Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

I’ve just returned from an amazing trip to Honduras and Guatemala with my good friend Lindsay.  This was our first time visiting these countries and we didn’t do a whole lot of planning.  Instead, we packed a bag, booked a flight, and went.  This is totally opposite of my normal ‘research everything to the hilt and plan accordingly’ method but it felt adventurous to just go with the flow.  Our travels were fun and problem free for the most part.  We hit a couple of rough spots due to our lack of planning but these made for the best stories later, as usual.  During this trip, I was forced to step out of my comfort zone, way out in some cases and in the process, learned a few things…

1.)  Location doesn’t matter as much as who you share it with

Let’s face it, you can be in the most beautiful location in the world, but if you are with someone who totally annoys you, your experience will be severely dampened.  However, if you travel to that same place and experience it with one of your best friends, like I was lucky enough to do, you will have not just a fantastic time but a happy memory too. Travel experiences imprinted most indelibly in my mind usually involve not just the location, but who is sitting beside me… whether that be a kind stranger I just met on the road, a good friend, or just my own company.

2.)  Kindness to strangers is the best way to go

Being kind to others takes very little time or energy yet the rewards for both you and the other person are tremendous.  I like to think that I’m kind to strangers but Lindsay takes it to a whole new level.  She always takes the time to stop and speak to others, to give them a moment or two of her time to smile, say hello and a few words.  I tend to be a more guarded, especially when I’m traveling and am unfamiliar with a place.  However, she showed me that it doesn’t hurt to open up a little, say a kind word, engage in conversation, or buy two young Guatemalan girls carrying heavy textiles on their heads a watermelon smoothie.

3.) Everyone has their own unique travel style

And it’s as individual as the person.  Lindsay and I discovered that our travel styles are similar in some ways, and totally different in others.  We made compromises when necessary and everything went fine.  However, this trip helped open my eyes as to what I was comfortable with and what I was not.  I did not, for instance, love the backpacker scene.  Definitely nice, fun people but I’m past the cheap hostel age and appreciate a little more comfort in my food and accommodations.  Each person also has their own energy levels and activity preferences.  It can be rewarding to see how your travel partner experiences new people and places as they can help you discover things you normally wouldn’t do on your own.

4.)  Connection with others is essential, especially while traveling

We all need and thrive on connection with others and this is true when traveling, perhaps even more so because we are out of our usual circle of family and friends.  We need connections with others even more.  Luckily, this can be done anywhere, even if there is a language barrier. Simply saying hello, having a quick laugh, asking for directions or a smile and nod are small ways that anyone can feel a sense of connection while on the road.  Connection is comforting when you’re in a strange place, and well worth the small effort it takes.

5.)  Sometimes you have to get through difficulties in order to enjoy the beautiful moments

There are some really dirty and poor parts of Central America.  There are also the most beautiful places you can imagine.  The juxtaposition of these two can be startling at times.   We had some rough bus rides, stumbled upon dangerous areas, and encountered a few very sketchy people during this trip.  But, we had to go through these parts in order to get to the beautiful ones.  The bus ride to Lake Atitlan was horrendous.  We were crammed in a hot van with no AC, an insane bus driver, 10 other backpackers and were bumped and jolted around narrow bends and crazy traffic the entire six hour trip.  However, once we finally arrived at our quiet hotel on the lake, with it’s amazing views, lush gardens and kind staff, we were in heaven.  And we had a good laugh about our bus ride with a fellow traveler later at a yummy dinner of fresh fish and fried plantains.

The most important thing I learned on this trip is that travel is not all fun and games.  It comes with it’s own set of challenges.  However, it’s pushing through these that helps you grow, even faster than you would in your normal humdrum daily routine at home.  And this makes traveling out of your time and comfort zone, so satisfying and worth it.  When I look back at my pictures from the trip, I remember all the beautiful and fun things, and the few hard times are pushed to the back of my mind.

Related posts:

1. Leap of Faith
2. Becoming Location Independent
3. Bloom Where You’re Planted
4. Independence is Overrated
5. Joy. Decisiveness. Travel.