In July of 2009, I had the amazing opportunity to go to Eastern Europe for two weeks. Traveling for the first time on my own, without my family. I was fresh out of high school, an eighteen-year-old shy girl & completely out of my comfort zone. I had no idea what to expect, but I did know one thing -- it would be one helluva ride!
I chose to travel to Eastern Europe because it is so rapidly changing, I wanted to be able to experience it. There was something magical about being in a different part of the world, a place that is so unfamiliar. I had never seen anything so old and rich with history -- I loved every minute of it! I can wholeheartedly say that it was one of the best experiences of my life. I grew tremendously as a person & I believe it helped me adapt to college & being on my own in general.
Because this July marks seven years since my trip, I thought I would share with you seven things that I learned while traveling.
1. Go outside of your comfort zone: If you're anything like me, going off to another country without knowing a thing about travel can be a pretty daunting thought! I am so glad that I didn't let my fears of being on my own affect my decision to travel. You will have the experience of a lifetime & are bound to meet some very special people along the way if you open yourself up to the challenge, chances are you won't regret it!
2. Document everything: Right before I left for my trip, my aunt & uncle gave me a beautiful journal to write in while I was on my travels. It would have never occurred to me before to write everything down, so I am very thankful they had given it to me! I love going back & reading it to reminisce on the little day to day things that I might not have remembered otherwise. Another way to document is to take lots of pictures, of everything & anything. You will be glad that you did! I also saved little momentos like metro tickets, museum flyers, leftover coins, etc. Those items would be great to put into a scrapbook later on!
3. Don't overpack: I learned this the hard way. At the time, I didn't think I was overpacking. I had one checked suitcase & a duffle bag as a carry on, which was fine for traveling through the airport. Not so fine for traveling through Europe. We walked to a lot of train stations & bus stations, meaning I had to carry my luggage for fairly long distances. I would opt for a backpack & a small suitcase if I were to do it again, packing as minimal as possible. My advice would be to go easy on the toiletries, you can aways buy stuff while you are at your destination. If you are going on a long trip, you don't need to pack different clothes for every day. There are launders everywhere in Europe! Just drop your dirty clothes off in the morning on your way out to explore & pick them back up later on.
4. Travel by train: This is a great way to see the country! When walking or taking public transportation isn't an option, hoping on a train is a wonderful alternative. It's also a very cost effective way to travel between countries. Plus, it is fun!
5. Walk places: Walking tours were one of my favorite parts of traveling Europe. In some way, it made me feel more like a local. Most European cities have extraordinary metro systems & public transit which are definitely worth learning how to use, but walking around the cities gives you a different perspective of where you are. You'll never know what you'll find around the next corner or down that cobblestone alley!
6. Dive into the culture: I have to admit - Hungarian food is definitely not my favorite. But how many people can say that they ate Hungarian food in Hungary?! Well, besides every person who lives there ;) definitely no one I know! My point is, try everything the country you are exploring has to offer. Go to the local markets, eat the food (even if it's something you would never try back home) & try to learn the language. If I went to France, you can bet your bottom dollar that I would try escargot! Even if it totally gives me the creeps. Or maybe I would just stick to champagne & croissants.
7. Know your surroundings: Safety is always a priority, especially if you are traveling alone. Make sure you have a map of the place you are visiting with a clear picture of how to get around. It's also a good idea to let people know where you will be going. Sending a quick email to someone letting them know what your plans are for the day would also be a great idea! Most hotel lobbies have computers with internet access, for a small fee. Hotel receptionists are also great resources for getting around!
I don't know about you, but all of this travel talk has got me dreaming of far off places...where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?!