Photo by Lisandro Moises>
This article originally appeared the Healthy Living Lounge. Right now I’m in Buenos Aires for a couple of months. Read on to find out why.
Is traveling just fun? Or can it help us to grow?
In the following I’ll share with you what I’ve learned from my visits to Argentina.
Every time I arrive in Buenos Aires with my partner David, we go straightaway to a little run-down cafe in San Telmo, called Cafe Pedro. It’s run by Negra - an elderly lady with black, flashing eyes.
As we walked up to the cafe, I could see the marmalade cat stretched out on the windowsill, basking in the meager winter sun. We walked in. Negra gave a little scream, dropped her towel, rushed over and smothered us in her arms. It was as if we were her long-lost children. She cried as she stroked my hair.
She then turned around and told everyone in the cafe - loudly - how much she’d missed us. We were escorted to a table and served her best lunch. She stood over me to see that I ate the last morsel on my plate! “Sos demasiado delgada” she muttered, frowning. “You are too thin”
This is why I adore Argentina!
Here in New Zealand where I live, people are reserved. A shy little hug at greeting is about all I get - even from long-time friends. I’ve had to adapt to that and I restrain myself. But by nature I’m expansive, laugh and cry easily, gesticulate wildly, upset my wine glass, drop food in my neighbor’s lap, and in general create happy mayhem.
But here in New Zealand I squeeze myself into a tighter package.
When I first visited Argentina - some seven years ago - it was an amazing experience to feel my spirit expand and take up its full shape!
Discovering a “new me” is one of the joys of traveling.
Each new country brings out a different part of us that is usually hidden.
Initially we came to Buenos Aires to dance the tango. (My partner is a tango teacher). I had been to other Latin American countries and enjoyed it, but when I saw Buenos Aires - I fell in love. And this love has drawn me back, year after year.
I love the sounds of the city with tango music oozing from every crack in the sidewalks. I love the faded splendor of buildings. Most of all, I love the warmth and generosity of the people.
To my surprise, I immediately found some work. I’m a Zen master and teach in various countries. A Zen group in Buenos Aires heard that I had arrived, and soon I was leading workshops and giving individual guidance. The group arranged for interviews in leading magazines, and I became quite well-known.
When a country is right for you opportunities open up.
Actually, I would be able to move to Buenos Aires and work there full-time. A friend of ours owns a recruitment agency that works for US firms. He asked me to work for him. It’s not really my thing, and I don’t want to move to Buenos Aires permanently. But I take note of the fact that opportunities open to me in that particular place. I take it to mean that it is a place where there is something special for me to learn.
One of the things I have learned there is to play. My ordinary life is pretty busy; I lead Zen retreats and teach my students. I write a lot: articles, blog posts and books. I also assist David in his tango lessons. I sometimes help my son to renovate houses: busy, busy, busy.
In Buenos Aires I play. I dance through the night and eat breakfast as the sun comes up. I spend fun time with David and treasured friends.
I enjoy myself!
Does that sound selfish? Well, maybe it is. But what happens is that this joy triggers my creativity and deeply restores my spirituality. It’s as if the strings on the instrument that is me are sometimes too tight. To get a full sound, I need times when I can ease off. That’s what travel to Buenos Aires does for me.
And the gift that Buenos Aires gave me has changed my life back home. My time in Argentina taught me that it’s vital to have moments in life that remind us that we are free spirits.
What’s you’re experience of traveling?
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Posted on 08-09-2008 | Copyright Mary Jaksch 2008.
Comments
17 comments
You capture a great picture and feel of the travel adventure! I also like how you explain life can be lived big or small. I love this quote from a Sci Fi TV show called Bablylon 5 because it reminds me not to let me “shoes get too tight”:
Vir: Kiron may die because our “glorious” tradition values wealth and power over love.
Londo: My shoes are too tight.
Vir: Excuse me?
Londo: Something my father said. He was old, very old at the time. I went into his room, and he was sitting alone in the dark, crying. So I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “My shoes are too tight, but it doesn’t matter, because I have forgotten how to dance.” I never understood what that meant until now. My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance.
–
Time to kick off the shoes, live large, and dance!
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Five things 15 years of marriage have taught me
Great post Mary, Travel really is one of the true pleasures in life, and opens us up to what an adventure being alive truely is.
Steve Millss last blog post..Drugs Don’t Work? Try A Cosmic High…
This is a little off topic (I’m not well travelled - yet!) but I don’t think it’s selfish to enjoy yourself. If you’re happy and relaxed, you’re giving the best of yourself to those you love and others. And the vibes can be infectious!
The anonymity we experience when traveling allows us more freedom to experiment, to try something different. The difficulty is bringing that spirit back home and incorporating a bit of your “traveling self” into normal life. It’s great you’ve been able to to that! Personal growth through travel is a topic close to my heart.
