So you want to travel? 10 things to remember
Before you quit your career, sell your things, and become a “Traveler,” here are 10 things I learned while wandering alone. Let’s start with few common questions I’ve been asked:
Q: Where should I go?
A: Spin a globe, google best traveling spots, or if you’re like me, find the cheapest flight into Europe and start in Belgium.
There are a million places to go in our world. Whether it’s Uganda, Nepal, or the land down under, every place has it’s pride awarding you a unique experience.
Before you head to Antarctica (via boat from Chile) to get over your last relationship, be sure to ask yourself, “what type of experience am I seeking?”
Do you desire a hiking adventure in Mountains or bottomless margaritas on a beach? Would you prefer to meditate in a buddhist temple beside a monk named Vinitha or surround yourself with house music where the party never stops? Think about what you want, then you’ll know where to go.
Q: But I don’t have enough money to travel.
A: Technically that’s not a question, but I’ll give you an answer. Yes, it does cost money to to travel, but sites like WorkAway, HelpExchange, Woofing, and CouchSurfing are great for travelers on a budget. If you’re willing to help out for a 2-4hrs hours a day, these sites help connect families in need, while you exchange labor for rent and food. You’ll be living with true locals and all my experiences were positive.
If you’re open to a spontaneous adventure, use google flights or skyscanner for inexpensive airfare departing from a city near you to every other city. If you’re willing to rough it and consider various destinations, there are plenty of options.
Q: None of my friends want to travel with me, how do I convince them?
A: Don’t. Go solo! #yolo
Q: But I’m not sure it’s safe to be a woman roaming alone.
A: I’ve heard this a few times and touché, but here’s what I’ll say: some of the most badass Backpackers I met were chicks who weren’t afraid to go for it. My favorite traveler, a woman from Spain, had “Don’t Worry, Chicken Curry” tattooed on her leg. In a world where nothing lasts that long, you might as well go for it, so “Don’t Worry. Chicken Curry.”
To everyone who’s a little afraid: leap out of your comfort zone, embrace the unknown, and when you get lost, stuck, or begin cry on that first flight out, remind yourself that you’ll find a way through it, all strangers aren’t trying to kidnap you, and the even the loneliest spells will pass. If you put yourself out there, I promise you’ll meet plenty of friends along the way along with some priceless experiences.
PS: You’ll cry on the plane coming home too, not because you’re sad, because it was the best thing you’ve ever done.
Now on to the Top 10
#1 Make a plan, but plan for change
Here are a few necessities you’ll need to consider before departing:
–Vaccinations (I got 8, including the one they put in your asscheek. Some vaccinations must be taken over 2-3 shots up to 6-8 weeks before you depart. Check with your local travel clinic/doctor)
–Visas (Click here for US Citizen Visa Quick Check)
–Travel alerts and warnings (Click here for Travel Warning and Alerts from US perspective)
–Set a initial travel itinerary (we’ll get deep later in #6)
–Get the Google Translate app
–Download offline maps for cities you plan on visiting
–International Phone Plan (I found that Mobal was my best option to keep my SnapChat Streaks alive almost everywhere)
–Travel Insurance
No matter how long you prepare ahead of time, experience is the best teacher. General research is also important (google is your friend).
Here are a few things that come to mind:
Europe has great public transportation (planes, trains, busses, even cheap flights once you’re there). If you’re new to backpacking, I suggest starting in Europe. The culture is amazing, you’ll see a ton, it’s easy to bounce around, plus most countries are first world countries. Even with the language barriers, I’d argue all backpackers start here (or southeast Asia).
Africa may be different than what you’re used to. Pre-arranging a taxi to your hotel/Riad and preparing mentally/physically isn’t a bad idea if you’re heading somewhere more extreme like the Sahara. I hate saying this next part, but I found it true: if you look different than the locals, you may appear more like $ than a BFF. I’d suggest connecting with a local guide you can trust depending on the country you’re heading to.
Middle East operates differently that most of the world, don’t be surprised when passengers bow and pray during the flight beside you in the aisle (respect people’s differences). Be aware, if you enter Israel, the Israeli passport stamp will not allow you to enter Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen. I did indeed get denied a visa to Pakistan. Be smart.
