The Importance of People

Hey travel gurus!

If you’re planning an upcoming trip that isn’t just a solo ride, you’re going to have to make some serious selections about who you are willing to spend a week in paradise with. The truth of the matter that without the right people, your trip just won’t feel right and bringing the wrong people can turn your whole trip sour. So to help make your selection process easier, I am here to provide you with a list of the main three criteria you should consider when picking the perfect people for your perfect trip.

Are these people ones you are willing to connect with and build memories with? In most cases, when you travel somewhere, it won’t be somewhere where there will be routine visits. Even if you end up visiting the same place next year, you won’t be the same person and won’t be experiencing it the same as last time. When you travel with people you can’t unwind with, you waste a whole trip’s worth of fun and memory-making. Make sure the people you travel with are ones you’re willing to make an entire trip’s worth of memories with.

Will they affect your mood positively? The equation of emotional well-being also applies to your traveling endeavors. It's well-known that hanging out with negative people will inevitably make you a negative or negatively-feeling person. Human interaction is an important way to enhance an experience such as traveling and doing it with bitter people will only make it a bitter experience. Bring along people who are happy and nonjudgmental and will push you to have the best experience you can possibly have. When you're traveling there's no need to add on any extra stress like putting up with others' poor attitudes. Good vibes always.

Will they contribute anything meaningful to this trip? If these people are not meaningful to you, chances are the trip won’t end up being sentimental either. Bringing someone that means a lot to you will make the whole trip mean more to you and increase the bond you already have with that person. Whether this is your soulmate or preciously obnoxious family, traveling with people you love creates even more reasons to love them.

Hope this helped make your selection process for your upcoming trip easier and realize who is deserving of a trip with you.


Thanks for reading!
Taz

Picking the Essentials

Hey Travel Gurus!

Traveling forces you to be smart and tactical with how you compress your life’s needs in an itty bitty suitcase. Even more difficult is discerning what items you may need in a tiny to go kit, which can prepare you for all of life’s emergencies. However, if you include method in your last minute packing madness, I am certain that you will be able include the right things in your emergency kit. To help, here are things I’m sure to include in my tiny travel kit.

This bag is usually one I will bring on the plane or in the car with me to provide me with what I need when I need them. For that reason, make sure to look up liquid container guideline for airplanes ahead of time so you aren’t greeted with a trashcan for your expensive perfume to be thrown in – take it from someone who’s witnessed the horror herself.

With guidelines and space concerns in mind, my emergency kit it pretty basic, consisting of items that are multi purposeful and can be used interchangeably. Facial wipes are also good as hand wipes when as a clothes stain remover when I forget my Tide to go stick. Sunglasses are also a must since it takes your eyes a while to adjust to the bright sun after being tucked away in a dark plane. Phone necessities such as a portable charger and headphones are always with me. A good book to read is also a great thing to bring for when your smartphone on airplane mode just doesn’t provide you with enough entertainment. I keep Band-Aids and Neosporin with me just in case of any minor injuries. A toothbrush and toothpaste can also come in handy, especially when you’re on a very long flight and especially when your mouth is full of braces and wires like mine.

 Cosmetic wise, I tend to keep things quite basic since I am traveling hours on end with a bunch of people who are as disgruntled and unobservant as me. When I do opt to take makeup alone with me, I choose items such as a basic lipstick that can be used as blush and an eyeliner that can double as an eyebrow filler. Makeup wipes are also a must as sleeping in an airplane seat is already uncomfortable enough without lashes smothered in dried mascara. I also make sure to bring along lotion as the high altitude exponentially increases my tendency for dry and cracked skin.

Remember, this is just my personal preference and what makes your emergency kit yours is what special and personally valuable things you keep with you on your journeys.

Thanks for reading!

Taz

Terrific Train Tips

Hey Travel gurus!

Of all the transportation our modernly mechanized society has to offer, it seems like trains are the ones conversed about the least. Having been on several train rides around the world myself, I’ve picked up on constant tips and reminders you should keep in mind whenever and wherever you decide to step on a train.

1.)    Do your research. Especially if you are under economic restraints, it is important to make sure that you pick a train brand and option that best suits your needs. Since traveling by train is cheaper than air travel but considerably more expensive than other forms of transportation, it’s important to try and look for discount options ahead of time and if train travel will become a regular occurrence for you, it might save you money over time to join a rewards. This is an extremely important step because you want to make sure that you don’t board a train and have your mood ruined by later figuring out that there was another more affordable and better suited option. Also do a quick online search on what your train seat looks like so you aren’t surprised that you onboard suite only has one bed when you’re a family of four. Remember, train travel is very versatile in terms of what types of travel means it can offer you with and offering options that adhere to your personal budget, so make to take the time to explore each possibility

2.)    Schedule ahead wisely. Make sure to wake up early that day to mentally and physically prepare yourself. Just like preparing to head to the airport, eat a hearty breakfast, do a final check of your bags and leave the house in time to make it the station at least one hour before your train departs. This is to make sure that no mishaps or accidents can get in the way of boarding your train and just like in air travel, there are several checkpoints and security procedures you need to go through before you’re admitted to the train gate. Having enough time to grab a bite to eat and situating yourself into your spot can also be mentally rewarding.

