I recently wrote one of those stories about the X number of things I have learned through traveling. I know, I know, there are literally thousands of these floating around the web, and they usually all say the same thing. I believe the lessons I shared were really heartfelt with lots of personal advice. The piece was published on one of my favorite travel sites, Matador Network. If you haven’t given it a read yet click here to read the story featuring 21 things I wish I knew about travel when I was 25.
It’s been almost two years since I left the United States and booked a one-way ticket to Spain. My life has altered since I left New York City. It is overwhelming to recognize just how much I’ve changed as a person, and as a traveler. In the last few weeks, I’ve thought of a few more lessons that I’ve learned on the road. See below for 5 more things I wish I had known about travel before I became a full-time traveler and digital nomad.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Most travelers feel safe in Europe, the western culture gives us a pretense that nothing bad could happen. But new travelers get anxious when thinking about visiting less explored continents like Africa and Asia. The second month of my life overseas brought me to Africa on a group trip. I learned that I don’t love group travel, but I do love Morocco. I went back twice that year and look back and laugh at how anxious I was about safety concerns in the North African country. My first big solo trip was a month exploring Thailand. Through these adventures that were far outside of my comfort zone, I discovered that my favorite travel destinations are the ones with exotic, ancient cultures. This year I lived in India for six months. I will spend the next year in Southeast Asia. Western culture is now my uncomfortable zone.
PLASTIC IS THE ENEMY
I used to be pretty oblivious to all the plastic I was consuming on a daily basis before I started traveling full-time. This month I totally failed at participating in Plastic Free July. I tried. I have an awesome bamboo straw and reusable water bottle. The water bottle only really serves a purpose though when filtered or mineral water is available and many places where I have stayed do not have clean water and only sell plastic water bottles. An alternative that I am considering is investing in a LifeStraw, which makes any contaminated water potable. I ask for street food to be wrapped in paper whenever possible. I refuse a plastic bag whenever possible and carry around a cloth bag I bought at a local market in India. I have my own pair of chopsticks that I carry with me always. Not only is this better for the world but dirty cutlery is actually one of the biggest culprits for travel tummy. But plastic is just unavoidable in Asia. Lately, every drink I have purchased is literally served in a plastic bag, tied with plastic string, and served with a plastic straw. If plastic consumption weren’t a big enough problem it’s also littered and lingering everywhere. There is next to no education about recycling or the harm plastic causes on the environment in this part of the world. I preach about it whenever I have the chance, especially to parents and children. You can read 8 more of my ideas about how to become a greener traveler over on Tourism Concern.
YOU’RE NOT INVINCIBLE
Especially not when it comes to wild animals. I visited Chitwan National Park in Nepal and went on an 8-hour jungle walk where we got to observe many one-horned rhinoceros. We had to sprint and climb up a tree in order not to get mauled by two rhinos bathing a few feet away in a river. I spent weeks in a tent in the Sahara Desert that is ‘secured’ with a blanket flap and never once wonder if a wild animal has wandered inside. That all changed when I was glamping at Camp Poe in Sri Lanka on a stormy evening and was woken up by a massive mongoose that managed to get into my tent. If you’re having ethical animal encounters or staying in a place where a wild animal may come for a surprise visit, be sure to ask your hosts in advance what precautions to take and how to handle the situation.
DON’T BE ASHAMED OF SELF-DEFENSE
Unfortunately, I’ve been subjected to a lot of harassment and unfortunately more than a few encounters of sexual assault. I plan to write a more in-depth look at the toll these situations have taken on me personally and physically but in the meantime here is some quick advice. Being sexually harassed in a foreign country might make you question your entire lifestyle as a female traveler. Don’t lose your confidence. You did not bring any of these situations upon yourself, no matter how many other travelers will want to know the nitty-gritty details and tell you what you should have done differently. A dear friend visited me in India and brought me taser gun, which is TSA approved for checked bags globally. I hope I never have to use it but it gives me peace of mind knowing it is in my bag at all times. The taser gun she bought is on sale on Amazon for less than $10. A ridiculously affordable investment in your safety. Unfortunately, many other travelers, mainly females, ask me why I have a weapon. Remember, you don’t need to explain yourself, all you need to do is protect yourself.
