Dicho esto, tiene el mismo potencial que la televisión para convertirse en un agujero negro del tiempo. Úsala para enriquecer tu vida, pero limita su uso para que puedas salir y vivir esa vida. Cambiar una pantalla por otra (incluso cuando la usas para chatear) es simplemente escapar del mundo real, lo cual es mucho más hermoso.
13. Sal y haz algo con otras personas.
Mi sitio web favorito es Couchsurfing.org , precisamente porque le dedico muy poco tiempo. Me ha simplificado muchísimo la vida viajando, permitiéndome alojar gente para mantener mis idiomas y buscar gente interesante con quien conocer.
El mundo que vale la pena experimentar no está en los libros, ni en la televisión, ni en las pantallas de ordenador. Está con otros seres humanos. ¡Deja de ser tímido y sal a conocerlos!
14. Hablar solo inglés es increíblemente limitante para los viajeros que no son turistas.
Si visitas un país durante un fin de semana, puedes alojarte en un hotel, pedir comida en un restaurante caro y disfrutar de una visita guiada en inglés. Incluso puedes hacer amigos locales con estudios universitarios y crear una burbuja que te proteja del idioma local todo el tiempo que quieras, y engañarte a ti mismo pensando que así son las cosas .
Pero nunca experimentarás verdaderamente la cultura local si te limitas a interactuar a un nivel profundo, solo con la parte culta de ella. Los viajeros angloparlantes se pierden mucho : no hablar inglés ha definido la mayoría de mis viajes, y las increíbles experiencias que he tenido habrían sido imposibles si no hubiera intentado aprender los idiomas locales.
CUALQUIERA puede aprender un idioma. A los 21 años pensé que no podría, pero un día dejé atrás todas las excusas y simplemente lo hablé. Hablar un idioma desde el primer día es el secreto para aprenderlo más rápido y a cualquier edad.
15. La cultura extranjera moderna no tiene por qué satisfacer tus estereotipos.
Todos los países del mundo se están modernizando, pero esto no significa que se estén occidentalizando ni americanizando. Lo que los hace únicos no tiene por qué satisfacer la imagen pintoresca que se ve en los folletos turísticos. Dejemos de lado los estereotipos ignorantes y mantengamos una mentalidad abierta sobre cómo es la vida moderna en esa cultura.
No todos los irlandeses beben , no todos los brasileños bailan samba y juegan al fútbol , y los alemanes , holandeses , filipinos y todos los demás te sorprenderán si dejas tus presunciones sobre ellos en el aeropuerto.
Respeta las diferencias, intenta adaptarte a ellas y date cuenta de que para ellos puedes parecer retrógrado en muchos aspectos.
16. Tómate tu tiempo
Si algo he aprendido viviendo en países más tranquilos es que tienen un ritmo de vida mucho más inteligente que el resto de nosotros. Quienes lo hacen todo más rápido también lo hacen peor. Tómatelo con calma y ve despacio.
Disfruta cada bocado de comida, camina a paso lento y observa tu entorno, deja que la otra persona termine su parte de la conversación mientras escuchas atentamente y detente en medio de tu día, cierra los ojos o mira la naturaleza y toma conciencia de tu respiración.
17. No puedes complacer a todos
“No conozco el secreto del éxito, pero el secreto del fracaso es intentar complacer a todos” - Bill Cosby.
Expresa tu opinión y mantente firme. Si tienes suficiente confianza y compartes tu idea con suficiente gente, molestarás a alguien, hables de lo que hables. Ese es su problema, no el tuyo.
18. Intentar ser cool o seguir tendencias es para ovejas sin mente.
La presión social es para quienes temen a su individualidad. Defiéndete y ve contra la corriente si eso es lo que crees que es mejor. Lo que ahora está de moda se congelará en unos años.
19. Comete errores... ¡y MUCHOS!
Los errores nos ayudan a aprender. Los fracasos son los peldaños hacia el éxito .