3.)    Enjoy yourself. Train travel doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. It is one of the most unique and relaxing types of transportation. And instead of just getting from point A to B, you are able to leisurely experience the scenic views and enjoy a mini adventure of its own. Not to mention the fact that it is easier on people with motion sickness than cramped cars or flying planes. The homey feel of the compartments and the friendly service of the employees can make a train feel more like a home on wheels rather than a simple transportation vehicle. And in the close proximity of other passengers, you are likely to meet new amazing people. When in the increasingly rare situation of riding the mystical device known as a train, take the time and initiative to enjoy yourself and forget about your other worldly stresses.

Hope this helped you get your priorities in order for your first or fiftieth train ride. Thanks for reading!

Taz

Rockin Road Trip Destinations

Hey Travel Gurus!

Thinking of hitting the road sometime soon? Well you don’t need to get out of the beautiful United States to have a terrific road trip since I’m here to show you how experience it all in the god blessed country of America.

1.                             The four corner states: Where else do you get to exist in 4 states at the same time? Get your Instagram worthy post right here while you place your hands and feet on Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah simultaneously. And if traveling there is a long distance and won’t be compensated for with a single obscure picture, try and venture off to one of the states and enjoy their unique attractions. From personal experience, I can attest to the amazing natural wonders Colorado has to offer with their rustic wooden cabins and snowy, picturesque mountains.

2.                             The Grand Canyon: Ah, the infamous crack of the Earth that has thousands of Americans racing to Arizona each year. If you took the PSAT last year, you know that this natural wonder hasn’t always been regarded and awed at to its full potential, so why not change that by going out there and experiencing it yourself?

3.            Chicago. From the Sears Tower, to the glass ledge, the Shedd Aquarium to Lincoln Park zoo and all the wonderful eclectic attractions in between, Chicago can be a great way to spend a brief trip following a road trip. No matter your interests, you can rest assured that you will find something that appeals to you in this beautiful windy city. And also they have deep dish pizza and good food okay bye.

4.            Key West. If you are nearby, exploring the beautiful and exotic islands of Key West Florida can be very fulfilling. Even if you decide to skip Disney World nearby – by the way what kind of person are you if you do not choose to spend time in the most magical place on Earth – the keys have so much to offer. Try visiting one of their small locally owned shops, stay at resort or rent a beach house and enjoy the wonderful outdoors in a beautiful beach setting. The practicality of the location gives it the ability to be enjoyed by any travel group, big or small, friends or family members.

Hope you enjoy all your future road trips and take my suggestions into account!

Taz

Dealing With Nerves Abroad

Hey travel gurus!

While being abroad is a generally exciting and positive experience, it can sometimes leave you yearning for home, especially if you're not a frequent traveler. This isn't a surprise as human beings are generally homebodies and like the feelings of stability and security, which can be compromised while traveling to new and unknown locations. If you ever find yourself down in the dumps while traveling or filled with nostalgia about home, just read on to find some helpful tips on how to reduce the effects of homesickness. 

If you’re reading this you’re probably a human being and as amazing as it is being a part of the most evolutionary advanced species on Earth, it can be quite trivial coping with the emotional intricacies that us people face on a daily basis. Whether it’s feeling depressed about unreciprocated love or crying over the fact that your brother ate the slice of cake you hid in the fridge, it can often seem like we are crippled by our emotions. This is definitely evident in the phenomenon known as homesickness.

Even the most daring of adventurers and long term travelers face the urge of wanting to go home or settle down and be content with life. Everybody has a little part of them that is happy to be a homebody and this is because it holds appeal to our inertly programmed favoring of feelings of security and consistency. So how do you deal with homesickness? Although it may seem like an easy burden to get rid of, dealing with homesickness can be mentally and emotionally crippling, preventing you from enjoying a wonderfully opportunistic trip. Here, I’ll briefly touch up on what you can do to let go of this depressing thought bubble and enjoy your adventure.

The best way to deal with homesickness in my experience is to anticipate the feeling and prepare for it before your trip. Keeping something of value to you with you on your trip with give you a mental connection to your beloved home. If you have technology, use it! Whether it’s facetime on your phone or Skype on your computer, seeing your beloved ones can help remind that they’re still there and still love you. And the most effective thing you can do is change your mindset, although this is much easier said than done. Force yourself to think more optimistically and rationally. Chances are  you’re in a beautiful place and worrying about what’s going on back home or what could happen to you isn’t logically sensible.

Thanks for reading gurus, hope you’re able to let go more and have fun!

Taz

My Emergency Kit

Hey Travel Gurus!

