Is traveling for everyone?

In my last post I wrote about the benefits of being a traveler versus being a tourist.  When I re-read it I feel like it makes traveling seem glamorous and a no-brainer.  But is it really that simple?  No it is not.  If it was more people would be doing it.  Traveling is hard, sometimes very hard.  You have to be ready to deal with exhaustion, confusion, frustration, discomforts, and a lot of unknowns.  This is no snoozy week on the beach.  It’s not for everyone.  If you’re not ready to challenge your comfort zones, do a lot of research to plan your own experience, and be open to whatever comes your way you may not be ready for this kind of travel.

I would argue however that travel could be for most people if they just give it a chance, are open to taking the good with the bad, and are ready for a challenge.  We all have characteristics and traits that make traveling easier or harder for each of us.  Some of my skills, attitudes, and qualities that make traveling easier for me include:

1.       I have fairly expansive comfort zones.  I don’t have to be comfortable and at ease at all times.  I can tolerate discomfort (physical, social, mental).  It may hurt, feel awkward, uncomfortable, or strange right now but it won’t last forever.  An added benefit is being able to truly and more genuinely appreciate the comfortable places in life when I’m in them.

2.       I like being by myself.  This is particularly important when traveling solo. I don’t feel uncomfortable spending lots of time with just me – I don’t go stir crazy or feel  uncomfortable spending time with just me, myself, and I.

3.       I’m a great map reader.  I like figuring out maps and how to use them – transit maps, road maps, waterway maps.  Give me a map that is halfway accurate and I can get us anywhere.

4.       I’m not a picky eater.  There are a few things I don’t care for and will try and avoid but in general I’ll try almost anything.  This is particularly helpful when traveling to places where food choices are limited, communication is limited by language barriers, and food is very different from what I’m used to.

5.       I’m a planner.  I like to research and plan where I’m going.  I’m very detailed in my packing lists and thorough in my planning.  This trait has helped me time and time again when traveling.

6.       I don’t like being a tourist.  Going to the big tourist site with the masses is not interesting to me and it can actually feel kind of dreadful.  I’m uncomfortable in places that try and pamper you and offer overly personalized service.

7.       I like being a non-descript, anonymous observer.  I try to blend in as much as possible.  I love just observing and watching other people.   I don’t need to be entertained every minute – just people watching is entertainment enough.

So traveling is easy breezy for me and a natural fit, right?  Au contraire.  Now for some of the traits and qualities that make it more difficult for me as a traveler:

1.       I’m an introvert so I can easily spend long periods of time alone not interacting with others.  This makes it difficult for me to connect with others, strike up conversation with strangers, and ask for help when I need it.

2.       I don’t trust easily.  When traveling you do need to keep your guard up for scams, unsafe situations or people, but in general, most people want to help you and aren’t trying to take advantage of you.   I have a hard time remembering this.  It feels easier to keep my guard up and not trust anyone.  But because of that I think I miss out on a lot of opportunities and connections with others. I know that some people can get offended when you don’t take their offered help and they truly just want to help me, but my tendency towards distrust makes this difficult.  I have to constantly push my trust boundaries trying to find the balance between open and trusting with safe and guarded.

3.       I have difficulty going with the flow.  Because I’m such a huge planner if a plan gets derailed or I don’t have time to do research or make a plan I can sometimes be paralyzed.  I don’t know what to do or how to proceed. I can be in amazing place and feel stumped as to what to do and how to engage with others.  I envy people who can just go on a whim and prayer and trust that all will work out for the best (as it usually does).  As I get older I’m getting better in this area but I still have a long way to go.

4.       I’m terrible at bargaining.  Almost everywhere in the world bargaining is the norm and I’ve never liked it.  I’m not good at it and it makes me uncomfortable.  If I’m in a place long enough I sometimes build up some bargaining techniques but this is something I’ll never be great at it.

5.       I don’t like being a tourist.  Sometimes when you travel you have to be a tourist.  If I want to see a popular site I’m going to have to go with the masses.  A lot of places I go I’m going to stand out as a tourist (aka rich American) no matter how much I want to blend in.

6.       I’m not great at asking for help.  I’m not great at this in real life nor when I’m traveling.  When traveling you’re going to need help and assistance from others.  I always wait a little too long – continuing to try and figure it out on my own long past what is reasonable. 

With each trip I’ve gotten better at playing to my strengths and working around my weaknesses when it comes to travel.   Hence my enjoyment and ease with travel increase with each venture.  I hope this got you thinking about what traits and qualities you have that would make you a great traveler and what qualities might make it more challenging for you.  The trick is to take advantage of the former and learn how to compensate or work around the latter.