“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware.” -Martin Buber

Safety

Precaution is the best way to avoid unpleasant experiences

  • Use a fake wallet (keeping your bank cards and passport separate).
  • When you open your wallet make sure you only have a few bills (more money you seem to have, more attention you attract).
  • Have a scanned copy of important documents sent to your email address.
  • When locals discourage you from going to certain poor parts of a city (trust them!)
  • Always keep an eye on your things.
  • Zip pockets are much harder to get in for pickpockets.
  • Avoid being alone, late, in an uncrowded place.
  • Always pack accordingly to where you are heading (more on packing list).
  • Listen to your guts.
  • Use a travelling secret pouch (avoid the stomach one, it is so well known and not a secret anymore).
  • Respect the culture, some locals may take it very personally.
  • Avoid the classic traveller look (flip-flop, shorts, sunglasses, with the big camera around the neck).
  • Always carry a few U.S. bills as an emergency fund.
  • Be careful with "free" tours.

Saving Money While Travelling

Means you can travel longer, or at least not returning home totally broke.

  • Avoid taxis when not necessary (use your two legs instead). 
  • Don't buy food or drinks at touristic sights (you are "paying for the view" as they say).
  • Always shop around before committing to a hotel.
  • Avoid hotels and hostels in travel guides, they are often more expensive than the competition around (and they are packed with tourists).
  • Pay attention to how much locals pay for things (sometimes you got ripped off since the start of your trip and you don't even know it).
  • Avoid people wanting to show you hotels or shops. They usually get a commission (that you pay).
  • Keep track of your expenses (everything, from a small snack to hotels).
  • Use local buses (that's an obvious one).
  • Eat from street stands (they are cheap and delicious).
  • Don't pay every transaction with your cards, they have high fees. Instead, pull lots of cash at once.
  • Know how to bargain.
  • Wash your clothes yourself.
  • Avoid guides when not necessary (and learn the art of spying on guided tours).
  • Carry a water filter, so you don't have to constantly buy bottles of water (a nice step for Earth, you are now a green traveller).
  • Carry always a little food with you (especially for long flights) this way you don't end up having to eat in an expensive place.

Not Getting Lost

Sometimes, it is easier said than done.

  • Always remember something unique close to your hotel.
  • Often hotels, even the cheap ones, have a business card.
  • Use GPS waypoints if you have a phone (Like with Maps.me or Gaia app).
  • Take a picture of the name of your hotel.
  • If you really hate getting lost, don't visit the medinas in Morocco (because you WILL get lost).
  • Learn a few words in the local language (where is, I am lost, how to get to).
  • Have a picture (screenshot from Google) of the site you want to visit. When asking direction, show the picture (a picture worth a thousand words).

Staying Sane

Especially for the 3rd countries.

  • Carry a bag of candies or pens, and offer that instead of money to begging kids (this way at least he got to enjoy it, not his pusher if he has one).
  • Get used to getting pulled by your sleeve (trust me that one is a hard one, but understand that different cultures mean different ways of communicating).
  • Wear sunglasses if you don't like eye contact (because people WILL stare at you).
  • If you book a hotel or a flight, don't book too tight (being late is part of travelling, embrace it).
  • ​Always agree on the price of a taxi ride before getting in (same for tours).
  • In many countries, people offering their help for "free" will expect a tip in return (I know right, where is the free love?)

Travel Lighter

Once you have experienced the joy of travelling light, you will never go back.

  • Don't pack your fears (another cheesy line).
  • Choose a smaller backpack (we tend to fill whatever space we got).
  • Don't bring doubles. All usable items (razors, sunscreen, toothpaste, etc.) can be bought abroad.
  • Don't bring too many clothes. Just wash them as they get dirty.
  • Don't overdo the first-aid kit. (I personally don't bring any, except a few band-aids and alcohol wipes.)
  • Have clothes you can layer up, so you don't have to bring a big and warm jacket.
  • Don't bring any cooking gear. In most 3rd country street food is so cheap (and good!) that you won't cook. If you do feel like cooking, often hostels provides an equipped kitchen.
  • Instead of bringing a journal use your phone note app.
  • Have your books and travel guidebook (if you travel with one) on your phone instead than in paper. (It saves space, saves weight and saves trees!)
  • Don't bring stuff for every single possible emergency. You most likely don't travel to Antartica, so society will be within decent distance if something happens.
  • Choose comfy clothes you like and find pretty. This way, you will want to wear it all the time and won't miss your entire closet.