20. Use protector solar
En serio. Protege tu piel. Sigue este y todos los demás consejos de este video:
21. Deja de pensar tanto y actúa
La gente busca la manera de evadir todo lo que vale la pena en la vida. La razón por la que siento que estoy logrando tanto en los últimos años es precisamente por el tiempo que dedico a sobreanalizar si debería hacer algo importante o no: Nada.
22. Baila y canta siempre que sea posible.
Bailar y cantar son excelentes formas de liberación y expresión. ¡Es difícil no sentirse bien después de una sesión de cualquiera de los dos!
23. Hacer nuevos amigos es fácil y también lo es apreciar a los actuales.
He viajado solo durante ocho años. Llego a un nuevo país sin un solo amigo esperándome, en muchos casos. No tengo contactos, pero los hago de todos modos. Busco una fiesta en línea, voy directo y saludo a todos. Pronto, si me esfuerzo con el suficiente entusiasmo, encontraré gente con la que pueda socializar a menudo.
Si eres amigable, genuino y encantador, es posible hacer amistad con personas de todas las culturas y orígenes.
Cuando las personas rodeadas de familia, redes, compañeros de trabajo y de estudios, otros amigos, clubes y comunidades de las que forman parte… me dicen que les cuesta conocer gente nueva, me dan ganas de darles una bofetada para que se den cuenta de las oportunidades que les rodean, las cuales no he tenido de forma constante durante casi una década. ¡Miren a su alrededor!
24. No sabes lo que tienes hasta que lo pierdes
No des nada por sentado. Una noche no pude pagar el alojamiento y tuve que dormir a la intemperie sobre una roca por eso. Desde entonces, agradezco tener una cama, un sofá o una hamaca, por pequeña que sea o dónde esté, porque sé lo que es no tenerla. Una noche fue suficiente para grabarlo a fuego en mi mente; ahora respiro aliviado cada vez que me acuesto.
Quedé parcialmente sordo debido a una infección de oído durante dos semanas, y ahora aprecio aún más mi audición y todos los hermosos sonidos que me rodean desde que la recuperé. También desarrollé un aprecio por la comunicación por señas, algo que aprovecharía varios años después.
Nunca he perdido a nadie cercano, pero abrazo a mis familiares y les digo que los quiero cada vez que puedo, aclaro cualquier mal ambiente con mis amigos y no me reprimo para compartir mis emociones con ellos. La vida es muy corta; si perdí algo importante, quiero asegurarme de no desperdiciar el tiempo que tuve con ello ni con él o ella.
25. Trágate tu orgullo y discúlpate
Nunca guardes rencor ni intentes ganar todas las discusiones. A veces es mejor dejar de lado el orgullo para aclarar las cosas con alguien. Sé el primero en disculparte. Nunca esperes a que la otra persona dé el primer paso.
26. Hacer algo específicamente para impresionar a la gente es estúpido.
La gente nunca te dará la validación que buscas si intentas ser un mono bailarín para ellos. Decir cuántos idiomas hablas, lo rico que eres, a quién conoces, dónde estudiaste o a qué te dedicas, o intentar presumir de cualquier otra forma para caerle bien a alguien, o trabajar por estas cosas solo para presumir, te dejará muy decepcionado .
La gente se impresiona con quienes no intentan impresionarla, se sienten cómodos consigo mismos, son sociables e interesantes. A veces, para ser "interesante", basta con saber escuchar.
27. Las personas no están solas en estar solas.
Una de las preguntas más frecuentes que me hacen como viajera solitaria de larga duración es si me siento sola. La respuesta corta es no . La respuesta larga requeriría una publicación entera.
Pero lo cierto es que la soledad es mucho más común en el mundo de lo que creía. De hecho, me sentía mucho más solo en mi vida universitaria (fija) que ahora. Y conozco a muchas personas con amplias redes sociales que se sienten terriblemente solas porque sienten que nadie las comprende .
Luego otros que simplemente cambiaron su estilo de vida de alguna manera (no necesariamente por viajar, sino quizás por casarse o comenzar un trabajo exigente) y han perdido contacto con todos sus amigos de la infancia debido a ello, también se sienten solos.
