The Pursuit of Discomfort

How often do you find yourself thinking, “this is one of the best days of my life.”? I’ve been lucky to have more than a handful of these moments while on Remote Year, but I had one the other day I want to remember forever. 

I guess I should mention it started with another late night, complete with glittered faces and eating empanadas while watching the sun rise at 7am. We took vampire naps, then ventured out around 2 for Mexican food. The sun penetrated through the trees, and it was at least 15 degrees warmer out than every other day that week (but still Argentina winter)- just walking down the sidewalk with five of my friends was pleasant. After eating, bellies full of tacos and horchata, we made a plan to kick it back at the hotel rooftop pool where hopefully the sun reached. With café con leche and lemon cake in hand, we hit the roof and plopped down in mesh lounge chairs. The sun was the perfect height in the sky, so we put on Bonobo and soaked in the vitamin D. Over the balcony was a setting sun, the city of Buenos Aires, and four fat pigeons trying to balance on a satellite across the street. It was breezy, but with a warm coffee in my hands I snuggled into my blanket scarf and felt the warmth of the sun drench my face. We sat up there for about an hour, maybe more, maybe less. We had a few laughs, but didn't need to talk since the moment itself required no supplementation. I couldn’t hold back a smile, because this was the definition of happiness. 

We do a lot of special things on this trip. We’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime to explore the world and all the joys it has to offer, but sometimes the best times aren’t what you’d expect. We may be traveling the world, but we’re also just regular people living and learning.

Instead of my two cents or restaurant recommendations, here are a few of my favorite moments from the first half of the year. Some I had alone, most were shared with friends.

Mexico City: Happening upon the best street taco joint, ordering in Spanish and eating my lunch among locals.

Bogotá: Riding in the van back from the mountains, windows down, LCD Soundsystem blasting, smiling like an idiot and being told I look as "happy as a golden retriever."

Medellín: Squeezing into our deathtrap apartment elevator and laughing uncontrollably when a fourth lady got on with us. Then the hilarious uber ride that followed...

Lima: Swinging in a hammock next to my best friend overlooking the ocean. Then being present when she stuck her toes in the Pacific for the first time.

Córdoba: Sharing a bottle of wine and riding a deserted carousel in the park after dark.

As I write this I’m reminded of countless other happy moments and I’m grateful.  

Sipping 40s and listening to music at 10am on the porch in Playa del Carmen.

Getting my nose pierced. Twice.

Tossing back tequila shots in Mexico on inauguration day while a mariachi band played. 

Looking out over the rolling hills of Suesca.

Swaying with our circle of friends at Caribou singing, “I Can’t Do Without You”

Sitting in the grass on the side of Machu Picchu, in awe of the surrounding giant green mountaintops.

Our van full of girls belting “American Girl” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on our way to dinner in Mendoza.

All the kittens.

Becoming unexpectedly close with strangers whom I now call family.

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The group I’ve mentioned before, Darien, ended here in Buenos Aires three weeks ago. It was hard for them. I started to watch Eddie’s (who’s videos persuaded me to apply for RY and is now a friend) goodbye vlog to his Darien family. I stopped halfway through because of the unbearable rock in my throat. Halfway. I can’t get into the “what happens after all this” topic right now, but it is one that is on every single Meraki’s mind.

I wish I could tell time to slow down, or stop altogether. But since I can’t, I’ll just have to look forward to the priceless moments still to come. This is a happy post, so I’ll leave you with some feel-good music… and Eddie’s vlog, to give you a small window into the lives we lead on Remote Year.

I titled this post the pursuit of discomfort. Because as Eddie so eloquently describes, "discomfort results in emotional vulnerability, and it's that vulnerability that forces us to open up, to face our fears, and to grow."

So, really, isn't the pursuit of discomfort also the pursuit of happiness? 

#NP: Closer - POWERS