Glamour

I used to wonder how anyone could go to multiple countries, spend weeks at a resort with poolside service and staff who knew English well enough to make them feel as though they'd never left the states, and say that they liked to travel. What about the cultural experiences, the hole in the wall restaurants, crowds, poor people, grass skirts, frustrating navigation, or whatever may be native to the particular area?

After only one and a half days here, I realize that it takes a certain type of person to voluntarily put themselves through an experience that raw. Being here alone is not as glamourous as I'd expected. Here I thought I would be exploring, communicating in a native language, making friends, just me and my passport. Of course, I knew it wouldn't be easy, but most things aren't, if their worth doing.

 In reality, whenever I leave the Hostel, I'm out there alone in a big city, with people who are just living their lives like normal. I'm the one whose lost. There's no relief from a friend standing next to me who speaks English and feels the same way. And this city wasn't put here so that I could come and tour it. Of course, there are things for tourists to do, but unlike a resort, that's not what it was made for. This is a city of people are just living normal life, as they would anywhere else. Some travelers just want to enjoy the beauty of other countries minus the struggle, and I've come to understand that they aren't necessarily bad travelers.

On the upside, I've been picking up a lot of words, just because I have to. You'd be surprised at what you were able to retain if you had to sign a waiver that made you acknowledge that you might die due to a language barrier. Also, I'm learning my way around the neighborhood I'm in. There are about five huge McDonalds' on every street with open storefronts. It's such a relief to see things like McDonalds and Pepsi, even though I don't consume either of those at home. It's just that anything familiar feels really good. I appreciate all of your comments and e-mails. Keep those coming. I'll try to get you all some pictures. I just hate drawing anymore attention to myself by holding up a camera.

Funny thing; 8 out of ten times when I introduce myself to someone at home they shout "Yo Adrienne" or "Adrieeeeeeennnne" from Rocky. So today, the guy at the cell phone place asked me my name, then said "Oh, like the girlfriend from Rocky" lol. Also, people are hesitant to solicit to me. If they're passing out some flyers or something, they'll like hide them and look me up and down. It's strange.

I'm due back at the cell phone store in a bit to get my phone activated, then I'll probably get some ice cream and walk around a little more.

TB