THE CHALLENGES YOU MAY FACE WHEN TRAVELING

As we grow up, we're taught the idea that life seems easy and that everything works out perfectly all the time. Life is sugar-coated with perfection, even what we're exposed to seems to look perfectly. That's why when we're faced with obstacles sometimes, we don't know how to deal with it. We want a solution right away, we want it to be solved in that exact moment.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

But the truth that nobody tells you is that patience is key. Patience means success, it means if you manage to get through it, you survived. Perhaps instead of constantly thinking life means perfection, we need to see reality. It's not always going to be like in the fairytales you read about growing up, but it doesn't mean life won't ever turn out with a happy ending. We just need a miracle, and that miracle only happens when we believe it's possible. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I think this applies to pretty much any situation. You may think you'll never be able to go on that dream trip you always keep at the back of your mind, or get the results you want or even the life that you've always imagined for yourself, but work hard enough, be patient enough and believe enough to make it happen. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The more I keep on traveling, the more I realize the reality we face when traveling. The reality nobody ever talks about or wants to talk about. The truth is, traveling is a hassle. Whether we are blinded to that fact or we know it, traveling is a hassle, regardless of whether you are in a group, with loved ones or solo. Below, I will share some of my personal struggles around the globe, not in hopes of discouraging you to travel, but to give you a better understanding on how despite it all, there is still beauty in going out there. Additionally, when people hear solo travel, they don't immediately make the connection between hardship and solo travel, but the truth is, traveling alone may be more hectic than traveling with a group, especially since you are mostly left alone to deal with the problems.

1) Lost Item(s)

On one of my trips to Morocco, I was taking out some cash to buy a dress when I quickly realized I had lost an entire stack of bills. I had no idea where it fell or if someone took it or if something else happened. It's upsetting when these small things happen to us sometimes, but on the brighter side I thought it could've been worse. What if I had lost everything on the first day instead of the last? Or, what if I had lost my passport instead? That would've been a nightmare. In certain destinations, you need to be more vigilant as there are a lot of professional pickpockets and you may be a victim. Always keep your belongings close to you, or somewhere safe. I don't recommend keeping all your money in one place.

2) Easy Target

When you travel alone, you may become an "easy target" and you need to be more mindful, especially if you are female. Of course this may destination specific, but I honestly treat every place the same. I avoid staying out late when I can, and I try to not make it seem that I'm alone. Thankfully I have never encountered any issues, but I also find that I'm quite careful. For example, I would rather pay more and stay in a safer neighborhood when choosing a hotel. I don't typically book hostels. I prefer to book my rides through the app if there is one, such as Uber or Grab, as I have a record of the driver if needed. Join group tours for day trips and research about local customs and attire prior to your trip, to avoid getting judged or attention from locals.

3) Communication

It's no doubt that communication is key and language plays an important role, no matter where you are in the world. However, it's important to remember that non-verbal language is just as important too and certain gestures may offend people of some cultures as meanings could differ. I have traveled to many countries where English is not the primary language, and where Google Translate is nonexistent. I got by, simply by relying primarily on my non-verbal skills and other translation applications to get by.

If you are not too comfortable with countries where it may be harder to communicate with locals, I recommend starting off with English-speaking countries if you are a first-time traveler or perhaps getting a portable Wi-Fi or a sim card with data that will allow you to have the internet for translation, if needed. Traveling with someone who speaks the language is one of the best options, but it may not always be an available solution. It is also helpful to learn some basic words or phrases in the language. You can also hire a local guide.

4) Time Zones

While you may be in the same area of the world, you must always check the time, and the time zone for that destination, as it can vary from place to place. A few years ago, I almost missed my flight due to a miscalculation of time. I was leaving Saranda, Albania and had a ticket booked on the ferry to Corfu, Greece. When I got to Greece, I was taking my time and thought I'd have at least an hour to explore the island before having to go to the airport, but to my surprise, I realized that Greece is one hour ahead, so the hour I thought I had, was no longer there. I had to rush over to the airport to catch my flight.

5) Getting Sick

Whether it's food poisoning or a cough, fever or cold, there is no doubt that any sickness that comes when traveling can turn your trip upside down. It's crucial to have travel insurance, especially if you intend on being away for an extended period of time. It is also important to carry some medicines with you, in case of emergency. Certain places may not have the same products that you are used to. Keeping a basic first aid kit with you and saving the local emergency numbers can be extremely helpful.

Accessibility to purchase medication may not be an option, especially if you are in a remote area. Health is a luxury, and it is often taken for granted. As someone who hates taking medication, I always ensure to keep some handy, in case I have no choice but to take it. When you don't feel good, and you are not close to home, it makes the trip even harder, especially if you are traveling alone. I've had food poisoning before and it was not fun. It was hard, and threw me off completely. But I've also had other unexpected issues come up when traveling that I've had to deal with. When I was in the Maldives for a week, I could barely walk due to a rash I got on my first day. I couldn't wear any pants and had to stay in my swimsuits all week long. Vaseline helped me heal. Painful ear infections have also arise after my day tours to the islands of Southeast Asia, and with no ointment for it, the trip had to be cut short due to intense pain.

6) Short on Cash

Didn't bring enough cash and ran out of money before your trip is over? Always ensure to carry an "emergency" stash with you. Keep your emergency money separate from everything else and change only if absolutely necessary. Budgeting prior to your trip may help you get a better idea on how much you could potentially spend, but for me personally, I have never used a budgeting application for my trips.

I recommend traveling with at least 1 credit card and a bank card as a backup. Relying strictly on cash can be an issue. When visiting Central Asia in the past, I had to withdraw money from the ATM, as they would not accept Canadian Dollars. Any U.S dollars or Euro was accepted at the currency exchanges, but I didn't have either as the little amount I had brought of my U.S dollars (I always bring some as a backup), was already done. Doing a quick research about local currency rates and having back up currencies can save you.

7) Limited Dining Options

I remember my first trip to Japan a couple of years ago, and the way I struggled to find food. At the time, I was fairly new to traveling and not as experienced. I was scared to eat at any restaurants in case I couldn't confirm the ingredients in the dish. This fear came after I almost bought a drink with sake (I didn't realize it due to the poor translation job on my phone). On that trip, I would eat one meal a day, and that was at the breakfast buffet at the hotel. For the rest of the day, I bought snacks I was familiar with from 7-11 and ate that. Fast forward a few years later, when I visited Japan for the second time. Food options were not as limited, and I knew better on how to find what works for me.

Aside from this, it is important to note that depending on where you are traveling to, food may be limited or the restaurants may close early. When visiting Iceland, we brought our own food and stopped at the supermarket on the way to the hotel, since it's quite far. The general rule I had at the back of my head was to fill up gas whenever I came across a station, as I don't know when I'll find the next one. I applied the same rule for the restaurant and supermarkets. The snacks I brought from home also came to the rescue, when we couldn't find any open restaurants nearby at 8 pm when we woke up from an afternoon nap.

The list could go on, and with a lot more examples. After traveling to over 50 countries, I've had my fair share of challenges along the way. Some unexpected, some that could have been avoided and some that came to make me stronger and more resilient. While being prepared is helpful, there are some things that you can never see coming. Instead, I say that it is best to remain patient, no matter how bad or hard the challenges may be. Do not let the hiccups and delays interrupt you from having a good time. If issues arise, be patient but try to identify the "good" in it and learn from it. Perhaps it is stopping you from something else, or it's a means of protection for you, to delay you or get you to slow down.

Whatever it may be, just remember that we don't live in a perfect world after all and the challenges we face in life or during our travels is a learning process.