We all dream of long journeys, phenomenal adventures and countless anecdotes to tell our family and friends upon our return. But on many occasions, the dream could not be further from reality.Who has not coincided somewhere with tourists who are only dedicated to criticizing what they see or to make comparisons, often in a derogatory way, with what they know in their place of origin?
It is a real shame to make the effort to move to another country, another completely different culture and spend the day wishing to return home, to your comfortable home where everything is known and where your five senses can rest.Sometimes I get the feeling that some people travel just to take a couple of photos, hang them on the wall of their house and tell their friends that they were there. Anyway, there are people for everything.
If you do not want to suffer the syndrome I was there, then I detail five key recommendations for your travels.
Open your mind
Get rid of everything you know in your place of origin. Get rid of prejudices and get ready to absorb everything you see, hear, smell, feel in this new country that you have come, full of surprises and things that you could never have imagined.
It may be necessary that you devote some time to this mental preparation. Before traveling not only it is important to prepare the backpack, the suitcase, the documentation or the money. It is also important to prepare yourself, take a few minutes to be aware of what you are doing. You are traveling to a place that you do not know if you will never have the opportunity to return, therefore it is worthwhile to open all the senses and soak up the different ways of doing and living with which you will find yourself. That will be your authentic souvenir.
Be flexible
In your travels, especially if they are long lasting, you will find a lot of setbacks, improvisations, and decisions that you must take on the go. My recommendation is that you do not stick to a strict and strict plan. Leave space for the variants, because in many occasions you will converse with other travelers like you who will guide you with their recommendations, and what better recommendation than that of a person who comes from the place where you go!
Do not obsess over having all the details tied and controlled, act a bit on the fly. If you plan in the long run be aware that the short term can modify what you planned. Accept it. After all, a trip is like life, you never know what or with whom you will find just around the corner.
Be respectful
In other places, they do things in a totally different way to how you and your family do in your village. And they are also happy. It is important to remember that there is more than one method to live, to enjoy life, to be happy. And if something I see is strange or shocking, I look at it, I watch it and I respect it. Whether or not you decide to adapt your way of life according to what you see during your travels is your thing, but it is necessary to always respect the cultural differences of which you will find yourself on the road. Remember that yours does not necessarily have to be the best.
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Talk to the locals
Ask, listen, talk, explain, interest in how they live, what traditions they have, what their religion is, what sports they practice, what kind of government they have in the country, what are the most common ways of earning a living. Talk to the locals you visit. Be interested in them. There is no better way to know a country, a culture, a region, than through the eyes and experiences of those who inhabit it. They will love it, and they will also be interested in the ways of doing it in your place of origin. You will realize that all people are the same, regardless of our language, our race, our culture, our traditions. We all look for the same, to be happy, and the best way to prove it is to mix and relate to the inhabitants of the place where you travel.
Enjoy!
Not least the least important. Enjoy! Fundamental. You’re lucky to be able to travel. Be aware of it and enjoy every moment of your trip. Smells you will never forget. Images that will remain forever in your retina. People who will make you discover new ways of thinking about life. All of these are gifts that are priceless. Enjoy them to the fullest.
Get out of the party! Do not be obsessed with devoting all your time to museums, monuments, landmarks … Stick to a good binge! Go to the bars, try the local liquors, let the night show you how the heart of the place you are visiting beats.
Remember, you only live once. Out of respect for those who do not have our opportunities and out of respect for ourselves, we have to enjoy every moment of our lives. I told you before, a trip is like life, and both should be enjoyed to the fullest.
Tags: Be flexible, Be respectful, recommendations, travels
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