I have always been a self-described “realist”; however, it occurs to me that this may also be viewed as a euphemistic form of pessimism. Perhaps this is why much of my writing focuses primarily upon the difficulties of travel.
My reasoning for this has always been that the Internet is oversaturated with online content focusing on the upsides of traveling— there are countless photo essays featuring incredible scenery, innumerable beautiful platforms for telling touching stories about globetrotting, and a multitude of accounts of worldview-altering experiences on blogging sites like Medium.
But I’m of the mindset that anyone who wants to throw themselves into a transient lifestyle should have all the facts, even (and perhaps especially) the inconvenient ones.
That said, I’m feeling particularly nostalgic at the moment as I reflect upon the past 12 months. I think back on the extraordinary lifestyle I’ve lived for a year, and I realize that it’s been peppered with delicious, delightful things in addition to the multifaceted layers of discomfort.
Below are a few of my favorite little delights I’ve discovered around the world. These are the things that made my eyes light up with surprise and the sweet joy of novelty.
Smoky mezcal complemented by fresh, chili-coated orange slices (Mexico City, Mexico)Takoyaki served still piping hot from street stands (Kyoto, Japan)
Fresh flowers on crisp linen sheets (Koh Tao, Thailand)Outdoor riverside patio dining on wooden chairs under umbrellas (Ljubljana, Slovenia)Street mussels on bustling, vibrant streets of sensory overload (Istanbul, Turkey)Warm handtowels served with green tea (Tokyo, Japan)Agua con gas (South America)Turkish tea (Istanbul, Turkey)ATMs that give you your debit card back before you take the cash (miscellaneous airports)Elevator etiquette in Peru (Lima, Peru)Family Mart (Kyoto, Japan)The energy of a Buddhist temple (Thailand & Japan)Tuk tuks and tea lights (Chiang Mai, Thailand)Coastal breezes through an open window (Uruguayan coast)Rooftop sunsets (Cavtat, Croatia)Rooftop sunrises (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Wind-whipped hair while riding on the back of a motorscooter (Chiang Mai, Thailand)Unbelievably impressive and poignant street art (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
A perfectly cooked steak at a rooftop asado (Buenos Aires, Argentina)Zen meditation on tatami mats (Kyoto, Japan)The songs of the Thai rainforest (Koh Phangan, Thailand)Hot stone saunas in the middle of the Thai jungle (Koh Phanga, Thailand)
{List to be continued…}