These past days I have been coming back to the iPad over and over again, trying to write about the epic welcome I got here in Argentina and my experiences. Yet somehow I couldn’t get myself to type anything. I know now why - there‘s something else I need to do first.
This one is for the people.
The people you are with are what makes any experience special. This is for all the friends I have made, that I might never see again. The people you share your life story with minutes after you‘ve met. The people you have the best laughs with, solve problems with, dance or hike or eat or wait or play with.
The other day at the airport in Mendoza a man is his 60s asked me where I was from. Turns out we were on the same plane, so we waited together and we talked about life. Soon we came to the topic that we both no longer believe in councidences. He shared his life with me, I shared mine with him. He said he‘s made a lot of wrong choices in life, has numbed himself to any feeling, until one feeling overwhelmed him: panic. Rings a bell?
Another day I was drawing in the common area, not thinking anything of it because I‘ve done that many times and people aren‘t interested. Well, today the guy from reception came over and we started talking. He‘s an artist, as is the girl that soon joined the conversation. Neither of us know what to do with it, kinda want to do something though, and we each loved each other‘s creations and hyped each other up. This conversation left me shaking with excitemend and inspiration.
Some of the people I have told you about, others I haven‘t and probably won’t. Not because they aren‘t special, they certainly are, but because some of them I just can‘t describe. Instead of half-assing some great experience, I‘d rather just keep the memory close to my heart and for myself.
I have met people that I instantly clicked with. Others with whom it took a little longer. Some I never quite clicked with but kept an open mind and we still had an amazing time together. Many that I didn’t get to spend enough time with.
The thing is, if you meet someone you‘re instantly vibing with, it‘s one of the best feelings you can have. You feel a connection, you feel safe, you pour your heart and soul into this relationship, and so does the other person. It‘s a rare thing to experience, but it happens. And I savor every moment of it. This is a good part of what I live for.
I‘ve met people that know exactly what and where there place is in life, what they want and who they are, that are grounded. Others are lost - some enjoy it, like this uruguayan guy who decided he now wants to live in Brazil so he quit 2 hours later. Others, not so much. Personally, I am completely lost and some moments I thrive with all the possibilities, other times the options overwhelm me.
Some people radiate happiness. Confidence. Joy. Calm. Freedom. Chaos. Patience. I have looked into so many pairs of eyes that showed me nothing but sincere kindness. Every single one of those people leaves a trace of themselves with me, and I‘m quite sure about it that it works the other way, too.
Thank you, to every single person I have met and will meet, in whatever way. Every single one has left something - one memory or many, a feeling of grounding, happines, joy, safety, connection.
We all live different lives. Struggle with different issues. Love different things. Grew up differently, chose different paths in life, enjoy different things and hate others. But, at the end of the day, we all need the same basic things: oxygen, water, food, and connection.
Every traveller is looking for something. I‘m still unsure if I even know what I‘m looking for. Myself, I guess. And connection. The more I connect to or with people, to places, to nature, the more I find myself.
Sometimes it feels like the opposite, and I find myself spiralling, thinking about what I want, who I am, why I‘m here. I have come to realize that every time I feel this way, something is changing internally. I am struggling because I am growing, and that means something old has to go to make space for something new. And that’s a good thing.
It‘s simply one of my favourite things, the random conversations with strangers. Knowing who someone is, how they got to be who they are, what makes their souls shine before knowing their name. Talking about anything that matters to them, to me, to both or all of us. Bonding over tiny things like loving the same place, food or sock brand.
The world is changing. We spend more and more time with Screens, looking for connection on dating apps or instagram. The true, real experience, however, happens far away from blue light. Go outside, talk to strangers, start conversations and see where it takes you. If someone is walking away, well, tray again later. You will see how many beautiful people there are and how important these conversations are for both of you.
