Okay, so I lied, the next post was going to be from India, but I received a comment from STEAMTRON, saying hopefully he can travel as much as I have, and I just wanted to respond to that.
I have been to a good amount of places in my few 25 years. My thought is this; there is so much world, and so many people, I want to try to see and experience it all before I die. Many make excuses for themselves and never go to the places they dream.
TOP REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON'T TRAVEL
- They don't have the money
- They don't have anyone to travel with
- They don't speak the language
- It's not safe
In order to travel, you have to know how to budget. I have often gone places with very little money. Book ahead and look for deals. You can save hundreds of dollars by booking transportation and accommodations months in advance. Choose cheaper destinations where you are likely to get the most for the exchange rate. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path. It's always cheaper in the less touristy areas, so do your research. Don't be afraid to be dirty or uncomfortable. I've slept in airports, on buses, trains, couches, floors, places without functioning water or toilets. It can really be more fun than you expect, and it teaches you to be patient and grateful. Plus it makes for much better stories. Be social and make friends. The locals always know what, where, and how, and for the best price. Ask them questions, they are your best resource. Save indulgence for the last. Is there a place you really want to see, or experience, or stay, but it is more pricey? Don't let that get in the way. Travel cheap the first part of your trip, so when it nears the end of your stay, you still have the resources. Then you will be able to treat yourself, without the guilt and the worry of having spent most of your money right off the bat.
TRAVEL ALONE
I usually travel by myself. We can't wait on others to make adventures happen. Traveling this way can be amazing and terribly addicting, but there are ways to make traveling by yourself easier. Bring small items from home. Whatever you bring should be pocketsize and light. You can bring a picture of family, a rock from your local stream, a concert stub when you went out with your best friends, a musical instrument. Items like these help to make you feel that you are not so alone in the world, and sometimes ease the frustration that comes with any sort of travel. Be observant and follow your instincts. You have to look out for yourself. If you don't feel safe for any reason, get out of there. Better to be safe than sorry. Avoid extreme amounts of alcohol. Getting plastered in a foreign country is ill advised, unless you are already familiar with the area, the people, and the language. It's hard to keep a straight head and clear mind, if you are hanging over a strange toilet. You will spend less, be less likely to get lost, and probably remember more! Make friends. When traveling by yourself, it's much easier to meet other people. Hostels are great way to go, or the hotel's lobby or bar. Sign up for group activities, if you don't want to venture around by yourself, or join a language or culture class, or ask the place you are staying about local hangouts. Reach out and have fun!
COMMUNICATING
It is terribly frustrating when all you want is a bathroom, and no one understands you well enough to give you directions. Learn phrases and simple words. Things like, where is the bathroom? Do you speak English? How much? Help, Thank you, No, Yes, I don't understand, How do you say... These are simple things to pick up. Practice before you arrive, and focus on pronunciation and simplicity, instead of fluency. Write words and phrases down that you hear. You want to know what someone said? Bring a little notepad where you can write things you want to know. Just a few things each day. Bring a dictionary. At the end of the day, before you go to sleep, look up the words you heard through the day. Write them out. Eventually they will stick. Smile and be respectful. No one wants to help someone who isn't appreciative or understanding. If you don't like the food, keep it to yourself. If you don't understand a custom, don't stick up your nose. You are not better than those around you. When you are open, curious, and genuine, people will respond to you positively. No matter what country they may come from.
SAFETY
I often hear stories of people getting mugged or worse when they travel, and how it's much more dangerous traveling alone. I have been in very few dangerous situations, even though I am a young petite woman traveling by herself, but I try to follow certain rules. Dress down. What does that mean? It means, don't advertise that you have money. Don't wear jewelry or watches, clothing with labels, or that are made from expensive materials. If you are a woman, wear baggier clothes, as not to advertise what might be underneath. It's good to have a hat also, to cover your hair, or face, and avoid unwanted eye contact. Wear your passport, id, and money under your clothes. It's much harder to steal from someone if they can't reach your valuables. Avoid putting such items in your pockets or purse. Blend in. So what you are caucasian, and everyone else is not. Try to wear what the locals wear. Eat what the locals eat. Do what the locals do. Don't advertise that you are foreign and don't know the language, unless you feel safe or need help. Have an emergency fund. Like Forest Gump said, "Shit happens." Keep a little extra stash of money in a sock, or a box of tea, or a hidden pocket. You never know if or when you might need it. Be prepared. Try to keep the number of the hostel or hotel or a friend on you. Try to have a safe spot, like a cafe, library, or church. It's a place where you can duck into that is public if there is trouble, use the bathroom, or phone, or just get your head together. Most likely a spot you have visited already during your trip, and is familiar and safe. Avoid certain areas all together. Don't go where even the locals are scared to go. Pay attention and research the areas that are best left alone. Some experiences are not really worth having.
