According to the saying, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” many young people make the choice to embark on a quest to discover their true selves and their potential. Traveling alone makes you open-minded and humble and it is one of the best investments one can make in himself. But in order for your trips to be safe and to have as few dangerous and unpleasant situations as possible, there are quite a few things you need to keep in mind.
Stay in contact with your family and friends
For many people, especially young men who want to travel alone in order to discover themselves, going no contact seems like the best way to deal with things. However, not only is it inconsiderate towards your family and the people that truly care about you, but it is also incredibly dangerous particularly if you’re in a different part of the world where you know nothing about the language, culture, and traditions of the local people. There’s no need to tell your family or friends everything that you’re doing (as it will probably worry them even more) but keep them updated about the hotels that you’re staying in and the guided tours you’re going to.
You clothes have to be versatile
One of the most important qualities of a solo traveler is the ability to make the most out of the least he has, including things like clothes and accessories. In Europe, you will find plenty of airplane tickets for less than the price of a bagel in New York, so you always need to be prepared for your next adventure. Your clothes and shoes have to pass the test of time: they should be of high-quality and cause you no discomfort, and more importantly they need to be versatile. For me as a man, a sweater is a must, so based on the recommendations of fellow travelers I got myself a few knitted Aran sweaters from here made of merino wool, their favorite fabric. I purchased a classic crew neck Irish sweater and apart from being warm and comfortable, I can also wear it both at religious ceremonies in Indonesia and when going sightseeing in Denmark.
Let the bank know about your trips
I’ve learned it the hard way and now I strive to help other youngsters avoid my mistake: before going on a trip in particular to an “exotic” country or another continent and you plan on using your card, always go to the bank first and inform them about your plans! Otherwise you can end up in a very unpleasant situation where your card will be blocked because you tried to buy something in a groceries store in the Philippines or wanted to withdraw money from an ATM somewhere in South Africa. The reason for this is that your bank can perceive these actions as an unknown threat to your account so they can block the cards and you will have access to them only when you’ll come back to the States and confirm that that was you trying to access your funds.
