Departure | recap of my US experience

The feeling of departing, old and new

The Airport Paradox

Airports are funny places. They can be chaotic and they can be organized. They can be packed and they can also be empty.

As a frequent flier, I’ve been in all kinds of scenarios: from the rain-soaked and snow-covered days to the eerie emptiness on the last week before most planes were grounded in 2020.

I may have seen it all.

Years ago, however, one situation caught my attention and I suddenly became fascinated by the departure area of Rio de Janeiro's international airport.

A Familiar Excitement

Around January, it’s always full of families and teenagers, many of whom might be going abroad for the very first time.

You can sense the excitement from the energized way they walk around, you can hear their giggly nature, and you can feel their eagerness to explore.

I was once like them, craving the unknown before embarking on a long-dreamed-of journey

Losing the Spark

Sadly, somewhere along the way, I lost that.

Perhaps it was during college: flying between Brazil and the US was usual for me, and leaving the summer of Rio to spend the long months of winter was never an exciting thought in itself.

It could also have been during my first few years working in management consulting: the weekly flights made travel routine, leading me to take for granted the privilege of shuttling across cities in the sky.

The Itch to Explore Again

This time, however, I felt an itch similar to the one I had when I was 16, going to the US for my first year studying there.

I felt anxious, unsure if I’d have enough time to complete everything I’d planned for my last couple of weeks in NYC.

I felt scared, as the journey I’m taking has its risks: is the money I have set aside enough? Am I in good enough shape to do all that I want to do? Will I be safe?

I also felt excited, as this is a very unique opportunity. I first envisioned parts of it in 2020 while locked in a 200-square-foot apartment in NYC, dreaming of a day I wouldn’t be confined to such a tiny space and bound by travel limitations.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Still, leaving is bittersweet.

I’ve spent my late teenage years and my entire adulthood in the US. It has many flaws and is far from perfect, yet it slowly became home to me.

Over the last 13 years, I’ve assimilated quite a bit. I still don’t wear a hat indoors, but I have adopted a fair share of American quirks:

• I understand and use baseball references. I have no clue what a curveball looks like on television, and I’ve only been to a handful of baseball games, but I can confidently use “curveball” in a non-baseball sentence

• I can sing along to “American Pie” and “Sweet Caroline”

• I don’t mind the overly long CVS receipts

• I’ve accepted that I’ll have to press a button so that someone can unlock the toothpaste shelf for me

• I think beers in Brazil are too cold

• I use Fahrenheit and Celsius interchangeably

• I know that the interstates are odd-numbered West to East and even-numbered South to North so that you can navigate without a GPS

• I’ve even started, occasionally, referring to the US as “America”—though I stop short of saying ‘Muricuh like Obama does

• I love a good road trip

The Odd Places I’ve Been

I’ve also been pretty much everywhere in the country, including some odd places most Americans haven’t even heard of. Here are a few:

Elkhart, IN

The RV capital of the world. This Midwestern town lives and breathes manufacturing. During the 2008 crisis, unemployment skyrocketed. But by 2018, the economy was so hot that the local McDonald’s had to close for lunch—they couldn’t hire enough people at minimum wage.

Walla Walla, WA

I just drove by, but the name made me laugh. Apologies to all Walla Wallans.

Newark, NJ

Not the airport—the actual town. I once took a wrong turn and felt like I had landed where the mafia would “hide” people who didn’t pay their dues.

Rainbow City, AL

They had a great seafood joint and a retired guy who was convinced I was a banker just because I was wearing a dress shirt.

Enumclaw, WA

Ranks #2 on my list of most beautiful outdoor basketball courts I’ve played in—stunning backdrop of Mount Rainier

Georgia’s 14th Congressional District

First time I saw a monster truck parked on the street. If you’re curious, this is the district that elected Marjorie Taylor Greene. If you don’t know who MTG is, I envy you.

What’s Next?

I’m not sure what’s in store for me this year, but I do hope to go to many odd places around the world and learn a thing or two along the way.

Storing all your belongings and just taking a backpack (now named d’Artagnan) with you feels scary, but you’ll never know what experiences await if you don’t go for it.

My Itinerary This Week:

📍 March 2–4: Comporta, PT
📍 March 4: Faro, PT
📍 March 5–7: Seville, ES
📍 March 8: Tangier, MA

If you have any recommendations, let me know!