Admittedly, I did not see everything I could or should have while in Buenos Aires; nevertheless, “Not Seeing Everything, Gives you Every Reason to Come Back to See Some Things.” I’m forever grateful for the first half of 2016 that involved living in Buenos Aires, meeting new people, and seeing new places.

Get into the last five of my Top 20 Moments Before Midyear, below:

16. Embracing My Buenos Aires Classmates & Friends: If anything, meeting & learning from the 70+ classmates and faculty from my study abroad program, was a confirmation on what I learned throughout my five years at university: you, in your humanness, cannot control everything. While exploring South America and the final semester of my undergraduate career with everyone in the picture above, I developed a mindset of being okay with not having everything figured out, but working towards figuring things out.

While I was a fifth-year senior at Pepperdine University, the majority of my classmates were sophomores at Pepperdine eager to figure out their next step in life. Our individual and collective experiences significantly showed that there is value in going through a process (not knowing every little step or knowing every “next move), yet additional value in knowing there is a purpose to the process.  

17. Graduating University: The 18-year old boy that entered Pepperdine University five years ago thought that you could control everything, that you can control the majority of experiences that happen in your life (proving false with me landing in LA, rushing to Vegas for graduation prep, and driving overnight back to LA for all graduation festivities).

Nevertheless, all of those experiences—educational, international, and personal—brought me to my April 30^th graduation and the realization that full control only belongs to God and its my purpose to spread the love of Christ to those in this diverse world through my skills, $300,000 & growing knowledge, and gifts.

18. Cinco De Mayo Nephew: Holiday babies intrigue me. Well, this year, my third nephew was born on Cinco de Mayo. His birth further pushes me to make a mark in this world for him to see & chase. Make a mark in this world for those you cherish to see & strive after.

19. Travelling & Exploring the West Coast: After returning to the country,  I visited Seattle (Washington) and Eugene (Oregon) both for Track & Field purposes. I don’t run track; I was in both of these cities to support my sister. Whilst in each city, it was always great exploring various landmarks and trying various foods. While in Seattle, FELL IN ABSOLUTE LOVE WITH THEe BEST GARLIC FRIES (Below). Definitely have to visit Seattle again to find that spot with the fries! Find something new, learn something new, go somewhere new!

20. Watching My Sister Compete in Her First NCAA National Championships: Inspiring, indeed, was watching my sister compete in the 2016 NCAA Track & Field National Championships for the first time. From every winner to every loser, they all showed me—inclusive of my sister—that you will experience the manifestation of your destiny at God’s timing when we work hard, commit ourselves, and remain diligent.

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Five More Insights & Inspirations to take into the Second Half of Your 2016:

1. There is value in going through a process, whilst knowing there is a purpose.
2. Full control only belongs to God
3. Make a mark in this world for those you cherish to see & strive after.
4. Find something new, learn something new, go somewhere new!
5. You will experience the manifestation of your destiny at God’s timing when we work hard, commit ourselves, and remain diligent.

The post #CULTURE: Buenos Aires + Top 20 Moments Before Midyear (16-20) first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

The fourth was the perfect holiday weekend to catch up on the first half of the year with family and friends. To make conversation easier, I shared my first half of my top 20 moments yesterday, here: PART ONE & PART TWO.

I’m excited to share these moments to inspire or spark the dopeness and greatness that is embedded inside of us! Phenomenal, funny, fearless, and  once-in-a-lifetime experiences characterized the first half of my 2016, check five more of my top moments from the first half of my 2016, below:

11. Buenos Aires Graffiti & Street Art: Before moving to Buenos Aires, I Google Map’d the location of my residence, only to see frequent occurences of graffiti, I became apprehensive about the quality of neighborhood where I would reside.

Nevertheless, after talking with locals and friends, I realized that graffiti didn’t necessarily insinuate criminal activity—and many times graffiti and street art were means of communicating ideals or ideas.




Universally, the meaning behind cultural activities or cultural expressions at home don’t hold the same significance abroad.

12. Argentinean Patagonia: That 16-Mile El Chalten Hike, Seeing Icebergs, & Hiking on Glaciers: Earlier on in the year, I talked about the longest hike I ever did in my life (pictured below: Early in the Hike, When I Almost Quit, When I Made It) and the amazing experience of seeing icebergs and hiking glaciers.

Definitely a top moment for me—that shows me that when you strategically test your limits, you’ll reap valuable experiences; some expected and some unexpected.

13. South America Travels | Mendoza Airport Sickness, Chile Missed Bus Fiasco, Early Mornings in Rio de Janeiro: Whilst travelling in South America, I had some wild experiences: my vomiting spree (yes, tmi) in Argentina’s Mendoza Airport for over 8 hours, strolling through sketch parts of Santiago Chile after missing my bus back to Argentina & staying awake in the airport all night, to dream vacations throughout Rio de Janeiro. Ultimately, you’ll never know what you will encounter, but LEARN FROM EVERY EXPERIENCE.