For Women

A few extra tips for you ladies.

  • Wear a ring.
  • Say "yes" to the redundant question, "are you married?" (They don't have to know "travelling" is your husband).
  • Have a picture of a real badass on the sleeping screen of your phone (like real badass scary type) even better if he is a friend and you can get a picture with him, and call him your boyfriend. (Oh and it is good to add that he has done some jail time.)
  • Try to avoid overstating that you're travelling alone.
  • Your favourite hobby for the duration of your trip? Hardcore martial arts.
  • Know and dare to say, "NO!"
  • When speaking, be firm and none hesitant.
  • Cover up in Muslim countries. (You don't have to wear the Hijab, but avoid showing your legs and shoulders.)
  • To travel lighter leave the makeup kit at home. (Your true beauty is natural.)
  • Menstrual Cups are eco-friendly and your wallet will be happy.

Questions and Answers
Q: How do you do laundry on the road?
A: Here are the different ways I use:
  • For a quick wash (when I feel lazy), I spot wash where I usually sweat the most (back of the shirt, underarms, etc.).
  • When I need a shower, I usually jump in the shower with my shirt, underwear, and socks on. Then I wash as if the clothes were my skin. After I turn upside down the clothes I am wearing, wash myself again, remove, rinse, wring, repeat.
  • ​I use that last method when I usually need to wash more things (fleece, pants, both shirts, etc). I usually carry a tough plastic bag that I use as a liner inside my backpack for when it's raining. I use this bag in the garbage can from my room that I fill with water and powder soap (that I bought at any little shop), let my clothes soak in it for a little while, rinse, and... you know the rest.  
Q: What do you carry when you travel?
A: Has less as possible, while being safe and comfortable. Here is a full description of my packing list.
Q: What is the best way to deal with jet lag?
A: Once I landed, I usually try to stay up until the late evening (to make sure I am so tired that I sleep like a rock). The trick is to put an alarm the day after around 8am and do everything to get up when it rings! (I know life is hard!) Avoid naps and sleeping in, this is what makes you have a hard time falling asleep at night. Using this method, I usually get rid of the jet lag within 2 days max.
Q: Where do you book your flights?
A: I usually use the Hopper app for their prediction on prices. But I book with either Skyscanner or Kiwi.
Q: How do i know if i need a visa for a certain country?
A: If you are Canadian take a look here. If not, here. Those Wiki pages are great, but I always double-check online.
Q: How do i know if It is safe to travel in a certain country?
A: First, don't always believe what you see on TV. Yes, maybe a misfortune will happen to a tourist, misfortune happens. But some countries see millions of tourists each year, so the probability is pretty small. Those misfortunes are usually easily avoidable with common sense and a few safety measures. I use this website to determine what state certain countries are. I prefer it over the Canadian version, simply because when an issue is only regional they use a nice map to lay it out for you. From there, I usually go with anything that doesn't state "avoid all travels".
Q: How do i know how long i need to visit a certain country?
A: That depends greatly on your travel speed. Some like to hop around quickly and see as much as possible. Other like to have a slower pace to have a closer touch with the culture and the locals. Ask yourself how many days you would like to stay in one place (average), then multiply this by the number of places you would like to see. Then, add a few days on top for travel in between. For more info on specific countries take a look at destinations. 
Q: what was your favourite country you travelled in?
A: This is one of those questions that I can't truly answer. It is like asking a mother, "who is her favourite kid?" Like kids, every country has its own "personality". That is what makes travelling fun and rich.
Q: where do I Start?
A: This is often I question I got. So I have dedicated a full post about it; Travel 101: 6 steps to get started.

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