Arman's Antics (#083)
Latest from the curious honeymooner Arman Khoadoost
Hola partner,
Coming to you live from Antalya, Turkey.
Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics — another short travel edition.
A warm welcome to the seven new subscribers receiving this for the first time (585 total). I don’t take your attention lightly.
Hopefully nobody reads this, but if you do, please keep it to yourself.
I’ve been staring at this blank screen for longer than I’d care to admit. So to buy me some time, here’s some more photos from the second week of our honeymoon:
I was hoping the next great American novel would start flowing from my fingertips by now. Nope. But here’s one small observation worth sharing.
Somehow the more I travel, the more it makes me both appreciate and despise my culture.
If I had to sum up American culture in one word it would be efficiency.
Take dining out as an example. In America, I’ve become conditioned to expect to see my waiter sprinting around the restaurant. Anxiously awaiting to refill my cup as I take the last sip of my beverage. And then immediately ready to swipe my credit card and rush me out the door as I finish my last bite of food. All so they can get more butts in more seats which means more tips in their pockets. Undoubtedly a highly efficient experience.
In Turkey, dining out couldn’t be more different. I practically have to beg someone for a menu, refills are unheard of, and then the waiter and I play a lengthy game of hide and seek when I’m ready to pay. In other words, a highly inefficient experience.
At first, this pissed me off. But now I’m starting to enjoy it. There’s a surprising amount of upside to inefficiency.
Maybe an efficient meal isn’t the point? Maybe an efficient honeymoon isn’t the point? Maybe an efficient life isn’t the point?
That’s it for the 83rd edition of Arman’s Antics.
If you made it this far, you’re my kind of person. I’d love for you to hit reply and tell me what’s new with you.
Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Cheers,
Arman
So generous of you to let us in on some of your trip. Love the photos. And the comment about the perspective gained about American culture, the pros and the cons. Reminds me of what it's like just getting to know another person, which is a form of travel in itself, a way of getting perspective on yourself and what there is to appreciate and also improve.
"Maybe a highly efficient honeymoon isn’t the point? Maybe a highly efficient life isn’t the point?"
I love this question Arman.
Maybe a 'meaningful' honeymoon is the point. Maybe a 'meaningful' life is the point. 'Meaning" being defined by each person living their own, one, precious life.