Song of the Week:
Summer Spent by: RICEWINE
One More for the Road
Summer is over. I spent the last few weeks soaking up the sun, diving into pools, and playing mermaids at the beach. I took a trip to El Salvador. My first venture into Latin America, the home country of my significant other, and a place where I encountered my first language barrier. Oh, and the first I met his cousins and family members. This trip had a lot riding on it and quickly became one of significant importance by virtue. The wildest part? It was completely impromptu. No agenda, no plans, no sightseeing checklist—just vibes. Zero expectations. And you know what? That mindset always works because El Salvador had its own plans for us.
Onward
First things first: there are no direct flights from Sacramento to El Salvador (for obvious reasons), but a girl can dream of the Sacramento airport one day becoming an actual international hub. From Houston, it’s just 3-hour flight to El Salvador which blew my geographical brain. I was expecting a much longer journey, but it’s really only about six hours in total, compared to Japan’s 11-hour flight. It’s totally doable.
When we landed everything seemed normal. We got our visas stamped, grabbed our bags, breezed through immigration, and then, as we turned the corner to exit, it hit —thick, humid air. My hair frizzed up instantly, my skin felt sticky, and my glasses fogged over. Nothing could prepare me for how humid winter is in El Salvador. Yes, it’s technically winter there, but with the humidity constantly hovering at a whopping 98 percent, it felt more like a tropical summer.
Luckily, I am no stranger to this kind of climate. Fun fact: Okinawa (where I was born) and El Salvador sit along the same latitude, which explains their similar environments. My genes were practically celebrating, happy to be back in their natural climate. Paired with the endless amount of greenery it was like I was in Okinawa. Driving from the airport to the city of Ahuachapán where with the endless green surrounding me and warm air breeze were a gentle reminder of what life is really about. I couldn’t help feeling a deep sense of peace every time we drove anywhere. The air is a mixture of oxygen, and fire fumes with heavy doses of smog unexpectedly refreshing. As we explored the country, it was just the similarities to Okinawa that struck me, but the way El Salvador’s culture wrapped itself around us. The people, the mercados, the fruit—it felt both foreign and comforting. To add he cherry on top, experiencing these things alongside my significant other deepened my understanding of where he come from.
The first week we spent in a remote beach in the countryside. A little too remote, actually —being the restless travelers we are, we walked the entire residential area in just 30 minutes and quickly found ourselves itching for more exploration. Soon enough, we ventured upon another hidden beach town, where I discovered my true passion —a frozen piña drink. As I sat with my drink, I noticed locals lounging nearby, drinking beers and chilling in the shoreline chatting on a sunny random Thursday. It was clear by their demeanor they were relaxing too.
I couldn’t help but started to ponder to myself, “I am here at the beach because I am on vacation, taking a break from my regular life in Sacramento. But is this just a normal day for them? How does living by the beach and around all the lush green, shape their ability to enjoy life?”
Island girl
The more I reflected, the more I realized how much the environment we live in can affect our mental health and the way we choose to live. It is common knowledge that living by the beach can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. I mean it’s the ocean —she is gorgeous. Studies have even shown that spending an hour with tall trees a week can also reduce stress levels. In a country like El Salvador, where they have an abundance of both landscapes, it seems that the locals’ connection to nature would be harmonious and essential part of their identity.
In many cultures around the world, connection to nature is a deep-rooted part of daily life… except America. In Japan, it is common after a hard day to unwind in nature with hot springs or forest bathing. In El Salvador they have open airing living with a dedicated patio for plants. This lead me down a rabbit hole of our relationship with the Earth in our homes, routine and culture. Upon reflection, I realized I don’t have one in my home or culture or routine.
I have been chasing after the wrong things, prioritizing the easy life rather than taking the challenge of having cats and plants. (If you have any tips about that please send them my way! My girls will just eat them up!)
Home Away From Home
Stress is dangerous and the more we can do to reduce it why not? Perhaps happiness starts with choosing nature. Going back to our roots to guide us to a better lifestyle. That’s what I learned this summer. My Summer Spent by RICEWINE is dedicating myself to being in nature. Living the fast-city life has it perks but sometimes we have to slow down and relax by the shoreline.
Thank you for joining me on this journey at The Unfinished Times. Don’t forget to follow me for more insightful content, give a shout-out to spread the word, and consider signing up for our Co-Collective to be part of our vibrant community. And if you missed any posts from previous weeks, take a moment to catch up! Let’s continue exploring, sharing, and growing together! The one-year anniversary is coming upon us, and I have big ideas coming soon! <3 See you in the next post~ XOXO
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