The way I travel isn't for everyone, but if these are the things holding you back, don't let them.
If you want to travel just go! Just be smart and safe about it :)
I usually travel by myself. We can't wait on others to make adventures happen. Traveling this way can be amazing and terribly addicting, but there are ways to make traveling by yourself easier. Bring small items from home. Whatever you bring should be pocketsize and light. You can bring a picture of family, a rock from your local stream, a concert stub when you went out with your best friends, a musical instrument. Items like these help to make you feel that you are not so alone in the world, and sometimes ease the frustration that comes with any sort of travel. Be observant and follow your instincts. You have to look out for yourself. If you don't feel safe for any reason, get out of there. Better to be safe than sorry. Avoid extreme amounts of alcohol. Getting plastered in a foreign country is ill advised, unless you are already familiar with the area, the people, and the language. It's hard to keep a straight head and clear mind, if you are hanging over a strange toilet. You will spend less, be less likely to get lost, and probably remember more! Make friends. When traveling by yourself, it's much easier to meet other people. Hostels are great way to go, or the hotel's lobby or bar. Sign up for group activities, if you don't want to venture around by yourself, or join a language or culture class, or ask the place you are staying about local hangouts. Reach out and have fun!
It is terribly frustrating when all you want is a bathroom, and no one understands you well enough to give you directions. Learn phrases and simple words. Things like, where is the bathroom? Do you speak English? How much? Help, Thank you, No, Yes, I don't understand, How do you say... These are simple things to pick up. Practice before you arrive, and focus on pronunciation and simplicity, instead of fluency. Write words and phrases down that you hear. You want to know what someone said? Bring a little notepad where you can write things you want to know. Just a few things each day. Bring a dictionary. At the end of the day, before you go to sleep, look up the words you heard through the day. Write them out. Eventually they will stick. Smile and be respectful. No one wants to help someone who isn't appreciative or understanding. If you don't like the food, keep it to yourself. If you don't understand a custom, don't stick up your nose. You are not better than those around you. When you are open, curious, and genuine, people will respond to you positively. No matter what country they may come from.
I often hear stories of people getting mugged or worse when they travel, and how it's much more dangerous traveling alone. I have been in very few dangerous situations, even though I am a young petite woman traveling by herself, but I try to follow certain rules. Dress down. What does that mean? It means, don't advertise that you have money. Don't wear jewelry or watches, clothing with labels, or that are made from expensive materials. If you are a woman, wear baggier clothes, as not to advertise what might be underneath. It's good to have a hat also, to cover your hair, or face, and avoid unwanted eye contact. Wear your passport, id, and money under your clothes. It's much harder to steal from someone if they can't reach your valuables. Avoid putting such items in your pockets or purse. Blend in. So what you are caucasian, and everyone else is not. Try to wear what the locals wear. Eat what the locals eat. Do what the locals do. Don't advertise that you are foreign and don't know the language, unless you feel safe or need help. Have an emergency fund. Like Forest Gump said, "Shit happens." Keep a little extra stash of money in a sock, or a box of tea, or a hidden pocket. You never know if or when you might need it. Be prepared. Try to keep the number of the hostel or hotel or a friend on you. Try to have a safe spot, like a cafe, library, or church. It's a place where you can duck into that is public if there is trouble, use the bathroom, or phone, or just get your head together. Most likely a spot you have visited already during your trip, and is familiar and safe. Avoid certain areas all together. Don't go where even the locals are scared to go. Pay attention and research the areas that are best left alone. Some experiences are not really worth having.
The way I travel isn't for everyone, but if these are the things holding you back, don't let them.
If you want to travel just go! Just be smart and safe about it :)
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