Southeast Asia/India/Sri Lanka/Nepal, you’ll see that each city tends to abide by it’s own traffic laws (triple passing is indeed acceptable in certain parts). You might want to pick up some digestive enzymens so you adapt better to the food. Your money will go far but be aware of rainy season. I visited low season on purpose to save money, but if you want sun, travel when it’s not raining.
New Zealand/Australia speaks english… for the most part. They also like Maccas in the Arvo, but don’t worry she’ll be right (My Australian is terrible, I know). Australia has deadly animals scattered everywhere, while New Zealand’s critters are more inclined to cuddle and/or run from you. When entering NZ you’ll need proof of a flight out of the country upon arrival, and yes, the airline will make you buy ticket (to leave the country) on the spot before you board the plane into the country.
South America… TBD when I get there.
Set a plan and be safe, but more importantly, be ready to adapt.
If you’re planning to backpacking in these areas here are a few great Facebook groups to consider joining compliments of Tommy Walker the Blogger.
Central America Backpackers
Australia Backpackers
South America Backpackers
India/Nepal/Sri Lanka/Maldives
South East Asia Backpacking
#2: Pack Light
The less you have to carry, the further you can go. Mobility is key.
Some people will tell you that Backpacking isn’t a fashion statement… I say bullshit! Wear those pink socks that were once white, proudly rep the skin tight All-Black’s Jersey the former player gave you, and sleep with your Wisconsin state flag in the Malaysian airport because who knows, maybe someone will yell “Go Pack” at 4am when you’re seven beers deep waiting for your flight.
Backpacker’s fashion = whatever fashion you want. I’ve seen people head to toe in Patagonia gear and I’ve seen free spirits in smelly old T’s. The more authentic the traveler is, the cooler they are. Be you!
It’s funny how those all-terrain shoes ($175 dollars) weren’t nearly as good as my running shoes I bought in Guernsey U.K., those new hiking pants ($125) were just as good as my jeans, and that special belt ($40) got replaced by a shoestring. Lastly, thank goodness I didn’t buy new T-shirts because by the end of the trip, every piece of white clothing turned pink from the red turban I picked up in Morocco.
If you’re trying to look like a traveler, you may be trying too hard and might look more like a funny tourist. Instead, find your childhood spirit and embrace where you’re from! We all have different backgrounds; why not show the world what people dress like where you’re from?
With that being said, I would recommend one of those Patagonia coats that folds up in to a pillow. Seriously, best thing I ever bought: Mens and Womens.
Here’s 10 packing tips before your leave.
- Get 60L (or similar) Backpack or Duffle. (If there was one place to spend a little extra money, this is it)
-Why 60L? If you go bigger, the airlines will make you check the bag unless your sneaky. That’ll get expensive and defeats the purpose of backpacking. (60L can even be pushing it on smaller airplanes)
-Why not a smaller backpack like a 45L? Go ahead, but then you’re packing super duper light. - Pack for the climate.
-Is it cold or hot? Will you need a raincoat? Do you really need that trendy plaid long sleeve that you barely wore at home anyway?
-Before you pack for style; think survival. Even if you’re not going to the top of Everest, you need to be covered just in case. - Pack for your intention.
-If you’re spending 4 weeks on a beach to surf and drink, you probably need 3 swimsuits, and 1 pair of pants.
-If you’re walking around Europe in spring you’ll probably need a hat, a pair of gloves, a rain coat, a few pairs of pants, and only one swimsuit. Got it? - Technology
-Do you actually need a computer?
-Will your Iphone/smart phone suffice for pictures (most will), or do you need to invest in something better like a SonyA6000?
-Go-pros are great for land, air, and water. You’ll need extra batteries and a good charging strategy.
-Do you need that mini speaker, or would it be better to bring an extra pair of headphones?