Traveling forces you to be smart and tactical with how you compress your life’s needs in an itty bitty suitcase. Even more difficult is discerning what items you may need in a tiny to go kit, which can prepare you for all of life’s emergencies. However, if you include method in your last minute packing madness, I am certain that you will be able include the right things in your emergency kit. To help, here are things I’m sure to include in my tiny travel kit.

This bag is usually one I will bring on the plane or in the car with me to provide me with what I need when I need them. For that reason, make sure to look up liquid container guideline for airplanes ahead of time so you aren’t greeted with a trashcan for your expensive perfume to be thrown in – take it from someone who’s witnessed the horror herself.

With guidelines and space concerns in mind, my emergency kit it pretty basic, consisting of items that are multi purposeful and can be used interchangeably. Facial wipes are also good as hand wipes when as a clothes stain remover when I forget my Tide to go stick. Sunglasses are also a must since it takes your eyes a while to adjust to the bright sun after being tucked away in a dark plane. Phone necessities such as a portable charger and headphones are always with me. A good book to read is also a great thing to bring for when your smartphone on airplane mode just doesn’t provide you with enough entertainment. I keep Band-Aids and Neosporin with me just in case of any minor injuries. A toothbrush and toothpaste can also come in handy, especially when you’re on a very long flight and especially when your mouth is full of braces and wires like mine.

 Cosmetic wise, I tend to keep things quite basic since I am traveling hours on end with a bunch of people who are as disgruntled and unobservant as me. When I do opt to take makeup alone with me, I choose items such as a basic lipstick that can be used as blush and an eyeliner that can double as an eyebrow filler. Makeup wipes are also a must as sleeping in an airplane seat is already uncomfortable enough without lashes smothered in dried mascara. I also make sure to bring along lotion as the high altitude exponentially increases my tendency for dry and cracked skin.

Remember, this is just my personal preference and what makes your emergency kit yours is what special and personally valuable things you keep with you on your journeys.

Thanks for reading!

Taz

Who to Bring on Your Next Trip

Hey travel gurus!

If you’re planning an upcoming trip that isn’t just a solo ride, you’re going to have to make some serious selections about who you are willing to spend a week in paradise with. The truth of the matter that without the right people, your trip just won’t feel right and bringing the wrong people can turn your whole trip sour. So to help make your selection process easier, I am here to provide you with a list of the main three criteria you should consider when picking the perfect people for your perfect trip.

11.)    Are these people ones you are willing to connect with and build memories with? In most cases, when you travel somewhere, it won’t be somewhere where there will be routine visits. Even if you end up visiting the same place next year, you won’t be the same person and won’t be experiencing it the same as last time. When you travel with people you can’t unwind with, you waste a whole trip’s worth of fun and memory-making. Make sure the people you travel with are ones you’re willing to make an entire trip’s worth of memories with.

22.)     Will they affect your mood positively? The equation of emotional well-being also applies to your traveling endeavors. It's well-known that hanging out with negative people will inevitably make you a negative or negatively-feeling person. Human interaction is an important way to enhance an experience such as traveling and doing it with bitter people will only make it a bitter experience. Bring along people who are happy and nonjudgmental and will push you to have the best experience you can possibly have. When you're traveling there's no need to add on any extra stress like putting up with others' poor attitudes. Good vibes always.

33.)    Will they contribute anything meaningful to this trip? If these people are not meaningful to you, chances are the trip won’t end up being sentimental either. Bringing someone that means a lot to you will make the whole trip mean more to you and increase the bond you already have with that person. Whether this is your soulmate or preciously obnoxious family, traveling with people you love creates even more reasons to love them.

Hope this helped make your selection process for your upcoming trip easier and realize who is deserving of a trip with you.

Thanks for reading!
Taz

Where Should You Travel Next

Hey Travel Gurus!

Travel is an essential part of breaking out of your routine and is important in revitalizing your boring life. However, the problem may not be that you can’t travel, it might in fact be you don’t know where to travel. Have no fear,this topic of discussion has been chosen to help you find an idea of where to travel next with three easy and helpful tips from yours truly.

Think about where you want to go. Though this seems pretty self-explanatory considering the name of this list, it is extremely important to think about, and a much overlooked step. Think about the types of places you have been. Do you want to re-experience a previous trip? Or do you want to be bold and experience something that you have never tried? Do you want to plan you trip around the mainstream attractions of a place or would you rather take the cultural backstreets? Are you looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting thrill? Whatever your preferences and objectives of your trip, you need to make sure you're picking a place that meets the criteria you're looking for. You are after all spending precious time, money, and energy towards your trip, so you should be sure that you get what you were looking for.                            

Consider your situation. If you're a parent of 3 kids, you should probably reassess if a high thrill expedition through the Amazon jungle is the smartest choice for a vacay. This step is crucial because even if you were to pick the perfect vacation spot, the trip can easily turn sour if it doesn't suit everyone and their needs. Think about everyone's physical abilities and their situations. If traveling with a family, choose a family friendly destination that can appeal to all (cruises are a great choice for families) and if traveling solo, pick a place you see yourself being able to enjoy. Also to keep your budget in mind as this will affect the number/types of places you can travel to. Consider all disabilities and food restrictions when picking where to stay to make sure that the trip is enjoyable for all.                
               

