とはいえ、テレビと同じように時間のブラックホールになる可能性を秘めています。生活を豊かにするために活用しつつも、使う時間には限度を設け、そこから抜け出して本来の人生を生きましょう。スクリーンを別のスクリーンに置き換えることは（たとえ人と会話するために使うとしても）、現実世界からの逃避であり、現実世界の方がはるかに美しいのです。
13. 外に出て他の人と何かをする
世界で一番好きなウェブサイトはCouchsurfing.orgです。なぜなら、そこにほとんど時間を費やさないからです。Couchsurfing.orgのおかげで、自分の言語を維持するためのホスト役を務めたり、 興味深い出会いを求める人を探したりすることができ、旅行生活が劇的に楽になりました。
体験する価値のある世界は、本やテレビやパソコンの画面の中にあるのではありません。他の人間と触れ合うことこそが、真の価値なのです。 恥ずかしがらずに、外に出て彼らと出会いましょう！
14. 英語しか話せないのは、観光客以外の旅行者にとっては非常に制限的である
週末にどこかの国を訪れるなら、ホテルにチェックインして高級レストランで食事を注文し、英語のガイド付きツアーに参加することもできます。現地の大学で学んだ友人と交流し、現地の言葉から身を守るバブルを好きなだけ作り、 それが現実だと思い込むこともできます。
しかし、現地の文化を深く理解するために、その文化の知識豊富な部分だけにとどまっていたら、真の意味で現地の文化に触れることは決してできません。 英語を話す旅行者は、実に多くのことを見逃しています。私の旅のほとんどは英語が話せないことで決まり、現地の言語を学ぼうと努力していなければ、素晴らしい体験はできなかったでしょう。
誰でも言語を学ぶことができます。21歳の頃は無理だと思っていましたが、ある日、くだらない言い訳を全部捨てて、ただ話してみることにしました。 初日から言語を話すことが、どんな年齢でもより早く習得できる「秘訣」です。
15. 現代の外国文化は必ずしもあなたのステレオタイプを満たす必要はない
世界中の国々は近代化を進めていますが、それは西洋化やアメリカ化を意味するものではありません。それぞれの国を特徴づけているものが、必ずしも観光パンフレットに載っているような「古風な」イメージで満足できるものである必要はありません。無知なステレオタイプは捨て、その文化圏における現代生活がどのようなものなのか、心を開いて考えてみましょう。
アイルランド人が全員お酒を飲むわけではないし、 ブラジル人が全員サンバをしたりサッカーをしたりするわけでもない。そして、 ドイツ人、 オランダ人、 フィリピン人、その他の人たちに対する思い込みを空港に置いてくれば、彼らはあなたを驚かせるだろう。
違いを尊重し、自分自身もそれに適応するよう努め、 自分は多くの点で後進的であると思われるかもしれないということを認識しましょう。
16. 時間をかけて
もっと「のんびり」とした国に住んで学んだことが一つあるとすれば、彼らの生活のペースは私たちよりもはるかに賢明だということです。何でも早く済ませようとする人や国は、同時に物事を悪くもします。気楽に、ゆっくり進みましょう。
食べ物を一口ずつ味わい、ゆっくり歩きながら周囲の景色を眺め、相手の話を最後まで聞きながら注意深く聞き、一日の途中で立ち止まり、目を閉じたり自然を眺めたりしながら自分の呼吸に意識を向けてみましょう。
17. すべての人を満足させることはできない
「成功の秘訣は知らないが、失敗の秘訣はすべての人を喜ばせようとすることだ」 - ビル・コスビー
自分の意見を述べ、それを貫きましょう。自信があり、十分な人数と自分の考えを共有していれば、どんな話をしても誰かを怒らせることはできます。それは相手の問題であって、あなたの問題ではありません。
18. かっこよくなろうとしたり、流行を追いかけたりするのは愚かな羊のすることだ
同調圧力は、自分の個性を恐れる人たちのためのものです。自分のために立ち上がり、それが最善だと感じるなら、流れに逆らってください。今クールなものも、数年後には冷え込んでしまうでしょう。
19. 間違いを犯す - そしてたくさん！
間違いは学びの源です。 失敗は成功への足がかりです。
20. 日焼け止めを塗る
本当に。肌を守りましょう。この動画で紹介されているアドバイスもすべて守ってください。
21. 考えるのをやめて行動する
人生でやる価値のあることを、人は考えすぎて何もかも避けてしまう。ここ数年、私がこんなにも多くのことを成し遂げていると感じているのは、まさに重要なことをすべきかどうかを過剰に分析することに多くの時間を費やしているからだ。つまり、全く何もしていない。
