10 things I’ve learned on my Round the World Trip

brandy bell

2006. I’ve been quiet lately- I apologize, but my brain has been a whirlwind. I am alive, well, and working in Lisbon, Portugal.

As I have not been tethered to a computer for the last few weeks, I have had time to think, to write, and to pay attention to what I have learned thus far in my four months.
I can’t act as if these are all new concepts or as if they are revolutionary- but they are real, and they are important to me.

having an alice in wonderland moment

In no particular order, here are ten of my favorite lessons I have picked up. Let me know if they ring true for you…

1. There are more good people than bad people in this world

Sure, I’ve been robbed 1.25 times, been followed around by a rapist , and ran into a few other unmentionable obstacles, but of the months I have spent relying on the kindness and goodness of strangers– I truly believe the good people of this world outnumber the bad, and if not by number, by display of action.

The nature of humankind is to talk about the bad things we see around us, and I regret not writing a blog post every time someone gave me directions when I was lost, bought me a cup of coffee, helped me up when I fell (cobblestones + backpack = less than gracefulness)…etc. Trust in the goodness of people and you will be rewarded. Not every time, but when it counts.*

2. You’re your best friend (and oftentimes the only friend you’ve got) so, you better get along with yourself

There’s nothing more miserable than a rotten travel companion- which is why I am traveling solo!
As awesome as I am I’ve been stuck with myself day and night for the last 4 months.
Sometimes we argue (yup, I’m talking about me, myself, and I) and sometimes we’re too funny for our own good, sometimes I want to talk to anyone else in the world because I am sick of talking to myself, and sometimes I literally run home (to wherever my home is that night) so that I can be alone with myself and my thoughts.

End result? You better like yourself a whole lot to devote this much time alone with your very own yours truly– you’re gonna learn a lot about yourself.

3. You Have Enough Stuff.

When I say “you” I mean me, but I’m 100% certain you also have enough stuff. In fact, I have TOO much stuff. I started with 18 kilos (do the math, my fellow Americans) and am down to 13 in the backpack… yet every time I look at the pack I find just one more thing I can throw away.

It’s laughable to me to think of all the things I used to own, all the money I poured down the drain on retail therapy (makeup doesn’t count, I don’t care what you say) and all the CRAP I had lying around cluttering up my life. I have Enough Stuff.

4. Don’t go on a date with a Bulgarian when you speak no common language.

It won’t end well, and you’ll probably wind up at home crying to a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red Label and lighting things on fire. Or maybe that’s just me.

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5. Street meat won’t kill you, and it will probably even taste good.

To be perfectly clear, I am talking about vendors who sell meat on a stick, meat in a gyro, just freaking meat foods- not the other street meat, which will probably kill you, and will not taste good. # Also, I’m a vegan so I don’t really know what I am talking about here, I just mean street food in general.

6. When you’re really lost, stop and have a beer- the directions are hiding at the bottom of the glass.

Seriously. Your backpack is heavy, you’re probably getting a sunburn or it’s pouring rain- either way, you’re lost and I bet your map is doing you no good. Solution?

Find the nearest dodgy looking pub full of old men (unless you’re an old man, then you’re competition- so, I guess you’re screwed, keep walking). Walk in and order a beer in the native tongue. The bartender will likely be gruffy and awkward, but will warm up once you flash a smile or money.

After you down one delicious beer, order a second and then ask people around you if they know of such and such street. Make it painfully obvious you’re not leaving until you have directions, and then start to chat everyone’s ear off until it’s in their best interest to help you find your way. Always works! **

7. You never have enough sunblock

Well maybe YOU do- you and your brown magic- but I don’t. I packed 4 bottles of SPF 1 billion, sweatproof-waterproof-bulletproof-child-resistant zinc oxide and I am still a delightful shade of sunset pink. Point being, if you know you require something special that you can’t always find while traveling, just pack enough!

8. You don’t need shampoo (gross, but true)

That’s right, I’m shampoo free since 3/3. No, I haven’t joined a 90’s grunge band. Baking soda, my friends, baking soda.
Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with 1 cup of water. Shake shake shake, and pour it on your dome.

Clean, shiny hair with no freaky chemicals seeping into your brain. I prefer to get my freaky chemicals elsewhere, don’t you?

9. Your problems are insignificant in the long run.

Unless you’re dying (in which case your problems will work themselves out rather shortly anyways) your problems probably AREN’T that big of a deal. “omgwtfmalibubarbie*** I have nowhere to sleep tonight.”
Suck it up, sleep on a bench, and tomorrow, you have a whole day to look for accommodations.

“SweetJumpingKinkajoo It’s 40 euro to go 8 hours on a bus and I just spent all my money on beers and mascara!”
Get to the road, stick your thumb out and wait- you don’t have anything else to do.

10. (insert any non-frequently visited country) is probably safe as there are thousands if not millions of people living there.

Colombia- Iran- Thailand- Greece- oooooh, I can literally hear knees knocking. There’s b-b-b-bombs there! There’s crime everywhere folks, and if you have a decent head on your shoulders and a good attitude, the odds are pretty good that you’ll come out of these places unscathed. ##

* In case you happen to trust in someone on my word and something really bad happens, I hereby claim absolutely no responsibility for your rash decision making abilities. Come on- didn’t your mom teach you not to talk to strangers? Read my disclaimer for all the reasons I can’t be responsible for you.

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# Again, if you decide to try a hot-meat-popsicle and wind up blowing up your bathroom from both ends — or in fact, die — from eating meat on a cart on the side of the road that’s absolutely (and only) your fault. You should never trust anything you read on the internet- especially if I write it.

** Try this during a World Cup Match and you’ll likely be killed and served as street meat. mmm.

*** Please note, omgwtfmalibubarbie came to me in a dream and is henceforth my cussword of choice, your partaking of this cussword hereby acknowledges the immense greatness of this phrase.

## In the unlikely event you 1) go to one of these countries 2) get bombed, kidnapped, sold for body parts, are used as a human mule, are sold as a mail order bride, undergo an unwanted sex change operation I hereby (again) assume no responsibility for your misfortunes as per this basically iron clad disclaimer which has a few very large words in it and lots of pics of monkeys.

Tagged: 10 things, funny, learning, life, travel

About brandy bell

Brandy Bell loves adventuring around the world. She's been a solo female traveler since 2006 and has visited over 25 countries, made countless international friends, and now writes to inspire you to travel in a sustainable and responsible way.