It is summer, so travel plans are being made or have already been made. They say that it does not matter where you go, just who you're with. I firmly believe this and I also believe that it is important to have a good travel buddy. You can be friends with someone, but that does not mean that you should travel with them. It is important to remember that when you travel with someone, you're basically with them all of the time with no breaks. Now, if that sounds scary to think about with the person who you're about to travel with, you might want to rethink traveling with them. Here are ways to know if you've found the perfect travel buddy.
1. Silence is not awkward.
Talking and laughing is great, but, after a while, desperately trying to fill any silence is going to become hard. I do not care how much you love to talk, you need to be able to have silence that is comfortable.
2. Food
It helps if both of you have similar tastes in food or similar eating habits. If you are both complete opposites, you both need to be flexible on what the other one prefers or compromise. If you like McDonalds, but they hate McDonalds and want Burger King, but you both love Chipotle, then get Chipotle. Or you could get both McDonalds and Burger King. If you're that friend who hates buying food and who has to pack every meal, do not judge your friend who prefers just buying food. Like I said, be flexible.
3. Good Music
This is similar to the food situation. If you guys have the same taste in music, that's perfect! If not, switch off on radio stations or settle on the one that you both like or can tolerate.
4. Nothing goes as planned.
Trips are like life, nothing ever really seems to go as planned. This is when being flexible comes in handy again. Be willing to change anything at any time. If you were supposed to go to dinner at 7:30, but your friend forget to pack your contacts so you guys have to drive to store to get her some, then both of you need to stay calm and be willing to do what you have to do. Remember, nothing is the end of the world.
5. Sleep
If you guys are on a set schedule, sleep is just something that you both have to adapt to because you have a time to be up at. If not, remember to be courteous to each other. If you like to sleep in and your friend likes to wake up at the crack of dawn, meet in the middle. Do not waste the day sleeping, leaving your friend alone. On the other hand, do not make your friend wake up so early that they are in a bad mood all day. Do yourself a favor and settle on a time that you both can agree too. Also, account for time to get ready.
6. Directions
Whether you're driving, flying, or taking a train, one of you needs to be somewhat good with directions. Otherwise, you guys will end up in the middle of nowhere.
7. Good Vibes
Traveling with people who make you happy and who are positive is a good sign that you can travel with them.