The Things You May Not Expect From Travelling

Travelling is undeniably one of the most incredible, exciting, and rewarding experiences anyone could have, and despite all of the expected things you’ll discover – beautiful sights, good food, and unmatched activities – there’s plenty more that you should expect from your next getaway. Here are just some things you may not expect from traveling.

Friendly locals with incredible stories

One thing you should absolutely do whilst traveling is interacting with and talk to the locals. Don’t be hesitant – in almost every part of the world (and especially in tourism hotspots), the locals are friendly, welcoming, and willing to tell you all about their country.

Whether it’s in a bar, a marketplace or simply wandering the streets, be sure to stop and chat if and when you can – the locals can assist you in exploring, or they might simply provide an entertaining anecdote that enlightens you on the history of your location.

Self-realisations

Travelling will definitely teach you a lot about the world, but it also has the power to teach you a lot about yourself – especially if you’re traveling alone. When faced with new challenges and experiences, you’ll rethink what you’re capable of and realise just how much you ca22n take.

Although traveling is a fun thing to do, it can also be grueling – so you’ll be learning just how much you can put up with. Be sure to not hold yourself back and instead embrace every opportunity, and you’ll likely return home a more open, relaxed and fulfilled individual.

New lifelong friends

Believe it or not, travelling is the perfect opportunity to make new friends that could potentially last a lifetime. Friendships are often born out of hostels, where travellers share close quarters and effectively strike up close bonds for the duration of their stay.

If you’re a solo traveller, it’s even better – you could end up meeting your new travel partner. Don’t close yourself off, as you don’t know who you could end up becoming friends with.

Homesickness

Of course, not everything can be rosy – you’ll likely end up missing home at some point in your trip, whether you’re traveling with friends or alone. The combination of being away from familiar faces in unfamiliar territory will likely have you craving some home comforts after a while, but it will eventually fade. Don’t give in.

Remind yourself of how lucky you are to be traveling the world, and that you’ll be home eventually – but for now, keep in contact with friends and family on the phone and carry on enjoying your time away.

Strange cultural traditions

Some popular parts of the world also have some peculiar cultural traditions. See Thailand: twice a day, citizens will stop and pay respect to the National Anthem, playing over televisions and in public spaces.

That isn’t to mention other norms, such as taking your shoes off before entering significant buildings – you’ll need to brush up on your cultural knowledge before visiting your destination, so as not to make any faux pas and offend the locals.

Expect to eat some interesting dishes, too – many countries, especially in Southeast Asia, take their cuisine seriously. Some travellers have admitted to gaining 2 kilos as a result.

What else should your followers expect? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.