After eleven months and four countries (I'm going to go ahead and count Greece) it is my duty and heartfelt privilege to impart my invaluable wisdom on how to be a suave and sassy traveler, such as myself. Now, dear readers, don't be phased by the fact that almost everything in my original backpack has either been lost, broken, stolen, eaten by wild animals, or run over by a bus. I assure you that my advice is of the utmost quality, and should you keep these pointers in mind, all of your adventures henceforth will be blessed and guided.
1) You are never alone
I mean this in the least creepy and most comforting way possible. When you find yourself on the wrong bus, wandering aimlessly in Tel Aviv, or even just feeling plain lonely in your hostel in Rome, remember that there is always someone to help you! I remember the first night I arrived in Italy, I stood dazed in the bustling train station in Florence trying to decode my (entirely Italian) train ticket. An elderly man standing a few yards away took one look at me and said, "Empoli? Platform four, don't forget to stamp your ticket." How he knew where I was going ( heck, I didn't even know ), I'll never be sure. The point is, if you are open to help from unexpected sources, help will always find a way.
2) Being small gets you free stuff!
Like cheese! And sweaters! If you're not small yet, Id recommend starting at least 2-3 months before your scheduled departure.
3) Use your DGPS (Divine Guidance Positioning System)
Seriously, this is the way I traveled most of my trip. I would set my DGPS to whatever I was looking for ( a bead store, falaffel, the Colusseum, etc) and let my intuition do the rest. Yes, it takes a lot of trust, but believe me, you'll always be in the right place at the right time.
4)Travel Towels
Rock.
5) The Universe provides (.. and so do your parents .. )
Need something? It will come. When I decided I needed a sleeping bag, the next day a man at the EFT retreat offered me his to keep, without me even needing to ask! And when I decided I needed a new camera for India, I found a Canon Powershot at the 'free' market at the farm on which I was working. And clothes? Don't even get me started. The trick here is that you have to be just as willing to let stuff go as you are willing to let stuff in. Abundance flows, that means that sometimes you must release in order to receive.
6) Laugh it off
Take everything in good humor - this applies especially to travel in India. Getting lost, hassled, and stared at is all part of the game. Keep your spirits light, and try not to nit pick the culture.
7) Water and Chocolate
These are your two most important travel companions.
8) Pack at least one thing you actually like to wear
Unwittingly, I showed up in Italy with a backpack full of work clothes and a pair of hiking boots. There's nothing fun about a night out in Rome when you're covered in mud and smell like cow shit.
9) Self maintenance days
Every few weeks, take a day off from traveling and treat yourself. Go all out; do your laundry, clean your ears, clip your nails, the whole shebang. Self maintenance days are also a great excuse to eat extra gelato.
10) It's not stealing..
It's permaculture. It's all about utilizing your resources to the fullest. So I'm staying at your house, and you've got some extra toothbrushes... Imma take one. I'll go ahead and refill my shampoo while I'm here too. Napkins from a restaurant? More like extra toilet paper for later!
A short list, but hopefully enough to get you started.
I'm fairly rooted in Chico at the moment, but I think I'll keep the blog going; a place to dump some extra thoughts. Be on the look-out.
1) You are never alone
I mean this in the least creepy and most comforting way possible. When you find yourself on the wrong bus, wandering aimlessly in Tel Aviv, or even just feeling plain lonely in your hostel in Rome, remember that there is always someone to help you! I remember the first night I arrived in Italy, I stood dazed in the bustling train station in Florence trying to decode my (entirely Italian) train ticket. An elderly man standing a few yards away took one look at me and said, "Empoli? Platform four, don't forget to stamp your ticket." How he knew where I was going ( heck, I didn't even know ), I'll never be sure. The point is, if you are open to help from unexpected sources, help will always find a way.
2) Being small gets you free stuff!
Like cheese! And sweaters! If you're not small yet, Id recommend starting at least 2-3 months before your scheduled departure.
3) Use your DGPS (Divine Guidance Positioning System)
Seriously, this is the way I traveled most of my trip. I would set my DGPS to whatever I was looking for ( a bead store, falaffel, the Colusseum, etc) and let my intuition do the rest. Yes, it takes a lot of trust, but believe me, you'll always be in the right place at the right time.
4)Travel Towels
Rock.
5) The Universe provides (.. and so do your parents .. )
Need something? It will come. When I decided I needed a sleeping bag, the next day a man at the EFT retreat offered me his to keep, without me even needing to ask! And when I decided I needed a new camera for India, I found a Canon Powershot at the 'free' market at the farm on which I was working. And clothes? Don't even get me started. The trick here is that you have to be just as willing to let stuff go as you are willing to let stuff in. Abundance flows, that means that sometimes you must release in order to receive.
6) Laugh it off
Take everything in good humor - this applies especially to travel in India. Getting lost, hassled, and stared at is all part of the game. Keep your spirits light, and try not to nit pick the culture.
7) Water and Chocolate
These are your two most important travel companions.
8) Pack at least one thing you actually like to wear
Unwittingly, I showed up in Italy with a backpack full of work clothes and a pair of hiking boots. There's nothing fun about a night out in Rome when you're covered in mud and smell like cow shit.
9) Self maintenance days
Every few weeks, take a day off from traveling and treat yourself. Go all out; do your laundry, clean your ears, clip your nails, the whole shebang. Self maintenance days are also a great excuse to eat extra gelato.
10) It's not stealing..
It's permaculture. It's all about utilizing your resources to the fullest. So I'm staying at your house, and you've got some extra toothbrushes... Imma take one. I'll go ahead and refill my shampoo while I'm here too. Napkins from a restaurant? More like extra toilet paper for later!
A short list, but hopefully enough to get you started.
I'm fairly rooted in Chico at the moment, but I think I'll keep the blog going; a place to dump some extra thoughts. Be on the look-out.
