When you go on a vacation, your life can feel like a Greatest Hits video package of the country you're in. If you've only got five days to spend in Paris, then you'll obviously make it a point to visit the Louvre and climb the Eiffel Tower. If you're in Rome for a long weekend, then why wouldn't you see the Colosseo and listen to some Eiffel 65?
Living in a city, even for just a month, isn't like a month-long vacation. When you spend a month anywhere, you eventually need to address common questions, like: "Where do I get toilet paper at midnight?" and "How did my apartment get this dusty? What is dust even made of? Why did public education fail me in such a profound fashion?"
This first month in Córdoba has felt a lot like Frosh Week at university; there's always a new friend to get to know in my family/tribe/tramily of remote workers, and between WhatsApp and Slack, I can always find someone to grab food or drinks with if that's what I'm feeling. It would be a nightmare scenario for anyone with FOMO, because you quite literally cannot do everything at once.
What I am realizing (well, what my liver and stomach have realized and have sternly communicated to my brain) is that I cannot do the Frosh Week thing every day.
Some background: Not only is this my first time going abroad for more than a week (I went to Rome last year with my family and loved it in that Greatest Hits way), it's my first time living alone since university. After graduating, I moved back home with my family, and that's where I was until a month ago. So I'm playing a bit of catch-up when it comes to the "Being A Functional Adult" thing, but I'm working on it.
(I'm terrible at Spanish, but seem to be getting sympathy from locals due to the novelty of it all. If you watch a dog play basketball, you're not going to criticize him for a weak lay up. I call it the Air Bud Effect.)
What I am realizing (well, what my liver and stomach have realized and have sternly communicated to my brain) is that I cannot do the Frosh Week thing every day. I mean, I could, but I'd die. I'd die and leave behind a popular corpse. But if I'm going to actually live in these cities (and I am), then I need to make peace with the fact that not every day will be like Raiders of the Lost Ark, and that's okay. Some days, I'll just do laundry, eat a sandwich, and nap. Just like Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
So I'm learning. I'm learning how to be a functional human being who enjoys enough new experiences to justify this whole "opportunity to travel the world thing," while also remaining gainfully employed, while also stocking my fridge with more than eggs and some sort of delightful apple marmalade (which I just found out exists and have developed a powerful, borderline sexual, appetite for).
I'm learning that the North American idea of a salad is a very specific creation, and we have all taken it for granted.
And that means that some days I'll need to give myself permission and forgiveness to stay in and watch Argentinian Netflix. And some days, I'll just have a perfectly pleasant day where I don't make out with my bidet or chase a pigeon out of my apartment. And when I accept that, I can be rid of the the FOMO-lite I suffer from when I choose not to join people for drinks because Pants Are The Enemy.
You can see the world and still take naps and read on your couch. It's not a zero-sum game between growth and regression, despite what that Inspirational Instagram account you follow likes to say. I'm down to leave my comfort zone, but if I abandoned it entirely, I'd have nowhere to recharge.
And by "recharge," I mean "watch Spanish Nic Cage movies in my pajamas."
Mike Sholars is currently residing in Córdoba, Argentina as he travels the world for a year while working remotely for The Huffington Post Canada. Remotely Interesting is his weekly travel column. Follow @sholarsenic on Instagram and Twitter to be assaulted with his bad jokes and shaky photos.
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Best Travel Destinations For Canadians
Spain(01 of10)
Open Image ModalPortugal(02 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, October Average price: $700 to $900 Why you want to go: For Canadians, Lisbon is one of the cheaper European cities to fly into. "It's a lively city with delicious seafood and cheap drinks. Take advantage of its inexpensive public transit to visit the historic Sintra, go to a winery in Porto and enjoy the Mediterranean weather on a beach in Faro." (credit:Mapics via Getty Images)
Thailand(03 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: December to MarchAverage price: $900 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Getting to Thailand can be pricey depending on the time you go, but once you're there, everything can fit into your budget. "Food from street vendors and markets costs you $4 to $5 and accommodations can run you as low as $20 a night [depending where you stay]. Thailand has tons of attractions to offer travellers, from trekking in the jungles of Chiang Mai to relaxing on tropical islands like Ko Samui." (credit:saiko3p via Getty Images)
Morocco(04 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: October to May Average price: $900 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Marrakech was named Tripadvisor's number one destination in 2015, according to travellers. "Explore the ancient palaces, shop in the markets of Marrakech and stay overnight in the Sahara desert. Food is inexpensive in local restaurants and street stalls, while accommodations are reasonably priced." (credit:Peter Adams via Getty Images)
Vietnam(05 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: Depending if you go north or south, you want to avoid cold or rainy seasons. Late December is usually the best. Average price: $900 to $1,100Why you want to go: If you're an urban explorer or nature lover, Vietnam offers both. "Vietnam is another South Asian destination that continues to be budget-friendly with beautiful sights, including cruising along Halong Bay and visiting the rice terraces. Food is remarkably cheap — a meal and beer can cost under $3." (credit:fototrav via Getty Images)
Eastern Europe(06 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $900 to $1,100Why you want to go: If you want to go to Europe and still have spending money, Modi suggests avoiding popular destinations like France and Italy and opting for Eastern Europe instead. "From Hungary to Romania to Bulgaria, these Eastern European countries are rich in diverse culture and its modern and historical architecture." (credit:Janoka82 via Getty Images)
Peru(07 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $700 to $900Why you want to go: "Peru is known for its geographic diversity, from exploring the vast Amazon jungle to hiking the Inca Trail to relaxing on the beach coast," he says. But Peru’s most famous attraction is the ancient site of Machu Picchu — a must-see if you decide to go to this South American country. (credit:WIN-Initiative/Neleman via Getty Images)
Indonesia(08 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: April, May, September, OctoberAverage price: $1,000 to $1,200 Why you want to go: Indonesia has thousands of islands and Bali is one of the most luxurious and popular ones. "Food and hotels are extremely cheap, where you can enjoy tasty meals from $1 to $2 and spend as little as $20 per night on accommodations." However, if you do plan on renting out a villa or eating on Seminyak's main tourist strip, it can feel like dining and living in a major Canadian city. (credit:Michele Falzone via Getty Images)
Cuba(09 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: January to March; September to November Average price: $600 to $1,000 Why you want to go: If you haven't been to Cuba, you probably know several Canadians who have — the Caribbean island is one of the most popular beach destinations for Canucks. "All-inclusive packages are affordable and offer a bang for your buck. If you’re really flexible, you can often find last-minute cheap deals on flights and all-inclusive packages." (credit:frankix via Getty Images)
Yes, The U.S.(10 of10)
Open Image ModalBest time to travel: January to April; September to December Average price: $350 to $650 Why you want to go: We're not saying you should head to pricey destinations like Hawaii or Las Vegas, but some U.S. spots have taken advantage of our falling currency. "Myrtle Beach, Kissimmee, and Scottsdale are starting to offer deep discounts — around 20 to 30 per cent off accommodations, free meal vouchers and discounts off activities. Also, expect major airline carriers alongside the low-cost carriers stateside such as Allegiant and Sprint to offer discounts and seat sales as well." And when you look at your budget as a whole, many U.S. destinations tend to be cheaper than leaving the continent. (credit:Kelly Verdeck Photography via Getty Images)