The Dao of Travel
After traveling for the last six years, I find myself comfortable to jump on any plane and go anywhere, with little bogging me down. But it didn’t start that way.
So I figure it is about time that I share some of my traveling insights, some obvious, others not so much.
Keep in mind that this list is fluid. I’m still learning. Changing. Trying new things. Because the world is changing. What worked once, doesn’t necessarily work now. Look at tourism. What started as a trickle (especially after Covid) has become a flood with many cities and countries overwhelmed. (Sorry Bali) So face it, travel has changed and to keep enjoying it we need to adapt. We need to be able to get out there and still feel the heart and soul of a city or country.
But there are different types of travel, some people travel as a way to escape and unwind. To splurge and spend the money that they’ve worked so hard to accumulate. In that case, head to the Four Seasons. Or take a cruise. (Different strokes for different folks). But this blog is not for you.
Whether you’re going for a week or a year (or more), this list should have something for everyone.
If you do nothing else, follow these first two steps.
Pack lightly.
I am constantly amazed why people wander through airports and down cobblestone streets lugging massive suitcases. What the hell do you think you need? Not to mention why do you want those hard shell cases? (Go soft I say — easier to crush into small places). Trust me, you need less than you think. And if you forgot something? Yo, there are stores in every city in the world. Make it a fun outing to find that tube of toothpaste.
Go slow. Less is more.
What’s the hurry? Real travel is more than a checklist. Even if you have limited time, pare it down. Don’t cram too much in. Jumping from country to country in a week or two doesn’t get you anywhere — you’ll come home exhausted with little memory of what you did and saw. Make room in your head for real memories — magical moments that only going slow will offer you.
Travel forces you to be in the moment. Without a doubt, one of its biggest rewards.
The goal is to seek out what is real. Authentic. Then you will understand the culture of where you are.
Patience my friends
I cannot say enough about the fact that you will confront situations that will frustrate you to no end. Waiting for an hour for your food (or check!) in a restaurant. The paperwork you must fill out to get a visa. Dealing with the local police when they stop you for some “who knows what” reason (and all you can do is slip them a little money). The world does not revolve around you. You are going into their world. Accept it. And what will help you? Patience.
Travel is a quick way to learn about yourself.
Food is the window into the world.
When I travel, I’m not afraid to say that coming to a country for their food is one of the top reasons I’m there.
Whether cooked at home or prepared in a restaurant, food is the connective tissue between all cultures and if you think about it, all human beings. It nurtures us and gives us our sense of identity.
I don’t know if there’s a better way to explore and enjoy a culture, than to indulge in their native dishes. Food that was grown there. Food that evolved there. Food that the locals call their own.
From street food in Bangkok, Mezzes in Turkey, or Injera in Ethiopia, everywhere you go food exposes the heart of a country. As a traveler, seek out and try what the locals eat. It can be a memorable experience. (Not always one to repeat I must say.)
Because what you’re actually looking for is an experience.
Don’t just use social media (or AI) to find a restaurant. If you do, you’re likely to find a long line waiting to get in. Wake up! Everyone reads the same recommendaitons that you do. Instead try walking down the street and pick one that is full of locals.
It’s easy to get locked into a cultural arrogance where we think our way is the best or only way. Every culture has something to teach us.
How to beat the crowds
Wake up at sunrise, walk around any town and enjoy the peacefulness. Bring your camera (the best photographs are at sunrise) Bathe yourself in the morning light. Enjoy yourself before the craziness sets in. When the buses start to roll in, find yourself a nice place to have lunch. Then go home and take a nap. Be quiet. Then in the evening go back out and enjoy the sunset. Have a drink of whatever’s good and local. Then a leisurely dinner. What a day.
The goal is the journey
In travel you lose control. Be ready to pivot at any time
When you travel with humility and respect, you open the door to understanding.
A smile will open many doors (and hearts).
