Sometimes People Just Don’t Like You
Traveling is full of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises aren’t pleasant. It’s a fact of life that sometimes people don’t like you for reasons unknown. This can be particularly common when you travel a lot. It happened to friends, it’s happened to me before, and twice during my first three days in Istanbul.
What to Do When Faced with Rejection
So, what do you do when faced with such situations? Have you ever heard the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? That’s precisely what you should do. Often, something better is just around the corner.
A Memorable Experience in Quito
Take, for example, my trip with Ann in Quito, Ecuador. One afternoon, we visited the house/museum of one of Ecuador’s most famous artists, Oswaldo Guayasamín. After a great tour, we were hungry and wanted to try something local. We spotted someone flipping chicken on an outside grill and decided to eat where the locals do.
However, the place was packed, and despite waiting for five minutes, not a single person acknowledged us. We decided to leave and continued down the road. Soon, we found a restaurant that required us to be buzzed inside. We were greeted warmly by a delightful lady and enjoyed a meal on a balcony with a fantastic view of the city. Eight years later, we still remember that meal fondly.
Finding the Silver Lining
The lesson here is simple: there’s always something around the corner. After being ignored in an Istanbul coffee shop, I found a better one just around the corner with even better desserts. So, if you get ignored, don’t fret. Move on, and you may find something extraordinary waiting for you.
Conclusion
Travel is unpredictable, and while rejection and disappointment are part of the journey, they often lead to unexpected joys and memorable experiences. So, embrace the setbacks and keep exploring. Enjoy life’s journey.
Until next time,
Joe O’Brien