Hi Spaceagesage!
Thanks for the fantastic quote. “My shoes are too tight. But it doesn’t matter because I have forgotten how to dance.” Oh, my!
It’s so important to remember how to play, how to dance, and how to be ridiculously happy! It’s easy to forget…
Mary
thanks for this post. I certainly agree that we here in NZ are generally more reserved. However, we do not always have to travel overseas to loosen up.
I found that time out from work and staying in NZ also allowed me to discover a freer, less restrained, more playful spirit.
I’m looking forward to another period of unrestrained fun when my current work contract ends. - Watch out.
Wonderful article! I love the images of freedom, spaciousness and fun. It is a fact that travel changes us, opens us, teaches us and helps us appreciate what we have … and what must change. Traveling to Mexico for the first time many years ago helped me reconnect with my Spanish heritage, my language and even salsa dancing! For many years I’ve thought that one of the greatest gifts we can give our young people (and ourselves) is the gift of travel.
This post was beautiful. And it makes me want to quit my job and go travel abroad. Some of the best times of my life have been while I was traveling. Experiencing new things and seeing different cultures is indcredibly satisfying.
Hi Deb!
I am sure all your friends will be agog to see YOUR transformation when your current workload lifts 
Hi Adrilia!
I’ve just come home from a workshop for Brazilian music (Samba Gafiera and Forro). Although I love Argentina, I must admit that the Brazilians REALLY know how to party! They’re so lively and fun. As soon as they spot someone shimmying to their music - they burst out into blazing wrap-around-grins!
I can almost picture myself being there now, Mary!
My experience of travelling has, literally, been life changing.
While still at university, I completed a month long train journey around Europe.
Being a, shall I say, ‘budget’ trip, we ended up staying in Youth Hostels throughout.
However, this also meant we were able to experience each country’s culture and people from the grass roots rather than just spending our time sticking to the well-trodden tourist paths.
Since then, I have completed several other trips which have definitely contributed to my sense of independence, resilience, and open-mindedness.
Travel is a brilliant activity for both the young and old.
Everyone can gain so much in terms of personal growth from exploring other cultures and people.
I hope you continue have a wonderful time in Argentina, Mary - and have a safe trip home.
Hi Scott!
You are obviously a fellow traveler.
One reason traveling keeps us young - if we do it right- is that it makes us face situations that are strange and difficult. That only happens if we avoid comfortable tourist ghettos. Personally, I think nothing of staying in a Youth Hostel dorm, or sleeping on a 24 hour bus ride, or bedding down on the floor of a hut.
Sometimes travel outcomes are very strange. Here’s an example: Two years ago I got stranded in Panama City on my own for a week before my partner David could join me.
I asked a nice taxi driver for directions to a hostel. Most were full. At last he drove me to a cheap hotel. I checked in. Later that evening I noticed that there were a lot of couples coming up in the lift. They didn’t seem to know each other at all well…but were climbing all over each other.
That was my first stay at a bordello
Next day I quickly moved to a Youth Hostel and hung out with some professional smugglers and other interesting riff-raff. That was a good education
I love this article, Mary. I feel exactly the same way about Mexico. I’ve travelled a lot but there I feel like I am my most expansive self and I truly feel spiritually connected to the place. I’m sure I have a past life connection there. I have yet to go to Buenas Aires, but it sounds right up my alley as I also feel constrained by the more reserved Australian temperament. I am naturally intense, fiery and passionate. I like to throw myself into life, arms and legs flailing about, everything that little bit messy and unpredictable. I have found this means I fit right in with the Latin countries.
I don’t think it’s selfish to enjoy life. Finding the joy in the moment and in friends and dancing doesn’t hurt anyone else so the way I see it, that’s what life is all about. It’s what will have us leavign this world with a big smile on our face.
Kelly
Kelly@SHE-POWERs last blog post..Bloggers Unite for Darfur and Launch TrainforHumanity.org
Hi Kelly!
I agree - to leave this world with a big smile on our face - that’s something to aspire to. My experience is that happy people are more willing to help others.
Why we should feel guilty about enjoying life? Especially if we help others to also enjoy life too.
[...] Zen and the Art of Traveling [...]
Hi Mary, I found your blog via your guest post on Zen Habits. And what timing - I’m from the States but have been living in Buenos Aires for almost a year and a half - and perhaps in part it’s because of the things you describe in this post. Thanks!
Also, I’d love some info on the workshops you’re teaching here…
Amys last blog post..Life Is Good
It is no surprise to me that you dance Argentine tango, as I find it almost a meditative experience. Glad you are enjoying the city so much!
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