Dahil sa sinabi nito, ito ay may parehong potensyal bilang TV upang maging isang black hole ng oras. Gamitin ito para pagyamanin ang iyong buhay, ngunit lagyan ng limitasyon kung gaano mo ito ginagamit para makalabas ka at mabuhay sa buhay na iyon. Ang pagpapalit ng isang screen ng isa pa (kahit na ginagamit mo ito upang makipag-chat sa mga tao) ay pagtakas lamang sa totoong mundo, na mas maganda.
13. Lumabas at gumawa ng isang bagay kasama ng ibang tao
Ang paborito kong website sa mundo ay ang Couchsurfing.org , dahil sa kaunting oras ang ginugugol ko dito. Pinasimple nito nang husto ang buhay ko sa paglalakbay sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa akin na mag-host ng mga tao para mapanatili ang aking mga wika , at maghanap dito ng mga kawili-wiling tao na makakasama.
Ang mundo na karapat-dapat na maranasan ay wala sa mga libro o sa TV o mga screen ng computer. Ito ay kasama ng ibang tao. Itigil ang pagiging mahiyain at lumabas at salubungin sila!
14. Ang pagsasalita lamang ng Ingles ay hindi kapani-paniwalang nililimitahan sa mga hindi turistang manlalakbay
Kung bumibisita ka sa isang bansa para sa isang weekend, maaari kang mag-check in sa iyong hotel at mag-order ng pagkain sa isang mamahaling restaurant at kumuha ng guided tour sa English. Maaari ka ring magkaroon ng mga kaibigan na nakapag-aral sa lokal na unibersidad, at matagumpay na lumikha ng bubble upang protektahan ka mula sa lokal na wika hangga't gusto mo, at linlangin ang iyong sarili sa pag-iisip na ganito ang mga bagay .
Ngunit hinding-hindi mo talaga mararanasan ang lokal na kultura kung nililimitahan mo ang iyong sarili sa kakayahang makipag-ugnayan sa isang malalim na antas lamang ang bahaging may pinag-aralan na mabuti. Ang mga manlalakbay na nagsasalita ng Ingles ay napakaraming napalampas - ang hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles ay tinukoy ang karamihan sa aking mga paglalakbay at ang mga kahanga-hangang karanasan na aking naranasan ay magiging imposible kung hindi ko susubukang matutunan ang mga lokal na wika.
SINuman ay maaaring matuto ng isang wika. Noong 21 ako, akala ko hindi ko na kaya, pero isang araw ay inilagay ko sa isang tabi ang lahat ng BS excuses at nagsalita na lang. Ang pagsasalita ng isang wika mula sa unang araw ay ang 'lihim' upang matutunan ito nang mas mabilis at sa anumang edad.
15. Ang modernong dayuhang kultura ay hindi kailangang masiyahan ang iyong mga stereotype
Bawat bansa sa mundo ay nagmo-modernize ngunit hindi ito nangangahulugan na sila ay westernising o Americanizing. Ang natatangi sa kanila ay hindi kailangang masiyahan ang iyong "kakaiba" na view ng turista-brochure sa kanila. Iwanan ang mga ignorante na stereotype at magkaroon ng bukas na isipan tungkol sa kung paano ang modernong buhay sa kulturang iyon.
Hindi lahat ng Irish ay umiinom , hindi lahat ng Brazilian ay nagsamba at naglalaro ng football , at ang mga German , Dutch , Filipino at lahat ay magugulat sa iyo kung iiwan mo ang iyong mga pagpapalagay tungkol sa kanila sa airport.
Igalang ang mga pagkakaiba, subukang umangkop sa kanila sa iyong sarili at mapagtanto na sa kanila ay maaaring tila pabalik ka sa maraming paraan.
16. Maglaan ng oras
Kung mayroong isang bagay na natutunan ko mula sa pamumuhay sa mga bansa na mas "madaling pagpunta" ito ay mas matalino sila kaysa sa iba sa atin sa kanilang bilis ng buhay. Ang mga tao at bansa na ginagawa ang lahat nang mas mabilis ay mas malala pa rin ang ginagawa nito. Dahan-dahan at dahan-dahan.
