Quiet time

Park bench facing a man on a raft fishing.

I need quiet time and get overloaded if I don’t make some accommodation for it. Travel inherently involves what the Chinese call 热闹 (re nao in Pinyan). It literallytranslates as “hot noise”. This post contains a good explanation. Some people thrive on it, but it wears me out and can make me irrational if I don’t have a plan for quiet time.

In new places I tend to do a variety of things to get it.

Retreat to my home away from home. I usually find a corner and make a little office.

I find that parks (last post) are often a nice place to be outside and enjoying the place, while still not being overwhelmed.

A park bench to spend some quiet time before heading to a busy market.
Morning peace.

Coffee shops are also a good option. They often have a quiet corner somewhere.

Just knowing that I have a retreat planned out for when things get overwhelming than I could normally.