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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Note from Mary:
Even though I’m away from my desk and have to write in internet cafes, I’ll attempt to keep my regular posting rhythm at Goodife Zen. I might not be able to respond to each comment, though. Please bear with me!

Photo by juvetson;

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