life lessons from traveling

bread overload / just breathe

If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food, it’s a plus for everybody. -Anthony Bourdain from No Reservations

This is not about travel tips like packing kale chips, nuts and dark chocolate in your backpack when you skip town [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][although these are among my favorite suggestions]. This is about experiencing life un-sugar-coated in every step of your adventure, whether you’re backpacking in another country or taking a walk around the block.

Traveling is both incredibly enjoyable and challenging – same goes for visiting a neighboring, unfamiliar town or a completely different continent. I feel very fortunate to have been able to explore many parts of the world and to have learned something new from each trip. On my recent late summer vacation to Greece and Istanbul, I found myself in exhilarating and slightly nerve-wracking moments alike, which is why I think people like me [thanks to my parents] become so addicted.

There is nothing quite like meeting new people, losing all sense of direction, communicating using a new or different language [or charades], and having to make important last-minute decisions to both turn your world upside down and set you straight.

The lessons come through experiences, people, barriers and openings, comfort and fear, relaxation and exploration, and food, of course. If you keep your eyes, ears, heart, and belly open, you can apply and take them with you wherever you go.

In this year’s experience, I noticed that some of the difficult times were not just due to things like delayed flights or getting lost in sketchy parts of town, but having to come face to face with yourself exactly as you are, no masks or walls to hide behind. During my trip, for example, I couldn’t cover up my shame with things that make me feel better about myself where I can usually duck for cover at home. I was exposed and vulnerable; at times it felt awesome and others, terribly disappointing.

Many of you know by now that I am constantly working on breaking harsh patterns of judging myself, which show up crystal clear when I travel. Some observations this year include questioning my food and meal choices more often than not [bread overload], and criticizing myself for not practicing much yoga or meditation like I had intended or normally do at home.

As I continued to observe each of these experiences as they came up and listened not only to myself, but to my surroundings, I started to notice lessons being handed to me at face value.

One of sparks for this recognition was John Kabat-Zinn’s book Wherever You Go, There You Are. The last few chapters inspired me to hold whatever emotions or discoveries came up in the various situations I found myself in with both my boyfriend/travel partner in crime and the people we encountered. There really wasn’t room or time available to push these feelings aside, so I tried my best to notice them as they were, and was reminded why many people feel “changed” after traveling.

Here are a few memorable pieces of wisdom I was served during my time on two beautiful Greek islands – Paros and Santorini – in Athens, and in Istanbul, Turkey. Take these with you to apply to your next vacation, today, or maybe even a few years from now:

• The sea heals [almost] everything.
• Nothing beats good hospitality, experiencing it and offering it. Most of the Greek and Turkish people we met were warm and welcoming, without expecting anything in return. We ate breakfast at a healthy cafe in Paros each morning, and on the last day the owner sent us off with homemade granola. At a linens shop in Istanbul we were invited to have tea and Turkish delights while chatting with the owner about his family business. We left these places feeling elated; both experiences inspired me to offer similar acts of generosity.
• Sharing a meal or special moment with another will always provide fresh new perspectives or shift your mood via simple pleasures. Something like cooking food from your heart for [or sharing a meal with] people you do or don’t know, or watching a sunset together will remind you how sweet life can be just by spending time with others. Conversations had, looks exchanged, thoughts expressed openly, being with each others’ vibes or eating off of each others’ plates – it will connect you in ways you might not otherwise.
• Your experience is unique versus whoever else is in the moment with you; they may not be able to relate to your own thoughts or emotions. My experience of a certain restaurant or dish, monument or neighborhood did not always match my partner’s. At times I noticed myself being frustrated by this, and at others I caught myself in the opportunity to consider our different points of view.
• Letting go of expectations will serve you better than basing your happiness upon a specific outcome. I would occasionally get worked up about visiting a certain restaurant I wanted to find or beach I wanted to visit, only to have to rearrange plans due to whatever else happened that day. Sometimes I was bummed, but there wasn’t much time to let it get to me because we would quickly be on to the next thing.
• Life will go on, and you will figure things out. See above. If things didn’t work out the way we planned, being visitors in a new place left us no choice but to move forward in whatever direction we decided to venture.
• Planning for potential disaster has a purpose, but not if you let it define and overpower your experience. At one point we were nervous about possibly misunderstanding a bus driver and getting stuck on a remote beach. We made a plan of attack if necessary and got a little nervous, only to find that we had understood the driver perfectly and everything worked out.
• Trying new things or letting go of old things does not mean that all hope is lost for what you’ve accomplished thus far. I was consumed with the amount of bread I consumed, including other things I don’t normally eat, and often wasn’t able to fully enjoy the experience because of the ways in which I judged myself. I explained the importance of eating what you want in my last newsletter, which I try to practice, but my habitual reactions are tough to crack. As taking your own advice is tricky, my boyfriend and other friends reminded me that I have my whole life to eat clean, to meditate and practice yoga, and in hindsight the choices I was making on this trip [besides the carb and cappuccino overloads] were not all that bad. And out of respect, I shan’t decline a fresh homemade baklava from a lovely woman’s beach tavern in Santorini.
• Taking a breath and pausing to observe yourself and your surroundings is always a good idea, anytime and anywhere. This was true for us laying on a beautiful beach as well as accidentally walking through a seedy part of town. Getting lost can be a fantastic thing, but it’s true for all forms of travel to have your wits about you. We can all easily get caught in the whirlwind of our heads and thoughts; the act of mindfulness whilst doing nothing in a serene space or maintaining awareness in uncertain situations have equal value.
• There’s always an opportunity for inspiration. Eating different foods [judging your choices or not], seeing new towns, witnessing other cultures, talking to different people – keep your eyes and ears open and your cup will runneth over with creative ideas based on your experience.
• As stated by a German security guard between connecting flights after being stopped in a long security line for a bag check: “Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some. Oh well.” He had a calm smile on his face as he turned and walked away.

What do you take away from your travels, and which of these lessons resonates with your life to date?

Click here to read this month’s newsletter, including a reminder of a sweet Lulitonix discount, the best breakfast e-book from Breakfast Criminals, my October teaching schedule, music and more![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]