REMINDER … when you travel there are many differences due to location, culture, customs, etc. … but remember, people are people where ever you go. Familiarize yourself with your destination … accept that it will be different … accept that the people will be different … then, embrace everything about it!
These tips are more philosophical than practical, but are equally important when the sights, smells and chaos of a new place overwhelm you.
- Give yourself a few days to adjust before making judgments about a new place. You will arrive tired from the trip and less open minded because of it. Give yourself a chance to warm to this new place before making any judgments. Sometimes the places that make the worst first impressions end up being your favorites. Go out & explore … try some new & different foods … have a glass (or two) of the local aperitif.
- Learning a few words of the local community goes a long way. This is helpful not just to get what you need, but also to break the ice in a new place. Make sure that the translation of “I’m sorry, I don’t speak (insert language here), do you speak English?” is on that brief list – it’s a surefire way to get a smile! Your list should also include hello, goodbye, and most of all, thank you.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Things will NOT go as planned, but that’s part of the adventure! Most often, things will work out in the end. Save anger and frustration for the bigger problems in life.
“Getting angry in a stressful situation is like trying to clean something with dirt”
― Urbanky Aurel Petru - Experiment with food and markets. Experiencing the world through food is by far my favorite thing about traveling. The best way to do this is to immerse yourself in the culture – go to a local market … experience the smells, tastes, and spirit of the city. Meet the locals and make a connection. I always take a cooking class in a new city … this is a great way to meet locals, visit the best market in town, make some of the best local recipes, and, of course, eat!
For more detailed information on this, see our “European Travel Guide“ … to be released soon!
EUROPEAN-TRAVEL-GUIDES 