Tangkilikin ang bawat kagat ng pagkain, maglakad nang mabagal at tingnan ang iyong paligid, hayaan ang ibang tao na tapusin ang kanilang panig ng pag-uusap habang nakikinig ka nang mabuti, at huminto sa kalagitnaan ng iyong araw, ipikit ang iyong mga mata o tingnan ang kalikasan at magkaroon ng kamalayan sa iyong paghinga.
17. Hindi mo mapasaya ang lahat
"Hindi ko alam ang sikreto sa tagumpay, ngunit ang sikreto sa kabiguan ay sinusubukang pasayahin ang lahat" - Bill Cosby.
Ipahayag ang iyong opinyon at manatili sa iyong mga baril. Kung ikaw ay may sapat na tiwala at ibahagi ang iyong ideya sa sapat na mga tao, bibigyan mo ng marka ang isang tao kahit na ano ang iyong pag-usapan. Problema nila yun, hindi sayo.
18. Ang pagsisikap na maging cool o pagsunod sa mga uso ay para sa mga walang isip na tupa
Ang peer pressure ay para sa mga taong natatakot sa kanilang pagkatao. Manindigan para sa iyong sarili, at sumalungat sa agos kung iyon ang sa tingin mo ay pinakamahusay. Ang cool na ngayon ay magyeyelo sa loob ng ilang taon.
19. Magkamali - at MARAMING mga ito!
Ang mga pagkakamali ay kung paano tayo natututo. Ang mga kabiguan ay ang mga hakbang sa tagumpay .
20. Magsuot ng sunscreen
Seryoso. Protektahan ang iyong balat. Sundin iyon at lahat ng iba pang payo sa video na ito:
21. Itigil ang pag-iisip nang labis at kumilos
Ang mga tao ay nag-iisip ng kanilang paraan sa paggawa ng lahat ng bagay na nararapat gawin sa buhay. Ang dahilan kung bakit pakiramdam ko ay napakarami kong ginagawa sa mga nakaraang taon ay dahil sa kung gaano karaming oras ang ibinibigay ko sa labis na pagsusuri kung dapat ba akong gumawa ng isang bagay na mahalaga o hindi: Wala.
22. Sumayaw at kumanta hangga't maaari
Ang pagsasayaw at pag-awit ay mahusay na pagpapalabas at anyo ng pagpapahayag. Mahirap na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam pagkatapos ng isang session ng alinman!
23. Madali ang pagkakaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan at gayundin ang pagpapahalaga sa iyong mga kasalukuyan
Ang buong walong taong paglalakbay ko ay nag-iisa . Dumating ako sa isang bagong bansa na walang kahit isang kaibigan na naghihintay sa akin sa maraming pagkakataon. Wala akong mga koneksyon, ngunit ginagawa ko pa rin sila. Nakahanap ako ng isang party online at dumiretso ako dito at kumusta sa lahat. Sa lalong madaling panahon, kung susubukan kong sapat na masigasig, makakahanap ako ng mga taong makakasama ko nang regular.
Kung ikaw ay palakaibigan, tunay at kaakit-akit, ang pakikipagkaibigan sa mga tao mula sa bawat kultura at background ay posible.
Kapag ang mga taong napapaligiran ng pamilya, network, kasamahan sa trabaho at paaralan, iba pang mga kaibigan, club at komunidad na kinabibilangan nila... sabihin sa akin na mahirap makakilala ng mga bagong tao, parang gusto ko silang sampalin sa mukha para magising sila sa mga pagkakataon sa kanilang paligid, na halos isang dekada kong hindi natatanggap. Tumingin ka sa paligid mo!
24. Hindi mo alam kung ano ang mayroon ka hanggang sa mawala ito
Huwag i-take for granted ang anumang bagay . Hindi ko kayang magbayad ng tirahan isang gabi at kailangan kong matulog sa labas sa ibabaw ng bato dahil dito. Mula noon ay pinahahalagahan ko ang pagkakaroon ng kama, sopa o duyan, gaano man kaliit o saan ito, dahil alam ko kung ano ang pakiramdam ng wala . Isang gabi ay sapat na upang masunog ito sa akin - Nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa tuwing matutulog ako ngayon.
