I am back from my fifth season with the Orchestra of the Americas and couldn’t be more excited to share my stories and unique experiences. But before I get ahead of myself, I want to share with you 16 things I learned this summer:
1. Music is more powerful than you think –For you, it’s just another concert. But for some people in the audience, it’s the first time listening to a symphonic concert. For some it’s even their first “show”. Humble audiences will look up to you as an example of success. That’s big!
2. You’ll get sick – When you travel you are exposed to different bacteria in the water, food and environment. The chances of getting sick are really high when you travel for more than 3 weeks. Don’t lose your guard.
3. More good people than bad – We are the best part of the human race. Each country has their bad neighborhoods but it doesn’t mean you should not go out at all. Do your research, stay alert and have fun.
4. A new family – Spending a whole month with the same musicians is unique. In this particular tour I met with friend I hadn’t seen in years. It’s great to see how we go through the same process and somehow survive.
5. Repetition is good – When you play the same symphony for a whole month you begin playing some sections by heart. Some say it’s boring but I believe it’s the perfect way to understand the story behind the piece and even the composer himself.
6. You’ll be changed – After accompanying celebrities like James Ehnes and Gabriela Montero, you are not the same person. These guys are incredible in every possible way: as persons, musicians, artists, etc.
7. Humans are sensible to the same things all over the world – No matter where you stand on Earth, we all feel the same things. We love, laugh and cry for the same reasons. Play good music and you’ll touch them.
8. We take many things for granted – Some of the countries I visited lack the conditions to a comfortable life. Kids asking for money on the streets and cleaning your windshield for a coin is not something we see often in bigger countries. Some have it tougher than us and we take so much for granted.
9. 16 hour bus ride is not the same as a 16 hour plane ride – Eight hours on a plane seemed interminable until I spent 8 on a bus, and later 16. From now on I will appreciate my beloved airplanes 
.
10. Outdoor concerts have a bigger impact – Outdoor concerts are usually given for free with the purpose of exposing our art to new audiences. This summer I learned that audiences in rural zones value my work more.
11. Learn English and Spanish and you’ll be comfy traveling the Americas – With the exception of Brazil and some parts of Canada (and even there), you’ll be okay with those two languages. With English you can move around well but to be completely independent aprende español!!
12. ATMs are the best way to get local money – Forget about traveler’s checks and cash. You’ll get a better deal by making sure you can pull out local money from an ATM. Even though you might pay fees, it’s still the winning choice.
13. Never! Drink tap water – I almost die. After asking if it was safe to drink water from the tap — the hotel told me: “Oh yeah. Drink 4 gallons if you want”. After 2 glasses I almost vomit my stomach. Never again.
14. Taxis don’t have taximeters – Not everywhere but in most places. Asking how much the ride will be (in advance) is better than finding out at your destination. Mr. driver might take advantage of you.
15. There is Wi-Fi everywhere – For all of us addicted, we have it covered.
16. Recharge energies for the upcoming year – The best part of a tour is that even though we rehearse play and work hard, there is always time to relax. In the end is like a mini vacation with some work called “playing good music”. What I experienced musically and personally this summer can’t easily be topped.
I’ll post some pictures and stories very soon.