14. Entertainment in Buenos Aires: Tango, Traditional Argentine Folk, + Fuerza Bruta Show: Throughout my time living in Buenos Aires, I had the opportunity to attend a Tango Show, Improtu Opera Dinner, Traditional Argentinean Performances, and a phenomenal production called Fuerza Bruta. With all of the phenomenal productions, they demonstrate the power and greatness that can be found in your own culture, if you reach down deep to find it and communicate it!

15. Frequently Speaking Spanish: The language barrier and my introductory level of Spanish made me apprehensive about coming to Buenos Aires and living with my madre—I consistently wondered how would I communicate with her, or how awkward it would be trying to converse. Luckily, when I arrived, I found out that homestay brothers were there to assist me in conversing during dinnertime. Throughout my time interacting with locals in Buenos Aires, I felt more of an idiot for my lack of Spanish skills because this was THE language I have studied on-and-off for 10 years. Nevertheless, I have learned that you: “Simply have to try. If you succeed, try to succeed again. If you fail, try to succeed the next time. Try.”.

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Five Insights & Inspirations for the Second Half of Your 2016:

1. Universally, the meaning behind cultural activities or cultural expressions at home don’t hold the same significance abroad.
2. Strategically test your limits, you’ll reap valuable experiences; some expected and some unexpected.
3. You’ll never know what you will encounter, but LEARN FROM EVERY EXPERIENCE.
4. Greatness can be found in your own culture, if you reach down deep to find it and communicate it!
5. “Simply try. If you succeed, try to succeed again. If you fail, try to succeed the next time. Try.”.

The post #CULTURE: Buenos Aires + Top 20 Moments Before Midyear (11-15) first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Coming to Buenos Aires, I was shocked to learn the correct pronunciation of words, the normal cheek to cheek greetings for locals, the disregard for traffic regulations, low preference for punctuality, and slower operation processes (specifically COTO). These aspects characterized the culture in Buenos Aires; and in order to communicate through my presence, I assimilated.

I didn’t necessarily bring back these practices to the States, but I did bring back the perspective that no one culture is better than the other. Definitely a phenomenal experience, explore five more of my  Top 20 Moments Before Midyear 2016 below:

6. Exploring Buenos Aires & Outlying Cities: San Isidro & El Tigre: A great part about the abroad program that I attended was that I had the opportunity to not only explore the metropolitan areas of Buenos Aires, such as Puerto Maderno or Florida Street, but I had the opportunity to explore outlying cities, such as San Isidro & El Tigre.

(Above: Puerto Maderno, Below: Obelisco de Buenos Aires)

Galerías Pacífico (Above) is a upscale shopping center with a plethora of stores, select dining places, and art decor throughout the center. Interestingly, this is another place that connected me with my Las Vegas roots. Although it’s very European and similar to Harrod’s in London, the location reminded much of the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace here in Las Vegas.

A course assignment brought me to the shopping center, located on Florida Street (some sections below). Florida Street is a downtown pedestrian street pedestrianized in the 1970’s and is one of the city’s major tourist attractions.

Football is one of the biggest sports in America. Futbol is THEE SPORT in South America & Buenos Aires who has two major teams: River and Boca. Literally, a couple weeks before leaving the city, I realized I lived a short distance away from the stadium (below) for the River Team.

Seemingly, after moving from China, I couldn’t escape China. My apartment was literally 2 seconds across the street from a Chinese Grab & Go place and I lived a few minutes away from the Buenos Aires Chinese Barrio, or neighborhood.

I was trying really hard to speak Chinese to some people at the stores…it didn’t work, so I just resorted to silence and taking pictures of various art and various buildings.

Named “Tigre” for the jaguars that used to be hunted in the region during the early years of the town, Tigre sits on an island created by small streams and rivers. Boating on the river early one Thursday morning was the way that I seen the town.

Although Tigre is a town in the Buenos Aires Province, it was definitely a relaxing getaway from the “hustle & bustle” of the  city, where I resided.

San Isidro is another town in the Buenos Aires province, also a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city. Biking throughout the town was bittersweet, as it was not the coolest of days when my group and I explored the town.

Exploring cathedrals, museums, and historic cobbled streets, San Isidro is known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Argentina. We all need a little bougie, here and there, eh?

When I moved abroad (both in London & Shanghai), I became comfortable with staying in the vicinity of my residence; nevertheless, in moving and exploring Buenos Aires, I finally realized the value in finding out what’s close to you and making it close to you!

7. Suffering from Mosquito Bites: A phenomena that tested my patience and made me more tolerant to the unavoidable in life were mosquitoes. This was my first time in life that I had to deal with mosquitoes and it was quite an irritable experience—either waking up to bites or coming home after a day at my school facility to mosquito bites. Throughout this experience showed that some things you simply can’t control; and if you could control some aspect of some things, everything you can’t control in its entirety.

