When I was about to travel with one of my closest friends - Mariana -, who have never traveled overseas before, I wrote her this message, but it can go for everyone, I guess...
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
One once said, âthere are two kinds of travelers: those who travel to escape and those to pursuitâ. Well, I think we donât have to be just one of the two, but both.
Mariana, the following text does not accrue from any act or thought of condescension. I do not wish, by any means, to insinuate that by having traveled more than you I know more about the world, people and life. But, as a matter of fact, I did have traveled more than you. I can, at least, share what I have learned, as every trip I make my eyes seem to change (the way I look at things), my mouth changes (the way I speak), my brain changes (the way I think), my ears change (the way I listen to others) and, of course, my heart changes (the way I sense and feel whomever surrounds me).
I am assuming that my opinion has great value to you and, you know me, Iâm most likely to be silent while spending time together, as Iâm more of a listener than a talker. I reckon that most of the times I have more to learn than to teach. Therefore, acknowledge how important it is what Iâm about to tell you.
Oh well, moving onward... read, reflect, then we talk.
Traveling, more than to physically change place, is to get out of our comfort zone, in many levels. From the moment we materialized to another country, which isnât ours, comparisons are inevitable -and it can be positive, sure -, but itâs rather easy to fall into temptation of using many filters as well as personal luggage when we do so.
The more beliefs, creeds and ideals we have, still... we must acquiesce. In any other country, which isnât ours, people living there do not have the same history and did not grow in the same context as we did. Hence, they donât do the same stuff we do, donât appreciate nor value the same things we do. They donât act or behave the same. They eat differently, dance with other moves, greet with unlike gestures. Colors have other meanings, gazes other interpretations. They can laugh louder, use their hands to eat and be barefoot before entering their homes.
Forget all your conventions, dogmas, meanings, associations and every symbolism youâve built and create so far. Get rid of your filters, your world and your judgment, without ever losing your essence.
If not to challenge ourselves, then traveling is pointless. Rather stay home, meet the same people, go to the same places, eat the same food and talk about trivialities.
Iâm telling you this acknowledging the fact that myself canât always rule in accordance. Acknowledging how hard it is to âunfilterâ my own thoughts and assessments. But I promise you, I try to bare this in mind as often as possible. And believe me, it makes all the difference.
I consider that the key-attitudes, while traveling, will be to adapt, to be receptive, to be open, to be willing to receive and absorb whatever comes. Think of a sponge, which soaks up smoke, water, ink, foam... without ever losing its original elements, adding but keeping. Then we must be a sponge!
At last, I want to tell you that, for me, traveling with someone represents equal if not higher challenge than to travel solo. But I have accepted it. We will now travel with each other. I do not hope, expect, plan nor long for anything. Whatever comes, comes. Iâll just be a sponge who will absorb Cuba and you - hoping vice versa.
prguitarman
kianamaiart
snowghoul
romaincrisis
gummygunk
yousharknotpass
vaporwave
andulkaphoto