Travel Insights: The Art of Listening (in Nelson)

“I’m more interested in your…” she points to her forehead. Paulina smiled wryly, as she said that she would rather get two burly Germans to clean the ponds or do weeding. And so depicted the “soft” nature of my wwoofing duties at Joya Eco-Accommodation. I did not do any hard labour.

Instead, I did things that I enjoyed. I took pictures and attempted to help in her website and business development. We talked a lot, and I listened. Did I mention that Paulina is also a psychotherapist? The Tomatis based Listening Training is her preferred form of therapy.

Thinking back, my experience at Joya’s seems surreal. It was a peculiar period, where I attempted to better understand what I was seeking. And I had help. Paulina’s perceptive evaluation based on my listening results highlighted some issues that I was reluctant to acknowledge previously.

Apparently, I couldn’t hide from myself.

“Listening” is an innate skill that most of us take for granted. People often hear only what they want to, adopting the popular technique of “selective listening”. Do you really listen? I can’t say I do. Though I am trying my best to.

This unique travel experience serves as a constant reminder for me to listen well.

I didn’t complete my therapy but I did learn a lot from Paulina. Representing a pillar of strength, she is a strong role model whom I refer to motivate myself whenever I feel overpowered by the mundane idiocrasies of life.

People whom we met during the course of travel often bring interesting perspectives to life. And perhaps, that’s the reason why I love travelling.

Travel to enrich the mind.

~~~

Joya is located in a quiet, upmarket part of central Nelson, sunshine capital of New Zealand. If you like something with quality, yet quirky, then make Joya your base for your adventures in and around Nelson.

Joya Eco-Accommodation
Address: 49 Brougham Street, 7010, Nelson, New Zealand
Website: http://www.joya.co.nz
Email: info@joya.co.nz