Good morning from Punto del Este I’m leaving Uruguay today and I have to say my heart is very full. I feel so lucky and privileged that I had this very strange opportunity come my way, and I’m so happy that I said yes.
Today is also episode 150 and I can’t quite believe that I haven’t missed a single episode since I started on January 2nd. It was so cool to wake up this morning to a beautiful message from my dear friend, Rick Swanson. Rick is an old colleague from back in the Gucci days. He’s one of those people. It doesn’t matter how long we haven’t spoken or seen each other,we pick up right where we left off. I woke up to such a sweet and loving message from him this morning, so thank you, Rick. It really is meaningful when people acknowledge my work. Oftentimes these messages come at a moment when I’m feeling a little bit like what am I doing here?
As I’ve been packing this morning, I was thinking about something that happened yesterday. Eric and I went to lunch on the beach and as we were leaving there was a woman at the entrance to the restaurant selling rings and jewelry. I bought a ring, but I didn’t buy the ring I really wanted because I was kind of thinking that Eric thought that it was gaudy and it didn’t quite fit me properly. But when I got home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the ring. So, I followed the woman on Instagram, we ended up exchanging messages and she said can you come over to my house?
For people who travel, as you know, there is nothing better than getting a glimpse into how people live in real life when you’re in another country. The same thing happened to me when I was in Mexico. I was buying this dress. The seamstress was fixing it for me and the only way I could get it was to stop by her house. I remember going down these dark streets not knowing what to expect, and it was really cool to see how she lived, the size of the space, the way it was laid out. .So I jumped at this opportunity and I call Eric and I say can I come grab your car? I want to go over to the woman’s house who sold me the ring and buy something else. And he said, Oh no, I’m coming with you. Of course it turned out that we went down the street that he didn’t know. He saw these homes that he had never seen. He got to speak with the artist and learn about his technique and see if he could possibly work with him in the future. It was just a really fun thing. And by the way, my ring is absolutely stunning.
Anyway, the thing that I’m thinking about today is that one of the things that I’ve really been loving about my travels is it reminds me of when I first went to Spain. I had never been abroad. I didn’t speak a word of Spanish, and I didn’t have any of the tools or filters that we have to judge people I don’t say judge people necessarily in a negative way. It’s more about deducing or inferring or gathering information about them. You know what I mean? The point I’m trying to make is that I had no cultural references, and I remember what an interesting experience that was. One is basically forced to tune into their instincts, to their heart, and to other information that’s coming at them. I think where I’m going is to say this. This sense of discovery and curiosity and opportunity to observe so many little things when you’re traveling is part of the magic.
The other day – I can’t remember where I was nor who it was – I was talking with enthusiasm about something that I had done, and my friend said to me I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’ve never even been there. I remember thinking to myself oh, she got excited hearing about my experience. I guess it’s only normal that when we’ve been someplace for a long time, in some ways our senses become dulled. Our sense of curiosity wanes. What I’m appreciating is that the travel has reawakened all of my senses. It’s reignited my curiosity in ways that I couldn’t have imagined., and I think this is something very valuable. When I go back to New York, I’m going to have fresh eyes and fresh perspective on just about everything.
All this to say, buy that ticket, make the plan, take that trip that’s calling you, It doesn’t need to be someplace far and exotic. Just step outside of your normal world. Simply open the door and step outside. I don’t know who needs to hear that today, but that’s all I have for you. Until next time, from my heart to yours.
