The older we grow, the more desires we have and one of them is to become independent and travel alone. I still remember the time of my childhood when I was always forced to follow my parents everywhere they went. Though it was such a great time and I liked travelling with my family, I was seeking to get free will, explore myself, move around wherever I want, and whenever I want, just like every kid across the globe.
In general, we all step out of our comfort zone at times and let ourselves sail around like a boat for a certain time. Although that is not something that should be happening when it comes to travelling alone whether it is your first experience, or you have traveled numerous times. You keep learning as life throws new challenges at you and every new trip is a continuous journey full of surprises for sure, but there are some hacks of that can upgrade your adventure and make it safe, satisfying you to the fullest.
Here are five simple hacks I would like to share with you to enhance your experience.
1.AVOID VISITING STRANGE PLACES – ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT!
The first thing to keep in mind while travelling solo is to avoid visiting strange places, especially during night hours. It sounds quite obvious, but as practice shows, even experienced travelers can easily face troubles. It was this one time I had accidentally stumbled upon an area in Paris that I had never heard of before. I just ignored the fact that it was my first time there because western Europe is well known for its safety and welfare however the reality was different as I saw someone being mugged just a few steps away from me. In that moment I realized that I could have been the victim as well. After researching on internet about this place, I figured out that the area I had been to was unwise to visit. I definitely should have researched about it before going there. That there is a good reason to be cautious because even the safest cities have adverse neighborhoods.
2. EAT ONLY WHEN SURE
The second tip is to help you try different cuisines from around the world without upsetting your stomach. Each cuisine is unique in a certain way, but components of dishes and the way people cook are different in every country. It is a pretty common phenomenon, that the food you eat does not seem tasty to your friend from another part of the world. This is logical and normal. We all have different conditions of living, preferences and needs. You might be surprised but testing new food can negatively affect our systems. Representatives of many nations tend to eat sea food whereas consumption of dairy products by them is low due to the incompatible combination of these products together (K Campbell, 2005). So, before eating a meal in a new place, familiarize yourself with the ingredients used and make sure your body is tolerant to the food you are planning to eat to avoid any kind of uneasiness and health issues while on a trip.
3. KNOW THE BASICS OF THE LOCAL LANGUAGE OF THE PLACE YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL
In the world of globalization, English speaking individuals are not supposed to face any difficulties during foreign vacations. However, according to The telegraph there is still a certain number of countries such China, Russia, Argentina and others, where less than 10 percent of population can speak English (Oliver Smith, 2019) which makes it difficult for them to converse and travel to foreign countries. Hence before moving to countries with similar situations, it is advisable to learn the basic level of the local language of these places. Once I was in a similar situation as well when I traveled to Dominican Republic. Spanish was the only way to communicate there due to which I had to learn the important phrases of that fabulous language immediately to be in touch with people there and to avoid getting lost. To learn a new languange, click here.
4.BE AWARE OF THE CULTURE, MORAL VALUES AND THE LAWS OF YOUR TRAVEL DESTINATION
Rules, traditions, moral values and cultural heritage are an integral part of every ethical unit. These aspects distinguish a particular culture from the other parts of the world. As a traveler you are always recommended to familiarize yourself with the lifestyle, culture and values of the place you are planning to travel since each destination is different from one other. So, exploring and respecting rules as well as moral values of the destination you are going to visit is a simple and very important key to make your adventure enjoyable.
5.KNOW THE CURRENT TRENDS OF YOUR TRAVEL DESTINATION
Unfortunately there is no guarantee that our journey is going to work out the way we imagined and planned it to be. There are several factors such as natural disasters, political protests and others that can spoil your trip. Thanks to technology, we are connected with all parts of the globe and are aware of the different situations at different places. Make sure that you monitor the current events in your travel destination a couple days before you leave so you are prepared and take precautions. It is recommended to avoid travelling to countries under turmoil and unrest for your safety.
Despite the fact that travelling alone has several risks and disadvantages, adventure trips are one of the best moments we can experience in our opinion. Keep these hacks in mind and travel hassle free. To know more hacks and tricks about travelling solo, visit https://www.smartertravel.com/15-mistakes-avoid-traveling-solo/
Travel, explore and be happy!
References
K Campbell3, S. (2005). Systemic lactose intolerance: a new perspective on an old problem. [ebook] Cafdiff: Cardiff University, Heath Park. Available at: https://pmj.bmj.com/content/81/953/167.info [Accessed 22 Mar. 2004].
Oliver Smith (2019). Mapped: Where to go if you can't be bothered to learn the language. [online] The Telegraph. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/mapped-english-speaking-countries/ [Accessed 6 Nov. 2019].
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