Try something new. Travel is supposed to be a fun experience and you can’t achieve much amusement from doing the same type of thing over and over again. Chances are, you’ll end up regretting the things you didn’t do versus the things you did.

Stay snazzy gurus, and keep exploring the world around you.

Taz

Why I love Travel

Hey Travel Gurus!

I often find myself pondering over the Meta questions in life like how has every single decision I’ve ever made brought me here, to this exact situation. And my current situation is eating a tub full of Ben and Jerry’s, watching How to Get Away with Murder and trying to think of an adequate blog post. In other words, I started out my thought process for this post in a rut. However, I came up with the bright idea of writing how my love of traveling has brought me to this exact situation and explicate in blog form, why I truly love travel.

From my years as a wee little tot, I have been exposed to the world around me. I was enamored by the fantastical tales of the Disney classics, had the opportunity to express my creativity through dress up and was brought up in a household with parents who love to have as much fun as I do. From the start, I was encouraged to explore and was rewarded for being curious – except when I crossed the line of course. I could not stay in one mental spot for a long time and so I enjoyed external stimulation. Trips with my family fulfilled that for me.

I was with the people I cared about most in settings I had no knowledge of. I was able to experience new things, see views I couldn’t even imagine in my wildest dreams and share memories with people that annoyed me enough to earn my love. For that reason, travel has always had appositive connotation in my mind and special place in my heart.

I love travel because I love to be informed. I like learning about the way people think and act and seeing firsthand the land other people like me grew up to love. I like learning about the planet I will spend the rest of my life on – plausible – and experiencing all of its hidden wonders firsthand. I like breaking out of the monotonous routine society has imposed on me and being able to let my mind wander as I wander through the natural scenery that makes up our world. I love travel because it fulfills my most ravenous curiosities and desires, while still leaving more to be wanted. No matter where I go, I will always have my mind set on my next destination when I return.

Taz

How To Travel with Dietary Restrictions

Hey Travel gurus!

As much as traveling is about going out and exploring the world around you, it’s also about tasting the world around you. Food is great, and that is not the argument. Food is an amazing window that can allow you to delve into and learn all about the culture that devised the dish. It teaches you about regional tastes, available resources, how much a community is willing to waste and give a unique experience you can’t authentically achieve anywhere else. However, a large portion of today’s population has some sort of dietary restriction whether it be allergies, lactose intolerance or religious rulings. This of course does not mean you can’t enjoy the food your trip has to offer, you’ll just need to plan ahead and inquire a bit more.

Planning ahead is vital to people with food restrictions who want to make the most out of their trip. Look up where you’re going and whether or not the region is generally accommodating to your needs. When there, ask locals or research restaurants that are able to cater to your needs and whether or not they offer a substantial amount of menu items to choose from. And in the rare scenario that you fail to find a restaurant that offers quality food that fits your dietary need – like I said, rare – try and plan ahead by bringing along some of your favorite foods from home or make your own meal using local ingredients.

If you have a health related food restriction, it is seriously important to make sure you what you’re eating. If you’re at a restaurant, make sure to inquire about the specific food item you cannot consume and if the ingredient is already incorporated into the dish, ask if the chef could make an exception and cook a special meal, excluding the food item. Most restaurants are very accommodating. This goes for religious restrictions as well. Just make sure you ask, are informed and ready to handle the situation.

And if you’re dietary restrictions are economic in nature, have no fear, there’s always a way to save money. The main tip on saving money on food is avoiding touristic areas.

I hope this helped you and your taste buds be ready to fully experience the adventure you’re about to embark on, and relieved you of the stress of worrying what you’ll eat.

Thanks for reading!

Taz

My Top 10 Favorite Travel Blogs

Hey travel gurus!

In this vast and complex virtual world known as the internet, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am not the first person to thing that a travel blog would be a good thing to offer to the masses. In fact, looking at other travel blogs is what helped inspire me and narrow down my topic. Just like you, I love reading about what other people have to share to the world about their own travel experiences and even pick up new tips and trick from them. So here is a list of my top 10 favorite travel blogs and why they caught and continue to catch my interest and attention, in no particular order.

1.     Fathom Away. Fathom Away represents the epitome of artistic blogging. With their amazingly fantastical and crisp original photos, each blog post is enhanced with a visual representation hard to come by anywhere else.

2.     Adventurer Kate. A solo traveler, Kate entices her readers with her amazingly daring trips she enjoys experiencing on her own. She is incredibly inspiring to readers everywhere worried about traveling alone and provides honest and advice and down to Earth recounts of her adventures.

3.     Mallory on Travel. Blogger Mallory is an avid photographer and makes the most out of every day and not so everyday situations by framing it in the perfect picture. She expertly draws in the reader by photographing all of the situations life puts her through.