8. Daily Dinners & Argentine Cuisine: EVERY NIGHT, my homestay mother made a full course dinner. The courses were often protein heavy and were often baked or broiled. Additionally, my “madre” made THE BEST SALADS. I rarely took pictures of my food whilst in Buenos Aires, but when I did (as below), they were worth seeing.

Every night, I ended dinner with a “Gracias por la comida”. Each dinner enlightened me to the importance of EXPRESSING your gratitude and VALUING interaction with those you cherish.


Above: Delicious Steak & Fries from Kansas

9. Discovery of Tortas: Another discovery that I’m craving right now is a “Jamon y Queso Torta,” or savory pies with ham and cheese, that I would typically purchase from “Maru Botana.” Cuisine-wise, this second best thing that happened to me this year. When you travel, find specialty foods that connect you with that particular destination.

10. Discovery of Chimmichurri: During my first dinner with my homestay mother and brothers, I turned down their first offer of “Chimmicurri”, but a few minutes later I tried the herbal seasoning and ultimately fell in love with this seasoning that GOES WITH EVERYTHING. BE OPEN TO CULTURAL FOODS (if you’re not allergic), even if its similar to something you don’t mess with in your normal diet.

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Five Insights & Inspirations to Spark the Second Half of Your 2016!

1. There is value in finding out what’s close to you and making it close to you! Explore!
2. Some things you simply can’t control; and even if you could control some aspect of some things, everything you can’t control in its entirety. Do your part, make your mark!
3. Express your gratitude more and value more interaction with those you cherish.
4. BE OPEN TO CULTURAL FOODS (if you’re not allergic), even if its similar to something you don’t mess with in your normal diet.
5. Find specialty foods that connect you with the  particular destination you reside or visit.

The post #CULTURE: Buenos Aires + Top 20 Moments Before Midyear (6-10) first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

The second of half of 2016 is here! Commencing with this weekend, time to get ready for numerous holidays, numerous get-togethers, new ideas, new developments, and tons of more newness. Personally, the first half of 2016 was one filled with much joy, happiness, growth, and achievement.

In the next few days, I’m excited to share insights & inspirations from the first half of my 2016. From reconnecting with great friends, making new friends, moving to and living in another Argentina, graduating, and travelling the west coast, my Top 20 Moments Before Midyear are a testament to our capabilities and opportunities to thrive in life! Explore my first five moments, below:

1. San Francisco & Reconnecting with Brother from College: After returning from Shanghai, I opened up the year by visiting San Francisco a few days before departing for Buenos Aires. What was so special about this trip was reconnecting with my brother from college who I had not seen for three years.

Not only did this moment show me that I’m getting older (not seeing friends for years at a time, gosh), but it showed me that time can be the ultimate test of authenticity and sincerity.

2. The “Infamous” Flight to Buenos Aires Mishap: Before departing for Buenos Aires, I arrived in Los Angeles a couple days before departing for South America.

Little did I know, upon awaking from a nap on the evening of my arrival day to Los Angeles, I realized I needed to depart for the airport in less than 12 hours (whilst needing a haircut & needing other essentials). Definitely a lessened learned: get all of your necessities for trips 48 hours prior to departure. However, I made it!

3. My First Weekend in Buenos Aires: After 14 hours of air flight time, I arrived in Buenos Aires encountering my first experience of homesickness. The heat coupled with humidity coupled with Wifi complications took a toll on my emotions.

Nevertheless, it is important to surround  yourself with people (such as my homestay mother below) and places that enrich your RIGHT NOW during such emotions.

4. Living in Belgrano & My Daily Commute to School: As I was living in Buenos Aires, I initially walked to my  university facilities everyday (approximately 1 mile each way).

Throughout my commutes over the three months, I fell in love with the idea of commuting to nearby places by way of walking. Living in Belgrano, a a residential and commercial “barrio” in Buenos Aires, I had the opportunity to see families engage in tasks, dogs doing certain “tasks”, me stepping in certain dog tasks, and also finding a Walmart (Ha).

Commuting throughout the city really awakened the notion in me to: Open your eyes, see the city, see your surroundings, and see your culture!

The New Laundry System: This may not be significant in others world, but I initially had THEE HARDEST time finding a washing service. Nevertheless, I finally found a cleaners and eventually (and unfortunately) SPENT OVER $100.00 on cleaning my clothes over 3 months. Excessive for me, but necessary. Lesson learned: Never be afraid to seek insight on the necessary elements of your life when transitioning to a new place in a city or even in life.

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Five Insights & Motivations for the Second Half of Your Year:

1. Time can be the ultimate test of authenticity and sincerity
2. Get all of your necessities for trips 48 hours prior to departure
3. Surround  yourself with people (such as my homestay mother below) and places that enrich your RIGHT NOW during such emotions.
4. Open your eyes, see the city, see your surroundings, and see your culture!
5. Never be afraid to seek insight on the necessary elements of your life when transitioning to a new place in a city or even in life.

