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Ongoing Lessons Learned
Everyone has a miscellaneous list, right? This is mine.
This space is for me to keep adding as I continue to learn.
Some of these travel tips are obvious and some may be new to you.
- ABCDEs: (in) Advance, Budget, Cap, Discounts, Expenses
- (in) Advance – plan your trip in advance. You can start small, in your nearest major city/town, a nearby state, nearby country, mini international, or a major international destination. Plan ahead, get your flights/train tickets/rentals in advance if you can.
- Budget – dedicate and plan how much you are willing to spend during your travels. Note what your big and important purchases will be first and allot separate money for extra leisure spendings. Track your expenses throughout so you don’t get too lost in your travel hype and return home with pending charges that you’ll stress about later.
- Cap expenses – A great splurge trip can be worth it, but it may have a better after-memory if you’re not drowning in extra debt
- Discounts – look for deals! It definitely can be time-consuming but there are major pages that help you compare the current deals and promotions for housing, flights, rentals, and activities. Many credit cards these days promote additional savings or benefits by using their card to help you save some $
- Emergency planning– Know where the embassy is and have emergency cash or a kit. Especially when you’re in a foreign country, consider the risk of losing your most important valuables and what you would do and where you would go.
- Road-less-traveled
- You may get very similar experiences with less crowds. It’s great to visit the most popular spots, as they are popular for a reason and many times, totally worth it! Sometimes, you get the calmer crowd with different viewpoints when going road less traveled.
- But sometimes, the road less traveled can be dull, poorly timed with hours and weather and even uneventful haha but that’s just the risk and the fun of exploring.
- Say YES more – stay open-minded and try it.
- Essentials vs lux-plush – Take what you need and take what’s versatile. You don’t always need 7 different colors of the same thing.
- Waterproofs are your friend – weather, activities, accidents, etc. plan just in case.
- First-Aid & SPFs
- Maybe it’s the nurse in me but I always have a mini first-aid kit with me. Something as basic as mini triple antibiotic ointment, bandaids, and alcohol pads. Depending on where you go and what activities you continue on with, a small cut can lead to an annoying and bigger infection. I may be a bit overboard with this but I prefer not to get sick when I’m trying to enjoy my trips.
- Secret pockets/pouches
- There are bucket-list travel destinations that are notorious for tourists getting pick-pocketed. I would recommend having a slim crossbody or even a fanny pack to keep more important valuables close to your body or even inside your jackets if you can.
- Calculated risks
- It’s okay to step out of your comfort zone. Be brave! Amazing things can come out of trying something new and uncomfortable. This being said, go out and do stuff but being street smart can help you stay safe
- Trust the locals
- Sometimes the super popular spots aren’t the best spots. Make friends and ask the locals for less crowded spots, the most authentic foods, and standout places for a more genuine experience.
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Especially solo travelers, it’s great to open up with the locals but just remember that you are still a foreigner and in a more vulnerable position.
- Souvenirs for memories
- They can be great as collections, memories, but I have found that many became just stuff.
- A good playlist
- The reality is that you won’t be on a travel high the entire time. Some destinations will require longer connections or travel time. Hours of road time from airport to destination or destination to destination time may be required. Download a good playlist via Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, MP3, or whatever service you use to keep you cool, truckin, and groovin!