Every person is a new door...

“Every person is a new door to a different world”

So, here I am back on the keyboard striking away this new blog.  It has been a little while since I have posted partially because it has been a busy few weeks, but mainly because I really wanted to take some time to reflect upon my first international travel experience. Wow, what an eye opening and exhilarating experience it was. I had the most incredible time and paradise doesn’t even begin to describe the white sands, luscious tropical foliage, clear blue water, beautiful weather… I could go on and on but for the sake of this post, I will try to keep my fawning in check.

Now, being new to this ‘world traveler’ thing, there was this immense element of the unknown going into this trip. I did not know what to expect or how it would be for me in a foreign country.  I learned so much about myself during this trip.  

Now those of you that know me will recognize that in my element, I’d like to think that I am very outgoing and friendly (others may just say talkative and loud 😊). However, in a new environment, outside of my comfort zone, I am the exact opposite. I am what ‘Myers-Briggs” would classify as an Introverted-Extrovert.  The thought of going outside my comfort zone is terrifying to me. So just imagine my anxiety over being thrown into the mix of a foreign country, surrounded by new people, speaking words I don’t always understand… let’s just say the thought of cowering under a palm tree with a book and some music for 4 days was surely an option. Luckily, my buddy Cassidy had decided to join the trip, so I would at least be spared that level of anxiety for this initial international experience… Right?!?

So, turns out… not entirely the case.  I’ve learned a long time ago that when traveling with friends, you must understand that there will be times where you may want to do different things, and I am absolutely on board with that. Spending too much time together (especially girls) can lead to tension, and I have found that the best travel partners are the ones that you don’t have to entertain 24/7 and yet when you are together you can still live it up and have a blast. But I have never had to worry about that on foreign soil. Until this trip. 

Cassidy had gone up to the room to take a nap and I was not tired, so I decided I was going to push myself out of my comfort zone and head to the pool/bar for a bit, BY MYSELF.  After all, this whole travel experience is supposed to open me up to new things.  But let’s be real, that walk from the room to the pool was filled with this immense level of social anxiety. I was like a new kid in school and by the time I got to the pool I felt awkward, nervous, scared, and was so ready to retreat to my palm tree. 

Instead, I put down my bag, mustered up some courage in hopped in the water. I waded over to the bar for a drink and in what I can only envision as this tiny little piglet like voice stuttered out the words… “hey there, where are you from” to this group of people up by the bar. The introverted voice inside my head was screaming out – ‘RETREAT!!!! Runaway, they are going to look at you funny and think you are crazy’ but then in that moment a voice from the crowd responded announcing the groups origins. “they’re from Canada, I’m from Cleveland, and those two are from New York”.  After that, conversation flowed so easily.  Over the course of the next two hours, I found myself lost in conversation with so many awesome and fun individuals from all over the world. I also was a part of a pretty intense round of flip cup that spanned 18 people deep, and by the time my friend had returned to the pool, my new friends were sliding me down the “soapy slide” bar. It was an absolute blast!!!

Over the next few days, I spent a good deal of time hanging out with the group I had met that day.  And by the time the trip came to an end, I made some incredible connections with some cool people who I am planning to meet up with and see again in various places around the world. From the Canadian boys who will be showing me around Montreal, to the incredibly fun physicians from Puerto Rico, the nursing student and his brother (also a nurse) and everyone else, it was truly eye opening to how genuinely nice people can be. 

Looking back, I have learned three invaluable lessons from this first travel experience.  

-The first: most people you encounter are inherently good people and if you take a moment to get to know their story a little bit you might be surprised at how much you have in common. 

-The second: we can be our own biggest barrier to new possibilities but if we can recognize that and are willing to step outside of our comfort zone just a bit, we might be surprised to see just how much we were holding ourselves back from truly LIVING life as a participant rather than being a spectator.

-The third: Don’t open your mouth when swimming in a cave!! Montezuma’s revenge is no joke! (thanks Cassidy for the Gatorade, banana and Imodium) Luckily, he was nice enough to hold his revenge until the last night!

My advice: Don’t let your fear stand in the way of your fun, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to say hello you might just meet some amazing people!

All in all, travel experience number 1 was a great success, looking forward to many more adventures to come!! Up next, TORONTO!! 

Little change of plans...

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow" -Helen Keller

What better way to take advantage of my time then by writing my first travel blog.  Brought to you by the good folks at Washington Dulles airport and the crew of United Airlines.  I am currently sitting here in the D terminal enjoying my warm soup (it's a bit cold in here) and a bottle of water.

