Nomadic Lives Local, Experiential India Travel Blog
6. Your Participation Defines your Experience:
Traditional Irish Music & Dance Workshop at my hostel in Dublin
I knew beforehand that the Irish were renowned for their friendliness & welcoming nature. Plenty of times, a complete stranger made attempts to reach out and strike a conversation, but reaching out yourself, was always greeted with enthusiasm and pleasantries too.
For an introvert, striking conversations with complete strangers was a real step out of my comfort zone, but isn’t that exactly what this is all about? I completely enjoy a pint of beer by myself in a quaint little pub without a trace of human company, but somehow, reaching out to such wonderful people feels greatly endearing.
It’s important to watch what your body language says. Most people want to reach out to you because you’re evidently a new face in places where everybody knows everyone; but you could look cold and uninviting, huddled together in your own group at the remotest corner table in the room or you could sit in the middle and look aware of your surrounding patrons and be pleasant in general. You could stand with folded arms, watching a local favorite troupe of musicians perform or you could jump right in and cheer like a hooligan – just generally, people will always reach out to a happy looking person, and for me, what makes travel immensely rewarding is the people you meet, and not so much the places you visit. So next time you’re out there by your own, try and strike up a conversation with that stranger next to you or at least look pleasantly interested and hope they get that you’re just shy! 🙂
I especially agree with that you get out of travel what you are willing to put into it. If you sit back and expect things to happen to you without any effort, it may never happen!
There are so many lessons to be learned from traveling, especially while solo. I think for me I just really learned how to enjoy my own company and be content!
I really want to travel more. I have not seen much outside of the US. These are some great lessons!
I’m travelling around Asia at the moment with my husband, I love it…but you do need to “roll with the punches” so they say. Don’t give up on travel…it’s very worthwhile.
Any kind of travel is full of challenges. But some of those challenges lead to the best experiences.
You can learn a lot while traveling especially when you are on your own. The lessons you learned will just make the next trip even better.
I always travel in packs, with my family. I could not imagine traveling alone.
I have been traveling since I was small. the best lesson I ever learned was ” If you learn nothing else of the language learn to say thank you.” It goes a long way.
Traveling independently is such an empowering way to visit the world. It isn’t always easy at the time, but makes for amazing memories and deeper perspectives.
I love to travel and the whole experience of traveling. I guess the thrill of not know what will happen or what you are going to experience is what gives me excitement. Thanks for sharing.
Travelling is something that I recommend everyone to do, it teaches you so much about the world around you.
Your travels look and sound so exciting. We don’t travel much or for long, the end of a week to 10 days and I’m ready for home. There are places I would like to see, but not alone.
Looks like a great place to visit.
Mine was in China. The first time I went out of the country, I lived there for four months without my parents. I felt so free!
Thank you so much for these tips! I am going to London in January and will keep all of these in mind. They are so helpful!
When I travelled to Europe after finishing High School, it was an eye opening experience. I HIGHLY recommend travelling on your own (or with close friends) to really discover who you are and gain an appreciation for your life.
I don’t remember ever traveling alone. I mean I flew alone, but someone took me to the airport and someone picked me up so actually I was with someone during the time being away from home, but I always remember that I don’t sleep as well without being in my own bed. It’s always nice to come home. As they say home is where the heart is.
Those are some great tips. I don’t know if I can travel alone.
I’d love to travel around the world, one day I hope to do so!
Sorry that things didn’t go as planned by having to staying in a stinky hotel room on your last night or getting seperated by friends. I don’t travel much so I don’t have any pointers but thanks for your lessons.
Great article! I love that you point out you shouldn’t let someone else’s experience dictate your own personal one.
my first travel was in singapore and because there is so much filipino there i am never lost when ever i go. i haven’t travel or go to other unfamiliar countried myself haha too scared
Thanks for sharing about the lessons you have learned from traveling. I’m sure a lot of us can take what you learned and apply it to each of our next vacations.
Thanks for sharing your lessons you’ve learned. I hope I can travel one day soon & make good use of your knowledge.
When you come through safe,those do make for the most intense travel stories. The good and the bad go hand in hand with travel that is for sure.
It’s so true though, great travel can happen in your own backyard too. 🙂
Loved all my solo trips and treks. It was a great chance to really soak in a place and learn more about myself.
Travel is educational and it can shape our perspective of the world around us. Travel is not always pretty as stuff can happen. However, the best part is that you learn from it and then you can write about it. What’s not to love! 🙂
Traveling is no doubt fun and always a learning experience, but for me it has to be with friends or family. Never alone
Every moment we do something and engage something, we get to experience things and learn things. 🙂
I really want to get back to traveling. I used to travel all the time, for work and for play.
nomadiclives.com has potential, you can make your blog go viral
easily using one tricky method. Just type in google:
Isud’s Method To Go Viral
Nice article
Thanks Deepshikha. Glad you liked it 🙂