-Data management: if you plan to take tons of High quality videos for a montage of your trip, you better think about how you’ll keep it safe (extra hard drives/cloud storage). You never know when you’ll be on a boat in Croatia and accidentally drop your phone into the ocean. - “Needs” vs “Wants”
-First select everything you think you’ll bring.
-Next, separate those items into “needs” vs “wants.”
-After you realize you have half the space you wanted, take your “need pile” and pick out the things you “actually need.” Now you’re packed 🙂 - Packing Test
Pack everything up at least a week before you leave. Test it out and waltz around your apt. If you’re really excited, go for a walk outside and see what it feels like. This is your life from now on. (Pictured to the right is Dan the man, just fyi this is not an actual backpacking strategy. The pic was just too funny not to share. Miss ya dude). - Don’t forget medication, TUMs, chapstick, sunscreen, aspirin, and some food to carry with you at all times.
-You wouldn’t want to be stuck eating street meat in Bhaktapur, Nepal as your only option. Pack a few granola bars and stock up when you can.
-Bring powder packets of pedialyte/electrolyte replacement. Whether your in the Sahara desert or partying too late with your French host parents, it’s a necessity. - Pack for the emergency just in case
-I hid $60 dollars in the very bottom of bag along with a scanned copy of my passport incase I lost my wallet or got into trouble.
-I also hid an cheap phone in the bottom of my bag with a $10 global phone plan. Yes, I did have to use it.
-A traveling pouch is a good idea to wear under your pants if you’re going to “remote” areas and/or places congested with crowds that might be prone to pickpocketing.
-Make sure someone back home knows your itinerary. A quick text when getting on a plane is all you need sometimes. - A journal
-You’ll look back and smile when you get to re-live that 7 hour plane ride after all your electronics died. - Pack a charm
-Buy a wristband from your home city, pin a mini flag on your backpack, or buy a necklace with a quote that reminds you to stay positive when things get tough, because they will.
#3: Put your phone down
If you start panicking in Milan because you don’t speak Italian, you can either spend 45 minutes googling the your new address “via Archimede 22,” or you can put the phone down ask someone for a help.
Maybe they won’t understand you, maybe they can’t even help, but chances are they’ll see a funny looking tourist with a strange accent and will attempt to give you some sort of assistance. HUGE bonus points if you try to speak the language; effort goes such a long way!
Phone and devices can be distractions to an authentic experience. If find yourself sitting at dinner alone, don’t avoid the discomfort by checking Facebook to see what your friends are up to back home. Just STOP, take a deep breath, and relax. This is your experience and it’s okay to be alone. Put the phone down, enjoy the meal in front of you, and be present. When’s the next time you’ll be in Italy? Maybe the older couple beside wouldn’t mind having dinner with a new friend? Even better, maybe you’ll invite a stranger to eat with you when they’re eating alone?
#4 Courage, Dear Heart
Remember when I said “Pack a Charm?” This quote from C.S. Lewis hung from my neck the day I left. After only a week abroad, I found myself struggling and “Courage, Dear Heart” became my answer.
Q: Are you afraid of going to a bar by yourself in Rennes, France?
A: Courage, Dear Heart. What do you have to lose, you’ll never seen anyone again, but chances you might make some new friends. C’est la vie!
Q: What if everyone stares at you because you’re eating alone in Morocco with a baseball cap instead of a turban?
A: Courage, Dear Heart. Let them watch, but you better enjoy that Tagnie because it may never get this authentic again.
Q: Should you listen to Irish bar owner when he says he knows a girl who wants to kiss you?
A: Courage, Dear Heart. You’re damn right I kissed the dead pig on the top shelf!
#5 Fall in love
Let me be clear, I’m not saying you should get married in Thailand and never come home. Neither am saying that you need to find “the one,” but traveling is all about falling in love with cities, food, and new friends. Who knows, if you travel with an open heart maybe you will meet the one?
Fall in love with the older woman who opens up about raising a family after her husband died.
Fall in love with the gentleman from Iran who throws you a party because he knows you’re home-sick.
Fall in love with the stray dog on the Sri Lankan beach because maybe he needs a friend too.
Fall in love with the Italian community that cooks you weed couscous and pairs it with homemade red wine.