The post #CULTURE: Buenos Aires + Top 20 Moments Before Midyear (1-5) first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Brazil was the manifestation of a dream–a realization that your hard work can create a platform for you to live out your dreams.

Before I left Rio, my group and I set our sights on Sugar Loaf Mountain, to get one last glimpse of Rio in its entirety. Additionally, I made sure to see an Olympic venue and the infamous stairs popularized by Snoop Dogg & Pharell.

When visiting Rio, make sure you remain open to the following lessons Sugar Loaf, Maracanã Stadium, and Escadaria Selarón can remind you:

1. You don’t succeed when you achieve perfection, you succeed when you inspire perfection.

When my group and I were at Sugar Loaf Mountain, a friend of mine imagined the astonishment of others when they first “discovered” the land. Rio de Janiero is a beautiful city and the views from two different heights at Sugar Loaf mountain proves that sentiment.

There is always something being done to strive for perfection—a new metro/train line to improve transportation around the city or improved political laws to shift the culture. Nevertheless, the magic of Rio is its ability to inspire perfection in others and ability to inspire you to strive for more.

Looking out over the city, you realize the blessing that it is to travel the world and ultimately inspires you to see more of the world.

2. Find a medium or outlet to speak your emotions, your feelings, and your thoughts.

One thing that continued to intrigue me as I walked through the streets in Rio was the street art. If you have the opportunity when in Rio, let the art speak to you and let the art on the walls entertain you.

While walking the streets or driving down the streets in Las Vegas or Los Angeles, street art isn’t a common sight—the crispness of new buildings or plain walls speak the messages of maintenance and minimalism. Nevertheless, its inspiring for the people of Brazil (South America) to use walls as a means to express emotion and feeling. Find beneficial ways to express your emotion and feelings.

3. What happens on the inside of us, is what gives us our true value.

Determined was an understatement when it came to describing my seriousness with seeing an Olympic venue in Rio. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to walk around Maracanã Stadium, the location of the 2016 Olympic opening and closing ceremony.

After exiting the subway station (approximately 45minutes from Ipanema to the Stadium), I didn’t know what to expect. The stadium is walking distance from university and adjacent to local neighborhoods.

I came to realize that what happened on the inside of the stadium—the manifestation of history—is what bestowed the stadium with its value. It’s what happens on the inside of us that gives us our true value.

4. Leave your mark, but make sure you enhance the canvas.
Another attraction that magnetically pulled me to Rio were the infamous stairs popularized by the Snoop Dogg and Pharell “Beautiful” video.

Interestingly, Selarón’s Steps are lodged somewhere in a local neighborhood with locals assumingly living in homes as you trail the stairs.

Chilean artist Jorge Selarón as a “tribute to the Brazilian people” designed Escadaria Selarón , or Selarón’s Steps. Visiting the attraction around 4pm on a Saturday and it was not as crowded as I expected it to be; nevertheless, it was hotter than I expected it to be (given the sweat molecules visible in the above photos).

Given that these steps tribute various cultures and cities from around the world (supposedly there’s a Las Vegas tile), this piece of art is inspirational. The art that is Escadaria Selarón highlights the importance of leaving your mark wherever you go; nevertheless, making sure your mark beautifies the canvas.

As mentioned in my first culture capsule about Brazil, Rio de Janeiro was a dream. Living out my dream that was travelling around Rio de Janeiro, I internalized that:

• Along your journey in life, you will dream, dream bigger.
• Along your journey in life, you will live, live better.

• Along your journey in life, you will explore, explore more.
• Along your journey in life, you can do good, do GRAYT.

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule #Brazil: Reminders from Rio de Janeiro | City Landmarks first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

The next set of notable highlights that occurred in Rio included the Christ the Redeemer Statue, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, and the Monument to the Dead of World War II. Honestly, the beach was not a major attraction for me, coming to Rio. Nevertheless, the Christ the Redeemer stature was definitely on my to-do list and the other religious & memorial sites were a pleasant addition to my travels around Rio de Janeiro.

Early one morning, my group and I caught a taxi to Christ the Redeemer to beat the crowds. Enriching & invigorating, the Christ the Redeemer statue was only the start  to the inspiration that the city deposited into my life.

When you travel to Rio de Janiero, visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral, and the Monument to the Dead of World War II and make sure you practice these methods to embrace the moment:

1. Look around and look up.

Looking around and looking up are integral actions when you visit Rio de Janeiro. As I traveled up to the Christ the Redeemer monument (and napped partially on the 15-20 minute commute to the top) on the trolley, you could look around and see local communities that bordered the commute towards the monument.

The size of the statue captures your sight and captures your emotions as you look up and realize that you are finally in Brazil. Literally larger than life, crowds begin to amass and getting a decent picture becomes difficult; nevertheless, the Christ the Redeemer highlight encourages you to look around and look up in life, you’ll find something larger than life that inspires you.

