because my last few blogs have been pretty serious i thought i would lighten my blogs mood. traveling the world is not what i thought it would be. so i thought i would share with you all some of the things i have learned about traveling that you might not know.
1. The internet is accessible in most every part of the world.
one of my worries about coming on the world race was communication. i knew there was a chance that i wouldn’t be able to talk to my family or friends for a long time. i was scared that i wouldn’t be able to get in touch with them if there was an emergency or they wouldn’t be able to get in touch with me. scary thoughts. what I didn’t know that even in the most remote areas of Africa there is a good chance that you can drive about 15 minutes and find an internet cafe. of course, the internet is not high speed and it could take you 30 minutes to upload 1 picture to facebook, but it serves its purpose: communication.
2. Hostels are the only way to go.
there is something about a hostel that is like home away from home. not to mention they are SUPER CHEAP. you can typically get the same amenities as a condo or house rental that you can at a hostel. pools, internet, beds. it just makes sense. its less than half the price of any other type of accommodation and you get to meet cool people while you are there.
3. English is almost universal.
i can honestly say that everywhere i have been in the whole world, someone in the area speaks english. everywhere. you never have to worry about being misunderstood!
4. The world isn’t scary.
the media paints a picture of the world outside america as being violent. that if you leave america you will definitely get mugged around every corner. this is not true. i have found that people are generally good. i know that there always need to be safety precautions taken when traveling, but overall there is nothing to be afraid of.
5. Most of the world is boring.
i have been to 7 countries in the past 7 months. you would think that every second of my life is incredibly exciting. it’s not. i have been bored on the world race more than i ever have at home. you think about the world. so big. so many things to experience. so much adventure to be had. but i find it to be just like home. the news portrays the world as only that: news. but the world is actually just as boring as your neighborhood at home. you have to make it exciting.
6. Having stuff doesn’t matter.
i started the world race with one big backpack and one school backpack. every month i have lost a little more stuff. right now i don’t own much. only a little bit of clothes, toiletries, and electronics. you can survive with only one backpack of stuff and be happier than you ever have been. i find myself getting caught up in the idea of having stuff often. but you really just don’t need it.
7. You don’t need a cell phone.
i don’t think i’ll ever take a cell phone with me while traveling abroad. i haven’t had a cell phone in a while now, and i really don’t ever want to have one again. when i had one i was on it ALL THE TIME. you can get so caught up in having it on you at all times, but when traveling you just dont need it. if you want to contact someone you can use the internet.
8. Real, organic, unprocessed foods like bananas in Malawi and mango in Dominican Republic are 10X more delicious than their American counterparts.
i have never tasted anythign as deliecious as the fresh fruit in the tropical areas i have been. bananas, mango, litchi, pineapple, kiwi, watermelon, granadilla. SO delicious. the food of the world is misinterpreted. with the exception of mexican, you can get almost any food you want in any part of the world. i miss mexican food.
9. We should move a little slower.
life depends on time in america. however, the rest of the world moves just a little bit slower. things always get done, just not in a timely manner. this has been pretty difficult for me. i am a very punctual person. i hate being late. i usually arrive early. but as i’ve traveled i have realized that being on time doesn’t always matter. i know that will change when i come home, but abroad it is something you just have to endure.
10. Everyone is searching for “something”.
most people who travel are looking for “something”. as Christians we know that they are looking for God, but most of the time the people looking only know it as “something”. that is why i am still traveling. i want to make that “something” look more like God.
