I have had the pleasure of visiting many mind-blowing places. After traveling for more than half of my life, I’ve figured that regardless of how long I stay for, the whole point of traveling is to “live” each place. The definition of “live” is simple: to “live” a place is to enjoy what the location has to offer; is to embrace the culture, to explore non touristic routes, to talk to the people and try to understand them; to “live” a place is to be a part of that ecosystem of cultural exchange and self discovery that is unique and different for every location.

“Living” a place is much different than simply visiting, and cases of people that have inhabited a location for decades but haven’t actually “lived” them are more often than they should be. The main reason why this happens is because we humans have become used to looking only at ourselves and therefore we have been failing to pay attention to what surrounds us.

Here’s an example of how easy “living” a place is: once I was in a school trip to a different state. We were staying on this tiny city with absolutely nothing to do. So I decided to leave my hotel room and just walk around without a destination. I hadn't brought my phone with me and I only had less than $1, and although part of me realized how dumb I was for leaving my phone behind while wondering on the streets of an unknown place, I couldn't help but to be extremely curious about where I would end. After my long walk, I ended up on the other side of town, at a “fresh fruit fair” that was being held on the top of a little mountain - what a view. I walked up to this guy selling grapes and gave him my money hoping to get one or two grapes in exchange. The old man smiled and gave me a bag completely full of grapes. I was so happy. I spent that afternoon looking at the amazing landscape and having a good conversation with him about his life and the beautiful little town we were at - while eating delicious grapes.

This other time, I had just arrived at Yale University, and because I was completely alone and clueless, I decided to leave my phone in the hotel room, grab 5 bucks, and take a walk. Not only did I end up watching an amazing improvised acapella show by some random band in the middle of a park, but I also found this small bookshop & cafe that sells used Shakespeare books for $2. Just the image of those people, all wearing glasses and drinking coffee, barely looking away from their poetry books was like being in a Woody Allen movie - any of them. Being there, as a solo traveler, made me feel like one of them. I then bought a book and spent some peaceful hours just reading it and taking breaks simply to watch the transit of people coming and going.

Finally, the one other way I make sure to “live” the places I go to before actually leaving them - and this is incredibly hippie, I am aware - is a little tradition I have of waking up at 4am on the very last day of my trip and watching the sunrise with friends I’m about to (geographically) leave behind. Do I always reconsider this tradition every single time my alarm goes off at 3:55am? Yes. But, for me, this connection with nature as the end of a cycle has always been worthy it.

To “live” doesn’t necessarily mean to walk around without a plan, or to sit and watch the sun rise. It can be anything. Literally anything. And perhaps the best part about it, is that, just like the best things in life, to “live” a place is completely free of charges! All you need is a place (any place, even your hometown) and the willingness to be spontaneous. Once you have those two simple things, you’re going to realize - in case you haven’t - how gratifying and enlightening to “live” a place is, and you’ll be forever grateful for the great things you’ve learned, the crazy people you’ve met, and the legendary adventures you’ve lived.