Travel guide: Lea On The Run – Part 2

Let the adventure begin

The airplane is about to land. No, nothing can be repacked or be reorganized. The adventure begins. But what can I expect when I will get off the plane?

Problems with communication, loss of orientation or the unknown can become a steady travel companion for you, but trust me, they will become less of a problem with each day that passes and disappear someday. No matter where I have travelled – patience was always a plus. I am not a friend of stereotypes, but Germans are usually reliable and on time. Which is why it can drive us crazy when we are abroad and have to wait for a person or a bus that does not show up on time. Another important thing: Humor. Do not take everything to seriously, a lot of things will go different than expected and you will probably feel lost a couple of times, but this is part of your trip and makes travelling so special.

Remember that you chose to travel this way and did not book an all-inclusive hotel. The country is new, the culture is different, the climate is hard to handle and the language is tricky. Making a mistake is only natural. But you will learn from all your mistakes and after a couple of days you will laugh about it. Like this one time when I was travelling in Thailand, when the Tuk-tuk driver gave me a city tour of Bangkok and showed me at least 20 different shops, until I finally bought a dress.

The problem was: I did not want a dress or spices or a necklace. Originally, I only wanted the driver to take me two blocks down the road. It was the same in India. The taxi drivers try to make some money, by showing tourists the shops of their friends and if they buy something the driver will get a small commission. It can be annoying but take it with a smile and explore the traditional shops. How knows maybe you will actually find something nice in the end to bring as a souvenir.

The country is new, the culture is different, the climate is hard to handle and the language is tricky. Making a mistake is only natural. But you will learn from all your mistakes and after a couple of days you will laugh about it. Like this one time when I was travelling in Thailand, when the tuk-tuk driver gave me a city tour of Bangkok and showed me at least 20 different shops, until I finally bought a dress. The problem was: I did not want to have a dress or spices or a necklace. Actually, I only wanted the driver to take me two blocks down the road.

In general, it is an advantage for a traveler, when you are prepared for everything and expect nothing. Sounds tough, but in the end, you will experience a lot of positive surprises – either with your accommodation, food or transportation. Not everything will go as you have planned it beforehand. When you travel on a small budget and would like to experience a lot, staying in a hostel is a great start. You will meet a lot of new people and have a place to stay for little money. But it’s not all great, you can also become frustrated in a hostel. Cleanliness may not be a priority and you may be confronted with different standards than the ones you know from home. Toilets without flushing, beds with dirty sheets or insects as roommates? Be prepared for everything. I was not thrilled to share my room with a huge black scorpion when I was in Nicaragua for example.

It might happen that you will miss your clean bathroom and your comfortable bed, but in these moments, you should remind yourself where you are and that you will spend most of the time outside discovering the beautiful landscapes and tasting amazing food – you will be back in your usual comfort zone soon enough, but the landscape and food will not be there with you. Having a bad day is normal. For lonely evenings where you are not feeling well, need your own space or sort out your thoughts, I can recommend you “Sweet Disarray” by Dan Croll. This music is perfect for switching off and let your sadness pass, instead of suppressing your feelings. The locals with a different sense of humor, different manners and ethics can also be out of your depth. But you will get to know them over time and understand their way and behaviour.

A new country can be overwhelming. For more information about a culture shock you can have a look at our blog post. Here we explain what will happen with you, when – out of a sudden – everything is new and unfamiliar. You can also always contact Natucate, we will prepare you for your trip and let you know what you can expect in your destination.