2. Expect the great, but be prepared for the worst.

Although the sites are beautiful as you look around, I’m disappointed I failed to bring a towel to eliminate sweat or bring enough bug repellent, as the heat from the sun toasted my Godiva-ness and the humidity seemingly melted me as time passed. Expect great sights, but be prepared for the countless bugs that manage to invade your space as you attempt to permit Christ’s invasion of your pictures.

3. Find useful apps

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, not Spanish (although they’re somewhat similar). If you know neither, travelling throughout the city or asking for directions could be hard if you don’t download a English-Portuguese translator.

Also, if you were to ever travel to Rio de Janiero, download Google Maps and preload some directions before departing for your travels. The map was a lifesaver when trying to locate the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral.

4. Observe the culture: Watch & learn your surroundings

Walking to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian is a great time to observe the culture, you see street art and you see people of the streets. Although it may be best to travel with a partner for safety reasons, you will learn a lot about yourself if you live in the moment.

The Cathedral enables you to truly look around and look up; if you simply look around, you will find awesome beauty to inspire you and teach you.

5. Dig deeper into a country’s history. 

When travelling to a new country, I enjoy the main attractions; nevertheless, I also enjoy more low-key attractions. On the hunt for more attractions to see, I came across this interesting structure, the Monument to the Brazilian Soldiers of World War II.

Interestingly (just learning this now),  onsite “the below grade mausoleum holds the remains of 467 servicemen of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force who died in action in Italy during World War II.”

If you dig deeper into a country’s history, you will obviously acquire interesting facts that allows you to understand the culture more. Continue digging!

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule #BRAZIL: Rituals to Practice in Rio de Janeiro | Religious Sites first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Brazil was a dream. The primary reason I came to live in Buenos Aires from January 2016- April 2016 was to have easier access to Brazil, specifically Rio de Janiero. As the location for this year’s Olympic Games, I’m ecstatic that I was able to travel around the city and explore some of the city’s cultural landmarks.

Rio de Janeiro is a place that makes you feel yourself, make you feel its people, and makes you feel its geographic beauty. Each day was an enriching journey, learning about myself, the people of Brazil, and the geographic beauty.

My group and I arrived on Wednesday. Staying a block away from Ipanema in an Airbnb, we flocked to the beach as soon as we had the opportunity to do so. Adventures on Ipanema Beach were a cinema–crazy, fun, relaxing, and invigorating.

If you ever visit Rio de Janiero and you end up at either Ipanema or Copacabana beach, here are some things you should do:

1. Try the Culture

As my group and I trailed the coast on our first day in Rio, one of the first things we saw were locals selling Caipirinhas –local, strong, delicious, refreshing, and sometimes “sandy” beverages for approximately $3.00-$4.00 each. They can definitely compel you to appreciate the moment you’re in and appreciate what Rio has to offer. Whether it’s your prerogative back at home, I find importance in trying something from a country’s culture, at least once during your stay in that country.

I recall speaking with a older traveler and his word’s of wisdom were to partake in a culture’s food & beverages because these are the daily elements that enable them to survive or thrive.  If you’re on the beach in Brazil, and Caipirinha’s are not your thing, find something that passes you & try out (with discretion)!

2. When in doubt, embrace functionality.

Yes! The beaches are beautiful, but the sand is fine! Fine sand feels great, but gets everywhere–lodged in pockets, lodged in your ears (if the waves  push you to shore frequently as they did me), and in your belongings. Prior to coming to the beach, I wish I would have embraced functionality.

Don’t wear trunks with pockets and wear as little as you feel comfortable with wearing; otherwise, you’ll find sand hiding in your clothes for the entire duration of your stay in Rio de Janeiro.

3. Live your life, for you, believe in your individuality.

Admittedly, I’m quite modest when going to beaches or pools,I usually prefer staying on the sidelines or wearing a nice button down, only buttoning one button. Nevertheless, Rio and the confidence of its people and/or tourist demonstrated the freedom in embracing yourself, regardless of where you are in your fitness or confidence journey.

The fine sand may be the reason some where as little as they can; nevertheless, the entire atmosphere of Ipanema Beach invited all visitors to live their life, embrace their individuality, and embrace the moment without thinking too much about your appearance. Do just that if you ever visit the beaches in Rio!

4. Understand the openness, boldness, and tenacity of the culture—enjoy & protect!

As I sat on Ipanema Beach for an entire day, I quickly learned that the beaches–although relaxing, fun, and enjoyable–are marketplaces. From hats, sunglasses, drugs, souvenirs, to student performers looking for some extra change,  you are the tourist and the potential customer.

The culture is seemingly bold, open, and tenacious, but you have to match such boldness, openness, and tenacity. No need to be frightened, but simply enjoy your time, protect your belongings, and be the boss. Enjoy yourself, have fun, and have an idea of what you want and don’t want!

