055 • A few short thoughts from my first time travelling
055 • A few short thoughts from my first time travelling
Hey again,
As you might know, I’ve been travelling around a lot recently for the first time since late 2018 (I was 15 back then so it doesn’t truly count either). I’ve learned a thing or two from the more recent experiences.
For a bit of a change, today I’m going to be sharing these thoughts in a short list format.
Here we go…
The best experiences are those in between what you think will be the main moments - the person you meet over dinner at the hostel, the quiet side street you find yourself on whilst exploring.
You don’t make much progress on your work when you’re moving around. The only way is to find some time to settle down for more than a couple of days to fit in some time for an undisturbed few hours.
Try out the things you’d do normally - hit the gym, find a coffee shop to work in, sit and read a book in the park. The fact that you’re in a different place will add a new texture to the experience.
Write about what you’ve done and how you felt whilst doing it. Memories inevitably fade and it will be nice to look back on what you thought in the moment some years in the future.
Getting roaring drunk is pretty similar wherever in the world you do it. Treat with caution because you’ll be wandering around aimlessly the day after too.
Lots of people speak English but try to learn a word or two in the local language to show some respect for the culture.
I’m not a frequent flyer, so not the most qualified person to be listening to. What I am is a new traveller so I’m experiencing all of this for the first time.
There’s some value in that because I feel quite old for someone from my country to have their first real taste of travelling.
The position of being able to have this new experience whilst having the ability to deeply think and share about it is fairly unique. So I hope this piece has been interesting even if not directly actionable for you.
Tomorrow I’m heading to Italy, so if any of you have travel tips for Rome, Florence and Milan, I’d love to hear them!
Have a great week,
— Theo
Last week’s issue (video cut)…
Quote of the week…
“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” — Pablo Picasso
This quote came up in a group chat of close friends recently and then again when I was talking to an artist I met in my hostel in Lisbon.
Our general interpretation was that you could reach a purer, child-like state of creativity if you shed the layers of responsibility, expectation and influence that might have been piled on to you throughout your progression into adult life.