Bahagyang nabingi ako dahil sa impeksyon sa tainga sa loob ng dalawang linggo at mas pinahahalagahan ko ang aking pandinig at lahat ng magagandang tunog sa paligid ko dahil nabawi ko ito. Nagkamit din ako ng pagpapahalaga para sa nilagdaang komunikasyon na samantalahin ko pagkalipas ng ilang taon.
Hindi pa ako nawalan ng sinumang malapit sa akin, ngunit niyayakap ko ang aking mga miyembro ng pamilya at sinasabi sa kanila na mahal ko sila sa bawat pagkakataong mayroon ako, at inaalis ang anumang masamang hangin sa mga kaibigan at hindi nag-aatubili na ibahagi ang aking damdamin sa kanila. Masyadong maikli ang buhay - kung nawalan ako ng anumang bagay na mahalaga sa akin, gusto kong tiyakin na hindi ko sinasayang ang oras na kasama ko ito o kasama siya.
25. Lunukin mo ang iyong pride at humingi ng tawad
Huwag magtanim ng sama ng loob at huwag subukang manalo sa bawat argumento. Minsan mas mainam na hayaang bumagsak ang iyong pride para sa pag-alis ng hangin sa isang tao. Maunang magsabi ng sorry. Huwag hintayin ang ibang tao na gumawa ng unang hakbang.
26. Ang paggawa ng anumang partikular na para mapabilib ang mga tao ay hangal
Hindi kailanman ibibigay sa iyo ng mga tao ang pagpapatunay na hinahanap mo kung susubukan mong maging isang dancing monkey para sa kanila. Ang pagsasabi kung gaano karaming mga wika ang ginagamit mo, kung gaano ka kayaman, kung sino ang kilala mo, kung saan ka nag-aral o kung ano ang iyong ginagawa para sa ikabubuhay, o pagsisikap na magpakitang-gilas sa anumang iba pang paraan upang magustuhan ka ng isang tao, o magtrabaho para sa mga bagay na ito para lamang sa mga karapatan sa pagmamayabang ay talagang mabibigo sa iyo .
Ang mga tao ay humanga sa mga taong hindi sinusubukang mapabilib sila at kumportable sa kanilang sarili at sosyal at kawili-wili. Minsan para maging “interesting” ang kailangan mo lang gawin ay maging mabuting tagapakinig.
27. Hindi nag-iisa ang mga tao sa pagiging nag-iisa
Isa sa mga madalas itanong sa akin bilang isang pangmatagalang solo traveler ay kung ako ay nalulungkot. Ang maikling sagot ay hindi . Ang mahabang sagot ay mangangailangan ng isang buong post sa sarili nito.
Ngunit ang katotohanan ng bagay ay ang kalungkutan ay mas karaniwan sa buong mundo kaysa sa naisip ko noon. Sa totoo lang mas malungkot ako sa aking unibersidad (fixed) na buhay kaysa sa ngayon. At nakilala ko ang maraming tao na may malawak na network ng mga social group na nakadarama ng matinding kalungkutan dahil pakiramdam nila walang nakakakuha sa kanila.
At ang iba na binago lamang ang kanilang pamumuhay sa ilang paraan (hindi naman sa paglalakbay, ngunit marahil sa pag-aasawa o pagsisimula ng isang mahirap na trabaho) at nawalan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng kanilang mga kaibigan noong bata pa dahil dito, ay nakadarama din ng kalungkutan.
Nakausap ko ang maraming tao na kumbinsido na sila lang ang nakakaramdam ng ganito. Sa tuwing nakakarinig ako ng katulad na kuwento, naririnig ko ang Pulis sa aking isipan na “parang hindi ako nag-iisa sa pag-iisa…” Maniwala ka man o hindi, nakakaaliw ako kapag tunay akong nahiwalay ng libu-libong kilometro sa sinumang nakakaalam kung ano ang pangalan ko. Kahit na walang tao sa eksaktong parehong sitwasyon, ang dami ng mga tao sa mundo na nakilala ko ay nagsasabi sa akin na malamang na hindi lang ako ang nasa ganoong sitwasyon, kahit na sa sandaling iyon.
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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.