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!!