Reflections on my First Week with Remote Year Exupery

Every Journey Begins with a Single Step

So, I arrived in Split last Sunday at nine in the evening, where I was greeted by a fresh-faced Jason (RY Programs Team Manager), where we awaited fellow Exuperianos Andy, Bessie and Amber and piled into the van that would take us to our apartments. It was pouring rain, the city streets seemed jammed with parked cars as we navigated our way through winding streets. I was met at my front door by Rodolfo (Exupery Program Leader) and Mate (Split City Manager), who gave me the keys to my abode for the next month, and I opened the door to the split-level two-bedroom apartment. There was a social event happening that night, but I experienced my first instance of JOMO (joy of missing out) as I was exhausted, and took the time to unpack and get settled in. My flat-mate Jacob arrived later that night. We had a brief introduction, after which I promptly passed out.

The Work Space

My first challenge as a Digital Nomad was to stick to Eastern Time hours. For me, this means a six-hour difference. The days in this first week were filled with orientations, welcome events and group meals, as I was slowly but surely introduced to the 37 adventurers that I would be calling my Tramily (tribe + family) for the next year. The work space here is called WIP, and is located right on Znjan beach. In the evening, the struggle was real - balancing the desire to socialize while maintaining a modicum of productivity.

My setup is ideal, and essentially replicates my desktop at the office. I would be dead in the water without my ASUS Zenscreen external monitor. Although, I realized that my setup is beset by snakelike wires, so my next investments will be batteries for my wireless mouse as well as a wireless headset!

Anxieties Dispelled

Anyone who knows me well understands that I love meeting new people. However, in the lead up to the commencement of this program, I had some very real (and wholly unfounded anxiety) about connecting with the 37 souls that I would be living with, eating with, partying with and experiencing this great adventure with over the next twelve months. By the end of this first week, my anxieties were completely dispelled, as I discovered that this was a very unique and special group of individuals from all walks of life, with unique talents and the same zest for life, travel, and new experiences.

Split = Fjaka

This place is unreal! The largest city in the Dalmation region, Split is a gathering place for experience-seekers from across the globe, Split is virtually dripping with history and culture. The heart of the city is Old Town, a cobbled, intricate network of maze-like lanes and alleys comprising the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace, built at the turn of the fourth century AD. The locals here are friendly, a little conservative, and have an incredibly sarcastic and playful sense of wit. Most locals in Split speak English (thankfully, as I am definitely struggling with Croatian) and are passionate about their city, their soccer team (Hajduk) and fiercely proud.

The two most important concepts that I have learned here in the first week are:

- "Pomalo" - a state of mind reflective of the Dalmatian lifestyle, which is to, above all else, take it easy!

- "Fjaka" - the art of relaxation, to simply do nothing, want for nothing, and be totally fine with that!

Letter to My Future Self

Dear Six Months in the Future Dan,

Hey handsome! How are things? I know you've enjoyed your first week in Split, as an Exupery Remote Year Tribe member. You've had quite the week and experienced all of the emotions. You've met some amazing people, ate delicious food, swam in the ocean every day, hopped around islands, visited the first craft brewery in Split and experienced the incredible power of positive thinking.

How have you changed and grown? I hope that you will have gained some new skills, made some lasting friendships and left each city better than you found it. I trust that you have taken strides to further your career, and become a trusted resource to those that you work with.

I trust also that you have delivered many random acts of kindness, been open to new experiences and overcome any barriers that were holding you back from jumping into this program head first. I know that you will have come a long way towards fully embracing the values that were set out by your fellow travelers on Orientation Day.

I know that you've had equal measures of heroic and embarrassing moments, successes and failures; felt joy, fear, sadness, made plans that fell through, and took part in spontaneous debauchery. Most importantly, at this point in your journey, I hope that you continue to have absolutely zero regrets.

So I'm just checking in - has this trip met your expectations, or have you completely thrown your expectations out the window? What have you learned about yourself? Have you felt homesick or longed for the familiar comforts of your home town? Are you the same person you were six months ago? If not, how have you changed?

Keep doing your thing, and stay shiny.

Sincerely,

Present Dan