In my last post I said one of my favorite things about my time in Cambodia was the sense of adventure that we, and all of the other volunteers had. Oh it's going to take us about 15 hours and at least 2 buses, a taxi ride, and a tuk tuk ride to get to the beach? Count me in! Bike 32k to your site because you're making salsa? I'm there!
We would constantly go out of our way to see each other and to plan events so keep ourselves motivated when we were in a lull at our sites.
I didn't write about it in the post, but last week when I went to the Cambodian documentary at Sundance I went alone.
I didn't really want to go alone. I asked 6 people if they wanted to go with me. 6. I know people have lives and plans and things go wrong all the time, but 6 people? Honestly, I was really upset about it. It made me feel like the biggest loser in the world who couldn't get friends, family, or even her husband to go with her. Maybe it shouldn't have made me fell that way, but it did. It made me think about how my friends in Cambodia would have gone with me in a heartbeat.
It made me wonder, when people stopped going after adventure? Is it better to have to drive home late at night, or have a wonderful experience? What's worth it? Since being back I've noticed how most Americans have no sense of adventure. It's all about the ease of the way and convenience.
That. Is. Lame.
I went alone. I didn't have tickets, I stood in the wait line. I met the sweetest Japanese and Vietnamese women. I also met a really nice guy behind me in line. Everyone in the wait line got tickets and there were seats left over. I happened to sit next to a nice guy and his Vietnamese girlfriend. They were super nice and we talked all about Vietnam and Cambodia and traffic accidents and the weather. I was so lucky to sit behind some Cambodian women. I heard them speaking Khmer and turned around and just asked her in Khmer if she speaks Khmer. She ended up being from MY province. She knew the PC volunteer in her town!
I met the director and got information from her to help PC volunteers back in Cambodia. She was so nice and sweet.
Now I didn't get home until after midnight and I had to drive down the canyon late at night. I had to get up and go to work the next day. Would I take the sleep and not having to drive over the experience?
NEVER.
Honestly, it's not always easy. Sometimes you just want to go home, because you deserve a relaxing night of "me" time. But next time, think about that person who asked you to go. Think about me and how I had no one to go with, and share that amazing experience with. That's how relationships grow, through shared experiences.
So, are you going to take comfort over adventure? Is the experience worth the sacrifice? Are you going to seek out adventure?
Let me tell you something though, it's always worth it. Always.
I didn't write about it in the post, but last week when I went to the Cambodian documentary at Sundance I went alone.
I didn't really want to go alone. I asked 6 people if they wanted to go with me. 6. I know people have lives and plans and things go wrong all the time, but 6 people? Honestly, I was really upset about it. It made me feel like the biggest loser in the world who couldn't get friends, family, or even her husband to go with her. Maybe it shouldn't have made me fell that way, but it did. It made me think about how my friends in Cambodia would have gone with me in a heartbeat.
It made me wonder, when people stopped going after adventure? Is it better to have to drive home late at night, or have a wonderful experience? What's worth it? Since being back I've noticed how most Americans have no sense of adventure. It's all about the ease of the way and convenience.
That. Is. Lame.
I went alone. I didn't have tickets, I stood in the wait line. I met the sweetest Japanese and Vietnamese women. I also met a really nice guy behind me in line. Everyone in the wait line got tickets and there were seats left over. I happened to sit next to a nice guy and his Vietnamese girlfriend. They were super nice and we talked all about Vietnam and Cambodia and traffic accidents and the weather. I was so lucky to sit behind some Cambodian women. I heard them speaking Khmer and turned around and just asked her in Khmer if she speaks Khmer. She ended up being from MY province. She knew the PC volunteer in her town!
I met the director and got information from her to help PC volunteers back in Cambodia. She was so nice and sweet.
Now I didn't get home until after midnight and I had to drive down the canyon late at night. I had to get up and go to work the next day. Would I take the sleep and not having to drive over the experience?
NEVER.
Honestly, it's not always easy. Sometimes you just want to go home, because you deserve a relaxing night of "me" time. But next time, think about that person who asked you to go. Think about me and how I had no one to go with, and share that amazing experience with. That's how relationships grow, through shared experiences.
So, are you going to take comfort over adventure? Is the experience worth the sacrifice? Are you going to seek out adventure?
Let me tell you something though, it's always worth it. Always.
11 comments:
Love that you did this. Sometimes we need to take a little extra steps to experience something fun, thrilling, and even adventurous that will enhance our life to the fullest. :)
xoxo
I would have gone with you!
I think it's fantastic that you went alone. I'm one that feels like I have to have "someone" with me...but it's actually liberating going alone every now and then!
nobody would go with you? LAME! glad you got the adventuring soul, m'dear!
My husband and I can really benefit from this advice! No one loves the comfort of their own home more than we do... But it really is worth traveling once you can just GET there! :)
You have really inspired me. I am definitely one of those people who usually would choose a night at home over a potential adventure- I am going to stop and think next time!
Kudos to you! I'm a total homebody and have such social anxiety but this makes me wants to go on an adventure.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog. Looking forward to following your journey. I do agree with you that people aren't adventurous enough. I'm guilty of it too. This is a great reminder. I'll be working towards more adventure in my life as a result. Thanks!
Nice post, lady. Often times the inconvenient things are life are the most exciting. It's worth it to be inconvenienced!
Being in the Peace Corps now I can totally relate to this post!! I certainly hope that I can keep my sense of adventure when I return home. Your blog is a great help thinking about the transition back!
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