Things to Know Before Traveling

"A child on a farm sees a plane overhead and dreams of a faraway place. A traveler on the plane sees a farmhouse... and thinks home."- Carl Burns.

Things to Know Before Traveling

I learned a lot since i started traveling added to that, I studied Airline Passenger and Airport Handling in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that I have learned how to get air ticket bookings, things to know before the flight, airport regulations, visas, baggages and exchange rates. As a traveler  I learned to understand a bit of other people's culture, their way of life, their food and language. But before that exciting journey, there are certain things that we must do and know. And these are essential.  If you are on your first trip, or even on your 30th, it's worth reading along and have a guide, at least, and I have learned to put them together to remind me too.

Before the Trip

• Plan ahead. Search the net for the place you want to go. The geography, language, people and place of interests.
• Scout for tickets and hotel bookings ahead of time. At least two months per say, to avail cheaper rates and discounts. Ask the agent to give you the highest, the lowest, and the mid range rates before booking.
• Use a travel agent you know or a recommendation from a traveller, they can give you better options but check online too, that way you can bargain for price.

• Book hotel online. You will get good deals. I can recommend http://www.booking.com/  and http://www.hotelclub.com/. or ask a local friend if ever you know someone, to book ahead of time for you, they should know the best place that suits your budget.

Preparing for the trip:

• Print your entire itinerary including flight ticket confirmations/hotel bookings and put it together with your passport. 
• Have a copy of your passport and never have all sources of informations of your cash/ atm cards in one place if this things is lost or got stolen, then you are S.O.L.
• Inform your friends or family from time to time your activities and where you are... just in case.

When Talking To Airline Agents or Airport Staff

• Talk to them patiently. They can help you to get the next flight, assist you on queries and guide you if you have really to stay in the airport if ever it is really necessary.
• Call the airlines if ever you get delayed in any way. and find an agent who is willing to help you. Be patient though. These agents might be trained differently but I can assure you that there are agents out there who had excellent customer service and keep calling until you get an answer.

Working out your Budget  while Abroad

• travel in low seasons. you will get half the price rates of hotels and flight.
• track your spending. if you have a laptop or ipad use a spreadsheet and create some simple formulas to automatically sum up your expenses.Or write down in a journal.
• Set up a new account so that you can pull up from the road. So when it dries up, you have to go home.
• Check your bank account options. Withdrawing outside your country may charge you a lot, so you better know the fees. I would recommend you to talk to your banker on which account suits best for travelers like you to avoid huge costs of withdrawal fees.
• Know the exchange rte of your destination ahead of time.
• Don't use traveller's cheque. They cost a lot if you change it.
• Have a local currency when you arrive( preferably small amounts). Changing to local currency in the airport is quite expensive. If you have to, shop around first. The first exchange center you will encounter is probably the most expensive.
• Try to avoid local currency exchange. They make huge profit of it. As much as possible get from ATM.
• Buy food and booze from large grocery stores instead of dining out or at the bar.
• Don't book domestic fights at the same time you get your international flights. It is really expensive. It is better for you to stay at that airport for a night or two and book from that airport your local flight. Or if you know someone, have him/her book for you your local flight.

On Meeting Other People While Traveling Alone

• Sit in a bar and strike up a conversation with the bartender. They might know a lot about the town and may introduce you to other regulars.
• http://www.localyte.com/ helps travelers travel like locals by introducing people randomly.
• If possible, stay in the hostel, even if you don't share room with others, at least there is a common room to sit and meet other traveler like you.
• Share information with other travelers like interest, your travel plans and etc... you might find someone thinking the same way like you do.

* Meeting someone is an option. You don't need to feel bad if you are not up to it.

Trip Itinerary 

• Be Flexible.Situations may change very fast.
  
• Understand that you never have enough time to see and do everything and be okey with it.
• Buy a map or get a travel guide. Once you arrive at your airport of Destination go to the information counter immediately to get a map. This has detailed hotel numbers, emergency numbers, and travel agencies for reference. 