4.     XPATMATT. XPATTMATT follows the incredible adventures of traveler, writer, and photographer, Matt Gibson. His literary and visual skills combined with the amazing travel opportunities he gets makes for a very captivating blog.

5.     My Itchy Travel Feet. This blog stands out from the rest with its intended audience being senior citizens. Though not at that life stage myself, it encourages me and interests me to learn about how travel can still be possible – and fun – in your latter years.

6.     Go Backpacking. This blog is an informative guide for independent travelers looking to experience it all while still maintaining a reasonable budget. The very helpful tips and amazing photography included makes it a very obvious choice for this list.

7.     Travel with Bender. This final blog makes the cut for its expertise in travel, especially concerning family travel. The down to Earth style and easy format makes it easy to navigate and learn tips for your future family vacations.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and are encouraged to explore the travel blogosphere a bit more. It’s an amazing thing when we all connect.

Taz

Things I Can't Travel Without

Hey travel gurus!

          

Traveling requires preparation and a good sense of what your necessities are. Packing what you need versus what you want – both physically and mentally – can make all the difference in how you experience your trip.

          

The essentials – My suitcase varies moderately depending on where I’m going, but the core of my reasoning never changes. I always make sure to choose climate based clothes. For colder places such a ski resort, I might choose to pack two coats, two snow pants, a hat, gloves and a couple outfits as well as pajamas for time I spend not on the slopes. If I’m visiting my parents’ home country of Tunisia, I know to dress for hot tropical weather year round, especially during summer. This means lots of light blouses, flowy maxi dresses, sandals, sunglasses and good quality jeans. A camping trip might solicit a backpack, trek sneakers, durable clothing I’m willing to get dirty and cozy pajamas to spend my night around the fire in. Even if your destination is different, base your packing around the climate. No matter where you’re going, never forget hygiene essentials, such as hairbrushes, toothbrushes, shampoo and conditioner, especially if you’re not staying at a hotel, and even then, we all now hotel replacements are just not the same. Another thing to plan ahead for is whether your home for the trip offers a washing machine. This can cut your clothing load by half as you’ll be able to clean your clothes throughout the trip, and nobody in a foreign location is going to notice if you wore that red sweater twice. Just saying.

Important keepsakes – For me, I keep a journal and Polaroid camera with me on all trips big or small, to document the amazing and even not so amazing trips I get the chance of experiencing. This allows me to have a physical version of all my past trips and allows me to remember details I might have otherwise forgotten. My journal/scrapbook is very important to me and has great sentimental value. If this kind of thing isn’t important for you, try to find something that means a lot to you, to make your trip mean a lot more.

A good attitude – without the right mindset you’ll waste a trip feeling rotten and have bad memories to look back on. Make the most of your time and don’t sweat the small stuff and you’ll have a great time and a trip more worthwhile.

Hope this helped get your preparation on track. Stay snazzy gurus!

Taz

How I learned Two Foreign Languages

Hey Travel Gurus!

              One question I get a lot based on my background is how many languages I’m able to speak. This is usually followed by question in the likes of how in the heck I learned three languages. While I learned English through the natural scientific process of encoding stimuli from my environment to a language pattern, my secondary languages couldn’t have been learned as proficiently as they are without travel.

              Aside from English, I am able to speak both Arabic and French, the main languages of my parents’ home country of Tunisia. However, it hasn’t always been that way. Being immersed into a new, foreign, setting my parents wanted to make sure that they would raise kids that appreciated and had a direct line to their ancestral heritage. This determination soon manifested itself into hour long lessons with my mom on weekends and the interjection of Arabic in the house whenever possible. This definitely helped, and while I was able to carry out fairly detailed conversations with my relatives on my trips to Tunisia, it was quite obvious that I wasn’t as skilled as I could be. This was to be expected however, living the majority of my life, in school, with my friends, watching TV or even being with my parents when they weren’t in Arabic mode didn’t allow much room for foreign language retention. I was a rope and my American surroundings were winning the game of tug-of-war.

 The breaking point for my parents was taking my younger and even less fluent brothers to Sunday school only to find that they didn’t even know the Arabic alphabet. Inspired by a family’s friend trek to Turkey for two years so their children could learn the language and culture, my parents organized an impromptu vacay to Tunisia, to take place immediately after the end of that school year. Only I wouldn’t come back home to Vermont, rather Cedar Rapids Iowa where my dad had procured a promising position at Rockwell Collins.

          Fifth grade had soon come to a close and while I was excited to see the beautiful country my parents grew up in again and spend more time around my extended family, I couldn’t help but feel anxious on missing out an entire year of – arguably the most socially groundbreaking – good ol American public school. How would I recover? Would I forget English? How could reintegrate myself in a whole new state? And perhaps the scariest, how in the h e double hockey sticks, how could I keep up my academic success in school that teaches a language I only barely know the slang version of? (The Arabic language varies drastically from its pure form from country to country).

