A question I typically get is “What has been your favorite part so far?”  It’s such a difficult answer to decide upon! I have really loved all of my travels to this point.  I’m not screaming with joy from the rooftops all day,everyday but even during the tougher times I try to appreciate the lulls. I have to consistently remind myself that I’m not really on a trip. A trip is shorter and more planned out.  Right now this year of traveling is my life.  Sort of like when you hear people talk about diet and exercise the tag line that follows is: It’s not a diet it’s a lifestyle!!  That is essentially my motto for this year. It’s not a trip it’s a lifestyle!  Just like there are ups and downs in life, no different is my life this very moment.

I was out to dinner with a friend in San Diego and she posed an interesting thought to me.  I was anticipating her to say “What’s been your favorite part so far?” But instead she said “What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?”  Wow!  I love that.  Quite thought-provoking for me. I needed a couple of minutes to think about that one. I finally determined that the biggest take away thus far has been that everyone in the world is equipped with a certain set of skills in their life.  The key is to spread your skills to others who need it in that moment.  One’s skills obviously changed throughout life and therefore so does their ability to give these gifts to others.

The help towards others can be small-scale or large-scale.  For instance, I was in small town Argentina when in a fit of frustration to speed up my computer functioning I began deleting random programs off my laptop.  McAfee Security System-You’re garbage, Yahoo Search app-It’s not 2003. Goodbye.  Bluetooth connector-Never head of you.  Beat it. Little did I know this blue tooth connector was actually my wi-fi connector.  Gah! I emailed my brother from my iPhone and he told me I needed to find an ethernet cable to hook into a modem so I could download the program back on to my laptop. Where in the world was I going to find this?  My language skills were still developing and there wasn’t exactly a Wal-Mart around the corner. (Side note: I’m not the biggest fan of ‘the wholesale store.’ I love the little speciality shops you find in other countries.  Somewhere different for bread, cheese, wine, pharmacy needs etc.  But good God sometimes it is so convenient to have
all those things under one roof.  I’m looking at you  Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam’s Club.)

I wandered around the town looking for a computer store until I finally found a little video game shop that I thought may have sold ethernet cables.  I tried to explain to the man working there in my best Spanish what exactly I had done. My Spanish skills were around a 1st grade level so imagine me trying to explain my problem in half-Spanish half-Sign Language.  It would have been hilarious I’m sure if I wasn’t so annoyed with myself.  I eventually got my point across and he cut me a piece of  cord.  Before leaving he told me we should test it to make sure it works.  This guy plugged the Ethernet cable into his wi-fi, found out a way to re-download- the program, and installed it on my computer.  It was a Sunday, his shop was closing mid-day, and he stayed an extra 45 minutes to figure this whole situation out for me. As I profusely thanked him, I asked how much for the cable and the help.  “Oh no nada, nada.”  I couldn’t believe it.  And yet I kinda could.  This was a relatively simple task for him, (and maybe could have been for me if I was not so far out of my element) but at that moment in time in meant so much to me.

I have seen this countless times from so many people.  My friends in Sicily who carted me around for a week, a friend in San Diego letting me borrow their car for a few days, a person going out of his/her way to offer me directions and make sure I am on the right path.  I am acutely aware of these ‘random act of kindness’ and try to ‘pay it forward’ as much as I can.

On my way back to the states (via Toronto!) I sat next to a very sweet elderly Chilean woman who was visiting her daughter in Canada.  She spoke as much English as I did Spanish but we were able to put together a little conversation during our short time together.  She had an adorable little dog with her tucked under the seat. When we landed in Toronto she started assembling all of her carry-on bags.  It was intense to say the least. Between her bags plus the pup, trying to carrying it all would have been a tough feat for even the most strapping of young chaps. I had a short connection between flights but I knew I had to help my new friend. I grabbed a couple of her bags and we headed off the plane. She needed a ride to baggage claim because it would be too difficult for her to carry everything. Her English wasn’t great, so I asked the desk agent where we
could get her a ride on one of those handy airport golf carts.  The agent pointed across the way to the other side of the terminal.  My new friend, the pup and myself carried her bags a short way until we found her a ride.  I asked the driver if she could hop on the back and to take her to baggage claim.  We said our goodbyes as she was driving off.  “Ohh muchas gracias Teresa!  Muy amable.”  I responded with “No por favor. Esta nada.” (I use this Spanish phrase any chance I can because love
it! ‘Oh nooo please! It’s nothing.”) And it was nothing.  It was nothing to me in the moment but it meant a lot to her at that time.  Something like that was easily in my skill set but it was outside hers in that place and time.

That’s how I feel traveling around.  I am quite outside my comfort zone and need to rely on others.  Good directions from a stranger on the street, tips from the front desk staff where I am staying, kindness from people I met along the way.  These may all seem small to the person imparting them on me but for my experience it is immeasurable.  As I continue my journey I hope to pay it forward when I can and receive other’s blessings when I am open to it.