I Guess That Wasn't the End

I just spent a few hours reading through ALL of the past posts. Yes, all of them. And do you know what? I'm planning more adventures! But upon reading those posts and planning these new adventures, I realized some tips for you new adventurers out there.

1. One thing is how to pack. I prided myself on packing for four days in London in just my little backpack, but it'll be different when packing for a four-month trip. I packed two suitcases and a backpack to take to Europe when I left home, but it may be different for you. Some things to consider include whether or not you'll be staying in one place or one room, etc. I had a permanent residence there where I kept all of my stuff. Yes, I traveled, but I never had to pack up all of my things and move to a new place except when I left. That said, I still packed too much. I didn't wear all of the clothes I bought (style differences and such) and I bought clothes. I also could have bought the extra makeup and things while in Scotland, but I didn't know that.
2. So think. There for four months? OK, the weather will change. If you've got someone willing to send you different clothes, do that. Swap them out by mail. If not, just don't bring as many. No one is going to notice that you wore that same shirt twice last week because you happened to do laundry in between. They won't care.
3. Don't bring t-shirts except to sleep in, unless you want people to know you're an American. I didn't really care, but if you're on your own, it may not be as safe. You'll buy clothes when you're there anyway, so you should still bring only what you know you'll wear. Not "Well, if I go to this type of event, I'll wear this..." Nuh-uh. Don't think that way. It'll lead to more things in your suitcase and maybe even more suitcases.
4. Also along the packing light idea is that you'll buy souvenirs and, if you don't want to send them via mail (breakables and such), you'll want to pack them or take them in a carry-on which means displacing other carry-on items. You won't want an extra suitcase, like I had. Yeah, I didn't mention that. I packed 2 suitcases to travel TO Scotland, but I had 3 coming back. One was souvenirs.
5. PLAN! Yes, it's true what they say about "best laid plans", but at least if you have a plan and it goes awry, you're not completely up a creek without a paddle. You should make alternate plans. Other options. Be able to think on your feet. Like what happened with that hostel in Rome. OK, I'd made the reservations for the wrong night. But there was a vacancy so I wasn't scrambling, though I would've found something. I was able to use my lap top (which I had reluctantly brought with me and turned out to be a blessing) and book a different hostel and to double check the other reservations to make sure they were right. Plans may have to change, but if you have them you'll feel so much better and things will go a lot more smoothly.
6. Don't freak out. I did a few times and it doesn't help. I'm embarrassed to say that I freaked out about getting lost once or twice when hostels weren't where I had thought or where they had directed us to, but it all worked out. Part of it was sometimes not speaking the language, like in Rome and in Florence. We had trouble, but it ended up being all right.
7. Explore. OK, so you've got a map and no idea where to go for dinner. GO! Just start walking. Sometimes you find the coolest things such as the pictures at the end of this blog!
8. Make friends. Strangers don't have to stay strangers. I met some lovely people on my tours and just while walking around. If I'd felt more comfortable, I'd have truly met some friends, but I didn't have the confidence to put myself out there to make those friends. Not everyone is out to take advantage of you. That said...
9. Be careful. I mean it. Conceal your valuables and always keep a bit of extra cash in your bra or a hidden money belt just in case. Also, I have a passport card, separate from my actual passport, which I did keep in my money belt (or bra if I didn't have that). That way I could still be IDed as a US citizen at an embassy and could retrieve a new passport a bit easier. It was an extra few bucks, but worth it if you need it. Luckily, I never did, but things can happen.
10. Tours? YES! Even if they cost a bit extra, KNOWING what you're seeing is always so much more exciting than just LOOKING at something without understanding it a bit more. Free or paid-for, tours are worth the time/money/etc. that you put in.
11. FOOD! Food is a huge thing for me, especially since I aspire to attend culinary school some day. Try local delicacies. Haggis is disgusting, but I tried it. Fish and chips! I usually hate fried fish, but this stuff was amazing! Seriously. If you're ever in Edinburgh, look up Globe Trotters (it may be one word. I don't remember). Best fish and chips ever. So much better than anywhere else I tried it and I tried it all over the place in the UK. Nothing in the US comes close. But don't be afraid.
12. Lazy? You're like me. Don't be like me. I missed out on a couple of festivals and even a few nights out because I was "too tired" or something like that. Don't do that. Go on 4 hours of sleep. You'll have the memories and it's worth more than hearing the stories later because you were too lazy or too tired or whatever.

Those are my tips. I hope you take them to heart and learn from them. I'm serious. I had an amazing time and I'd do it all over again if I could. My next plan is to travel to Australia on a work and holiday visa some time after Feb. 2013. Hopefully with a friend or my cousin, but we'll see if either of them can make it. I'm going with or without someone, though. Expect a new blog!