Fall in love with the gentleman from Congo who invites you to meet his family over lunch in Rennes, France.
Fall in love with the Irish woman who introduces you to her entire extended family at brunch the day after you met her, then invites you to live with her in Ireland for the next month.
Fall in love with your guide in Uganda. The same man waiting outside your room, morning and night, to make sure you’re safe.
Fall in love with the African girl in Marrakesh that approaches you in a coffee shop and says “I think I matched with you on Tinder?”
Fall in love with the children who show you their secret fort hidden on the shores of Herm Island. (I wish I could tell you where, but it’s a secret for us kids.)
Fall in love with that tattoo artist who paints ink into your skin for 7 hours straight, well past closing time and buys you a beer when you’re ready to quit.
Fall in love with Bolivian girl who cooks you dinner and listens when you needed somebody to talk to.
Fall in love with your Nepalese host family who’s still recovering from an Earthquake but never stops smiling.
Fall in love with new Hawaiian Family and the 12 other roommates you’re bunking on the island. #potatocrew
Fall in love with your host dad from Sri Lanka who taught you how to make the finest Indian Curry.
Fall in love with the stars over Nepal while you gaze into the universe dazed from the hash you smoked with your new polish best friend.
Fall in love with a Moroccan man who calls you his brother and takes you deep into the heart of the Sahara.
Fall in love because there’s no limit on how much love you can give. If you have love to give, give all the love you’ve got.
#6 Go with the wind
Some people want to go to Paris and get a picture in front of the Eiffel tower, some people want to go to Cambodi to get a picture beside Angkor Wat. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the real secret with traveling is when you crave the experience more than the destination. In order to find that experience, be ready to go with the wind.
If your trip is short (2 weeks or less), you’ll need a strict itinerary for flights, hotels, hostels, etc, but two weeks is plenty of time to be free. Keep a couple days open for random events, local hotspots, and hidden gems you won’t find online.
If your trip is longer, I’d suggest planning the first 2 weeks (flights, hotels, etc), but let the journey reveal itself as you go. You wouldn’t want to miss those weddings in Ireland because you booked your flight way ahead of time, would you? Even if you get stuck in traffic and miss your flight to Morocco, don’t stress, maybe you were meant to stay because now you get to be with her?
With that being said, it is important to plan some set dates for key destinations well ahead of time.
For example, if you have 4 months to travel and know you want to spend 2 months in Europe and 2 months in Asia, it’s not a bad idea to plot out your course between the continents. The further the flight, the more expensive it’ll be. Planning these long transitions is good to keep your itinerary on track. Plan which European city you’ll need to leave from and where you’ll begin in Asia. Same with your flight home (if you choose to go back).
Moral of the story: be flexible because you never know what adventure awaits.
#7 Travel with a purpose
Some people might say this goes against “going with the wind,” other people might say it defeats the purpose of traveling, but I say THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVER!
Don’t run from a situation your afraid of; run toward something you care about.
Pretend I’m Picasso and let me paint you a picture.
Future Employer: “Hm looks like you’re missing a year in your resume? What’d you do?”
You: “I wandered around the world got drunk for a year straight?”
Future Employers: “Sounds pretty selfish.”
Your family: “So what are you going to do this year?”
You: “I think I’m going to take out my savings out and travel.”
Your family: “Sounds pretty selfish.”
Your conscience: “Let me get this straight, we’re going to sell all our shit and backpack around the world?”
You: “Hell yeah!”
Your conscience: “Sounds exciting… but what happens when we get back?”
You: “Who cares, let’s worry about that later.”
I’m all about making great memories but why not fulfill a purpose as you go? That way, when you come back you won’t feel empty. Set a goal and go after something you believe in.
-Why not push yourself to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
-Go to France and learn the language.
-Take three weeks and go to Bali to learn how to surf.
-Start up that blog you’ve always wanted to and give us beer reviews around Europe, maybe it’ll take off and you’ll do it forever.
Pick something that’s going to push you to learn and grow. After you come back you’ll have great memories, but more importantly you’ll have a new skill moving you closer to your wildest dream.
