It has been over three years since I launched for my original race in September of 2013. When I launched this past October as one of the three squad leaders for Gap I, a rush of memories came flooding back to me about my original race. As I travel with Gap I on my second World Race experience, I have been thinking about all that I learned on my original race and decided to make a list of some practical things the World Race taught me about travel. These things are totally applicable to travel outside of the race and just to life in general. Enjoy!
Always Cross the Street with the Locals
In China, month one of my original race, we had to cross a six lane highway that had no crosswalks to get almost anywhere. To get to the city busses, to the noodle lady, to the only store with peanut butter. We quickly learned the best way to cross this rendition of frogger was to find a Chinese person and cross with them. I have found this to be true in most countries. The locals more than likely know the area, the traffic flow, and whether or not the cars will stops for pedestrians. I haven’t been hit by a car yet so I maintain this is the safest way to cross streets overseas.
Ask the doorman, he knows everything
This next tip is true in the States as well. The doorman knows everything. When you are lost or just need to know where the nearest restroom is, ask the guy who holds open the door at hotels or malls. They can also tell you a good place to eat, where to get a taxi, how to get to the movie theater etc.
You can understand almost any language, if you pay attention.
People ask me all the time how I can communicate with people overseas who do not speak my language. But language is so much more than words. You can speak with your smile and laugh. With hand gestures and body language. And if you actually listen and seek to understand it is not as hard as it seems. I have also learned that the way you say a word can often times determine whether or not it is understood by the locals. Perfect that accent.
New friends who did don’t speak the same language.
How to be confident in yourself and find your way
There have been many times when I have been lost overseas and I had to rely on my instincts to get myself back home. Unless you have an international phone plan, you can not rely on Google Maps and sometimes even asking the locals proves unhelpful. I have learned to trust myself and my sense of direction. I have learned to ask the locals for directions without being embarrassed and I have learned how much fun it can be to be lost and then find something beautiful along the way.
I discovered this giant gum ball machine while I was lost in Malaysia.
Always bring snacks, and toilet paper
The Race is full of really long bus/train/plane/car rides. The worst thing that can happen is for a two hour bus ride to turn into twelve. And the only thing worse than that is to be unprepared. It is wise to always bring snacks, a bottle of water, and toilet paper. Always toilet paper. I can count on one hand the number of bathrooms I have used while on long bus rides that actually had toilet paper. My co-leader Maggie is always good about making sure we have our TDR (travel day roll).
Our first travel day was a 19 hour train ride in China where my team had only stale dumplings and no water. Rookie mistakes we did not make again.
If you are a racer or a traveler, what practical things have you learned from traveling overseas? Comment below with your favorite lesson!
