My first day on any trip usually has a few tactical moments that come with the territory: getting geographically oriented without looking like the new girl on the block; familiarizing myself with the subway; gaining a sense of timing (e.g. does Chile follow Argentina’s rule book for the 10 P.M. dinner hour?); suiting up with the right attire for the unseasonably warm day ahead of me. I’ve already noted that I may never wear that puffy jacket, which takes up bag space but seemed like such a good idea during a chilly San Francisco night, even for the Andes in summer.
This morning in Santiago was no different in those usual moments that all add up to the experience of finding me in a new place. Finding ME. Finding me in order to find the soft landing within this new place that I know is available if I cultivate an open, curious attitude. To get comfortably landed in Santiago, I know it takes some time to find and address my needs following long flights, a booked scheduled right up until departure, and a fairly nascent outlook on the trip ahead due to almost no time to read my beloved hardcopy Lonely Planet books (again due to that busy calendar that my boyfriend has lovingly indicated is one of my signature great/not so great habits).
Read this as needing exercise, a long morning and a latte on day one.
I inadvertently walked a mile longer than originally planned to reach the summit of el Cerro San Cristobal this morning, but appreciated the added exercise. I passed the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, but found a fabulous avenue for exploring while doing so (and had a great visit at the museum once found). I mistakenly ordered a whole bottle of wine rather than a glass for my late lunch at the old Mercado, due to my moving-too-quickly through the menu and not noting the milliliter count of the options (750 ml for a bottle, of course, and thus my adjustment to both wine amounts and the metric system began). I took it upon myself to tip the servers from my morning latte to find out the coin amounts have a bottom threshold, thus disabling me from leaving anything besides a way-too-much tip instead of the added contribution originally intended.
Lots of learning by doing. I ask lots of questions and my Spanish is finding its way into my tongue again, and I can retain information fairly well if I’ve read it once. But still, I’m a learning by doing aficionado by nature. For better or worse.
All this to say, this is the ground game being built. The forehead slapping moments that are silly, obvious, avoidable and fine in the end anyway. The building blocks for learning the next time around. Plus, I’m carrying around plenty of things to keep me mentally occupied, engaged and content regardless of the tactical nonsense going on that I brought upon myself.
I’m at a point right now where reflection is my default setting on any day, and no better way is it flexed than with space and limited scheduling, which is what this trip offers me at this point in time. All those things and an abundance of amazing street art.
Professional reflection while I consider how to author my next chapter of growth and impact after wrapping up my most recent work.
Personal reflection while I consider how to ramp up my fitness, care for my joints and move past a year of chronic pain in my back that is, thankfully, coming to rest as a result of steady therapy, chiropractic work and a shake-up of my diet and movement. (I have also accepted that sitting in plush, soft couches is an activity I will probably never enjoy ever again in my life. Oh well.)
Emotional reflection as I marinate in a heap of joy and gratitude for the man I love who showed up in my life earlier this year. It’s a sweet feeling to bring on an adventure, be present in its moments and also look forward to a sweet return to my home base at the end of the month. #happywithmac
Family reflection as I consider how to show up in sustainable ways for parents and family as they navigate an old age that’s unforgiving to them.
Global reflection, as I consider the space I want to claim as a professional against a backdrop of increasing global violence, inequity and poverty. Where to start, local or global? How can I have the most impact and value add, where is the need the greatest? These are my questions without answers.
I showed up to Chile with a few layers of reflections, and if 20 years of travel have taught me anything, its trusting that time, space and exploration can serve up the tonic needed for untangling the knots if you just relax and let them.
Day one in Santiago has been rad, in other words! xo
