Early Exit EXPLORER

This week, I decided to actually listen to what people have been telling me. Lately, multiple people have been getting on me about not trying the local food. I always gave the same response: my stomach is sensitive, and why spend money on something I might not even enjoy?

But over the last few days, I stepped out of that comfort zone. I went to several restaurants that serve Dominican food—and I’m not going to lie, it was actually really good. Shoutout to my friend O for putting me on. He introduced me to Nocciola Coffee Bar & Bakery, and let me tell you, that place has some great food from breakfast all the way to dinner. One meal I definitely recommend is the camionero breakfast—it’s filling, flavorful, and worth trying if you’re in the area.

This experience reminded me that sometimes the things we avoid end up being the things we enjoy the most. Traveling isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s also about being open to new experiences, even the ones you’re unsure about.

Traveling solo long-term has been a great experience so far. You really learn a lot about yourself—what you can endure, how disciplined you are, and how you handle situations on your own. Being solo constantly challenges your decision-making, as well as your financial discipline. Every choice is yours, for better or worse.

The truth is, solo traveling isn’t for the weak. Freedom sounds amazing—and it is—but too much freedom can be dangerous for people who aren’t ready for it. Without structure, it’s easy to fall into bad habits, overspend, or lose focus. But if you can manage it, if you can stay disciplined while having that level of freedom, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.

This week was a reminder for me: stay open, try new things, and don’t let comfort hold you back from experiences that could actually surprise you.