How have you been sleeping?
Us? Not so good.
There’ve been plenty of nights ruined by weird quarantine dreams, until last night.
As with everyone else, we’ve had a lot on our minds lately.
One of the most liberating and challenging parts of being a digital nomad is that you answer only to yourself.
You’re the boss. Success or failure depends solely on you.
Problems like broken equipment, illness or global pandemics are just that – problems to be solved. Adapt or go home.
Table of Contents
What’s keeping us awake at night?
1) Working in the travel sector kinda sucks right now:
- Very little traffic to the site is hurting
- Not much demand for freelance travel writers
- Collaborations and sponsored work have all but dried up
So we’re trying to pivot, adapt and evolve while staying true to our values.
Lots of big travel bloggers are talking about branching out into non-travel related fields – check out this excellent article from Will Hatton at The Broke Backpacker.
2) Moving house during quarantine sucks too. Trying to sell housey things while maintaining a sterile environment is tough… I wouldn’t recommend it.
3) Norwegian Air cancelling our long-haul flight to Airmiles, but then giving mixed messages about whether they’ll fly in October 2020 (as shown on Skyscanner) or not until April 2021 (as per their press release).
4) The lunatic in charge of Brazil perpetuating the situation here, with the state of calamity expected to run until at least December.
5) The lunatics outside on the streets of Rio listening to their lunatic President, ignoring skyrocketing numbers as they continue to party long into the night.
That’s a little slice of the madness attempting to invade my dreams.
Why did I sleep so well last night?
To balance out the time spent writing, studying and strategising I decided to take the 10 Day Ukulele Fingerpicking Challenge from Uke Like The Pros.
I’ve played the Uke for a good few years but, as with all my musical endeavours, I’m guilty of laziness. I study to a certain level, plateaux, then relax in mediocrity.
Not this time!
10 days to learn, record and post 5 tunes on our Instagram account.
It started slow then gradually increased in difficulty. The real magic, however, came at song 5.
Can’t help fallin’ in love, immortalised by Elvis Presley on the 1961 album Blue Hawaii.
Okay… challenge accepted.
Oh no! Not just playing… no, no, no. Playing and singing!
Challenge extended!
(To see the final recording scroll down to the bottom of the page).
It was obviously floating around my brain throughout the night as it crept into my dreams. I’m glad it did.
Tell me about the dream!
For a few hours I was transported back to The Aquidaban – the unforgettable market boat that sails up the Paraguay River.
Thankfully I took my ukulele on that trip. We travelled extremely light, but I knew I needed my uke.
BEST IDEA EVER!
Aside from the other opportunities to play, there was another passenger on the boat with a uke!
(FYI This all happened in real life, not just in the dream)
The local Paraguayan boat travellers were genuinely intrigued with the instruments and we had so much fun passing them around. Having two meant we could give lessons, harmonise and generally rock out.
(If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of visiting Paraguay, do it! Read why Paraguay is so awesome here.)
One special moment leaps out, on the second evening. On the bow of the boat, lay on a wooden palette staring up to the sky, beer flowing through my system. Pitch-black save for the dazzling starlight, I played and sang ‘Falling in love with you’.
I thought I was alone due to the extreme silence, my audience the innumerable stars above.
I was offering the lyrics to the gods, hoping they’d be carried a thousand miles to my girlfriend in Rio de Janeiro.
When I finished, proud I’d played it flawlessly, I was greeted by a wave of gentle claps. Several locals, nestled in the shadows, showed their appreciation. I won’t lie… my heart almost popped with love.
It was this memory I dreamt about. As clear as day, down to the breeze on my cheeks, I was back there.
What do I take from it?
A travel tip for any traveller, if possible, would be to learn and carry an instrument.
(You can read about my other top travel tips here)
Music is a universal language.
I could only speak a handful of words in Guarani, yet we were able to communicate for hours through music. Laughing, learning, sharing knowledge.
We were 6000 miles from the UK, yet they were asking for all the classic Britpop hits, The Beatles, Dire Straits… even the Eurythmics (that one took a while to communicate!)
In return they taught us more phrases in Guarani, shared the history of the boat and their daily lives and passed around pictures of family and friends, beaming with pride.
Travel slowly. Make connections. Share your culture and your skills. Be open and receptive to learn theirs.
That kind of experience, however fleeting, will stay with you a lifetime. It’ll help during difficult times too.
I’ve no idea what they took away from our encounter. I won’t presume to attribute feelings, but I know we all laughed our asses off those nights.
There are so many honest, genuine, loving, caring, curious, special people in the world.
That’s why I’m eager to get back out travelling again. Not for the landmarks, the attractions or ticking off more countries. For the people. For the unforgettable nights. For the simple experiences which leave both parties richer and more enlightened.
So we wait.
Until then, be safe, be well and keep sharing the love.
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Wooo que maravilloso, fui muy privilegiado por ser parte de aquel gran viaje en el Barco, quedan grandes recuerdo inolvidables, que noches aquellas en las que tocabas una música y le enseñabas a Bea como tocar Somewhere over the Rainbow era buenísimo eso, se extraña esos momento y quedan marcados para la historia de muchos viajantes.
Realmente agradecido por esos momentos, espero coincidir en algún momento de esta vida para compartir otra vez.
Miguel, mi amigo! Eres prueba viviente. ¡Estoy tan feliz de que ahora seas un jugador de ukelele después de la experiencia!
Nos reuniremos de nuevo. Vamos a jugar de nuevo. Beberemos unas cervezas de nuevo ?.
What a wonderful story.. As we head into week 16 of (kinda) lockdown you have made me smile.. Stay safe young man.. Loves Mel ?
Then my job here is done!
That’s great news indeed Mel, thank you. I can’t say every night is as magical, but when these memories resurface they leave a smile for days after.
Stay healthy and well
Interesting and entertaining as always Fray. Keep enjoying life, and those special moments.
Thank you kindly good Sir!
I’m looking forward to heading out and creating plenty more special moments, plus following yours too!
Until then, stay safe my friend
Sounds as if you’ve seen past the mundane …. this story reminds me of a similar trip…. a bit different but with the same theme… I had a guitar…. and one night playing by a fire I had almost the same thought of where my love was …. and the answer was in your story. It was in the stars. The stars reminded me that I’m not alone when I travel…. that wherever I am … I know I’m loved. Excepting that is the most important thing I’ve learned and I see you have too. Namaste brother. Thank you for the story….. maybe we’ll cross paths someday … or starry night.
You have a beautiful soul dude.
Hopefully we can combine my uke with your guitar and we’ll serenade the stars until they weep.
Thank you for spreading the love.
Oh Adam, this blog seriously had me with tears in my eyes at this bit…. When I finished, proud I’d played it flawlessly, I was greeted by a wave of gentle claps. Several locals, nestled in the shadows, showed their appreciation. I won’t lie… my heart almost popped with love…..
I believe I felt the warmth that was shared.
For sure, yes, travel slowly and unselfishly in life and there will e so many memories to treasure,
Some of our journeys (mine) are closer to home, but I try to treat every moment and encounter as a gift.
Thanks so much for your posts Adam.
Thank you for your comment Berny.
I feel lucky to have lived that experience not just once, but again, breath for breath in that dream. It’s certainly the most powerful reflection I’ve ever had, and I hope that came across in the post.
They’ll never know the impact they had on me. All I can do is share the experience and hope it resonates with others