The next series of posts will be about my time in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam this summer.
Traveling to Vietnam, much less Asia, was not something that I expected to be doing before I graduated from college. Once the opportunity arose for me to go to Ho Chi Minh City, I knew that I had to take the opportunity. I have been out of the country many times before, but I knew that this trip would be nothing like anything I have experienced thus far.
Traveling is freeing. Leaving everything you know and going to a new city, experiencing a new culture, learning a new language, meeting new people, and learning how to "fit in with the locals" is freeing. Even though I had wifi at the hotel, I loved being able to disconnect from technology and really connect with the other dancers I was with. We "lived in the moment" (no matter how cheesy that sounds) and enjoyed our short time in Vietnam.
Did I take a Vespa tour around the city? Yes! Did I try new food? Yes. Did I meet some incredible people? Did I learn about a new culture? Yes. There is no easy way to describe the number of experiences that I had but one thing is for sure, I was way out of my comfort zone.
I had learned so much about myself because I was not comfortable. I pushed myself and realized that I am capable for much more.
So traveling to a foregin place might not be the easiest thing for everyone. So how can you get out of your comfort zone on an everyday basis?
1. Put down your phones!
So much is happening, and you can experience it if you first acknowledge it! Take the opportunity to look around you and see what else is going on.
2. Talk to strangers.
I know, I know. Mom always said stay away from strangers. However, something I learned while in Vietnam is that personal space is very Americanizd. Yes it is nice to have time to ourselves, but everyone is in their own bubble. Talk to people around you, especially when traveling. We met people from all around the world by starting conversations.
3. Don't be afraid.
There are so many wonderful opportunites available if people would say yes. It may be scary, but like my trip to Vietnam, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wouldn't change for the world. Sometimes the best things are the ones that we were once afraid to do.
Here are some of the picturest that I took while in Vietnam. My next post will be all about Ho Chi Minh City, so look for that soon!
What do you do to get out of your comfort zone?
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