LET GO OF ANYTHING HEAVY
From physical objects to mental blocks make space in your luggage and your mind for new adventures. If you’re like me then your baggage is a 40L backpack. My backpack has become my turtle shell, and often my chair on the go. Only bring the essentials, which you’ll realize is not much as you can buy most toiletries, medicines, and necessities anywhere in the world. I left New York City with around 5 suitcases and initially moved to Europe with a suitcase and a carry-on. For the last year, I’ve only carried my items in a backpack and could never go back to having more belongings.
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JayMeesie
29 Jul 2017Great post Lola! and awesome tips and so helpful!I am feeling so much more motivated now to just get out and travel!!
Janie
29 Jul 2017These are so true, and even as travelers we sometimes forget it! Thanks for sharing, your pictures are beautiful!
Ania Ochocinski
29 Jul 2017These are really awesome pieces of advice for anyone who plans to commit to longer term travel! I think getting out of my comfort zone is the one I am currently working on, so I look forward to seeing where that takes me in the future. Again, thanks for sharing!
Planestrainsandchampagne
30 Jul 2017Such a wonderfully written post! Totally agree with you on all of these, especially getting out of your comfort zone! I'm visiting Thailand soon and that's completely out of my comfort zone. Hoping to gain knowledge and grow as a traveler and individual. Thanks for sharing your advice!
Anna WouldBeTraveller
30 Jul 2017I really enjoyed reading this post, and I think it's important to think about the negative sides of travel too (the harassment and wild animals!) But you've shown that, despite the difficulties, you're still doing it. So travel is worth it!
Lauren Pears
30 Jul 2017Getting out of your comfort zone is so important! I've found that I enjoy myself a lot more when I just let go of worries about things 🙂
Julia @ theglassofclass.com
30 Jul 2017This is such a good post! Travelling can be so relieving and clensing. I'd love to travel more, hopefully I'll manage to save up some more money to go away next year. Thank you!
Julia xx
theglassofclass.com
Aneta
30 Jul 2017What a great post full of cool tricks 🙂 Loved it.
Ejnets in Lisboa
Anekha Girn
30 Jul 2017A lovely post and your photos are gorgeous too! <3
Nikki Barnfather
30 Jul 2017What a great read! We learn so much through travel
Misselisep
31 Jul 2017Great post! I feel exactly the same about plastic. It's so hard not to use it at all in Asia. When I lived in Cambodia it was exactly the same. My food would be in a plastic container, with elastic bands and inside two plastic bags tied with some more plastic. ARGH. Water was the worst for me – we eventually recycled our big water bottles by buying a 20L water dispenser that gets swapped when it's empty but there's still essentially no way around using it ALL the time. 🙁
Valerie W
2 Aug 2017Those are some incredible take-aways! I loved reading this 🙂
Sandy Kul
4 Aug 2017Inspiring post, thanks for sharing. I'm all about encouraging women to travel and not believe the people who say it's unsafe, however I too have experience feeling very uncomfortable and disgusted by the way some men treat women in different countries, and how it's considered appropriate there. I would love to read about your perspective on the topic <3
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Hi Jay! I am so glad you found the tips helpful. Yes, get out there and travel! You won't regret it.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Hi Janie! Thanks so much for the positive feedback, I am glad you found the info helpful and liked the pictures.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Hi Sandy! I am so glad you liked the post and found it inspiring. I am all for female travel too. We have to be cautious of course, no matter where we are in the world. You might enjoy this piece I wrote about women in India while I was volunteering with a Women's Empowerment NGO in Jodhpur: http://sambhali-trust.blogspot.my/2017/02/lessons-from-womens-march-at-sambhali.html
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thanks so much, Valerie!
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thank you so much for the feedback. I am glad to know that other conscious travelers struggle to minimize their plastic use based on local norms. Step by step!
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Yes, we do! Thanks!
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thank you so much!
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017I am so glad you liked it! Thanks.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thanks for the feedback Julia, I am glad you like it and hope you have many more wonderful travels in your near future.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Absolutely, Lauren! It can be hard to do but it's so important.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017I hadn't even realized how negative these remarks were – I guess my more positive lessons learned went into the Matador Network story! I am really glad you enjoyed the post. Travel is so worth it.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thailand was my first big solo trip to an exotic country and cemented my love for community-based travel. I think you're going to have an incredible time! Let me know if you need any advice.
miss filatelista
4 Aug 2017Thanks so much, Ania! Long term travel can be challenging but I love it every single day. Keep pushing yourself to expand your boundaries, you won't regret it.