Dear Empire
Ever since I began this blog, I’ve been discussing topics that fascinate me, things that lead to a better life as a classical musician.
It is a great joy for me to read and write about it. I love it. Everything about it. I am honored to find my way to your inbox every now and then and for that I thank you.
Among all the level-up-your-life-through-self-development I read and share with you, there is one that place higher than the others.
And its name is Traveling.
Why? Because it impacts your life three or four times as many as the other forms of self-improvement.
Traveling provided me with a great deal of experiences and things I never thought possible, real or that they even existed.
As I write this post I am at the San Juan International Airport, my home. The place where I’ve experienced some of the scariest but also happiest moments of my life. Everything from leaving loved ones to falling asleep and missing my flight to crying in a corner with a big problem ahead of me. (No airplane troubles, thank GOD!, knock on wood)
I got to tell you! I have a special feeling for this place.
Each time I land, something inside me lights up. A similar thing happens when I depart. I have the free Wi-Fi zones spotted and where to eat cheap so I can get here early and head to my favorite spots.
When I leave SJU, I am usually up for an incredible journey, one that will encourage me to meet new people and go through many inevitable stages of my career but in a new zone, a new place.
Leaving the beautiful scenery of pines and other trees, I look forward to what life has to offer me at this moment. New opportunities.
But over everything I enjoy so much and most important, I learned that what I do—every single thing I do but especially traveling—I do it because I made a choice.
Often, not easy. Usually really hard choices.
They help me maintain a good discipline and focus toward something I want to make happen. Anything. But I know it will be worth in the end.
Whether it’s by eating crackers for a whole month or staying at home instead of going out, I always have a plan in mind.
Work now to enjoy later. And when it’s time to enjoy, I really have a blast.
It is called Travel Hacking.
What I did and still do, anyone could do. Learning the nuts and bolts of Travel Hacking can get you really far away.
My mission here, as leader of this great empire of disciplined musicians, is to get you out there and experience the world (and get the benefits of it). Learn music a different way, envision other people’s idea of music, live it once and relive it again every time you remember it. Play music with other musicians and enjoy learning and adapting to what they do.
This will set you up to a higher level of knowledge.
…and musicianship for that matter.
If you traveled before, you know the feeling. It’s pure adrenaline. You are heading toward a new environment, a new place where people live different and you have to react to it. It is mandatory that you feel something—good or bad. You will like it or hate it or somewhere in between. But you will feel something. That new feeling will change your latest perspective on that country or group of people. Because as of today, you’ve been there and lived it.
Sadly, many people dream of visiting the great wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon and other cliché places but fail to compromise and actually work for it a little.
Yes, it requires organization and some work but the final experience/result could even change your whole life.
I that by now you’re pumped and ready to take action.
1. Pick a place and set all your energies into working mode. It could be France, Italy, China, you know—anywhere works. Know that it’ll not be entirely free when you read and get informed about the subject, it’s a time consuming exercise (but fun). They call it Travel Hacking. Google it and read like crazy.
2. If you don’t want to learn about Travel Hacking then you’ll have to pay for it. And that too it’s OK. But here consistency is key—you fail one day and game over. If you want to live like a king for a week save 5-7 dollars a day for a year, pick a place on planet earth and leave. Eat, sleep, and rest like papa bear.
How I Paid This Ride
As I drink a Starbucks coffee (isn’t that what all aspiring writer do? I realize I’m going to Europe for almost nothing. Thanks to American Airlines miles.
I collected some miles and then exchanged them for a one way ticket. I am backing that up with over 50 hours of research of course (I started a couple of years ago).
Guess what? My Starbucks coffee cost the same amount I paid for my one way to Germany. To be exact $1.23 cheaper. I paid $5 dollars + 20,000 miles for a one-way flight to Germany from San Juan.
Cool huh?
I hope I got you hooked with all this Travel Hacking subject and that you feel motivated to visit that one place you’ve always dreamed to. I believe it’s essential to go out there. Experiencing the world will add so much to your music career. Different perspectives and ideas from different parts of the world is what you need to change the status quo and be the best musician you can be.