Be humble
In some ways, we need to become invisible as we travel. It is not for us to exert our will and desires onto other cultures. It’s important for us to be quiet and listen to see who these people and cultures are and what we can learn and experience from them. Don’t assume we know the best. Know that we need to learn from them.
Travel can be irritating and perplexing. When you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, ask yourself “ what can I learn?”
Planning
Most of the time before you leave, you need to plan ahead and book — flights, hotels, restaurants, the list goes on and on. It can be a big, exhausting job (though AI is making it easier)
But once you are at your destination, don’t take that energy with you. Wake up and decide to try a day without a plan, see where the winds take you. You leave yourself open for surprise.
Research the weather when planning your trip.
Consider taking a tour when you first get to a city. Walking or biking, both are good.
AI, the game changer
This new addition to our lives has really made a huge difference. Whether for trip planning, route suggestions, menu translations, or what to see and do in a place, I find it has given me great insights and ideas. I use it almost every day now. I like ChatGPT for its organizational ability. But I also lean on Perplexity for more current restaurant suggestions and am now exploring Gemini. These apps are constantly changing, so it’s good to keep trying and see how they improve.
Of course, never take them for gospel — they lie way too much and will lead you down the wrong path. I like them for suggestions and inspiration. But with that in mind, you can have a good conversation with it — like having a travel agent at your beck and call.
When you’re interested in the history of a town or gazing at a cathedral, ask AI to tell you about it. It’s like your personal tour guide.
No Fear
As we travel, try not to be afraid of other people, other cultures, or other countries (though walking drunk down a dark alley at night is not a good idea anywhere). Treat it as an opportunity to find our shared humanity. We are all more alike than different.
Basically, the world is a wonderful place. People from other countries will embrace you and maybe even become your friend. They are as curious about you, as you are about them.
WhatsApp is a must have. It’s how people text and connect around the world. Free phone calls! What’s not to love?
Luxury
I am not attracted to spending great amount of money in resorts or fancy hotels. (Though I do like to be comfortable.) A modest hotel can put you nearer to others and give you the opportunity to interact with them. Luxury can be a treat, but tends to put boundaries between you and the world.
Stay off the boat, you will never find anything real while floating
While not everyone can master another language (I’m one of them), it’s important to learn a few words. Hello and Thank you top my list. But make Google Translate your friend. You can hold your phone up to any word and you’ll see it translated for you. And with AI, new tools are on their way.
If you can, buy a one way ticket
A few items to throw into your pack (short version)
An extra pair of glasses
A lightweight rain jacket
Merino wool is your friend. It’s expensive, but doesn’t keep a smell. So less washing.
Leave the cotton at home
Deciding what shoes to bring is the hardest decision
Throw a few 1 gallon and quart size Ziploc‘s into your bag
If you’re from the US, get a Charles Schwab debit card. They reimburse all international ATM fees.
If you are a man, get a slim wallet and keep it in your front pocket
Bring an International Drivers License with you if you plan on renting a car.
Backpacks are for the young. Buy Luggage with wheels, preferably two, as they will drag easily over the cobbles.
No more plastic
A Grayl purification bottle changed my ways. If you’re traveling to a country that the tap water is undrinkable (think Thailand… or India, or most of Asia) it gives you the freedom to have drinkable water wherever you are. Say goodbye to plastic!
Don’t be afraid to travel solo.
Time alone in the world can be extremely valuable. It can force you to interact with others and puts you in a position to connect. It also puts less pressure on you to do something maybe you’re not in the mood for. And you don’t have to put up with somebody’s snoring!
Travel keeps you young as you move out of your comfort zone. That’s why it gets harder the older you get.
If you visit a place you’ve been before, but want to see it like the first time, take someone with you who has never been.
STAY CURIOUS!
This list is only the tip of the iceberg. I’m sure I’m forgetting many things. But it’s a start!
Good luck and I mean it when I say “The world is a lovely place”
