Things I've learned while traveling
- That everything you need can fit in a backpack and make it onto the plane as hand luggage.
- That using a squat toilet get's easier.
- The best coffee comes from Spain.
- That the best way to travel is most definitely is by boat.
- That the beat restaurant's are not in your guidebook, it's down some dingy alley that you feel slightly afraid walking down, It's filled with cigarette smoke and gesticulating locals, It's cheaper than anywhere else you've found, The menu's not in English.
- How to sleep sitting up.
- That if you are jet lagged, the best thing to do is get out in the sun as it readjusts your body clock naturally.
- That it actually is possible to communicate without speaking.
- That "winging it" really does work (most of the time).
- That just because you have a good time traveling with someone you met on the road, doesn't mean you're gonna be friends when you get home.
- That water-resistant is not the same thing as waterproof.
- That a massive pair of sunnies is the best thing for photos if you are tired.
- That you learn more about who you are when you are around people who you are not.
- That cabin fever really does exist.
- That above all things, being surrounded by water relaxes me.
- That people treat you so much better when they think you have money.
- That a person only really needs 4 hours sleep a night.
- That music can change a bad bus journey - don't forget to charge the I pod!
- That you really aren't allowed to take photos at airports.
- That all airports have freaky p.a. songs playing 24/7 to stop people living there.
- That you can pay your way out of most situations.
- How small mountains can make you feel.
- That I can be a multi-faceted machine when I need to be.
- That traveling on your own can be extremely lonely & extremely liberating.
- That there really is no place like home.
- Never pass up an opportunity to travel. Find a way. Rearrange your schedule, scrape together the money - just do it.
- That I really do need human contact.
- That wrinkles can come on quickly.
- That McDonalds are always centrally located and have clean western toilets - but eat in a Local joint.
- That sometimes smiling and nodding is your best option.
- That no matter where you go people are ultimately exactly the same.
- That your life can change completely in the space a of a day.
- That there are some places that you visit that feel eerily familiar.
- That there are many signs out there.
- That there is no such thing as a bad vacation. They just give you really good stories to tell when you get home.
- That your mind really can control your body.
- That some cosmetics really do work.
- That in order to be a back packer on the move you need to be able to do at least 7 things at once.
- Spontaneous travel is some of the best traveling. Just hop on a plane/ferry and go.
- That many taxi drivers have done many things with there lives besides drive people round the bend.
- That couples in their second marriage travel more than ones in their first.
- That the bank really expects you to call them each time you leave a country.
- That long dresses are the best travel outfits for a girl.
- That canned food is under rated.
- That traveling on your own forces you to talk to people and make great mates.
- That if you put your mind to doing something you can do anything.
- That you can do a hell of a lot in 30 days.
- The people of China are some of the kindest and gracious people I have met.
- That what goes up must eventually come down.
