tips

When my sister and I went backpacking through southern Europe, we quickly developed a motto for our five-week free-fall:

“Planning is bullshit.”

Clearly this was an aphorism born from a moment of frustration, but it also helped us to take ourselves less seriously. We learned to laugh whenever unforeseen disasters occurred, like when we couldn’t afford three nights in our Mykonos hostel and decided to spend the third night sleeping on the beach. We fell asleep at 4AM just as the island rager ceased, then woke up an hour later to the rumbles of a garbage truck and pieces of debris sailing down on our sleepy heads. We laughed until there were tears.

Our anti-planning creed also kept our minds open and allowed us to follow our instincts. Three-and-a-half weeks into our trip, we were sick to death of tanning, club music, and fruity cocktails. (There is, as it turns out, a threshold for the amount of beach partying one can handle, and ours happened to be set fairly low.) We were dying to go to Amsterdam. We hadn’t fit the destination into our plan…but then again, we had created the plan. It was ours to change as we liked.

The detour was my favorite part of the trip. We got lost in the fairytale alleys of Amsterdam, had a never-ending gigglefest in sunny Oosterpark, and drank tea in art-filled cafes while the sky churned gray. It was our lush and hazy oasis before returning home—and there was no way we could have planned it better.  

However, as much as I value ditching the plan and embracing spontaneity, I also believe in being prepared. There are little tips and tricks Emily and I used throughout our travels that led us to some amazing experiences, even if it was simply being prepared for the unexpected.

Keeping this in mind, I have already begun to prepare for my next adventure—through a little research, but mostly through stories from friends and friends-of-friends. Of course once I put it out there that I was looking for advice, I got more than I ever expected. It’s amazing how gracious people can be when you simply inquire for a little help….ask and you shall receive.

My rough plan right now is 2 weeks in Israel, 3 weeks in India, 3 weeks in Thailand, and then my final week in Israel. Here is a sampling of my current list of tips and tricks, in no particular order:

Israel

• Travel with an empty suitcase because you’ll want to buy an entirely new wardrobe once you get there.
• Eat lots of hummus (I’m not sure if this was a tip or more of a prediction).
• Bring long, modest skirts and clothing that can cover your shoulders for holy sites.
• Don’t be afraid to wander away from the Birthright group—you might stumble upon a mystical experience on your own.
• Get a travel phone and travel insurance.
• Bring running shoes for exploration-exercise.
• Couch surf your way to friendly lodging when you’re traveling solo.
• Hanukkah: December 8-16, 2012. (Perfect timing.)

India

• Let the road take you where it leads. Do not plan.
• Do not eat anything from a river.
• Despite all precautions, you will definitely get sick.
• Eat street food as soon as you get there so your stomach can adjust.
• Buy traditional Indian clothing as soon as you get there. It shows respect and it’s also gorgeous. Win-win.
• P.S. In all likelihood, you will get sick.
• You will see the full cycle of life in India and in ways you have never seen before—from babies alone on the streets, to bodies being transported home via train.
• Trains are the best way to travel, but a) Buy your tickets way in advance, b) Upgrade if possible, and c) Do not accept cookies from anyone on a train unless you want to wake up two days later with nothing but the clothes on your back.
• Do not take drugs with strangers on a beach your first week there because you could wake up all alone and with nothing but the clothes on your back.
• Carry your valuables on you at all times. Do not use the safes in hotels/hostels.
• Holy spots: Kushinagar (where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death); Sarnath (where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma); Bodh Gaya (where Gautama Buddha obtained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree); Varanasi (you must go to the river to watch the sunrise). 

Thailand

• Travel north and see the jungles.
• Travel south and see the beaches.
• Just show up and knock on some doors. You’ll figure it out as you go.
• If you take a tuk tuk to go shopping, get dropped off a block or so from your destination…unless you want to pay extra for your driver’s cut.
• Consider wearing an engagement ring. When in a sketchy situation, you can always say you’re about to meet up with your husband/fiancé.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers—or even new friends. Watch your drink at all times.
• Vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid. Get malaria pills.
• Talking about the Thai king is taboo.
• Eat lots of street food—especially if there is a long line of locals for something.
• Mai pen lai (rough translations: “no worries,” “never mind,” “take it easy”).
• Go to Chiang Mai for two full moon festivals at the end of November (O man, I could not have timed this trip better):
• Loi Krathong Festival, November 28, 2012: Locals pay respect to the Buddha and to the goddess of the water by lighting lanterns and floating them down the river. This is also a ritual of letting go of the negative and starting life afresh with positivity and good luck.
• Yi Peng Festival, November 27-29, 2012: Locals honor Phrathat Chulamani by launching floating lanterns into the sky. This is also a ritual in releasing your troubles and in lighting new wishes.