22. 可能な限り踊ったり歌ったりする
ダンスと歌は、素晴らしい解放感と表現方法です。どちらも一度やると、気分が良くなるのは間違いありません！
23. 新しい友達を作るのは簡単だし、今の友達を大切にするのも簡単だ
8年間の旅はずっと一人でした。新しい国に着くと、待っている友達が一人もいないこともよくあります。人脈がないのに、とにかく人脈を作るんです。オンラインでパーティーを見つけては、すぐに参加してみんなに挨拶します。熱心に努力すれば、すぐに定期的に交流できる人が見つかるでしょう。
あなたが友好的で誠実で魅力的であれば、 あらゆる文化や背景を持つ人々と友達になることは可能です。
家族、ネットワーク、職場や学校の同僚、友人、クラブ、そして所属するコミュニティに囲まれている人たちが、新しい人に出会うのが難しいと言うと、私は彼らの顔を平手打ちして、周りのチャンスに気づかせたい衝動に駆られます。私自身、この10年近くずっとチャンスに恵まれていません。周りの人を見てください！
24. 失って初めて、自分が何を持っていたかが分かる
何事も当たり前と思わないで。ある晩、宿泊費を払う余裕がなくて、外の岩の上で寝なければならなかったことがありました。それ以来、ベッド、ソファ、ハンモックがあれば、どんなに小さくても、どこにあっても、ありがたく思うようになりました。なぜなら、それらがないとどんなに辛いかを知っているからです。たった一晩で、その思いが私の中に焼き付きました。今では、寝るたびに安堵のため息をつくのです。
耳の感染症で2週間、部分的に耳が聞こえなくなりましたが、聴力が回復したことで、自分の聴力と周りの美しい音のありがたみを、より一層実感しています。また、数年後に役に立つことになる手話の素晴らしさも学びました。
身近な人を亡くしたことはありません。でも、機会があれば家族を抱きしめ、愛を伝えます。友達との気まずい雰囲気を吹き飛ばし、自分の気持ちを分かち合うことをためらいません。人生は短すぎます。もし大切な人を失ったなら、その時間やその人と過ごした時間を決して無駄にしたくないのです。
25. プライドを捨てて謝罪する
決して恨みを抱かず、議論に全て勝とうとしないでください。時には、相手との関係を修復するためにプライドを捨てた方が良いこともあります。まずは自分から謝りましょう。 相手が先に行動を起こすのを待ってはいけません。
26. 人に感銘を与えるために何かをするのは愚かだ
他人のために踊る猿のように振る舞おうとするなら、あなたが求める承認は得られないでしょう。何カ国語話せるか、どれだけ裕福か、誰と知り合いか、どこで勉強したか、何を生業としているかなど、誰かに好かれようと見せびらかしたり、ただ自慢するためだけに努力したりしても、結局は失望するだけです。
人々は、相手に感銘を与えようとせず、自分自身に心地よさを感じ、社交的で、興味深い人に感銘を受けます。時には、「興味深い」人になるために必要なのは、聞き上手になることだけです。
27. 人は孤独なのではない
長期一人旅をしていると、よく聞かれる質問の一つが「孤独を感じますか？」です。簡潔に答えると「いいえ」です。詳しく答えるとなると、それだけで一記事分の記事が必要になります。
しかし、現実は、孤独は私が以前考えていたよりもずっと世界中で蔓延しているということです。実際、大学（固定）生活を送っていた頃は、今よりもずっと孤独でした。そして、広大な社会的なネットワークを持ちながらも、誰にも理解してもらえないと感じて、ひどく孤独を感じている人にたくさん出会います。
また、単に何らかの形でライフスタイルを変えた（必ずしも旅行ではなく、結婚や厳しい仕事に就いたなど）せいで幼なじみと連絡が取れなくなった人も、孤独を感じています。
自分だけがそう感じていると思い込んでいる人をたくさん見てきました。同じような話を聞くたびに、頭の中で警察の声が聞こえてきます。「孤独なのは私だけじゃないみたい…」。信じられないかもしれませんが、本当に何千キロも離れていて、私の名前さえ知っている人さえいないとき、この言葉にとても慰められます。 全く同じ状況にいる人はいないとしても、私がこれまでに出会った世界中の人々の多さは、たとえ今この瞬間であっても、このような状況にいるのは私だけではない可能性が高いことを教えてくれます。
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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.