As with all travel, it’s a tidal wave of input. Shocked into alertness and snapped into the present. But it’s a completely different experience from a 2 week vacation to Cabo. It’s like waking up and coming off auto-pilot. It’s taken years to build up that exterior and it takes time to unravel. LTT challenges you in different ways than a vacation by the shear enormity of the trip.
Consider staying in youth hostels or somewhere off the grid. Keep expenses down and experiences up. Don’t have too many plans. Be open to where the wind blows you. Some of the best opportunities for both growth and fun come from getting to know fellow travelers. Perhaps you’re in Costa Rica and come across a group of Germans, Australians and Israelis in your hostel. A night of talking, debating, arguing, laughing… Priceless.
LTT is a teacher. A purveyor of experiences. See, it’s those years of habits and routines which make up our exterior. Our skin. But it’s not who we truly are. You discard these layers, like pealing an onion, revealing something more genuine. An opportunity to think about what’s really important. Your values. Goals. Morals. Who are you? What do you want to get out of life? The enormity of this precious, fleeting gift.
Consider going after college or in-between jobs. Things have a way of getting more complicated as you age, so don’t put it off for a future which may never come. Go where you’ve always dreamed of and then dream some more. Be open to possibilities. Have genuine conversations. Keep your eyes open and off screens. Learn. Go solo or with friends. And, if you pay attention, a different version of yourself is revealed. And, heck, at a bare minimum, you’ll end up with memories which will last a lifetime.
For specifics on how to actually do it, read Vagabonding : an uncommon guide to the art of long-term world travel – Rolf Potts.
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