that involves a bit of a hike and a satisfying overlook of the city is worth it to me. On that first night, the overlook of Paris from Montmarte was magical. The twinkling lights of the city with people from around the world singing Beatles songs was surreal.
Next stop: Barcelona. This was definitely a favorite: the beaches, the local flair, the bustling markets, the great food, and the hipster fashion was everything I wanted and more. It was such a casual place with men running out into the streets at 2PM for a game of soccer and people lounging by the water with a pint of beer, soaking in the afternoon rays. We also participated in an eatwith, which was a great chance to share a meal with some wonderful strangers. If you haven't participated in an eatwith before, I strongly recommend it. Much like how airbnb gives anyone a chance to run their own bed and breakfast, eatwith gives home chefs an opportunity to run their own pop-up restaurant. It's especially great while traveling because you get the chance to meet people familiar with the area and enjoy a meal of local cuisine. Our new friends recommended we try calcots, large green onions grilled to a charred black, and then served with a tomato sauce. They are the Barcelona equivalent to the food served at US barbeques. So the next day,we set off to feast on calcots, and ended up at a rustic restaurant with the friendliest waiter. He spoke to us in Chinese, laughed with us, and served us post-lunch shots, saying that they were the Spanish equivalent to a very strong Chinese alcohol. Without a doubt, the people we met largely defined my experience and are what I will remember most about the city.
Rome was a bit of a disappointment. It was overrun with tourists and seemed more of a historical site made into an amusement park than a city of unique individuals. Maybe it's because we didn't get the chance to meet many people, but Rome wasn't very satisfying. The water poisoning and subsequent nights of vomiting were also a fun curveball. The sights from the Orangerie gardens and the Knights of Malta Keyhole were memorable, but other than that, not much happened besides food and history.
And with that, we closed our adventures. These travels taught me quite a bit about myself, Mike, and our relationship. I learned how weak my stomach is, a good thing to know for future travels. I also learned how tiring it can be to travel with only one other. The increased mobility is a blessing and a curse: you can see everything, but moving around all the time is the best way to burn out. However, it can also be quite relaxing not having to balance the needs of a whole group. Mike and I are luckily compatible travelers: we both get tired at around the same rate and are interested in similar things. However, being in close quarters 24/7 was a new experience. Traveling is unlike the working/student life when you mostly see each other in the evenings and your day is interspersed with interactions with others. It's just two people. These unique circumstances helped me appreciate a lot of things about Mike: his leniency, his focus on enjoyment rather than frugality, his ability to balance work and play. You discover a lot about a person by traveling with them, and I'm grateful for this opportunity to discover not only new places but also new appreciations with Mike.
We started off in Paris. Both carrying only a backpack for the next three weeks, our mobility was streamlined, meaning one less worry for the trip. Our time in Paris was largely characterized by pastry consumption and lots of walking. I'm interested in understanding the cultures of the places I travel, so I strongly prefer walking over taking public transportation so I get a chance to see more of the city. It's crazy to see people casually go on a daily run by the Louvre or observe the friendly interactions among the people of Florence, moments that I would miss if I didn't see them in passing. I enjoy wandering with loose plans that give me a chance to serendipitously discover the pulse of a place.
I don't mind tourist traps with a great view though. Anything that involves a bit of a hike and a satisfying overlook of the city is worth it to me. On that first night, the overlook of Paris from Montmarte was magical. The twinkling lights of the city with people from around the world singing Beatles songs was surreal.
Next stop: Barcelona. This was definitely a favorite: the beaches, the local flair, the bustling markets, the great food, and the hipster fashion was everything I wanted and more. It was such a casual place with men running out into the streets at 2PM for a game of soccer and people lounging by the water with a pint of beer, soaking in the afternoon rays. We also participated in an eatwith, which was a great chance to share a meal with some wonderful strangers. If you haven't participated in an eatwith before, I strongly recommend it. Much like how airbnb gives anyone a chance to run their own bed and breakfast, eatwith gives home chefs an opportunity to run their own pop-up restaurant. It's especially great while traveling because you get the chance to meet people familiar with the area and enjoy a meal of local cuisine. Our new friends recommended we try calcots, large green onions grilled to a charred black, and then served with a tomato sauce. They are the Barcelona equivalent to the food served at US barbeques. So the next day,we set off to feast on calcots, and ended up at a rustic restaurant with the friendliest waiter. He spoke to us in Chinese, laughed with us, and served us post-lunch shots, saying that they were the Spanish equivalent to a very strong Chinese alcohol. Without a doubt, the people we met largely defined my experience and are what I will remember most about the city.
Rome was a bit of a disappointment. It was overrun with tourists and seemed more of a historical site made into an amusement park than a city of unique individuals. Maybe it's because we didn't get the chance to meet many people, but Rome wasn't very satisfying. The water poisoning and subsequent nights of vomiting were also a fun curveball. The sights from the Orangerie gardens and the Knights of Malta Keyhole were memorable, but other than that, not much happened besides food and history.
And with that, we closed our adventures. These travels taught me quite a bit about myself, Mike, and our relationship. I learned how weak my stomach is, a good thing to know for future travels. I also learned how tiring it can be to travel with only one other. The increased mobility is a blessing and a curse: you can see everything, but moving around all the time is the best way to burn out. However, it can also be quite relaxing not having to balance the needs of a whole group. Mike and I are luckily compatible travelers: we both get tired at around the same rate and are interested in similar things. However, being in close quarters 24/7 was a new experience. Traveling is unlike the working/student life when you mostly see each other in the evenings and your day is interspersed with interactions with others. It's just two people. These unique circumstances helped me appreciate a lot of things about Mike: his leniency, his focus on enjoyment rather than frugality, his ability to balance work and play. You discover a lot about a person by traveling with them, and I'm grateful for this opportunity to discover not only new places but also new appreciations with Mike.
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