Need help finding a worthwhile purpose?
Use this test to see if your goal is worthwhile:
1. Is this goal good for me?
2. Is this goal good for the countries I visit?
3. Is this goal good for the world?
If you can answer yes to all three, you’re on the right track.
Don’t forget: use social media to your advantage. Why not take a shot at something you’ve always wanted to do and see if it takes off online? Worst case, you’ve got a helluva story with documented memories to tell your kids about the time you went for it.
#8 Talk to as many people as you can.
Look at any person in the world, you’ll see how different you are. Spent 10 minutes talking with that person, now you’ll learn 10 things you share in common.
I dare you. NO! I double dog dare you to try and find a similarity with every single person you come in contact with.
Ask them questions!
See what they do for a living?
Find what they love about their cities?
Ask them what they love about life?
See what their favorite drink/beer is? Give it a try?
Buy them a beer from your country.
See what they do for fun?
What’s their favorite sport?
Where would they move if they could live anywhere?
(if they’d stay put, their country must be special)
Do they have a local team they cheer for?
See where they grew up on a map?
Show them where you’re from on a map!
Tell them what you love about their city so far!
Ask them where the best local spot for food is?
Hugs are free, and so are high fives!
Smile!
Remember, every stranger is a friend you haven’t met.
You’ll learn more about your life and this world if you take the time to listen to others.
Expert tip: talk/listen to yourself.
I recorded 10-30 minute segments of self reflection every few days as I traveled; it was the best decision I made.
A picture can show you what the moment looked like, a video can show even more, but only words can remind you what you felt like.
#9 Find the Beautiful Hearts
The better you get at Traveling, the more beautiful hearts you’ll find. After traveling for a year, I met the same souls twice, on different sides of the world
How is that possible? They were the beautiful hearts.
Who are they?
They’re the people who smile for no reason.
The one’s who buy you’re meal because you’re new to France.
They’re the guys who invite for beers because you’re alone.
It’s the owners of the hostel in Sri Lanka that give you surfing tips and a free board for the day.
It’s the family that includes you, the only white guy, in their Ugandan Wedding.
It’s the Italian man who can’t speak english, but still wants to bond over a glass of his favorite wine.
It’s the Polish girl you just met who lets you crash at her apartment after you miss your ferry to Guernsey U.K.
Your new friends in Belgium you let you climb onto their roof for a picture.
It’s the friends back home who pick up your call at4am when you’re on your way to the Hospital in Thailand.
The girls in Dubai who let you do laundry in their apartment and bring you to a english movie theater.
The Belgium friends who make sure you have plenty of waffles before you leave.
Your German roomie in Phi Phi Thailand.
The french family that invites you to beach in Dinard, France with their family
Your host-mom’s daughter who walks the last 10 miles with you during your 40 mile hike for charity.
Be aware: Each beautiful heart is disguised inside a human body. They are not defined by color, creed, religion, land, or beliefs. They’re human.
PS: The only way to find them, is to become one yourself.
Take a look in the mirror, open up your heart, and show the world the very best version of who you are. The sooner you do this, the sooner you’ll notice where the beautiful hearts hide.
#10 Get lost
The more time you waste, the less time you have left.
The deeper you search, the more you’ll find.
The problems you survive, are the answers you gain.
If you’re looking for something, that means you’ve lost it. So go find it, by all means, get lost along the way.
Go deep into the unknown. Take a step so far that it changes the course of everything that lies ahead. Leap toward the direction of your dreams and refuse to quit until you’re there. If you never give up, surely someday you’ll find it. I hope you summon the courage to pursue it.
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~Jimbo
jimboweekend@gmail.com
Summary Videos:
Deep Shit 101: Around the world
Deep Shit 101 and other lectures:
Deep Shit 101: Sainte Suzanne, France
Deep Shit 101: Single day 40 Mile hike Guernsey UK
Deep Shit 101: Knowing vs Understanding
World Wide Workout Videos:
World Wide Workouts – France (Haunted House Part 1)
World Wide Workouts – France (Haunted House Part Deux)