The past few years I have been working so much, and travelling so little. I have to re-learn some things. This 7-week trip is teaching me some lessons all over again.
Lesson 1: Don’t be afraid to ask.
I find myself afraid/hesitant to ask someone when I am out there on my own. Yes, I am sitting here writing it and looking at it and it makes no sense. I have no reason to be afraid.
Why am I hesitant? maybe because
- I don’t want to disturb anyone
- since I am travelling by myself in Oz (vs. being with Nick in Bali), I don’t want to appear like I don’t know where I am going.
- I think I should know, heck, I lived here for a year (9 years ago though)
All silly reasons I know. On the way here I asked someone where the CBD is since I am meeting some old acquaintances there in a few hours. Relearning.
Lesson 2: Breaking out of my comfort zone
I actually love to do this and always have. Back in Eugene, OR. I know where everything is, have many acquaintances and friends. It is all easy. On the road, all of that is gone and I am constantly meeting new people and very few patterns exist or have time to establish themselves.
This lesson was not that hard to re-learn since travel hopefully forces me to do it.
Lesson 3: Good gear is worth the extra cash.
I have this black 1 strap satchel that I bought in Denver Colorado when I moved to the west coast in ’98. The zippers are broken, it is not comfortable to wear. It is a piece of shit. I bought it for $12 bucks. Why did I not get a new day pack? I don’t know, but I didn’t. I am paying the price for it now. I am trying to be a whinger here and it is not that bad. It just would have been nicer if I invested a few bucks into a day pack like Nick has. Where’s joe e for recommendations when you need him?
Lesson 4: Prepare for your trip – the basics.
The whole passport thing means I’m gonna have to butter some palms on my return to Bali. Not smart. All I had to do was check over some of the basics before a month or so before I left and I wouldn’t have to deal with this.
There are more I’m sure but I’ll stop there.
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{ 3 comments }
good thoughts sean. it is so hard to force ourselves out of being comfortable. i guess that is why its called a rutt. haha.
the past few years i have been just loving patagonia. its a little more expensive, but i find their stuff lasts and is made just right (not too heavy, not too light, and sturdy)
and about the passport. can’t you just go to the american consulate and get a new one with rushed service or a short term extension? might cost though.
Paul,
Yeah, Patagonia is a great brand…I tried with the US embassy re: passport. But they said a minimum of 3 weeks which I never have in one place on this trip. oh well…I’ll see if I can pay less this time!
Some great thoughts here, Sean.
Fear, comfort zone in that rutt (well said, Paul!), experience “is” the greatest teacher, an initial costly investment is just that – an investment for the long-term.
Just read an article about the Dean of the Medical School at OHSU who tells her senior patients to “welcome challenges.” We don’t sometimes because maybe we just get tired of always trying to climb another mountain, bridge another gap. A lame excuse, I know. Reflections can stay there or become actions.
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