"Don't be afraid: I was terrified of traveling by myself. I worried about things going wrong such as missing my train/plane/getting lost. Really in the end you have to be brave and have faith that things will turn out all right and that it's all part of the experience. You'll never forget those moments and you learn from them. I learned this when I missed my train to get to England. I was upset mostly because that was money down the drain. I ended up calling my mom in tears, she asked me where I was, [and] I told her in Paris. “[What] are you upset about,” she said, “you’re in Paris!"
I know it's cheesy to say that "money comes and goes," and "everything happens for a reason," but in all honesty, I believe it! So don't be afraid! Branch out because you'll never regret it.”
Katherine (Vancouver, Canada)
Lemons into Lemonade
Sometimes the best experiences come out of a situation that feels like the worst. When I was trying to get to Israel from Egypt I ended up having to turn back at the border after spending 8 hours on the hottest bus imaginable. I got into a town called Nuweiba in the middle of the night. Hot, exhausted and running out of money, I spent what little I had left on a tiny hotel room with no air circulation and a concrete slab under my mattress. The next day I couldn't wait to get back to Cairo on the bus that left at 4pm. I left the hotel complex for the first time in full sunlight and what should my eyes behold?? Golden sand laying at the feet of beautiful mountains specked with wild camels and about 50 feet ahead of me...the shores of the Red Sea with Saudi Arabia visible across the water. It was incredible. Before I left on my bus I had enough time to smoke a little hookah, have great conversation with some locals and snorkel with the fish from a privately rented boat. Always, ALWAYS turn lemons into lemonade. Never give up hope that it will all work out the way it's supposed to!
Nick (New York, New York)
"If you have the opportunity, keep some open days in your schedule. Planning ahead is smart, but you'll most certainly find things you'll want to do but didn't schedule while you're there."
Amber (Buffalo, New York)
"Stay in a hostel if you can, even for just a night. It sounds scary to some, but it was definitely an experience. There are hostels just for students or young travelers, and those can be great - especially if you're traveling in a group with friends."
Amber (Buffalo, New York)
"If you meet a friendly local, ask them for some ideas of what to do on your visit. You're more likely to experience the country like locals do, rather than tourists. For example, a professor of mine toured France and met up with his friend. They went to this French kitchen where they took a French cooking class and then followed that by eating dinner with a few other couples and the chef. He said it was one of his most favorite travel experiences ever and it's not on any top 10 list."
Amber (Buffalo, New York)
"... a word to use when in India, especially in Delhi. If you are a tourist you will be quickly singled out to either sell stuff to or be a target for con men.
Saying 'Cello' with an emphasis on the 'Che' at the start is local slang for "I don't want that." It's quite a forceful word to use however, so don't go using it on hotel staff but to the folks in the marketplaces and streets it suggests that you know your way around India a bit and they will tend to leave you alone."
Rob (Eastbourne, England)
"When [you're] in Europe and are approached by dancing [gypsies], make a run for it because they want to pick your pockets."
Jamey (Lewiston, New York)
"Kiss everyone on the cheek, unless they have nice lips".
Jamey (Lewiston, New York)
"Don't feel bad for the women in the red light district.They make thousands more than you do in a year."
Jamey (Lewiston, New York)
“Indulge in the food and beverages of your travels! You can't go to Memphis without eating some awesome BBQ! You also can't go to Paris without eating cheese and crêpes or drinking wine! Would you go to Italy and not eat pasta?! Eat foods that you think you might not like...you might surprise yourself and find that it's delicious!"
Greta (New York, New York)
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