Note #4: When in Good Company.

It is common to get asked “how was your trip?” when returning from a vacation, after you’ve inevitably posted hundreds of pics on the gram.  For the most part my answers are always the same perfunctory replies. I’ll talk about all the great food I ate and point out some restaurants, or how beautiful and aesthetically pleasing it was, and talk about how clear and blue the water was, and the great night life it has . But to me what really makes a trip worthwhile is the experiences I’ve shared with old friends, new friends, and even strangers I’ll never see again.

What I loved most about Greece is its people. Every single person I’ve met (including uncle Leelee - this one’s for you Lou. Sorry for the insider but it’s too funny) was filled with such great energy, laughter and smiles all around. I can’t blame them, the weather is perfect and even in hard times it’s hard to imagine things to be sad about.

Location: Santorini, Greece

For the greater portion of my life I would befriend people and stay friends with them no matter the consequence. Whether they were toxic or simply made me feel lesser, I would stick it out for show. Maybe because they were cool in my eyes or just created this facade of being a great friend group. I can say that I’ve finally got out of that and am fortunate to be surrounded with the people that I call my friends today. For these past couple of days I was struggling as to what my next note to you guys would be. I knew it was going to be about my trip to Greece, but I didn’t want it to be cliche. For that, you can go onto Instagram and scroll through the endless feed of instagrammers who are vacationing in Santorini. It wasn't until this morning that I read an article on HighSnobiety that it all tied together.

Kanye Tweeted:

“How to NOT kill yourself pt 1

Avoid being around people who make you want to kill yourself”

As I go through my 20’s fake friendships have become less valuable to me. Those friendships that at one time seemed worth keeping don’t align with my current values and through experience alone you realize what’s really important, part of which makes traveling such an important growth experience for self reflection.

All this tying back to the absolute best part of this trip; the people I was around with. That in and of itself made this one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever had and has continued to reinforce the fact that the energy you surround yourself with will impact your experience.

Note #3: Are you free?

On a recent drive back from Napa, in a convertible, top down, friend turns to me and asks: “when have you felt the most free?”

I didn’t hesitate to answer because to this day its still my most memorable moment. My friends and I finally arrive at our villa in Phucket. The first couple of days backpacking through Bangkok and taking a morning flight to Phucket really drained us and we immediately had to crash. We didn’t have much planned for the day figuring that it would mostly be traveling and settling ourselves in. Our host, this super rad Australian man who decided to move fulltime to Thailand on a whim, left us four bikes we could use to get around the southern part of the island. We didn’t know where we were going, but since we had nothing planned we decided to ride out to wherever we would find ourselves in. We took the main road south and hit a beach that was completely empty. A signed that we missed, because 10 minutes later after it started raining. In Thailand, when it rains it pours.

We made our choice and stayed, we got this far so what point would it make to bike back home? We would be equally as drenched. We left our stuff on the shore and ran straight into the water. It had to be something out of a movie. The background was cloudy and filled with haze while two island mounds created an ethereal, picturesque backdrop. The feeling was surreal and I can never find the proper words to describe that moment. It felt as if we had discovered an uncharted island and we were left to our own devices. Maybe something similar to what freedom feels like?

The rain didn’t die down but the whole time we were out swimming I couldn’t help myself but scream out into the distance. Then everyone else joined in and we howled, yelled, laughed and it felt fucking awesome. As the rain died down we swam back to the shore and just looked out into the ocean. Still dark cloudy and full of mystery. Where am I? I mean yes this is Phuket but for a second I felt that this place had no name and that liberated me.

It was time to turn back. My friends were ahead of me but I had to stay for just one more second because I knew that that moment was over. I needed to look out once more and remember this place because it was the one time I felt the most free. And maybe I should be doing more of that…

Note #2: I Hate LA.

Now before all my West Coasters eat me alive, just hear me out. During my recent trip to LA, with my New Yorker lens on, I constantly tried to walk or use public transportation and experienced repeated defeat because you cannot get anywhere without a car. LA seems like such so slow life.

It wasn’t until finally settled into Santa Monica where the appeal all began to make sense. Seeing different people tourists, locals, etc, coming together to enjoy Los Angeles’ perfect weather and accessible beaches. A sense of freedom overcame me and I realized that I’d been doing LA a disservice by experiencing it through the eyes of an East Coaster. That’s exactly what you’re NOT supposed to do. There is no actual need to rush anywhere because everywhere is pretty awesome. What you should be doing instead is investing every minute living in the now. I think this concept is something the west coast prides itself in. Interacting with their surrounding, the mountains, beaches, and in many ways leaving behind what has been lost through the rapid technological advancements. So whether you're hiking, shredding some waves, soaking up the sun, eating at one of the many tasty restaurants, it’s all about living in the now.

In LA time is not of the essence. And taking a break from the hectic lifestyle we lead as new yorkers put things into perspective to remember what ultimately is meaningful to me. I don’t think humans were made to be contained in cubicles within corporate america but rather set up to explore, engage in new experiences and connect with others. To immerse yourself with your surroundings rather than just live in it. And although I was renewed and motivated, by LA, to get back on the grind I started missing its laid-back lifestyle and wish to be laying down on the beach while soaking up some sun (Don't forget the sun block, I got my first sunburn in LA).