Today started off well, woke up a few minutes before my alarm and got my self dressed and out the door on time. Upon arrival to GSO, I unloaded my bags and headed to security. Made it through without a hitch - minus being told my passport was invalid- brief moment of panic before being told I needed to sign it to validate it, swift scribble of the pen and a few minutes to let my heart-rate ease back down and I was good to go! The flight was smooth and despite the rain on the ground, the views in the sky were breathtaking, thanks to seat preference I was able to snap a few shots from the window seat before settling in to the music on my headphones.

Upon arrival to D.C., we stepped down the ladder steps and onto the tarmac before heading into to the terminal. The brisk breeze was a little bit of a surprise. After getting into the terminal and over to my gate I was informed that the plan was slightly delayed for some mechanical issues. That's when it got interesting. Initially it was just a 30 minute delay, which ideally would have been perfect because that would have put me in Punta Cana at the precise time my friends flight from Atlanta would be landing. They got us all set, lined up and ready to start boarding. All good to go boarding has begun... but wait, just kidding. Now- we are unboarding and our flight has been delayed again.  This time, a few hours as it has been deemed that the aircraft is not safe to fly and therefore we needed to wait for a new aircraft to fly in from Florida.

Now, I don't know about you but if someone tells me the aircraft is unsafe to fly, my response is surely- Okay thank you very much I will wait for the safe plane please. To my shock, this is not quite the same response amidst the group.  Now trust me, I get it. You have vacation plans, maybe going to a wedding, going to see family, or maybe flying home... but are any of those events really going to matter if your plane disintegrates over the ocean because some do-hickey on the whatchamacallit stopped working?!? I mean I was just as disappointed as the next girl, I promise you, but I also have a lot of plans in my life that I want to be around for. Plus I am pretty sure my sister would be pissed if I wasn't around to enjoy Finland next year. :-)

What was even crazier than the frustrated individuals begging to get on a broken plane was the way they were reacting to the poor women at the desk who were thrown into the lions den like a fresh steak.  I mean really people, they are just doing their jobs. I am pretty sure none of those women woke up this morning thinking 'man today would be a great day to cancel some flights and really screw with people.' These women went above and beyond to answer questions, relay information, arrange for snacks, water and meal vouchers. Just when you think the pride couldn't become more aggressive to these ladies, watch what happens when the printer breaks halfway through the alphabetical printing of said vouchers.  Now these ladies could have snapped, in fact they had every reason to, but they held their composure throughout.  Now with my name bringing up the rear of the alphabetical order list (childhood all over again) I was able to sit back to the very end of this chaotic process and just watch it unfold.

And then... one gentleman left in front of me. As he reaches the desk he asks how does he go about contacting customer service. Now if you are a people watcher you may have seen this 'type.' The guy that looks like he is reaching his boiling point, pacing quietly as he stalks his prey, filling with frustration and rage, tension building, and it's about to happen. He's about to go in for the kill. And then... ... ... he proceeds to take down each ladies name and thanks them for all of their hard work and courtesy. He tells them they have handled things exceptionally and that his desire to contact corporate is merely to compliment them for their work.  Man... what a powerful moment to witness. Kindness in it's truest form. These ladies, who were surely stressed out at this point gained this sense of calmness over them. I too, smiled and thought about the way the morning had just unfolded and how a little bit of kindness and positivity changed things.

Now i am sitting here on the floor typing away on this laptop feeling grateful.  One because I am sitting here awaiting my flight and not falling out f the sky trying to put on an oxygen mask or secure a flotation device. And two, im going on a trip to paradise, a trip I have been very much looking forward to. And three, I’ve got a chocolate cookie :)

I am sitting here smiling and content knowing I'm going to have a good trip and a lot of fun. I am choosing to look at the good in this experience because seriously who wants to let a little 3 hour delay ruin all the fun that is in store. Sure I could be angry, frustrated, miserable... but where is that gonna get me, what is that gonna do aside from put a sour taste in my mouth at the beginning of this whole travel experience. Nah, I'm not down for that.

There are a lot of times in life where it is easy to get caught up in the frustrations of a situation, at work, at home, on the phone with the cable company etc, but I have learned first hand that it is really hard to change your mindset once you go off the deep end, and that nothing good comes out of those emotions.  So instead, I am choosing to smile, be happy, have some patience, and see the good in whatever happens.  It's not always easy, and i let my emotions get the best of me sometimes too, but when you are given the opportunity, take a minute, look around and ask yourself - "what really matters?'

Cheers to an adventurous morning and the lessons of life that surround us all... now on to paradise!