          Soon I found myself in an average sized middle school where I was to be in a class a grade below mine, due to my lack of abilities. Students schoolwide were enamored by the foreign girl from America who knew perfect English and had a weird accent when she talked Arabic. It would take me a while to socially adjust, but I hadn’t even begun to think of that when the very weirdly-sounding bell called for first hour, but first, the national anthem in which the whole school would gather around the courtyard to pay salute to the massive flag. Walking in, the classroom was bit shabbier than in America, but nothing traumatizing.

          To put it bluntly, these months, although very foreign at first were some of the best months of my life. I made so many new friends I still keep in touch with today, learned real life street skills in a country where independence was encouraged from a young age and increased my adaptability. I could go on and lose myself in this blog post and write about all the new and exciting things I experienced but that would lose the focus of this blog post. Or would it? I think it’s important to understand that the language and culture shock I went through – relearning all subjects I know in Arabic, experiencing a different education system, differentiating between social and formal situations and learning second year French right off the bat when all I knew was “bonjour”– gave me a chance to learn the language with such depth and at such a rapid rate that I couldn’t have achieved anywhere else.

          For those with the resources contemplating a year in a foreign country, just do it, take a leap of faith. You may want to run back after your first couple days but give time, you will emerge a new person with an understanding of a new language you can’t learn in a classroom.

         

So au revoir, salam, and goodbye.

Until next time,

Taz

YOLO, So Travel Solo

Hey travel fanatics!

              See how I changed it up back there? That can be a good thing and changing up your life’s routine to incorporate travel can be a great thing. However I’ve noticed a trend in many members of my family and dear friends in which they believe that to truly enjoy travel, they have to do it with a significant other or someone meaningful. BULL 💩!!! Although I’ve emphasized in previous blog posts that it is nice to travel with those you love, I’ve realized that I have neglected talking about the most important person you can travel with – YOU! – and this was probably misleading.

The truth of the matter is that you are an amazing person, even if you fail to see it sometimes. Traveling alone can be almost be a spiritual awakening. Putting yourself in a foreign situation, left to your own devices and being left to constantly self reflect and with no pressures to conform to your peers’ standards can teach you things about yourself that you didn’t even know you possessed. Even if – especially if – you aren’t happy with the person you currently are. Learning about yourself, what drives your actions and realizing your full potential in my opinion, can best be done by putting yourself in a new and almost primal situation, which traveling can often do. Especially when you’re younger and not yet completely brainwashed by society order or bound by strict adult responsibility, utilizing this free time to realize who you are as a person without societal shaping is crucial.

Traveling by yourself can be very fulfilling and can give you skills and knowledge you can implement throughout the rest of your future.  Adapting to new situations, thinking on your feet, developing street smarts, broadening your sense of the world and its culture, interacting with other human beings, being content with staying alone with yourself and your thoughts, and loving yourself are all vital abilities to have in today’s world and can be learned firsthand by traveling by yourself. Without having to worry about the needs and emotions of another person that shape your decisions, you’re free to explore your interests and discover new passions.

Honestly today’s society places too much emphasis on relationships, and especially at such a young age, people learn that their self-worth is dependent on another person. If you are not truly happy and confident in yourself and don’t know your capabilities, how can you take on the emotional burden of understanding and being responsible for another person’s feelings? Without the proper time to know yourself, your wants, or being emotionally autonomous I personally believe that relationships become more of a show or game and lead to people needing another person to love themselves.  

This isn't to negate or mock people in relationships. It's just a reminder for those out there who think being in a relationship is the only to be happy that you don't need a significant other to enjoy all of life's adventures.

This post might have taken a deep turn so I’m just gonna stop rambling, but I just want you to realize that as amazing as another person may be, you can be your best travel partner. Laugh, let go and learn to be comfortable to dance on your own.
Hope this helped!

Taz

Overcoming Homesickness

Hey travel gurus!

 If you’re reading this you’re probably a human being and as amazing as it is being a part of the most evolutionary advanced species on Earth, it can be quite trivial coping with the emotional intricacies that us people face on a daily basis. Whether it’s feeling depressed about unreciprocated love or crying over the fact that your brother ate the slice of cake you hid in the fridge, it can often seem like we are crippled by our emotions. This is definitely evident in the phenomenon known as homesickness.

Even the most daring of adventurers and long term travelers face the urge of wanting to go home or settle down and be content with life. Everybody has a little part of them that is happy to be a homebody and this is because it holds appeal to our inertly programmed favoring of feelings of security and consistency. So how do you deal with homesickness? Although it may seem like an easy burden to get rid of, dealing with homesickness can be mentally and emotionally crippling, preventing you from enjoying a wonderfully opportunistic trip. Here, I’ll briefly touch up on what you can do to let go of this depressing thought bubble and enjoy your adeventure.

