No, it is not easy meeting new people while traveling but embracing the culture and visiting the places where locals congregate is a great start.
Learn about their worship practices, the customs, and the taboos as well. Something as simple as taking off your shoes before entering a home may seem strange to the western world but it is a must in other parts of the world. Do it without asking too many questions. It is a way of life there.
I went to church in Hawaii when I was there. The locals were really friendly and they gave me tips on where to stay the next time around. Every time I went to a new city in the U.S., I made sure to talk to the servers in restaurants and I got good tips on where the best restaurants were. Just little things but they open up a world of possibilities when traveling and always wear that SMILE!
You are approachable that way and being friendly is not a bad thing either. If you embrace the culture, you come across as someone who is genuinely interested and that goes a long way to meeting new people while traveling.
What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling?
Where have you been all my life?!! That’s it. I don’t think they exist but who knows. If ghosts exist, then these weird beings with tiny bodies and big eyes might too.
I don’t know but that is a question for the Musk guy. Maybe he knows better.
If aliens arrived tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d ask them?
This is one mantra that I live by and hold dear to my heart. It wasn’t always easy since I used to be an introvert and feeling worthy was nowhere to be seen! However, through the years and through trails and tribulations I have learned that no one gets to tell you if you are enough through words or deeds.
Know that “YOU ARE ENOUGH” as you are. It comes from the inside out and once you have it down pat, “it protects your mental health and builds a stable foundation for your self-worth.”
Society places a lot of importance on looks, wealth, and achievements and the constant chase is exhausting and if you don’t measure up, your self-worth suffers.
Stop the negative self-talk, tell your inner critic to take a hike, and try positive affirmations. Your mind needs retraining so if you see yourself heading towards the path of, “I am not enough,” change it to, “I am enough as I am.” Believe it and in time it will be enough to get you on your way and to see your life in a new light.
What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?
I have found that a new city often requires attention. Taxis don’t do it justice and neither do the other modes of transport. I love exploring a new city by foot and this method has shown me some parts of the city that I wouldn’t usually see if I had decided to stay safe and go with the other methods of transport.
However, I recall one incident where I was with my ex in Cincinnati. We were students at the time and had decided to make a trip there. We parked the car and decided to go by foot to Germantown which is known as Over-the-Rhine. It was a long walk and then we were in this seedy part of town. The buildings were all run down with broken glass windows and the street was empty except for us. I told him that this part of town didn’t look right but he insisted that we keep going. Eventually we did find Germantown, walked around, had a cup of coffee and snack there and since it was getting dark, decided to walk back to the car.
The same street we had walked through came into view but in the fading light, it looked sinister. Then I noticed what looked like blood spatters on the pavement. My heart did a nervous dance and I said, “I don’t like the looks of this.” He said, “Just keep walking.” We passed a dilapidated store with dirty windows and that is when I saw them. Men staring back at us from the interior. They looked dirty, some had teeth missing, and they had this weird grin on their faces! It was time to book it and we did.
We were lucky that evening. Yes, walking is a great way to see a new city but know where you are and the dangers that could arise from being in a strange city. I wouldn’t do it again!
It was the birth of my son. I recall feeling tired after hours and hours of being in labor but in a weird way I was truly alive. Looking at that tiny face all scrunched up and not too pretty I might add, but there was this certain something that came alive in me. It was more than being a mom. I saw all my futures in him and responsibility set in, that was a frightening thought but exhilarating at the same time, if that makes sense.
I came alive like never before. Holding him, feeding him, watching him sleep, seeing that smile for the first time, and the scent of a newborn all made me feel alive. This little bundle of joy brought all my senses to life. I was hooked and my goal was to do the best I could for him. A new life was in my hands and I was going to be the best mom possible. I have kept up that part of the bargain and I can honestly say that I have given more than a 100 percent to him. If he sees it that way, that is another story. I know deep in my heart that I have done the best for him.
Perhaps, there were other times that made me feel like I was truly alive but for now I would say that it was the birth of my son. It was a new chapter, a chapter I hadn’t read yet, and one that will bring me both joy and sorrow. No matter what, it was a time when I felt truly alive.
What’s a moment in your life that made you feel truly alive?
I was waiting for this one, I mean for a genie to show up and grant whatever my heart desires. Oops, sorry, genies are not that generous, they grant a few wishes and not an unlimited amount. Why is that? Have you ever had a genie grant you a wish? Never? Me neither.
This is the time to take advantage and to ask for whatever I want right? Bummer! Nothing comes to mind. Rubbing Chachi’s head and thinking hard!
Ok, genie if you’re listening, I want that guy to show up.
What guy?
The one I’ve been dreaming of.
Hmm….keep rubbing Chachi’s head! He’s lost somewhere and I can’t help you there. Taking directions is not his thing and if you think you’re stubborn, wait till you meet him! That is if he finds his way to you but I’ll say keep on dreaming! Next wish please….
You’re no fun!
Fun is not part of my repertoire! I grant wishes not some impossible dream you’ve come up with. That guy doesn’t exist….next wish please.