5. Appreciate the views, they won’t always be there nor will they be same.

As my full day at the beach came to an end, I decided to walk along the shore, internalizing the fruition of my dream. Each day, the canvas that the sun paints as it sets will not be the same. So, while you’re in Rio de Janeiro (or wherever, frankly) appreciate the views, appreciate the people, and appreciate the ways they all influence you.

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule #BRAZIL: What to Do in Rio de Janeiro | The Beaches first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

After a wild experience in Mendoza and a delightful time in Santiago, Chile, I was irritably sitting in the Santiago Airport, unplanned. I could have easily blamed this spontaneous occurrence on the inefficiency of the bus system here in Chile (which would be based on my “American” standards). I could have easily blamed this spontaneous occurrence on the format of the bus ticket I purchased (which failed to list the exact location). I could have easily blamed the company (who’s office was closed when I arrived). Frankly, I could have blamed myself for not doing ample research on transportation infrastructure in Santiago, Chile on the bus infrastructure.

In that moment, the best way I was going to solve my “irritation” and “desperation” was through reflection and consoling my soul with the good that happened, reflecting on visiting the Costanera Center, exploring the contrasts between old Santiago and new Santiago, and viewing the city from top of the tallest building in South America.

1. Costanera Shopping Mall:

If you ever visit Santiago, the second mall I visited was South America’s largest mall, the Costanera Center Shopping Mall, which reminded me of the malls in China—multiple floors with multiple international brands and extensive food courts with exemplary restaurant choices.

Unfortunately, I didn’t visit any of the stores because they were all closed for Easter—I don’t know how to feel about that, but I gave praise for Christ dying on the cross and for saving my bank account on that day! (Amen? Amen.)

2. Santiago City Tour:

On my second day in Santiago—Good Friday—I embarked on an afternoon city tour exploring the cosmopolitan nature of the Chilean capital. First, the (older) group and I (only young adult and only Black) explored the Plaza de Armas, a historical parque, now open to the public.

Following the exploration of this parque, the group and I traveled to the Santiago Cathedral, Post Office, and Municipality of Santiago, a central sector of Downtown Santiago and a hub for the cultural diversity that characterizes Santiago, Chile. Various cultures converged in this center of the city, all relishing in the daily sun and the interactions of each other.

It was definitely an awesome experience of walking through a Cathedral for the first time on Good Friday, as they were exercising various practices to honor Christs crucifixion.

While touring western, older side of Santiago, a facet of Santiago’s cosmopolitan palette that I enjoyed was their ethnic diversity, which is the second most diverse place I’ve visited globally outside of London. Walking by the Government Palace & traditional streets was more meaningful knowing of the ethnic diversity within the city

I always enjoy seeing faces like mine—seeing other black faces. It was an additional pleasure seeing and hearing Asian ethnicities, Indian ethnicities, and other ethnicities prevalent. Seeing faces reminiscent of mine outside of the United States will never become uninspiring and I’m eager to understand more and be more because of our presence on earth.

3.  Modern Santiago & Sky Costanera: I ended my Santiago excursion towards the east of the city—an area of town with modern, transformative buildings, such as the Gran Torre Santiago.

The Santiago Tower is the tallest “edificio,” or building, in Latin and South America. A “high”-light of my trip was Sky Costanera, the tower’s observation deck on the 60^th and 61^st Viewing Santiago from a 360-degree panoramic perspective was “uplifting.”

I’m always intrigued by seeing a city in its entirety and watching the sun set over the city I’m visiting, it’s always an opportunity to reflect on how far you’ve come and how high you have risen and the blessing int hat opportunity.

Out of my irritation and desperation—needing a ticket out of Santiago in hopes of making my flight into another city—I realized that in such moments, it’s not about the blame game, it’s about the game plan. What’s your next move? What’s your next solution? How are you going to solve it?

When trapped in moments of needing to make a game plan or making your next move—you honestly can’t dwell on the good or bad of what happened, but you have to do all you can to get to the good that’s going to happen.

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule | #Chile: The Blame Game & Day 2 in #Santiago first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Santiago, Chile was an adventure—as I was sitting in the Santiago airport unaware of the availability of a ticket out of the city, I reflected on the fact that I couldn’t locate my bus out of the city and that hotel in the same vicinity of the bus station had no available rooms. Furthermore, Santiago characterized the end to travel tour that commenced with no sleep the night before departure, a stomach ache in the Mendoza airport all day, vomiting five times in the airport, getting a shot to tame the vomiting, and then debating on the value of this trip compared to going back home to Buenos Aries. Throughout my time in Chile, I learned that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and with that strength you’ll be able to persevere and make it through.