The best way to deal with homesickness in my experience is to anticipate the feeling and prepare for it before your trip. Keeping something of value to you with you on your trip with give you a mental connection to your beloved home. If you have technology, use it! Whether it’s facetime on your phone or Skype on your computer, seeing your beloved ones can help remind that they’re still there and still love you. And the most effective thing you can do is change your mindset, although this is much easier said than done. Force yourself to think more optimistically and rationally. Chances are  you’re in a beautiful place and worrying about what’s going on back home or what could happen to you isn’t logically sensible.

Thanks for reading gurus, hope you’re able to let go more and have fun!

Taz

Taking a Walk

Hey travel gurus!

Taking a walk can be a great way to get in some local travel while also getting a chance to enjoy the wonderful outdoors! Today's post will aim at convincing to get off your lazy butt and enjoy a fun activity that offers unique rewards year round.

1 - Walking is a moderate but effective form of exercise. If you aren't a gym junkie, walking is not only a great gateway to entering into a healthy lifestyle, it can be accommodated to fit the athletic needs of anyone at any physical fitness level. Walking helps burn fat, reduce resting heart rate and increase stamina. Walking long distances helps increase muscle mass and even when walking does not become fulfilling enough, you have its cousin, jogging, to get to know better! Overall walking is great for getting your body in shape, increasing endorphin flow/energy level and setting you up for a healthy lifestyle.

2 - Walking is a great way to experience the world around you. Whether it's in your local park or along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, walking is the best option to get the full firsthand experience of wherever you’re staying. When you walk you can be fully present in the moment knowing you’re at the core of wherever you’re staying. Walking allows you to experience a panoramic point of view of wherever you are adventuring. Walking can also give you an opportunity to get to know your surroundings and help you find new points of interest no matter where you are. Many natural hotspot or hidden restaurants can be found through walking and hopefully become the setting for future memories and traditions.

3 – Walking is a great transportation option. Within reason of course, walking is a very practical substitute for some of the commutes you make whether on vacation or during your daily commutes. Especially in a big city, walking can prove to be much more efficient and fulfilling than driving your own car or catching an overpriced cab. Taking a vehicle in this case would probably be much slower and costlier than just getting on your two feet to walk. Even if you don’t live in a bustling metropolis, it can prove very rewarding to substitute at least one commute with walking or even biking. Like stated before, walking can help increase exercise in your daily schedule and help you find new pots to explore.

Overall, walking is a very rewarding option for small scale travel and will put your feet to good use.

Hope this was useful

Spring Break Bonanza

Spring Break is the stereotypical epitome of fun in the sun and letting loose in a foreign setting. However, spring breaking isn’t always as easy as it you may think, or as carefree as you believe the preparation process. To help you get through the vacation with a good experience and some money left in your bank account, here are some tips to help you with your spring adventures.

1.)    Choose your destination wisely. As obvious as it may seem to choose a tropical getaway to escape to during Spring break, try to pick a place that best suits your situation and needs. If that is a warm island retreat that’s okay but try to think outside the box and try something new. You might want to choose a place with more cultural substance or one that offers more hands-on activities that go beyond laying on the beach all day. Make sure to consider who’s going on the trip with you and what might appeal to them. Another point to check off your list is your financial capability and what you can afford. Remember that spring break is only a couple of weeks in the year and if you can only afford one big trip, save it for the summer. The cost of traveling during spring break can also be brought down by choosing a unique location, being frugal with your food and hotel choices and picking airplane transportation at the right time which you can read about in my previous blog post Timely Travel.

2.)    Choose the right companions. Spring Break is a rare opportunity to relax and experience new things within the year so make sure that you spend it with people that matter to create an experience that is meaningful for all. Whether you choose your friends or family members, pick people that won’t detract from the positivity this trip will bring or make you look back on the trip as a good time spent with bad people.

3.)    Let loose and make the most of what you have. Vacationing at any time should be a stress reducer but particularly during spring break, when you finally a have chance to escape from the world of corporate jobs and test cramming.  Be sure that wherever you go that you treat the situation with a positive and thankful attitude. This way, no matter how big or small your trip, you’ll have the satisfaction and clear mind you need to tackle on your cycle of a life once again.

Hope this helped with all your spring breaking concerns!

Taz

Timely Travel

Hey travel gurus!

Traveling can be a big expense both financially and physically on a person and for that reason, one of the most commonly asked questions about travelling is when it is the best time to travel, especially by plane. Depending on your priorities there are two answers. Whether you are more concerned with economic costs or physical efficacy is going to greatly change when you will want to travel and book a trip to the airport.

If your biggest worry is the cost and you aren’t as concerned with when you travel, a great way to book the cheapest flight is to look for dead zones. Dead zones are detected patterns of low activity in flights/flight booking. This makes airports and airline companies reduce the price of tickets to correlate with supply and demand of the market. Basically, certain times throughout the year and even within the week hold low airfare activity and therefore result in decreased ticket prices. The general dead zones within the year include the first two weeks of December, the second part of January, and most spring months (excluding the spring break period in March and April). These times of the year hold the lowest ticket prices and insure a lower cost than traveling at other more popular times of the year.

