El Salvador and knowing less Spanish than ever before.

Europe makes you realize that it doesn't matter that you only know English. El Salvador makes you realize that it does. From ordering at restaurants to talking to maids to interacting with EVERYONE... it begins to become a problem when you don't speak the language. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not some uncultured brat that never learned another language. Once upon a time I knew enough Spanish to not look like a jerk - back when I spent an entire summer in Mexico - but that time has come and gone. 

Thankfully, my wonderful friends and family in El Salvador ARE cultured and know English and Spanish and can get me through quite wonderfully.

The purpose of this trip was to see my sister after she gave birth to her second child, Kosuke. When I was on my way out there to visit, I envisioned us chilling at her apartment everyday, just hanging out - which would have been great, I love my fam - but Lois is a trooper and just a week and a half after having a baby was up for just about everything.

We went to Taka's (my brother-in-law) brother's house the first day and laid out in the sun, followed by a wonderful visit to a Mexican restaurant where I was tricked into drinking the worst drink that was ever invented - the Michelada. I've heard rumors that certain countries even use it for torture. How did he trick me into this you might ask? By simply asking the waiter for the drink in Spanish. BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT ANYMORE. I really need to get on that. You are about to understand why. Just take a look at the ingredients.

2 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 limes
2 cups light Mexican beer
2 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
freshly cracked black pepper

Seems like its not a real drink, right? Well, it is. And, its Taka's favorite. AND I did drink the whole thing. AND SURVIVED. Apparently its a fav down there.
The following day (Easter) we relaxed by the pool and read some books and drank some beers. We then headed to an Argentinian steakhouse that had filet mignon that just melts in your mouth. 

The next day was a glimpse into the Salvadoran culture. We had a recording with Lois's band that she manages (Back to Earth) scheduled for 10am. I think we showed up at 11:00, knowing that they would be late, and they didn't come until like 12:30. And Lois just rolls with it... I mean hey, they make great music. I got to interview all of them and will be editing together a little "get to know the band" video. We did get to hang out and hear them jam and hear the beginning stages of a song they're working on that Julia wrote!

We made a little return trip to paradise on our last day - or so I thought.

The day started out wonderfully. Taka let me use his boogie board... I may be an extremely adventurous person, but surfing scares me so much! So, I didn't try it this trip - maybe next time. But man, if you wanna feel like a kid again just grab a boogie board; it is great!

We relaxed in the infinity pool for hours and took walks along the beach and stared at my new nephew for long periods of time because he's so perfect. We ate and drank and talked and tanned - burned - whatever.

We ordered pupusas (traditional Salvadoran food) for our last night.  Later on in the evening my stomach ended up feeling a bit uneasy, but I figured it was just from being out in the sun all day or something. Everyone turned in early because we had to leave at 4am for the airport. I ended up being up all night sick and hallucinating: Food poisoning. I won't even try to describe to you the things I was seeing in my hours of delirium, it still makes no sense to me. 

Everyone woke up to find me laying on the kitchen floor - that is a bad sign right there. But, I somehow managed to get aboard my flight without dying, but started sweating profusely when I realized that I had the middle seat. Let's just say it was an incredibly long day of travel and never before have I been so grateful to see Melissa's white Mercedes and smiling, welcoming face. (Good thing I called her at my layover... she thought I was coming in two days later.)

I lived to tell about it. That is all that matters now!

Why every post grad should take a trip alone (part 2)

So, what is the answer to excuse number four. How do you convince someone that hates traveling to do exactly that... travel?

For one, it is not necessary to travel far. If someone hates traveling THAT much, why not go somewhere that's not very far - within driving distance even? I think the most important thing is that it is done alone. And will you look at that. This person that "hates people" has nothing to worry about because the trip is indeed ALONE. If you don't want to talk to people - don't! I have found it to be so enjoyable to just sit and observe: how teachers interact with their students, how old married couples still find the energy to go out and enjoy one another's company, how some couples have no business being together, or how much people love the city that they're living in. Learning does not have to be accomplished by talking to people.

Not only does a trip alone help you learn so much about others, but it taught me so much about myself. I thought that I knew for a fact that I could not move to a city unless I knew at least one person in that city. Six weeks in Europe changed my mind. I walked away from that trip knowing that I could move anywhere and be OK. It is so easy to meet people. People are NICE - for the most part. Before I did this trip, I had a robotic response whenever people asked me what I wanted to do next: "Get a radio job in Boston." My answer has changed. I will gladly go anywhere. There are SO many opportunities when you look at all of the options around the entire WORLD.

Another important thing that I realized from talking to so many different types of people is the difference between judging everything that people say because they hold a different viewpoint - and understanding their point of view. This is something that I always focus on, because everyone has a reason why they believe what they believe or do what they do. Now, don't get me wrong, some of these people have the worst reasons and it's nigh impossible to respect them, but then there are others that make you understand why people believe in something that is exactly the opposite of what you do.

Whether its talking to people that grew up with a Socialist government or people that have experienced atrocious childhoods - it is fascinating to hear how people came to the conclusions about life that they did. It is a good way to test your own principles and convictions.

This next thing that I learned about myself might sound silly, but I look at it as a proud accomplishment. I now have no problem eating and drinking alone. I remember this one Friends episode where Monica keeps telling Rachel that she just has to try eating alone, how it is such an important thing to be able to do. I disagreed when I first saw that episode, but have since changed my mind. All you have to do is bring your computer or a book or something that you are genuinely interested in. That is literally all it took for me to not feel like a loser. I cannot tell you how many intriguing and wonderful conversations that I ended up having.


My friend Shelly and I were having a conversation recently about personality types. She said to me, "Would you consider yourself an introverted extrovert?" I said "Absolutely! As much as I love people, I really need my time alone and look forward to it."

And then I thought about it some more. To me, enjoyable alone time is drinking a beer at a bar with people all around me, just not necessarily talking to me... so maybe that doesn't count as being a little bit introverted, but I am telling you, extroverts and introverts alike can both thoroughly enjoy eating and drinking out alone.

This brings me to the topic of hobbies. THAT is a question that I often have a hard time answering - and it is one that is often asked. My go-to has always been, "hanging out with friends." Well, that hobby will only get me so far if my friends are not there. If I am alone, it becomes an extremely irrelevant hobby. Traveling alone is the perfect way to find what your interests are that involve no one else. I found that mine is photography.

It is a hobby that is, in my opinion, more enjoyable when you're alone. Whether I was wandering through the city of Dublin, walking along cliffs or exploring castles, I would stick my headphones in, pull out my camera and feel like I was the only person in the world. I find it to be the perfect way to make the most of your travels. Focusing on taking pictures (the best angles or lighting etc.) makes you notice so much more than you would if you were just looking at the sites. So, it was photography for me (who knew I could be so artsy?!). Your new hobby could be ANYTHING!

Not only will a trip make you understand all the things you can do, it will also show you what you CAN'T do. It is important to learn what your limits are. For example, while I have learned that I am quite capable of reading maps, I still have no sense of direction and should not put the map away in the name of "adventure." It just didn't ever really work out for me when I tried it.

When it comes down to it, I'm just a kid. Maybe you shouldn't be taking advice from me. I just felt like I learned A LOT and am hoping that someone out there will read this and realize how rewarding a trip can be. Is it exhausting to plan? Yes. Will something go wrong every day? Absolutely. Will it be worth it? There's only one way to find out.