Dear Young Explorer | Cheyenne E. Batista
Letters to a Young Explorer
Cheyenne E. Batista – January 2021
Dear Young Explorer,
The world has changed so much in the past year! This pandemic and shapeshifting political environment have us reevaluating what matters most. As events still unfold, we’re afforded an opportunity to dream big about what happens next. Among the many life lessons that these times are offering us, I’m reminded that each day is a precious gift, and we should delight in the smallest things whenever we can.
It’s why “Make every day count!” has been one of my lifelong mantras. I do what I can to live out the best possible version of my life each day. The immense privilege of traveling is one of the many ways in which I do so. I vowed when I was 16 years old that I would do everything I could to see the world. Years later, I’ve lived in dreamy places from São Paulo to Cape Town and once circled the globe to 22 cities in 60 days just for fun (flying for free with credit card points)!
What inspires me to globe-trot you ask? For one, I come back as a better version of myself each time. With sacrifice and creativity at almost every opportunity, I have never regretted a trip. Mere words won’t do it justice, so come along with me as I tap into our five senses to share more about my love of exploring the world!
First, Earth and its mosaic of people are gorgeous and there is eye candy to see at every turn. But among the many spectacular sights, I also get a unique chance to see me with new eyes. Like a fish who realizes it’s out of water for the first time, I get glimpses of myself that I could never fully gain while at home. My privileges, my imperfections, my open-mindedness, and my resilience are among many facets of me that become clearer when I am navigating a new setting.
Then there’s the music, the howling monkeys, a beautiful call to prayer, and the limitless ways that a vowel can curl. The intriguing sounds I hear when I travel make my ears perk up delightfully at every corner. But more importantly to me, there’s an opportunity to listen. Traveling provides rare moments to slow down and take everything in. There are humbling moments like standing underneath a blanket of stars reminded of how small we all are. Or getting off a train where I don’t speak the language, and the letters of the only alphabet I know are nowhere to be found. These moments have taught me to slow down and listen with more patience, humility, and grace.
Pillowy soft sand, a crispy splash into a waterfall, and the feel of worn leather on a horse’s saddle are some of my favorite sensations. There’s no denying that these memories of touch will stick with me for a lifetime. But there’s also a different kind of touch I should mention! Lifelong friendships from Goa to Rufisque, Berlin to Boa Vista and beyond have moved me in ways I never expected. These touching connections that started with just a hello remind me of the magic of being interconnected.
For just a whiff of steamy thieboudienne (Yenne Tode, Senegal), a great braai (Cape Town, South Africa), or fresh pão de queijo (Ouro Preto, Brazil), I would hop on a plane right now if I could. The smell of cinnamon bark chipped right off of the tree, a pleasant field of lavender, and the salty ocean clapping in my backyard immediately rushes back when I close my eyes and nostalgically sniff. These favorite life moments are etched into my soul for a lifetime. A brief encounter with one of these now-familiar scents brings me right back to that time and space in ways that I will always treasure.
And last, but certainly not least, this world is simply yummy! Though I will always appreciate the many sights, sounds, touches, and scents, nothing beats the tastes that any great trip will have to offer. Favorites I can’t stop thinking about? A moist, stuffed lamb paratha (New Delhi, India), the perfect beef tagine (Marrakesh, Morocco), and a delightful Jelly Belly popsicle (Western Cape, South Africa) to name just a few. And I vow that they shall all see me again one day soon!
We’ve got a way to go before this pandemic is over and life gets a little calmer, so all we should do for now is hunker down and stay safe. But there is so much adventure that awaits you once ready. So what are you waiting for? Start dreaming!
Signed,
Me
