10) Journal. This is something I wish I did throughout my entire time abroad. My travel posts on my blog have been from my journal, but after I get caught up to a certain point, my posts will be based off of my memory and pictures. Journaling allows you to express your thoughts and feelings and write down the events that are happening (or have happened or will happen) in your life. It's also another thing to do if you're bored on a long train ride.
11) (Try to) conquer fear--It holds you back. Try to let go of your fears because they could hold you back from some amazing things in life. For example, if you're afraid of heights, climb to the top of a church in Europe (many of them only have stairs). I assure you, the view of the city will be awesome. You don't have to stay up there too long--just look, snap a picture, and head back down. From that point on, you can officially say (with proof) that you climbed to the top!
12) If you want to go, go. Come on, you made it all that way to a different continent. If you want to go somewhere, find a way to make it happen. Perhaps you are on the trip of a lifetime--in my case, when else would I go and spend 3 months studying abroad in Europe? However, you also have to be a realist and come to grips with the fact that everything doesn't always work out the way we would like. Plan as best as you can, and if you can't make it to the place you want to go to, then that just gives you a reason to travel to that place/country in the future--from there, make the best out of the situation and plan different trip. Going to Rome/The Vatican for Easter Sunday Mass was the absolute prime trip I knew I wanted to take while studying abroad. It almost didn't happen because at the time, I couldn't get in contact with my friend who was supposed to go with me. I knew Rome was a crowded city and that it probably wasn't the best place for me to go solo. But I had to change my mentality. I had only been in Germany for about a week and a half, and now I was going to take a 12-13 hour train ride to Italy by myself...Was I scared? Heck. Yes. But I knew (as did my family & friends) that I had to make Rome happen for myself.
13) Enjoy street performers...and tip them. In Europe, I came across many street performers. This ranged from magicians to dancers to musicians to this one guy in Amsterdam who was a comedian/magician/walked on glass. If you really enjoy an act, by all means, give them money. For many of these entertainers, performing is their only source of income. Some may even have CDs that you could buy!
14) Talk to strangers. Your parents probably taught you when you were young to never talk to strangers. However, when you're in a foreign country, you have to put that lesson aside sometimes. I ended up becoming friends with (or at least talking to) complete strangers during my travels. At times I can be more of an introvert, so I had to step out of my comfort zone--get out of the bubble. And I'm glad I did! You never get to meet new people or learn about others unless you talk to them yourself. As with most of my travel tips, be smart about it. Be cautious about who you talk to and what information you share. Unfortunately, there are people out there who take advantage of travelers/tourists/people in general, so just be careful.
Feel free to comment with some of your own travel tips! :)
Peace. Love. Happiness.
--TR
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