He hablado con muchas personas que están convencidas de ser las únicas que se sienten así. Cada vez que escucho una historia similar, siento la voz de la policía en mi cabeza: «Parece que no estoy sola en esta soledad...». Aunque parezca increíble, me reconforta mucho estar a miles de kilómetros de distancia de cualquiera que sepa mi nombre. Aunque nadie esté en la misma situación, la cantidad de gente que he conocido en el mundo me dice que probablemente no soy la única en esa situación, ni siquiera en ese preciso instante.
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28. I beg to differ love is all you need. We don't need Love from others true however SELF LOVE is what has made you travel as you are listening to yourself. All we need is love love love love is all we need. Good on you.
Great article! Thanks for sharing and keep doing what you do!
What a great article. I only travel once or twice a year, primarily to Spain, but I do have a wide variety of friends all over the spectrum - male, female, black, white, christians, muslims, atheists, gay, lesbian, straight, bisexuals, some of the above rolled into one person - and I wouldn't wanna be without them.
Though I'm not fluent in Spanish (I know a few words and phrases) I always try to become a part of the Spanish culture and I always feel very welcome, even with my limited Spanish, people like it when you at least TRY and also when you meet them in their world.
thank u...That's one of the best and wonderful article I've ever read Benny.
dear benny,how fascinating,so much one can learn from travelling..i would like to travel myself,and have the funds for it.. i am a practising medical doctor in mumbai,india,working in a charitable clinic.
home is beneath the stars!and stars are everywhere in the world.i would love to meet benny.
you are welcome at my home in mumbai,if you should visit it.we are jains by religion.
purvimshah@hotmail.com.
thank you benny,
traveled 40 years ago for seven years like you, backpacking and with nearly no money at all, now after the 'working periode' again on my way since 2 years and the insight in all what you wrote is just the same:
you are a wise young man and I do know that many travellers and people going their way with open eyes and no prejudice in mind and open heart and willing to see and to learn will appreciate your comments.
(european traveller klaus, 66 years)
i've really enjoyed your article Benny - very inspiring and enriching!
Happy Travelversary! Lovely, upbeat post though the last point I partially am forced to disagree with simply because not everyone has the luxury of being able to travel or just fly somewhere to immerse yourself in a new culture; people are blessed in different ways and you can only play with the cards you are dealt. Otherwise lovely!
And yes, everything apart from the travelling part too. Much respect to you man
You have no idea how much I appreciated this blog thingy. Travelling is one of my passions and I want to travel as much as possible in the near future. I'm 19 right now and studying!
Quick question, how do you fund for all your travels and stays and all that?
don't make too many plans, the places will make them for you.
don't make too many plans, the places with make them for you.
Wonderful - thank you xx
YUP, it's the journey, to experience!
Love is my religion no matter what country I traveled to! =o) TOTALLY AWEsome!
My experience is that those who travel seek escape from reality for a variety of reasons. Some may say it's because of the cultural experiences, the meeting of new people, the freedom of daily tasks, etc. but it's really about the fact that they aren't happy with who they are and what they have in their life. No photographs, necklaces, clothing, social understanding is going to make you any happier than you are today right where you are. It's like a drug addict seeking another fix. You want to save a lot of money and be happy? Don't travel and make what you have now your happiest moment.
In my 70s and still traveling, still discovering for myself many of the things Benny describes. Every year I relearn two fascinating truths about "travel that inspires." Bring less stuff with you, and don't plan very far ahead.
Nice... Being a Pilot and travelling, I couldn't understand why there's so much non-acceptance in this world.We have no control over our thoughts, it's origin, etc to 'some extent'. But what we can learn to do is control our emotions and help others find their way. After all that's what all cultural traditions (religions as some call them) profess. Then......... I learnt
Benny, in your experiences..... that's what H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar has been doing for nearly 30 years with His foundation www.artofliving.org . Keep up the good work Benny. Love,
Fuzzy
www.aolreasearch.org
Love you Benny Lewis - thanks for the inspiration. Michele in Michigan, USA
my travels have taught me so many things. but one big realisation is......nature is wonderful. it showers itself on everyone in the same way. it is not partial. standing next to a huge mountain, or a deep forest, or vast ocean makes me relaise the insignificance of my selfish self. if nature can support so many beings within it, then why cant we? we r nature too and in our own way we need to be open and supportive of all. life is truly beautiful, lets live it in its simple form rather than complicating it. lets live the way other natural beings r living.
