Having recently returned from my 7 week immersion into the worlds of Argentina and Brazil, a few days of contemplation and meditation have helped provide perspective on the contrasts between these United States and those of our fellow global citizens below the equator. Even more so, I've developed some sure fire travel tips that will aid even the most green of backpacker en route to their next adventure:
1. Grow a beard! Although my Robinson Crusoe facial ode resulted from forgetting my electric razor plug-in, it turned out to be a sure fire point of social conversation. Whether you're of the Jesus persuasion or not, having the facial chops to even resemble the biblical man inadvertently earns one free drinks, free appetizers, and shortcuts in airport security.
2. Remember that no matter how many items you get rid of in your travels, your backpack will ALWAYS become heavier.
3. Your adventures will never go as planned. Reduce your attachments and remain flexible, as more often than not, you will end up somewhere you didn't expect that has a dramatic impact on your adventure, and quite possibly your life.
4. Travel with Italians and you will meet women AND eat well.
5. Go out with any group from England, Ireland, Scotland (male or female) and you will be convinced their bodies are made of beer.
6. Keep a journal. E-mails and blogs--like photos--preserve the memories, while your personal scribing will give you an insight to your spiritual and emotional transformation.
7. This one might be controversial: leave your Ipod at home. Without the presence of headphones and a musical soundscape, one gains a greater visceral awareness of their surroundings. Sites, sounds, smells--all are heightened by an ever present mind that is only in the moment--and you will meet and connect with far more strangers without the barrier of headphones in your journey.
8. Persons with less material possessions are generally kinder and more hospitable.
9. Be prepared to fall in love. Strangers you know only for a few short hours to a few days will capture your heart. Embrace it. You will never regret living in the moment.
10. Learn the language. There's nothing that will earn you more instant cred than a savviness of the local lingo. Unless you want to spend your entire trip miming "hunger" by rubbing your belly in a circle and putting your fist in your mouth (which I warn you, is not universally understood), grab some Rosetta Stone's and get to yer
studyin'!
11. Live with a family. I'm convinced that we all unconsciously seek
familial bonds when abroad, and the memories of explaining what a transvestite is while watching "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert", playing UNO with a Brazilian boy who truly BELIEVED he was Spiderman, and playing hide and seek with a 10-month old as if he were your own son, well, they will always stay with you.
12. Learn to be still. It's not all about seeing every site, so don't be afraid to stick around for several days to several weeks in one spot, even if it isn't an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Off-the-beaten path spots are where the real magic happens.
13. In the end, it's about the people you meet along the way. I've had more fun riding overnight buses and being called "fat bastard" by my local compatriots because of my preference for alfajores (Argentinian cookies) over actual meals, than staring at Christ the Redeemer for 30 seconds only to realize, "YES, it is Jesus, and YES,
he is big!"
14. Now go out there and make your own rules!
Peace and Wellness,
Phil
2 comments:
Love your travel tips! Here's a tip for your learn the language rule - Livemocha.com!
It is a cool free site that offers great lessons and practice/chat with people from around the world (tutors, native speakers, and other learners) You can make friends around the world(a bit like Facebook)Then you could pack your backpack and go meet them!
FAT BASTARD! hahhaha
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