Travel. How Do You?

This is probably the question I get asked the most. 2nd is "How do I start my own business?"  Actually the answer is the same to both: You have to want to.  


Travel has always been important to me. I wanted to see the world, go places I read about, try new foods, listen to new music and see how other people lived.  So I always tried to travel.  Short road trips, mini vacations, and adventures with family and friends. I researched where I wanted to go, talked with people, read books, and surf the net of course. I read travel blogs and blogs from people that live in the area I want to visit. You learn MORE that WAY than from a site trying to sell you something. Listen to what the people are typing/talking about on these. Is there a lot of crime? Is the food over priced or they complaining of horrible weather and bad government? Go to twitter and instagram and look at what pictures people are posting and what they are tweeting about in that area. Or just go blind, if that’s your thing, that’s ok too. 

For me as a woman, sometimes traveling alone, I like to have MORE information than less.

I have been to most places in the United States. Places I really like I go back often.  Other places just didn't appeal to me..No judgment, once again. Everybody is different. So..

#1. Is deciding where you want to go and how much you can afford. Then save, research and plan (or not) and make it happen. *Just like starting a business! Easy Peasy!

#2. Money and fear are the two big reason people don't travel.  "Don't go there, they HATE Americans!" I heard that a lot (from Americans) because that is what the TV tells them. Most people I have encountered, both in the US and elsewhere, will treat you well if you are behaving properly. By that I mean (This is one of my pet peeves, so you may want to leave now) Do not act like an idiot. Do not expect people to cater to you, do not expect to be loud and rude and get good service. Do not act like the fat American tourist who is loud, dressed horribly, has too many cases and wants to see Europe (all of it) in a week, Do not expect things to be like they are at home. Because it is NOT the same everywhere, even though the TV tells us this too. So find out what is proper attire for the area you are visiting, pack a Reasonable amount of luggage *that you can handle & carry; and be considerate of other people. Do this and be smart (READ about the place before hand) ask polite questions & do not believe everything you see on TV and you will do fine.

On the road again...

This is Texas. Pretty, huh? And not what you would expect. It’s not all a desert. I didn't edit or filter this picture at all. :)


I do apologize for the bug or two that hit windshield, marring the view. But that's life, right?
Ok back to my travel rant...

Money. (This is another pet peeve of mine.) I quickly realized that for what I spent on a week in a crappy hotel on the Gulf Coast I could sail to Europe. WTF! Now that’s not the return trip, BUT do your research and look at B &B's and staying in small towns versus cities. Also holiday houses and Gites over pricey hotels you might be very surprised. Hotwire has some great prices, too. Watch the airline prices also. The prices vary a great deal. If you can travel off peek & are flexible you can save a bundle.

Ok I guess I should include staying in a hotel is not high on my list. I would rather stay in an apartment, cook my own meals, shop and eat where the locals do. I like a washing machine (I can take fewer clothes, = less bags) and see stuff off the beaten path, not just tourist stuff by talking to the locals around me.

I'm not a big fan of going on vacation and eating at MCD's either...But some people need that continuity. So ok, no judgment. I do eat at Subway everywhere I travel to at least once. Other than that I'm in the markets, neighborhood restaurants, pubs and cafes trying the lunch specials. lol *Saves a lot of money this way. So this is a long rambling post about how I travel. I hope it gave you some ideas and inspired you to plan a trip. 


So why are you inside? Go out and see the world!

Open the Door and go already!