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In the seven years I’ve spent traveling the globe, people often ask how it’s all done. Ultimately, you have to just go. Don’t worry about the finer details, just get out there on the road and see where it takes you. There’s an incredible world waiting beyond your doorstep.
But with that said, here are seven invaluable survival lessons for a life on the road that may assist you in that let-it-fly philosophy:
Go Your Own Way
I can’t stress this enough. It might sound contradictory (since I am here giving advice), but you have to be very wary of random advice. Everyone has an opinion; some may be valid and some may be useless. For example, my American cousins who had never been to Mexico once warned me not to go there. “You’re going to get your head chopped off by a drug cartel,” they said. Obviously, this did not happen. Take any advice with large pinches of salt and ask yourself if this impacts you positively. Is it in line with what you are searching for? What do you want to achieve through your travels?
Now, if the person offering the advice has in fact just scaled that same mountaintop or visited that village, pay heed.
Get Lost
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You will never find the hidden gems on the main road.
Years ago, I was in the back streets of Mallorca — a Spanish Island in the Balearics — wandering around and lost. It was hot, and the bleating blonde I was with at the time, lovely as she was, was getting on my nerves. It was then that we spotted a man sitting outside what looked like a garage. He had a glass of wine in his hand and motioned us over, saying “my friends, come and join me.”
That garage turned out to be a wine cellar filled with rare and wonderful vintages. As the wine flowed we forgot about being lost and instead marveled at what we had found. To top it all off, the blonde and I stopped irritating each other and saw each other as accomplices in this great and daring little viticulturally-fuelled adventure.
Don’t be afraid to head down the unfamiliar road. You never know what you may find. But that doesn’t mean you should wander down every single dark alley you pass by. Keep your wits about you.
Embrace the Culture
As the old adage goes, “When in Rome…”
Always remember, you are the traveler, they are the residents. Who cares if all the shops close for a siesta? Or that nobody wears clothes on the beach? Does it really matter? You’re on holiday, so go with the flow.
It is also important to mind your manners. Manners still matter and they definitely still make the man. On a recent flight from LA to Heathrow, I crossed paths with an American man who was wearing a T-shirt which read, “Your opinion- I don’t remember asking for it.” Don’t be that guy. Be kind and treat everyone the way you would want them to treat you. You never know how far kindness can get you.
Put Down Your Phone, Pick Up Your Camera
The world will keep turning if you don’t post a picture of your breakfast. Turn off your phone and give social media a break for the duration of your trip. But what are you supposed to do with your overdeveloped thumbs? Pick up your camera and capture some of the amazing moments unfolding in the real world, right in front of you.
While I’m being nostalgic, why not send yourself a postcard or two? It’s a nice little keepsake and a lot cheaper than trying to send actual art home. Trust me on this one.
Don’t Flash Your Cash
This may be a no-brainer but you want to be as subtle as possible when it comes to wealth. Trust me, you’re already standing out more than you realize so don’t draw extra attention to yourself.
Make sure you have access to both paper and plastic forms of currency. Pre-loaded debit cards are a pretty good option because if something does happen to them the bank will usually refund you. Make sure they are already in the currency of the country you are visiting or you may find yourself being stung with bank charges. If you are going to head over with your local cards, tell your bank — they have a habit of canceling cards if they see foreign transactions.
I generally leave the bulk of my cash stashed around the hotel room, tent, or in a few secret compartments in my bag, only taking what I need for the day. Lastly always have an emergency fund. Never underestimate the power of the hundred-dollar bill to get you in, or out, of a situation.
Pack Light
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Just say no to checked bags and say yes to carry-ons. If it does not fit in the overhead locker, forget it. The biggest mistake I made when I first started traveling was carrying too much. I would arrive at the airport looking like a pack mule and then not only have to worry if my bags would make it safely to their destination but also how much the airline was going to sting my wallet.
These days I stick to a waterproof duffel. It’s light, brightly colored, and fits everything I need whether I’m spending a weekend on the beach in Mozambique or a month crossing the Atlantic.
Officials, Insurance, and Get Out of Jail Free Cards
Here’s the thing with officialdom: it’s official. Make sure you have all the documents required to travel. This includes all relevant Visas, inoculations, letters of invitation, insurance, and so on. If you’re unsure of what you need, call the embassy. Do not think you can skip a step here. A friend of mine once spent two nights in jail because he arrived abroad two days before the date his Visa was validated for.
You should also always dress the part. Board shorts and a hangover work on the beach but not at customs. The more you look like an upstanding member of society the easier your passage will be.
As for insurance, I know what you’re thinking: it’s a scam, I won’t need it.
I thought that before I tore three ligaments on a tropical island. Bye-bye holiday, hello overdraft. I know it may seem expensive, but, so are x-rays and ambulance rides in foreign currencies.
Get-out-of-jail-free-cards only exist in Monopoly, so don’t do anything illegal. No matter how harmless it may seem, you could find yourself being the inspiration for the next Banged Up Abroad episode.
