Hay.YO, Mi Familia!
Welcome back to These Three Things! And, yes - Yes it has been a long time since we met up over here. I think I was just trippin'about the state of the world. I didn't get especially bummed out, but I was having a terrible hard time with being me. I couldn't commit to anything. Anything like talking or reading or eating or writing or thinking... Even a short little howdy over here, for you guys, seemed like it was way above my pay grade and I wasn't smart enough to pull that off. I know that's ridiculous, but it started before the Covid and just grew into a beast that I couldn't shake off.
And, then one day - A trip to Mexico (I'd never been but always dreamed of it) was on my calendar. I was going to find out if all the places I thought were paradise, watching TV as a kid, were as perfect a they seemed. I was all about Gilligan's Island and Swiss Family Robinson, I figured at the very least I would get to see beaches and turquoise blue seas. I saw all that and realized at least three things.
one Do not go into a foreign country knowing nothing about their basic customs. I recommend learning the language enough to talk about simple things, too. It's about courtesy, being nice and playing smart. By learning about the place you plan on visiting, you are being respectful. It's what a lot of people do before they step outside their comfort zones. If you're going to Mexico (5 Stars. Highly recommend.) Just do a little research, learn a little language. Don't even tell me that you've got "an app for that." I will whip out my zzztpff.zzztpff zippety zip finger and say, "Don't even." But, it's adorable when you think you can just saunter into a second world country and enjoy the some level of connectivity that you do here in America. Just learn a little Spanish. It's not like somebody's saying you gotta wear a mask. (bad humor? Too soon?)
two Unless you are made out of money, it's best to lock down your plans before you leave. This will be a whole lot more meaningful when it's your credit card that's being used for reservations, but just know that if you want to be an adventurer, you have to first learn to be a researcher. Every single thing from the transit to the accommodations and meals and customs and banks are all going to matter to you. Each consideration comes with it's own set of criteria and it takes FO.EVAH to work all the details out on each one of those things. It really does work to your advantage that your parents have gotten out and about. They've been adventurers, at one point in time, and they understand what it takes to get out... and about. You guys are super lucky. And, it's always a great time to start learning how to travel smart. I got to see two crocodiles get into a total throw down, just two feet in front of me. And, no - it probably wasn't exactly safe, but I'll bet I win the next round of Good Crocodile Stories. That stuff just never happens in our home towns.
three Any time you can choose to be kind, do that. If you've taken yourself outside your room, you've kinda signed an invisible contract that says you won't be the Problem Child and you'll play nice and do your best to not make life miserable for the people in your orbit. When you're nice, you're more inclined to notice nice people. Sometimes nice people tell other people something nice and it's cool. When somebody that I've not yet met tells me they love something I did - I just get nice and happy. Even with the mask, people can see your eyes smile and that makes things better. In general, if you tell somebody a nice thing you will be more likely to come by nice things. When you are kind it turns everything around to kindness and you might just make friendships that last a lifetime.
I could go on all night, with that last one, but just know that we have way more power with love and compassion than we do with competition. I'm sure you'll get tired of hearing me go on and on and on about it (mucho blah blah blah, as they say....) but you'll survive.
I love you more than seashores and luchedore masks.
xomomo
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