In that last two weeks, I’ve traveled to East Tennessee, back to LA for a few days, then to Puerto Rico. While Puerto Ricans may fly under an additional flag, most people, including once myself, are surprised to learn they are US citizens, use US currency, and have all the daily conveniences of the internet, fast food, and familiar grocery chains as the mainland. I’m here for my friend Nathan’s birthday celebration, through whom I’ve met other very interesting people and new friends. This group has become a team of world travelers with common styles of travel and lifestyle goals.
Throughout our combined travels, we unanimously agreed that most people around the world are friendly and will go out of their way to help you. After experiencing southern hospitality to the strong kindness of the Puerto Ricans we’ve met, I always question the opinions of people who have not traveled and also tell me to be wary when headed to a foreign country. To the untraveled, Mexico and South America have drug cartels and violence. My response is so does the United States. I heard an anecdote once of a mother who warned their son to be wary of traveling to New York City because of the terrorists flying planes into buildings. Los Angeles has gangs and Africa has lions, but these perspectives keep us contained in our own little worlds and obstruct us from a lifetime of amazing stories and people.
It is only upon travel that one can see how small that world is.
Traveling the world post-9/11 has taught us to fear and fear greatly. From liquids to over 3.4 oz to threats in shoes, not-traveling can be arguably more dangerous to a person’s life, perpetuating a singular viewpoint unchallenged as to the purpose of why one does what they do and why one believes what they believe.
With these friends I’ve met through Nathan, conversations about where to go and what to do just add to a continuous growing bucket list, along with things to learn. Keeping company with the same attitudes of mastery to all topics highly lubricates our conversations jumping from topic to topic, combined with dirty puns and laughter along the way. Rapport and the rhythm of instant friendship have allowed me to make new connections around the world.
I look forward to not only travel but for different styles of travel I have learned through these friends. Photo trips. Moto trips. Camping trips. Solo trips.
As I write this, a group of us are taking kite surfing lessons and the other taking a photography walk to explore the city. Then we all will meet for some happy hour, which seems to be most hours on this island, and then a tour of the local cuisine.
There is a cost of entry to any new place (for Puerto Rico it is the mosquitos and heat), but whether it’s venturing to an entirely new country or taking a walk to a place near your home that you’ve never been, the reward of adventure far exceeds this upfront cost.
While this week will be mostly playing, I am staying another week to try to work from here, dabbing at the idea of moving here from LA as Nathan has.
Now time to explore some more!
Fuck yeah, it’s Friday!
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