Thanks so much for sharing, this is a great article!
Thanks for your great insights! I know the next 29 will be even better for you!
Benny, I always wanted to travel and have never had much money in life, so I made a determined effort to reach out & meet people of different cultures through my various jobs in retail. My life is sooooo much richer for it. I've made many friends, laughed & danced, and even learned a smattering of many different languages. And I learned the same things you have (well, except for #9 re money). I guess you could say start at home, and then travel (or as you travel & bring your lessons home to share with others) and then the end to discrimination, racism, etc will end around the world. There is no "self " & "other", there is just "us"!
This is an amazing article - thanks so much for sharing! A student myself, I can very much relate with some of the points you make about learning it all and yet not understanding the world thoroughly and in all its beautiful nuances. Keep up the great attitude of living by example. One quote which came to mind while reading your article was:
"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Howard ThurmanAlso I just shared the video and linked back to your article on The HappyHap Project Blog. You can check it here: http://happyhap.tumblr.com/....
Benny Great Work on sharing your Experience with the world! I can imagine you started out your travels with an open mind and that is why you have gotten so far and learn t so much.
I grew up in Africa and so i understand where your appreciation for life comes, not from materialism but for the Gift of Life itself.
Benny, one of the important lessons I've learned while traveling is never assume that someone else is thinking the same as I am. Because of cultural differences, what is obviously white to me may be obviously black to someone from a different culture. Hope you find your companion to share your life and travels. My husband of 40+ years and I have been to 80 countries in the past 15 years and are having a blast!
Benny~ your article has inspired me more then I can tell you in this short comment. I find myself turning 50 this year and going through a sudden unplanned and heart breaking divorce! My husband and I traveled all over the United States, Canada and Mexico meeting new people and I feel in love with the human race. Until today ...about an hour ago, I felt like I had lost the the ability to experience that again. I read your article and it was as if a spark ignited inside of me...I can do this. I can continue seeing the world and enjoy it perhaps in a greater way then before. Our (my soon to be former husband) and I next trip was to Ireland, I have been really mourning that lose. Now I am looking at the trip in a different way and am cautiously excited at the possibilities! Thank you for sharing your travels and inspirational words with me.
That's one of the best and wonderful article I've ever read Benny. I may not get the chance to travel outside the country but I've learned so much from you..Thanks and have a blessed life.
wow, i am amazed. i wanted to leave my home country and start on my own by traveling around the world. This may not be happened now in my life at this time but i do hope and pray that i can step my first move in the near future. Thanks Benny for this one. applause to you! You may found one great true LOVE!
Loved every bit of the post specially the video "use sunscreen" and also completely second you on the points 6,7,8 and 25. Surprisingly i woke up this morning and started writing about my journey after college. How I gave it all up have been experimenting the past 8 yrs when this post comes through the daily good news. Its good to know that there are people like me :)...
walk lightly,smile sweetly,sing,dance and make merry.
love n peace
jumana
Love it! I especially love #16, 17, 19, and 22. Keep on truckin'! I have to say, though, #28 is not true, unless you specifically mean "romantic love." We do, in fact, need love to survive, all of us. And clearly you're finding it--by giving it, which is the whole point!
The Wanderlust by Robert William Service
The Wanderlust has lured me to the
seven lonely seas,
Has dumped me on the tailing-piles of dearth;
The Wanderlust has haled me from the morris chairs of ease,
Has hurled me to the ends of all the earth.
How bitterly I've cursed it, oh, the Painted Desert knows,
The wraithlike heights that hug the pallid plain,
The all-but-fluid silence, -- yet the longing grows and grows,
And I've got to glut the Wanderlust again.
Soldier, sailor, in what a plight I've been!
Tinker, tailor, oh what a sight I've seen!
And I'm hitting the trail in the morning, boys,
And you won't see my heels for dust;
For it's "all day" with you
When you answer the cue
Of the Wan-der-lust.
