A different kind of exercise routine
How to flex the “socializing” muscle again
A background tune for reading this newsletter:
“I’d traveled across the world expecting people to meet me, instead of trying to meet them.”
Will Schwalbe, The End of Your Life Book Club
When I read this book eight years ago, I was in my early 20s, and obsessed with socializing. I always will be — I’m a strong extrovert — but in the past year+ of staying socially distant, that side of myself hasn’t gotten to exercise itself.
This quote stood out to me, because I was in a major say yes to everything phase of my life, and even though I loved meeting new people, when I traveled, I still needed that push to get over my on-the-road shyness and talk to people.
One of my favorite travel experiences was when I quit my job and worked in hostels in Eastern Europe for four months. In my opinion, the best part of long term travel is that without your built in social structure, you quickly learn to shed any reticence and develop a more open mindset of learning how to talk to new people, whether you’re around them for a few minutes or a few days.
I’ve been thinking about this quote again lately, now that the world is slowly opening up — I’m prepping for a trip back to the U.S. in a few weeks, where I’ll get my vaccine and hang out with close friends for the first time since pre-pandemic times. The biggest, most “me” part of me cannot wait to socialize and have fun again, but — there’s always a “but” — there’s a part of me that is a little scared.
Do I know how to do this? Am I still fun? Do I know how to talk about things other than just my dog and buying furniture now? Are other people still interesting? Are we able to expand our topics of conversation beyond COVID, vaccines and regulations?
Last Friday, I got a glimpse of these answers, and based on that experience, all signs point to “yes.” I took a much-needed lazy afternoon off work and sat outside at a neighborhood boteco to drink a chopp (a draft beer). The couple at the neighboring table started chatting with me about my dog Penny, and we quickly realized we had the experience of living in NYC in common. We talked for the next hour about all sorts of rambling topics, and I realized how nonexistent this experience has been for the past year. It was, simply, great.
For me, socializing and connecting with others is a muscle. It hasn’t been flexed much, but if we practice and start to work that muscle again, it’ll come back quickly. (I don’t work out a lot, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it works?…)
So, let’s get out there and flex that 💪
xo
Brandy
Good Trip Founder
Local’s Corner
We’re traveling to the Philippines to visit Isabella Argosino (aka ‘Argo’) in Manila, one of the biggest cities in the world. Argo is a writer, content strategist, and co-founder of Sunki, a low-impact clothing brand she founded with her best friend. Sunki’s philosophy is ‘cute dresses with pockets that don’t take a crap on the planet.’ We can get with that 🙌 🌏
Where she wants to travel next, post-COVID:
Definitely the nearest music festival, like Fuji Rock in Japan, Wonderfruit in Bangkok, or Primavera in Spain. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss the dopamine rush you can only get from bonding with strangers by the porta-potties at 2AM while some inaudible techno plays in the background.
The place she’s traveled to that she’d like to go back to:
Melbourne! It’s the perfect marriage of nature and creativity for me. Plus, I’ll always have a soft spot for the city because it’s the first trip I booked on a whim and went on alone. I put on my big girl pants on and came home a different person.
Her favorite local spot within a 15 minute walk of her apartment:
Sadly, there isn’t anything remotely hip on my side of town! But my favorite local spot is this place called Oto. It’s a cafe-slash-bar-slash-vinyl listening room. Whether you’re looking for coffee or kembot (that’s Filipino lingo for “dance”), you can definitely get your fix here.
Her favorite local-to-Manila snack or food she can't get enough of:
Ensaymada! It’s a local pastry that feels like biting into a cloud bathed in butter, topped with grated cheese, and sprinkled with god’s tears. Get it at Panaderya Toyo!
The book, movie or TV show people should check out to get a feel for Manila:
One of my favorite local films is Ang Nawawala (What Isn’t There). It’s a coming-of-age story that’s honestly such a hipster cliché (manic pixie dream girl, lo-fi filters, and indie soundtrack included). But it just feels really nostalgic for me and I love that it highlights the different subcultures in Manila — from the local music scene and galleries, to the eclectic shops and bars. Oh, and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown episode about Manila!
An ideal day for her in Manila:
I like to start my day with endorphins, so I’d probably visit a yoga studio like Other Movement or do a spinning class at Perigon first. Then, I’d head to The Alley at Karrivin, where they’ve got some of the best galleries and restaurants under one roof. I would also love to walk around the Legazpi neighborhood, which has one of the very few parks in the city. Unfortunately, Manila doesn’t have a lot of green spaces! Of course, it wouldn’t be an ideal day without a little dancing and drinks. So I’d probably end the day at a bar like Apartment, Oto, or Futur:st, where they play a lot of underground music.
The song she has on repeat:
Olivia Rodrigo’s entire Sour album. Because I’m a geriatric Millennial hanging onto the last slivers of my youth. (Editor note: same)
Good Trip tip:
Part of being a world traveler is caring for and helping to do our part for communities that may not be right in our backyard. Here’s a message from Good Trip Advisor Sophie:
I traveled to India with an incredible group of leaders in 2019. With the current COVID crisis, I’m thinking about the people I met on the ground who are currently suffering and feeling isolated.
The program I went with (REALITY) has graciously offered to match a campaign run by JDC, the organization that ran my trip to India. We are aiming to raise $12,000, including the match, which will provide a critically-needed ventilator to a Mumbai hospital and provide medical training/PPE to women in rural villages.
Please donate if you can — find more info and how to donate here.
