Travel Post #1
After 10 countries, 18 cities, and ton of passport stamps in the last 2 months I thought it wouldn’t be the worst idea to reflect and share some tips and thoughts about my travels around the world. After backpacking solo literally around the world, I’m about to embark on my exchange at Maastricht University in the Netherlands for 4 months. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m a 20-year-old finance student studying at SFU in beautiful Vancouver, BC. I have a huge passion for traveling and one day being able to say I’ve seen the world is a goal of mine. Also like hockey, hanging out with friend, long walks on the beach…you know stuff like that. Pretty much trying to squeeze as much travel as possible in until I have to start my career full-time. After traveling to so many amazing destinations it’d only be fair to create a separate post for each of them. So to start my blog off I’ll instead give some general tips and tricks I’ve found have helped me along the way. Hopefully along the way I can inspire you to travel the world solo or not…no one said you can’t follow me around ;)
“I’m down…but I’m not down”-Rahul Gill
As amazing as travel is there is no doubt that it can wear on the best of us. Regardless most of us have a limited amount of time in each destination. While you should definitely find some places where you can relax for a few days, when the opportunity for fun arises…you must be down (even if you’re not down). Especially while traveling solo, you never want to miss out on the opportunity to meet the amazing people that will be around you. My example is arriving in Boracay, Phillipines…after a long journey that included a plane, a bus, and a boat; I arrived at my hostel exhausted and ready to take a much-needed nap. Wouldn’t you know, 2 minutes later “Hey man, do you want to go para-sailing?” While I could have easily passed up as I have para-sailed before, if it wasn’t for being down, I wouldn’t have met some awesome friends from all around the world that I would spend my time with for the next 5 days. When you think about it…do you have work tomorrow? There’s not really many excuses you can make to not go out and have the time of your life.
The Ups & Downs…hey its better than working.
A lot of people have asked me if I get lonely or homesick while travelling alone. The answer is yes and no (what a great answer). In over a month in Asia, I only spent a day alone (other than travel days) really to just get away from it and have some time to think. The reality is there are so many people around you, with amazing stories and similar interests that you naturally group together and explore the cities you are in. But yes there are days when you are tired and you do miss home. For someone whose ticket home is usually less than $100 CAD that can be tempting as ever. However, for every moment where you feel down in the dumps, there are 10 that will lift your spirits back up again and inspire you to keep going even further. Its all about keeping an open mind and being optimistic that that moment is never far away. You have your whole life to be at home, work, and do your regular old thing. Take advantage of the time you have and live life to its fullest. Thanks to social media and Wi-Fi these days, you can always share your experiences with a friend back home to soothe the homesickness (everyone probably wishes they are where you are. Turn that frown upside down)
Go Make Food Babies.
Really do your best to stay in shape, but realize that theres a chance you might never be in this country ever again. Enjoy the local cuisine to its fullest. Have five $1 USD meals in Cambodia for lunch. Eat balot in the Phillipines. Have street dimsum every hour as you walk by. Who cares if that big bowl of noodles is high in carbs. No one is saying you can’t have seconds…of dessert!
Do Things That Scare You.
Walk up to a total group of strangers and introduce yourself. Keep on climbing up that snow covered mountain because some polish dude is yelling at you. Eat that chicken fetus. That roller coaster isn’t scary its fun. I’ve seen higher cliff jumps. You can do that 10 shot challenge! Honestly yolo…you’ll find that getting out of your comfort zone is the most rewarding thing ever and you’ll be happy you did.
Its always someones last night…
As great as alcohol and going out is, you have to pace yourself. In hostel life, someone is going out every night and that person is usually a good friend that you have made. You don’t have to be a grandma, but mixing in a night with just a couple drinks is quite a good idea. Being healthy is very important while travelling.
For the Fashionistas
You really don’t need to pack so many clothes…my big mistake. Every hostel has a laundry service or one near, and if you ever run out of something you can easily just buy it. Plus you’ll want room in your pack for souvenirs and cool clothing you can only get abroad. Oh and roll your clothes, no creases and gives you tons of extra room.
Tough Goodbyes
You are going to make a lot of awesome friends while you travel. While many people you meet would be people you would love to learn more about and hang out with them often, the sad part is at some point you go your separate ways. That doesn’t have to be goodbye though…reach out to them when you’re in or near their home city, and always have an open invitation when you are back home. As a traveler it is awesome to know so many people around the globe, and for when they come to visit your city, you’ll find yourself being a tourist again and truly appreciating the wonderful things you have back home.
Never Stop Exploring
You will hear so many stories about amazing destinations all over the globe. Follow up on them and see it yourself. Traveling is an experience like no other. You will not only learn about yourself but also about different cultures, and the amazing life experiences of people around you. Its easy to think there are only so many paths in life while you’re in school and your academic advisor is giving you their schpeel, but at the end of the day…know that you are smart, talented, and when you put your mind to it will be successful in whatever you do. So live in the moment, enjoy your youth. Life is about experiences not possessions. The money, career, family etc. will come soon enough.