While in the Santiago, Chile airport with no Wifi and no way to guarantee exit out of the country for a few hours, I decided to reflect on the GOOD & GRAYT while in Santiago. I thoroughly enjoyed the architecture that embraced modernity—with subtle touches of European influences. Many of the buildings incorporated hues of blue and glass, cultivating a canvas to reflect the warm sunsets and beautiful mountain sceneries.

Travelling throughout Santiago, on my first day in Chile, the different barrios are what embed deep culture within the city. The Manquehue business district alludes modernity and progressive advancement.

The Manquehue district’s buildings, its inclusion of Parque Arauco, its park, and intra-park social hub Vida Parque embed modernistic value within Santiago.

As I mentioned in posts about my time in China and in Asia—my “right hand, my go to” are malls. I’m so glad that I was able to walk around a mall—honestly it’s like a piece of home. First, I visited Parque Arauco, which is an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex, similar to my hometown’s Las Vegas Town Square Shopping Center with a plethora of shops, cinemas, leisure activities, and restaurants.

Later on that night, I went to the Bellavista “barrio” of Santiago, a neighborhood embedding artistic and lively vibes into Santiago. During my first night in Santiago, my friends and I had dinner at Backstage Life, a restaurant in Patio Bellavista that captures the convergence of Chilean culture & progressive ideals.

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule | #Chile: Finding My Strength & Day 1 in #Santiago first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Commemorating Easter and having time off to travel, I decided to travel to Mendoza, Argentina and bus to Santiago, Chile. Little did I know, that this trip would indeed commemorate the healing power that is proclaimed in Christ’s inflicted stripes during his death and resurrection. Mendoza is widely known as a portal to the Andes Mountains and to the Argentina’s best wineries–many friends indulged in Andes-range excursions and winery tours. Nevertheless, my Mendoza excursions attested to the town’s chill, relaxing, and inviting nature it cultivates for visitors and locals–well that’s based on my 12 hour-turned-to-2-hour exploration of the town.

Nausea and tiredness plagued the commute from my Buenos Aires to Mendoza via flight. As I arrived to Mendoza, I battled various urges to “dispose” of the dinner I had the night before. These urges continued for over 6-7 hours to the point I had to go to the medical services at the  airport. Heavily considering a return to Buenos Aires, I lounged around the airport for about 8 hours. After the medicine kicked in, after texts & prayers with family and friends, and after several naps, I started to feel better and was plagued with the decision to continue my journey of Mendoza & Santiago, Chile or go back home.

Motivations Made in Mendoza: In the moment of trial and hardship, you may never know the values, lessons,and skills you are acquiring–similar to reaching the peak of a hill, you may not know the view until you overcome that obstacle.

I decided to press towards the peak and decided to explore the “chill, relaxing, nature” of the town by taxing to the city. I arrived and explored various plazas and parques attributed to various cultures and causes.

A Mendoza highlight was definitely the Easter Program occurring as I arrived to Plaza de Independencia. This occurrence really rendered much joy as their joy permeated throughout the crowd–definitely uplifting my spirit.

Motivations Made in Mendoza: Joy may not be realized when you want it or you may not realize it in moments of difficulty, but know that it is always there, if you want it to be always there.

Following my experience throughout Plaza de Independencia, I stumbled upon La Peatonal– a vibrant pedestrian street & convergence of interactions among locals & tourists. Walking around the city reminded me of a college town with the neighborly vibe of the restaurants and the people. Mendoza is definitely a place that breeds quiet exploration and results in the city being a place with inviting possibilities!

The post Culture Capsule | Mendoza, Argentina: Inspirational Motivations Made in Mendoza first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Admittedly, my Calafate excursion ended better than it started, as much of my third highlight revolved around Glacier Perito Moreno. As the last excursion during my time in Calafate, my group and I trekked on Glacier Perito Moreno—one of the most intriguing experiences ever in life! Explore the mind-boggling photos below and tips on internalizing your experiences!

After perusing the outskirts of Perito Moreno Glacier, my group and I had the opportunity to actually trek on the glacier, with the assistance of Glacier spikes that pierced the ice to provide stability. Additionally, gloves were mandatory, but it was not as cold as you would expect it to be when trekking a glacier. In this very moment, I realized that I was living an experience that could be referenced as “once in a lifetime.” I had the honor and opportunity to live an experience that very few get to live!

Considerations for Internalizing Your Experiences:

The Value of Your Experiences: When you take time to connect with experiences that others may not connect with, you have the opportunity to see how valuable YOU are—not as a means of separation from the inexperienced, but as a means of being a vessel to inspire! We are given a period to touch lives and touch those we come into contract with!

Earth, the Universal Gift: Earth is a magnificent place that God gave every human to partake in—Earth is the universal gift, the universal blessing. Think about it! EVERY HUMAN THAT HAS EVER LIVED HAS EXPERIENCED THIS ONE AND ONLY EARTH! From conversations with park rangers, glacier tour guides, and locals, I began to understand that we have a responsibility to respectfully interact with nature.

