I've found what I came looking for I think. In some metaphysical level I really craved for a trip to somewhere far away and now that my 4 weeks is closing to its final days I notice that I can do it. The world is indeed your oyster, it's possible to be anywhere and do anything as long as you hold on to a few simple rules. Wanna hear my traveling rules? Here they are!
First of all, remember to smile. Open your heart and mind to the world and to the people you will meet. Smiling is the easiest way of telling that you want to be part of this all. You are not an alien and will not be treates as one.
Secondly, and it is slightly related to the first one, never think that you are alone. By this I mean that us Europeans are used to space and individuality. We live in a society where we freak out when a stranger touches us too long or when we don't know exactly what something is, even though we see everyone else around eats it with good apetite. I see so many western tourists walking around as if there was an invisible bubble around them, the safety area, the unseen ego that makes them special. They might complain about bad service and bad weather yet they never seem to notice how different it all would be when they would place themselves into the place of any local person. We are not alone in the world and should not forget how many people are around us. They might not share our beliefs or customs but they are people and they could be your best friends and most important helper. So my second rule in traveling is, don't believe in being more special than anyone else and the world will stop seeming hostile.
Third, be smart and say yes to new things, unless you know for certain it will physically damage your health to a point where your life becomes hard. Food is proteins, carbs and fats, and excersice only gives muscle pains and blisters in worst case. You can do it, a healthy human always survives as long as one listens to their bodies and common sense, not to momentary emotions and craving for luxury. Being smart means also knowing when to say no ofcourse, and negotiating is always a good idea, no matter if its bargaining for a pair of shoes in the market or learning what is the exact medicine you are asked to take.
The scariest place I've been to so far in this trip is the dark moment in my own mind. Fear of "what if". So go out there, find your way. Explore. Enjoy. And tell about it to others.
First of all, remember to smile. Open your heart and mind to the world and to the people you will meet. Smiling is the easiest way of telling that you want to be part of this all. You are not an alien and will not be treates as one.
Secondly, and it is slightly related to the first one, never think that you are alone. By this I mean that us Europeans are used to space and individuality. We live in a society where we freak out when a stranger touches us too long or when we don't know exactly what something is, even though we see everyone else around eats it with good apetite. I see so many western tourists walking around as if there was an invisible bubble around them, the safety area, the unseen ego that makes them special. They might complain about bad service and bad weather yet they never seem to notice how different it all would be when they would place themselves into the place of any local person. We are not alone in the world and should not forget how many people are around us. They might not share our beliefs or customs but they are people and they could be your best friends and most important helper. So my second rule in traveling is, don't believe in being more special than anyone else and the world will stop seeming hostile.
Third, be smart and say yes to new things, unless you know for certain it will physically damage your health to a point where your life becomes hard. Food is proteins, carbs and fats, and excersice only gives muscle pains and blisters in worst case. You can do it, a healthy human always survives as long as one listens to their bodies and common sense, not to momentary emotions and craving for luxury. Being smart means also knowing when to say no ofcourse, and negotiating is always a good idea, no matter if its bargaining for a pair of shoes in the market or learning what is the exact medicine you are asked to take.
The scariest place I've been to so far in this trip is the dark moment in my own mind. Fear of "what if". So go out there, find your way. Explore. Enjoy. And tell about it to others.
