Avoiding The Travel Blues
Posted by A Pampered Life in
Travel,
Travel Advice on January 8, 2010 |
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Travelling the world for a year or two has become a rite of passage for many young Australians. But without the proper preparation, that trip of a lifetime can descend into a holiday from hell. Bhriannon Stokes offers four golden rules to ensure you’re not caught out…
Your bags are packed, every last piece of clothing neatly folded in your suitcase. Passport in hand you begin your new journey to a foreign land in the hope that you’ll walk away from your year overseas with a new perspective on life and hundreds of great memories.
Then you arrive.
The water is undrinkable, you have no idea what anyone is saying, the food is not to your liking and people just refuse to stop staring at you.
It occurs to you that this year might not be all it promised. Suddenly, inexplicably, you start to miss home.
Although some might call this ‘bad luck’, such occurrences are not uncommon. All you need to do to survive living in a foreign country is keep in mind these simple rules.
1. Know your new home
It may seem an obvious point, but it is one a lot of people forget. Do the customs of this country require you to bow instead of shaking people’s hands? Will you need to brush your teeth with bottled water? Is bribery both expected and illegal at the same time? A little research can go a long way – as can talking to a few of the locals before you arrive. It can save you from some embarrassing encounters and run-ins with the law.
2. Check dress codes and the status of women
This one may offend some readers, but it is an undeniable fact of life. In some countries, the status of women is lower than that of men and dressing accordingly is a must. If you’re not comfortable with this, it’s probably best to avoid the country altogether. Even in countries where equality is a major factor, it may be inappropriate to dress in your favourite cut-off tee and shorts when strolling down the street.
3. Learn that sexy, foreign language
You don’t have to be bilingual before you leave, but it’s a good idea to know enough of the language to get around town. Not only will be enormously helpful if you get lost or in other difficulties, but the locals will love you for at least trying to speak their language. Talking loudly and slowly in English is a poor substitute.
4. Climate change… or lack thereof
Ever tried going from 30 degree heat to -11? It’s not fun. Make sure you work out the temperatures before you leave so you’re not ending up heading to a country 40 degrees colder than your own (and it goes without saying that you need to pack appropriately). If you can, plan to leave at a time when the climates of your hometown and your destination will be similar (generally spring/autumn) to give yourself time to adjust.
If you follow these rules, by the end of the trip you should return home fulfilled and proud of yourself for facing the trials and tribulations of a year away from home.
Now, time to plan your next adventure…
Image by: Heaven`s Gate (John)