I came, I saw, I smiled.
I wasn’t fully content with myself or my atmosphere. So I went traveling to get away from everything. The main goal was to fight myself and my insecurities. Little did I know, I picked up quite a few more lessons for myself. Even though it was short notice and planning, I picked up my bags and left.
Travel. Travel because you will learn so much more about yourself. You will learn about things you like, dislike. How you like to spend free time and what do you want to get done on limited time. Utilize your own mind and think for yourself.
Meet other people. Who cares if you’re not going to be close friends with them later on. Who cares if they don’t like what you like. Who cares if you’re only going to see them once. Take time to get to know people and contribute, you will learn more from things by unfamiliarity.
Use public transportation. It may not be something you’re used to. Fuck it- just get on that bus or train and do your best. Fear not the meaning of “lost”. 
Take chances. When will you ever be at that moment again? when will you ever see any of these people again? See what it feels like to break insecurity.
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Appreciate silence because not everything has to be eventful in order to enjoy time. Doing nothing is not always wasting time, doing nothing is actually some of the best times. 
Show appreciation to your hosts. Hosting is a difficult task to take on that may eat your heart out if you really care about your guests who rarely come by. Show gratitude when you can and be thankful for their knowledge, their housing, and their company. 
Go for random walks at night. The city is a different character during the daytime.
Appreciate the have’s rather than bitching and moaning about the have not’s. Freezing and isolated at the bart station for nearly 2 hours made me realize this. Truth- you don’t really learn until you are hurt. Enlightenment after pain. I didn’t even plan or prepare for this part of my trip and this one of the best lessons I grasped.
Take advantage of time with good company. If you know they’re not going to get pissed if you wake them up - do it. If you guys are always on the same page with great chemistry, wake up, go out, and explore..even if its 6:30AM. 
Appreciate nature. After visiting the beautifully majestic red wood ferns of Santa Cruz (and having a tree hugging moment), I decided I’m going to do my best to not litter anymore or dissect anymore insects. 
No lesson here, just extra memorable details.
Don’t over hype things, atmospheres vary throughout the seasons, :p.
Take pictures of things that remind you of people while you’re on your adventure. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.