You do have an attitude!
Try living in a lamp and let’s see how you feel!
Okay, let’s try this one. How about a happy life?
That’s another impossible dream where you’re concerned. Again my dear, you have no idea what “happy”means. Can’t do that either!
ENOUGH! Chachi, go get him!
Gladly mommy. I didn’t like the looks of him anyway. Come here guy…..I’m in the mood to play!
That was the end of the genie…..next time send me a genie that will play ball and not one that comes up with excuses!
You may ask what is a side-hustle. It is “any extra job or paid activity that you do in addition to your main full-time or part-time job to earn extra money.” I don’t hustle and neither do I side-hustle. I am a free person and do whatever I like and by the way, side-hustling sounds stressful and it probably is.
However, if you have your sights set on making it big or having enough money to do the things you want, it all depends on what kind of hustling you do. Some jobs pay more and some don’t. Dog walking doesn’t pay that much, cat sitting is not that bad since I pay quite a bit for someone to come over and cat sit my little darling. Half an hour is about 30 euros and that is not bad money considering the fact that all you have to do is to make sure the cat has clean water, food, and the litterbox is clean. Depending on the cat, it is an easy job. However, if the cat is hard to handle, then that money is not worth the effort.
I’m not sure about this but I think that digital hustles such as offering computer support, selling digital products, and or virtual assistance probably pay much more and if you’re a computer or tech whiz, it wouldn’t be too much effort and you get paid good money as well. There are people out there who wouldn’t mind paying to get some help with what needs to get done. I’m one of them!
Side-hustle is not my thing and that is my answer to this question. Moving on….
I work out a lot and I’ve been told to scale it down before I hurt myself. It went in one ear and out the other. Sometimes, I think that I live to workout! However, life has showed me that sometimes that is not possible. After my OP, I was told NOT TO workout except for a few rounds around the garden! It was a huge scale down from working out 40 to 60 minutes a day and that walking around the garden was for the birds! However, I did comply and am now doing 10 to 12 rounds along with another 30 minutes of something else. So far, so good.
I started out slow and as they say, where there is a will, there is a way.
Here are five favorites that don’t put too much stress on a wound and if you’re just starting out, you’ll be done in no time and FEEL like you’ve achieved much in a short amount of time.
Walking
This one doesn’t require open spaces, you can do it barefoot and within the confines of your room without too much effort. However, even five minutes gets your heart going. Just put on your favorite music and start moving! That is all it takes. Worked wonders for me and before I knew it, I was doing 20 minutes without much effort and it was fun.
Strength Training
This is a necessity. Cardio and strength are both needed to balance out your workout. I have a small set of weights, nothing heavy, and I do several reps of shoulder workouts, triceps, biceps, and the back as well. All you need to do is just 5 to 10 reps and you are well on your way to being fit.
Stretches
This is important as well. Your muscles tend to get tight after a workout so don’t skip those stretches. Just five minutes of stretching in all directions keeps you limber and flexible and who doesn’t want that right?
Breathing
This one is not considered exercise in the true sense of the word but you can turn it into one by doing specific breathing methods. I like diaphragmatic or rather belly breathing. This one engages and strengthens your diaphragm and this is how you do it. Sit comfortably. Place one hand on your upper chest and the other on your belly. Inhale slowly for 4 counts, exhale gently for 4 to 6 counts. You’ll feel your belly working. Continue for 5 to 10 minutes. Believe me, it will feel like a workout and the added bonus is that it relieves stress as well.
Yoga
This is my go to stress buster and it keeps me looking and feeling young! There is a reason why yoga is called the fountain of youth. All you need is a mat and you are ready to go. Five or ten minutes and you will feel like a million bucks, well maybe not but headed in that direction!
Those are my five simple exercises to do at home. It doesn’t take much effort but it takes willpower to keep at it and to achieve results. Good luck!
When you fully trust someone without any doubt, you finally get one of two results:
A person for life or
A lesson for life.
Unknown
I learned this lesson the hard way. My relationship with my ex started out as all love stories do, one of trusting each other and wanting the best for each other as well. However, circumstances change and the once trustworthy and nice guy changed into someone I didn’t recognize. He looked the same but the “inside” had changed. Throwing trust out the window, he went on his merry way.
“SORRY” works when a mistake is made, but not when trust is broken, so in life, make mistakes but never break trust, because forgiving is easy, but forgetting and trusting again is sometimes impossible.” Unknown
It is exactly what happened when I went from the, “love of his life” to nothing because someone else walked in and he was ready to take off for greener pastures. It wasn’t that he was in love with her or even cared about her, he wanted that adrenaline rush that cheating brings. The relationship if you can call it that lasted for a few months and it was over and so was the marriage and the “TRUST” I had placed in him.
I learned that trust is not what it seems. Once I thought that believing in someone meant trusting the person wholeheartedly, now I know better. Love all you want but NOT with blinders on. Pay attention and observe what is going on. If it looks like a duck, and swims like a duck, than it is a DUCK or a cheater at play!
Which relationship has taught you the most about yourself?
