5 Common Regrets for the First time Traveler
By Nick July 19, 2007
Hi, my name is Rob Meyer and am the author of a new budget travel blog called Go Budget Travel. Nick graciously offered to feature me as a guest blogger on his site, so I am here today to share my insight on the topic of international travel.
I have been traveling and living abroad for close to 3 years now, and would like to share 5 common regrets first-time travelers have after making their first trip abroad. By hearing these regrets you should be able to pick up a few tips on what to take into account for your first travel abroad experience!
5 Common regrets of the first time traveler:
1.Traveling too quickly: This is one that I hear A LOT! For many first timers, their eyes are often bigger than their energy levels! Very often travelers try to schedule some outrageous itinerary where they visit 5 countries in 7 days, or something crazy like that. Not only is this an exhausting and unnecessarily expensive way to travel, but it doesn’t allow the traveler to actually get involved in and really learn about one place, one culture, one way of life, which are arguably the most rewarding aspects of travel.
2. Trying to do too much: Going along with number 1, you DO NOT have to spend every second of every day “doing something”. Take time to relax at a roadside café, or to talk to the locals. Stroll through a local market, or go get lost. You won’t develop an understanding for the places you visit if you are constantly racing from one site to the next. Take the time to relax and let yourself be immersed by your surroundings.
3. Spending too much time in internet cafés and hanging around the hostel: Internet cafés and hostels are traveler black holes, that we all get sucked into occasionally! However, try to limit the amount of time you spend in them, after all you did not come abroad to spend all your time emailing friends or watching movies in the hostel.
4. Not getting more involved in local life: One of the most rewarding and enlightening things a traveler can do is go out and get involved in the local life. Many first-timers are a little apprehensive of getting involved at first, as it takes you out of your comfort zone, forces you to try new things, and will sometimes make a fool out of you, but getting involved in the local way of life is BY FAR the best way to really learn about a culture. Take salsa lessons in South America, or participate in native ceremonies in Africa, go to the local dances, or just ride the bus and eat in local eateries. Meet locals and try new things, and don’t worry about making a fool of yourself. The enlightenment you will feel from truly “experiencing” another culture will far outweigh a little short-term embarrassment.
5. Not having more adventures: Your most memorable moments won’t be the time you spend in museums or at tourist traps, it will be the adventures you have in-between. Get outside your comfort zone, and free up some time in your itinerary, to go out exploring. Try bungy jumping, white-water rafting, go to lesser known sites, be mindful of safety, but take the opportunity to add some escapades and antics to your trip, you’ll never forget them!
Topics: Budget Travel Tips |
6 Responses to “5 Common Regrets for the First time Traveler”
Leave a Reply
« My Travel Quest Part One | Home | My Budget Backpacking Quest - The Rough Guide »
[...] There’s a guest post on Budget Globetrotting about the “5 Common Regrets of First Time Travelers” by the author of the blog Go Budget Travel and it really made me think… [...]
Interesting post. While I don't necessarily agree [see my thoughts] with all the regrets, it really made me think. I look forward to reading more from this author and I have bookmarked his blog.
Cari
Cari, glad you found it interesting. I do see what you're saying with #2 and #5, but I think he's trying to say that travelers need to find their equilibrium between the two.
I think he did a good job overall, and made very good points.
As for your blog, I like it. I saw you pinged me a few days ago but I couldn't find a link(?)
Thanks, Nick.
I'll have to dig up where I might have pinged you. I remember finding you but not exactly what story it related to.
I agree, he made some good points. I just think what's a regret for one might not be for another, just like his wonderful myth series.
Yes, it's hard not to do too much sometimes. Especially when you're only in a place for one day. There is a fine art to traveling, seeing sights and still relaxing.
Regrets should usually be short-lived. It helps to take them as an excuse to plan the next trip right away. After a bit of water ran down the river, most of those regrets make great travel tales you still can tell your grand-grand children. Hoepfully.
Cheers from Bali,
Chris
Life is what you make it!
http://www.nomad4ever.com