The Wanderlust has got me . . . by the belly-aching fire,
By the fever and the freezing and the pain;
By the darkness that just drowns you, by the wail of home desire,
I've tried to break the spell of it -- in vain.
Life might have been a feast for me, now there are only crumbs;
In rags and tatters, beggar-wise I sit;
Yet there's no rest or peace for me, imperious it drums,
The Wanderlust, and I must follow it.
Highway, by-way, many a mile I've done;
Rare way, fair way, many a height I've won;
But I'm pulling my freight in the morning, boys,
And it's over the hills or bust;
For there's never a cure
When you list to the lure
Of the Wan-der-lust.
The Wanderlust has taught me . . . it has whispered to my heart
Things all you stay-at-homes will never know.
The white man and the savage are but three short days apart,
Three days of cursing, crawling, doubt and woe.
Then it's down to chewing muclucs, to the water you can eat,
To fish you bolt with nose held in your hand.
When you get right down to cases, it's King's Grub that rules the races,
And the Wanderlust will help you understand.
Haunting, taunting, that is the spell of it;
Mocking, baulking, that is the hell of it;
But I'll shoulder my pack in the morning, boys,
And I'm going because I must;
For it's so-long to all
When you answer the call
Of the Wan-der-lust.
The Wanderlust has blest me . . . in a ragged blanket curled,
I've watched the gulf of Heaven foam with stars;
I've walked with eyes wide open to the wonder of the world,
I've seen God's flood of glory burst its bars.
I've seen the gold a-blinding in the riffles of the sky,
Till I fancied me a bloated plutocrat;
But I'm freedom's happy bond-slave, and I will be till I die,
And I've got to thank the Wanderlust for that.
Wild heart, child heart, all of the world your home.
Glad heart, mad heart, what can you do but roam?
Oh, I'll beat it once more in the morning, boys,
With a pinch of tea and a crust;
For you cannot deny
When you hark to the cry
Of the Wan-der-lust.
The Wanderlust will claim me at the finish for its own.
I'll turn my back on men and face the Pole.
Beyond the Arctic outposts I will venture all alone;
Some Never-never Land will be my goal.
Thank God! there's none will miss me, for I've been a bird of flight;
And in my moccasins I'll take my call;
For the Wanderlust has ruled me,
And the Wanderlust has schooled me,
And I'm ready for the darkest trail of all.
Grim land, dim land, oh, how the vastness calls!
Far land, star land, oh, how the stillness falls!
For you never can tell if it's heaven or hell,
And I'm taking the trail on trust;
But I haven't a doubt
That my soul will leap out
On its Wan-der-lust.
[Hide Full Comment]Since the question comes up a lot, I had to add it to my original blog post so I'll add it here as a comment in case someone feels the need to ask:
People keep asking me how I can afford a travel lifestyle for so long, or if I'm rich or if my parents paid for everything. I paid for the entire trip myself, starting with no money saved up; I can assure you my lifestyle is way cheaper than most settled people who prove observation #10 and need so much money to buy rubbish!
[Hide Full Comment]You don't need to be rich to travel the world. To find out more about me and my story, please read my site's About page to see a list of the many jobs I've had during my travels. For just the last one year I've been earning money by helping people to hack languages quicker.
Benny ... having been on the road for 15 years, almost without pause, having worked in 3500 communities, I find your 29 points right on track .... validated, verified, ready to be etched in stone. Keep traveling!!!
This is one of the best experiences I've ever read. Thanks Benny.. :) I think I can summarise what I've learnt from this.. "The next time I'm wid sm1 whom I don't know I'll try to talk to them, listen to them, share things and as Benny says 'meet them' rather than reading a book or listening to songs"... :)
This is GREAT ! Keep living and be who you are now that you have found him.
Benny, I want to pack my ruck sac and join you!
Thank you for this amazing wisdom
My excitement for life has been replenished!
Siobhan County Kerry
This is one of the best articles I have ever read. Thanks. The only thing I disagree with is the point about the Internet. I learn so much from it each day, this article being a case in point. I may never get the chance to travel as much as Benny has but at least I can learn from his wisdom.