If you can’t change the time of year that you need to travel in, then pay attention to price decreases within the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest times of the week to book a flight and will therefore help you save a little money while traveling during a busy period, or help get a ridiculously cheap ticket during the unpopular months of traveling.

Obviously, if you are more concerned with having a more pleasurable travel experience, then traveling during the spring or summer will prove to be the most rewarding. With better weather and more business open at later hours, that time period is the best time to travel and have a more pleasurable experience.

I got my information from farecompare.com so if you want to check out more on the subject, click this link (http://www.farecompare.com/travel-advice/cheap-airline-tickets-dead-zones/#/)

Thanks for your read, I really appreciate it!

Taz

Traveling in a Winter Wonderland

Hey travel gurus!

For some (actually most), the bitter cold of the winter season makes us want to do little more than cuddle up on our sofas and drink hot chocolate and eat the most unhealthy food items this world has to offer. Although everyone occasionally needs this type of stress and consequence free time in their lives, it shouldn't become a routine, especially if there are great things out there waiting to be experienced during the winter time.

1.) Sledding. Sledding on the slopes is a great way to get physical activity in your schedule while also having fun and enjoying the unique weather conditions. You don’t need me to tell you how much fun gliding down a soft mountain of snow with the brisk air hitting your face is. Heading out on the nearest hill and going for a sled can be a great way to spend your day and nothing is better than cuddling up with those you love for hot cocoa afterwards. Honestly why aren’t you sledding right now? Just stop whatever you’re doing right now and go. Nothing bad can come out of it.

2.) Festivals. If the city you’re living usually has a snowy winter, chances are there is a winter festival somewhere nearby. These functions can be a magical way to spend your winter day and involve activities suitable for all. Outdoor such as winter sports, sledding, tractor tours, and indoor activities such as food tastings, auctions, crafts and theatrical shows can usually be found. These are a great way to spend time with those you love and can help you embrace the winter spirit rather than living in denial in your room watching Netflix.

3.) Stay inside. Sometimes, there is nothing you truly want more than to just stay home and watch movies which is a great idea in and of itself. And some days the weather just might not allow for an outdoor endeavor. Group together some special people or go solo and pick out some movies and yummy treats to enjoy during you cozy night in. Make some warm drinks, play some games and just enjoy the simplicity of having fun with the people you love most at home.

4.) Travel somewhere else. If all else fails and nothing can truly make you appreciate the winter time then going someplace warner can be a nice and much hotter break from the bitter cold you have to live in every day. If your budget isn’t big enough to allow a monthly trip to the Bahamas, try to look for nearby states that are having better luck in terms of weather than you are. A rustic and simple road trip may be just what you need to feel happy during the winter season.

I hope this helped in giving you ideas on how to do more during the winter and motivate to get up, go out and do more with your life, even in the coldest days of the year.

Stay toasty and have fun!

Taz

Getting in the Groove

Hey gurus!

Traveling is a great thing, as you probably have decided from reading my blog this far. However, the exhilarating experience can make it hard to get back in to the swing of things after returning home. It can be easy to lose focus during school or work and find yourself on the exotic beach you spent the last week tanning on. You can even become depressed and look at your life as a boring cycle after renewing your sense of living. With these tips, I hope you can find the transition back into the real world much easier after your traveling adventure.

1.)  Consciously make an effort to focus on the positives - It can be easy to lament on your trip and focus on the negatives. The fact that it wasn’t everything you hoped for, it was way shorter than you expected and you’re already back in your crammed office can make the return home that much harder. Instead, combat every negative thought that pops up with a positive counter argument. You didn’t have the chance to do all the activities you wanted to? Try and remember the fun things you did get to do and focus your energy on those moments. Feel depressed that it’s over? Be thankful that you got the chance to have such an amazing time in the first place be happy that you got to experience something a lot of other people don’t have the opportunity to. Sad to be home? Enjoy the luxuries that come with being able to stay in your own home and follow your own schedule and desires and come to terms with the fact that all things come to an end at one point or another

2.)  Explore fun options at home – Coming home from a whirlwind of fun and new experiences can make it hard for even the most positive person to not compare their time there versus now at home. Instead of succumbing to the negative feelings you’re feeling, find new things to keep you occupied. Find a new sport or activity that you enjoy doing and will keep you happy and busy. Not only will you be able to find a new long-term hobby, but doing something in your spare hours will keep you from finding time to think about how much you miss the trip.

3.)  Keep looking forward – If you’ve traveled once, chances are you’ll be doing it again. Rather than keeping your mind on your past trip, make an effort to plan for a new adventure. Whether it is somewhere vastly different from where you’ve been or an exact replica of your past trip, you’ll have something to look forward to. Through this, you’ll hopefully be able to keep your mind on something positive and have the chance to make amazing new memories.

Thanks for reading and hope this helped!

Taz