The first time I boarded a flight that would take me on an adventure to the unknown, I thought I was prepared. If I was any more ready, I would be yellow and porous, and living in a pineapple under the sea, making my way to the Krusty Krab. My suitcase was packed and underweight, my camera was charged and full of storage, and my passport was tucked neatly into my backpack, as ready to see the world as I was. But there are a few things I would like to have known before that flight finally landed. So here's to you, my fellow traveler.
1. Culture shock is a real thing.
This is especially true when you are entering into a country where you can’t even speak the native language. It is frustrating not having the ability to understand and be understood—and in a place where it seems that even the sun shines differently, that can really get to you. But before you pull your hair out and throw it at the taxi driver because you have no idea what he's saying to you or how much to pay him, take a deep breath. Getting used to being in a new place will take time and patience and maybe a pocket dictionary.
2. Find your expectations, crush them, and then burn them.
The ability to be flexible on these adventures important. From the food to the friendly locals, nothing will be what you expect. You will have entered into a culture and way of life that is like nothing you have ever experienced before. And when you have gotten past the initial shock (or maybe not so much), you will realize that the water or electricity may shut off at any given time for any amount of time. The reason the neighbors are laughing may be because they’ve never seen a cockroach make a person dance like that before. The strange mumbling that older gentlemen has been directing towards you all evening may, in fact, be a marriage proposal. But let your inhibitions go—be a sponge! You might learn a thing or two from the things that scare you at first.
3. Cherish every trifle and every triumph.
Time slips away from you quickly, and before you know it, you will be on the plane back home. So do not, I repeat, do not, get absorbed in negativity. Being in a developing country is no picnic, and being surrounded by poverty and corruption can take its toll. But learning to live simply and appreciate this simplicity can make your time there more valuable than you could have imagined. Through the good, the bad, and the uneventful, live as freely as you can and love every moment you live there.
4. If you think you saw something out of the corner of your eye, you probably did.
Imagine the creepiest crawly you have ever seen. Now imagine that three times larger. You will come across these critters, big and small, more often than you would like to, and casually squashing them as you prance across a room will become second nature. These creatures are a part of life there, and you will get used to them pretty fast. But even if your confidence when it comes to battling the bugs is high, always proceed with caution. Scorpion stings are no joke. So shake your shoes out in the morning, use those mosquito nets, and don’t stick your hands in dark places.
5. Your time is worth a lot more than your money.
If you are a foreigner of a certain complexion in many developing countries, you may immediately be labeled as wealthy. Whether you have loads of money to your name or none at all, you could be taken advantage of. You will think that you’ve made an honest friend, only to find out that they want a few things from you before you go (and sometimes, you may find that they’ve taken a few of your things already). That can really hurt. It’s hard to understand. But remember that the relationships you make with people, and the time you spend getting to know them and their way of life will mean a lot more to you and them at the end of the trip than that smart phone you lost. You may come from two different worlds, but you both still have two eyes, two ears, and a heart, so forget about the monetary differences.
6. The poorest people in the world are the most generous.
And it’s baffling. You might be lucky enough to spend time with a family or two who will welcome you into their homes as one of their own. They’ll offer you the best seat at their table and a huge meal of the family's favorite food. It might not be five-star cuisine, but whatever they have, they’re giving it to you—even if they can’t afford to feed themselves and their children more than a bite of bread each day. Accept their kindness graciously, and appreciate the respect they’re showing you whole-heartedly. You might not realize just how much they’re giving.
7. The books don’t tell you everything.
Chances are, there’s a lot you don’t know about the country you’re visiting, and no book can prepare you completely. The things you do or see might not be your version of normality, so you will make some mistakes, and you will learn a lot, like not to use tap water to brush your teeth and not to buy meat from that street vendor. And while your mistakes may, at the time, seem like they are of nightmarish proportions, just keep your head up and ask for help when you need it. A willingness to ask for help can save you from a lot of trouble. It’s important to remember, too, that no matter how taboo something may seem to you, this is a way of life for a lot of people. Even if you don’t participate in it, try to respect it.
8. If you don’t have a picture, did it even happen?
Yeah. It definitely happened. Some beauty is beyond what can be captured in a photo, so use those fabulous eyeballs of yours! They’re attached to your face for a reason. It’s amazing how distracted we can get while trying so hard to hold on to memories—and it’s amazing how often we forget that the easiest way to do that is to live in the moment. Don’t get me wrong; you’ll have the photo ops of a lifetime. You’ll want to share some of those incredible moments with everyone, but it’s okay to keep some for yourself, too.
9. Reverse culture shock is a real thing, too.
Some people get angry. Some feel relieved. And some people are downright depressed. The fact is, going from point A to a really far away point B just isn’t easy, and coming back can be a whole lot worse. When people ask you how the trip was, you won’t always know how to answer. There isn’t a way to communicate everything you’ve seen, felt, and experienced—and that will frustrate you like you won’t believe. If you are angry, don’t be. It’s hard having so much when you have seen people with so little, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of or upset about. Just do your part to show understanding and give a little back for all that you receive. If you’re relieved, I’m glad you are happy to be home. It feels nice to be with your couch and beloved Netflix again, doesn't it? But don’t forget how at home you felt when you were thousands of miles away. And if you are depressed, stop mourning for the end of a great trip—be grateful for the experience, and look forward to the next.
10. Pack lots of Pepto.
Take it from a veteran traveler: when they talk about travel ups and downs, they don’t just mean airports and emotions. We’re talking that questionable dinner you picked up on the side of the road from the guy who said he’d give the foreigner a good deal. If you are in these far corners of the Earth, you are sure to have some tummy troubles at least once or twice. But, as you’re clutching your toilets in all your dehydration and exhaustion, willing the spirits to take you, remember: this too shall pass. While you’re busy over-packing for your big trip, don’t forget to toss in a bottle of Pepto Bismol. You’ll thank yourself later.