Responsibility to Nature: Although each place has its own resources and own terrain to define and characterize its identity, this excursion opened my eyes to the responsibility that we have to honor God through honoring his creation!

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Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule | Argentinean Patagonia: Glacier Perito Moreno & Internalizing Your Best Experiences first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

Following the hike to Mount Fitz Roy in El Chalten a few weeks ago, the next excursion on my itinerary was the phenomenal tour of many great icebergs on the route to Estancia Cristina. Magnificent indeed, the route to the “Estancia CrisTina” ranch comprised of the beauty and awesomeness of a few surrealistic icebergs—it was a humbling experience to partake in the beauty of such wonders.

Early in the morning, my group boated to the Estancia Cristina ranch, which transported us through Lake Argentino for approximately 2-3 hours. The commute along Lake Argentino was therapeutic, inspiring, and sensational.

I never desired nor have I experienced a relationship with nature. Nevertheless, the commute comprised of the mountains, the water, the icebergs, and, ultimately, the Upsala Glacier spoke a language that embraced me and humbly minimized the relevancy of my humanness. In the moment, as I observed all of these natural wonders, I was not asserting my influence over nature; nature was asserting its influence over me.

Exploring Lake Argentino and Estancia Crisina, inadvertently positioned a perception of nature’s significance to me and see how nature can inspire you:

Nature’s Influence: This excursion was different for me—I didn’t necessarily interact with the people of a different culture, I interacted with a culture’s nature and geography. When you interact with the nature of a particular people, you begin to understand that nature impacts our identity, influences our responsibility with nature, and that nature may inspire us in life!

Nature is of God, nature is balance: Nature, in its purest state, is a creation of God. In God, there is balance—there are volcanoes, there are glaciers, there are mountains, there is water and they all work together to maintain a oneness with each other.

Earth & Our Responsibility: The world is not yours, the world is ours. While observing and digesting the grandeur of the icebergs and the glaciers, I realized that we do so much to respect and revere human legends, but fail to revere the greatest legend and icon of all time—Earth. I believe God gave us one earth as a passageway for all to transition from nonexistence to heavenly eternity. Earthly time is a transition; it is our best duty to do our best to make it the best transition that it can be.

Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule | Patagonia: How Lake Argentino’s Icebergs Can Inspire You first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Argentina’s Patagonia to explore God’s creations: the mountains, lakes, lagunas, glaciers, and more. During my first day in the El Chalten area of Patagonia, my group and I embarked on a hike that would forever change my life. Yes, I’m being slightly dramatic, but the hike to such majestic views of Mouth Fitz Roy sincerely shifted my views on “embarking on a journey,” and the true essence of perseverance.

Prior to the hiking journey, I packed my backpack for a full day journey in the mountains of El Chalten. Believe me, this is not normal and was honestly the first time I embarked on such a journey—a 16 mile journey. From the onset of the journey, neither was I enthused nor was I depressed about the experience ahead. As a part of the international program I’m enrolled in, we traveled to the Patagonian region of Argentina to explore nature and explore the culture of this area.

Naturesque indeed, the journey rendered perspiration-galore and a gigantic test of perseverance. Nevertheless, the highlight of my journey was drinking the water from the streams that traveled from the glaciers—fresh mountain water. Others would note the view and challenging hike to Mout Fitz Roy as the highlight that they valued the most—nevertheless, drinking the water was definitely a highlight for me.

When it comes to different cultures, I’m learning that what you value may not be what others value—I admittedly noted that the hike wasn’t my particular cup of tea and that the value of the hike was minimal to me. I’m consistently learning that what we value, may not be what others value and that you have to let the value of your experiences enrich YOU! Let what you value and what you experience encourage you and enrich you.

The journey up to Mount Fitz Roy enriched me with several values to consider when embarking on a journey—whether it be towards a goal, a dream, or a destination. Things to know about a journey:

1. May be long: The hike was exhaustively long for me
2. You may not know about the highs and the lows: Unaware of the topography of the trek, on the journey, I was unaware of how high I had to climb nor did I know the length of the comfortable lows.
3. You may not know the energy needed to reach the heights of your destinations: At one point of the trek, I contemplated quitting, as I did not know the amount of energy FOR ME that it would take to keep going
4. You may be close to giving up: You have to know your strength and be willing to challenge your strength to reach a goal, but in this knowingness, you may want to give up.
5. Don’t let the pressure of your “now” deter you from the proximity of your destination: Sometimes the hardest part of your journey is towards the end of your journey, with such, don’t give up until you reach your destination.

Culture Capsules are an opportunity to share and reflect on my top moments culturally from a selected city, country, or continent each week–curating a glimpse into the culture, the people, the places, and the wisdom.

The post Culture Capsule | Patagonia: What the Hike to Mount Fitz Roy, Patagonia Taught Me about a “Journey” first appeared on The Joshua Gray | Live Grayter.