Adapting to a New Country

• Get out and about as much as you can. Orient yourself with at least common local expressions and meet the locals.
• Talk to the receptionist of your hostel(if you stay in one) they are equipped with information about the place. They might give you travel advice in that place.
• Find a room in a shared house of a local( this is an option) if you feel like.

FOOD

• Learn food words in a local language or research ahead of time.
• Have snacks like nuts, biscuits or fruits handy. It is not good to just settle on anything because you are too hungry if you can't find a good place to eat.
• Stay nourished. Keep some Fruit bars or oat bars or granola bars with you.
• Eat street food. This is how locals mostly eat. at least you have a peak on local culture.

TRANSPORTATION AND GETTING AROUND

• Find out the price of getting a taxi. Check how much the flat down rate too. Your first trip on a taxi you will likely get ripped off. Let this be your lesson to learn.
• Pay attention on how things are done, like getting on the bus and how they pay. Different places has different system.
• If you are driving, make sure the backdoor of the car is locked and keep you bag on the floor instead of in your lap.
• Negotiate on the price of the cab if the cab is not n meter. If the driver is not willing to negotiate then get out of the cab, you will find one cheaper. Like, tuktuk in Thailand costs you 50 Thai Baht per trip but you can lower it to 40 Baht plus the drivers are really trained to guide the tourists.

Stay Safe

• Don't wear any jewelry. Don't carry your DSLR in a brand new bag that screams CAMERA, don't carry a fat wallet in your back pocket, and don't pu;; out a big stash of money when you re paying for something in the counter.
• Don't keep your money and cards all together. So when you get robbed, you still keep one.
• Carry a dummy wallet wit expired credit cards hand that over if you get robbed.-matador travel
• Don't carry your passport with you while going around. Put it in the hotel safe.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. 
• Don't get drunk, your decision making gets poor when drunk.

Staying Healthy while abroad

• Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated.
• have at least a handy medical kit with over the counter medicine. But before doing this, check out the rules of your destination country on medicine and drugs. what are permissible and what are prohibited if possible call the airport for more details.

Carrying electronics While on travel

• Remember ABC. Always Be Charging. As much as it is possible charge electronics and keep the battery full.
• Find out what adapters you need for a trip. 

• If you decide to take a laptop, at least carry a cheap and light one. If all the computers are used then you can avail on the wifi. But if it is just possible leave the laptop behind unless necessary for work.

On Photography

• Smile. It will make you more approachable and not a paparazzi.
  
• Respect and be sensitive. Their are places where photography is prohibited or stop following that monk or a child who doesn't want to be photographed. Know the law of the land on taking photographs too. Like in the UAE, it is prohibited to take photos on government building. When taking photos of a local you have to ask permission and show them your photograph, just to avoid conflicts.
• Show your photos to the subject and keep your promise if you promised to send them copies.

On Shopping and Bargaining

• Buy at small local shops. Or in their souq.
• Bargain but respect the seller too. Don't be rude when you don't agree with the price. 
• Learn to say How Much, or an amount in the local language, it might help on getting a good deal. 

Border Crossing

• Check visa requirements.
• Always have a complete documents at hand before you set to the border.
• Check that the stamped date on your visa is right to avoid immigration conflict.

Baggage and Packing

• As much as possible, PACK LITE.
• Bring ziplock bags. This are used for storing wet things, or tings that may break, or lotions and shampoos.
• Always have a flashlight. I know this is something new for some, but in the long run, you will know you need it more often.
• Bring a sarong with you. It can be useful to cover yourself when entering holy places where it is not allowed for women to show their hair. Or to keep you warm at night.

On Relationship and meeting love

• Sometimes a stroll with someone you meet is a good way to not feel so lonely.
• Having sex with a person you meet randomly doesn't make you feel less lonely or make you forget your (ex)partner you left or who dumped you.
• You can't expect it, but sometimes you meet the love of your life while traveling. This person might just be that someone you meet in the bus or train station or someone in the cafe.
• Be reasonable on your expectations. If you make a trip to heal that broken heart, it might get worst. Heal that first before you set for a trip.

ON THE PLACE

Places change a lot faster than we think. so whatever we think is necessary to do, do it now. or you will never be able to do it the next time. Or there is no other next visit.

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. DREAM. DISCOVER.