I love traveling solo so much. It allows me to sink deeply into the city and culture, people watch, savor cocktails, wine, and food more deeply.
Over the past few years, I've noticed my empathy kicks into high gear whenever I'm at an airport by myself, and today I finally realized why.
When I'm able to completely relax and just be, my heart has the space it needs for other people. To observe them, take in their energy without taking it on, and get a sense of who they are.
I realized this during lunch today. I’m in Cascais, Portugal, and grabbed a late lunch at a restaurant on my walk back from Boca do Inferno. There was a Portuguese family celebrating an elderly member's birthday, and they all just exuded kindness.
The Portuguese people are so warm, kind, and genuine. And the culture has so much depth and character.
Because it's older it feels refreshingly imperfect. The buildings have cracks, patches, wear and tear that's a testament to standing the test of time.
It's inviting and beautiful, the way a human who is imperfect and vulnerable draws people to them. It mirrors that same safety and invites the same level of depth and openness.
These thoughts were inspired by my view at dinner tonight. I'm sitting in a cozy tapas style Portuguese restaurant at a table for one. My view out the window is of the side of a building that's cracked and peeling. It's so much more interesting because of this.
One of the reasons I love traveling so much is different cities and countries don't demand anything of their visitors. Life at home can feel so demanding. Stressful job, never ending responsibilities making us feel there's so much to get done (always).
A new city, new country, asks nothing. Instead it gives us a place to enjoy, sink into, and recharge in. It gives us the time and space to just be.