Yes. Yes. Yes. Maxie is here today for her usual #MaxieMonday guest post and it just might be my favorite yet. I’m really trying to get better about broadening my horizons of travel. Maxie has been one of my biggest inspirations. I have her on my “Find Friends” app just so I can keep up with where she is traveling. (She needs a TV show: “Where in the World is Maxie McCoy?”) Loving her guide to traveling the world:
Your Guide to Traveling the World
Guest post by Maxie McCoy
For most of my early years, I considered vacations and traveling to be the same thing. A vacation was when I’d get on a plane with my family and travel to some cool, relaxing beach for a week. It never dawned on me during that vacation, that there was an entire culture surrounding me. Whether it was the Mayan ruins outside the Riviera Maya, or the everglades in Florida, I was oblivious to these cultural experience while on my zenned-out vacation.
It wasn’t until the past few years that I’ve learned what it means to travel. It’s a mind-expanding experience. While it can also be a vacation, it’s more of a university for the soul. You travel to understand different cultures, to see the world in a different light, and to experience things that will remain little gifts of awareness in your mind for many years to come.
If you’ve never considered traveling the world before, I used to be you. And then I dipped my toe in one international experience and realized I quite literally needed to see the world. I needed to sit on the floor of a Hindu temple, ride an elephant, zip line over waterfalls, ride a scooter to conquer fears like this, and stuff my face with Parisian croissants. From India to China to Indonesia to Europe, I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling the world.
Remember these the next time you pack up and go, which I really really hope you do:
Say Yes
Whether it’s a guide asking if you want a henna tattoo (temporary!), or someone offering to let you swim with the manta ray (did you see Carly?), say yes. These experiences that you almost, maybe-kind-of-wanted to say ‘No’ to will be the ones you simply never forget. Your travel is meant to be experienced, not just seen. You’ll feel exhilarated and full of adventure.
Talk to Strangers
Oh the people you’ll meet! I’m still friends with a local from India. Our quick conversation turned into a cup of coffee, which turned into me learning so much more about the country than I ever intended. Take the opportunity to smile and engage with the people around you during your travels. This isn’t the hustle and bustle of NYC, this is your chance to have your mind opened by not just the places you go but the people you meet.
Ask the Locals
Want the best food around? The best coffee? A cheap massage? The locals will tell you exactly where to go. Yes Yelp! and TripAdvisor are great, but no one will give you recommendations like the people living there can. Whether it’s someone managing your airBnB or the gas attendant, ask and you shall find incredible travel treasures.
Bring a Journal
And write like crazy person! Any and every chance you get. It’s not so much to remember what you’re doing, but to remember what your feeling. When you travel, something happens in your soul. You feel lighter. You think differently. You’re open and creative and calm. This is a mindset you want to capture and the best way to do that is to write anything and everything that comes up for you. This will be a gift to your future self. Trust me.
Insta later
Take all the pictures that you want, but don’t worry about the perfect hashtags and funny yet sweet comment to go along with your travel photo. Do it later when you’re about to go to sleep. You don’t want to miss what’s going on around you during this special travel time. Nothing can steal the moment like obsessing over which filter to use and how that guy you never talk to anymore just liked your photo.
The next time you have the opportunity to take a vacation, travel the world. Wherever you go, following these tips will make sure that it’s an experience that changes you.
xoxo
PS That passport cover is available here. I have it in tan and it’s the softest little thing ever. Love!
I so want to travel; in fact my life goal is to step foot on all seven continents! Reading this post just makes me want it even more.
Alyssa J Freitas
Thank you for posting this guide. I love to travel and getting to know new cultures; it's such a beautiful experience. Have a wonderful day
http://love-pink-forever09.blogspot.com/
These are all such great tips! I especially love the one about saying yes and asking locals about what is best to see or do. It really helps you get the most out of your trip.
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
I love how you distinguished the difference between travel and vacation. It wasn't until I lived in a different country that I finally understood the concept of travel and how amazing it is to immerse yourself in a new culture.
Anna
http://www.livingthelifeofchai.com
Believe it or not. I never traveled outside of the country before, but now I am old enough, I really do want to see the world outside of America for once. Plus any opportunities ahead, never turn them down. 😉 I would definitely say yes to riding on a camel in Egypt and trying out escargot in France because yolo.. Just seize the opportunity!
Lee
http://Www.lastnightwithlee.blogspot.com
I'm glad you're open to it Lee. But watch out, the travel bug is REAL. (It's an amazing thing though!)
This is definitely an awesome list and the way to travel! Just got back from Mexico and said yes to anything everything in sight, jump off a cliff into the ocean, yes, eat some grasshoppers, sure…it really does make your experience unique!
http://www.recalcitrantgirl.com
Maxie always writes such insightful posts!! So many of my friends (and okay fine, maybe I'm guilty as charged, too!) forget about enjoying how beautiful something is due to social pressure to constantly show off all of the cool things you're doing on a vacation.
I actually have a list of all the places I'd like to visit in my 20s (aka "The Wanderlust List").
-Brooke ( http://www.thepinklyme.blogspot.com )
Love those lists, Brooke. I have one too. What are the top 3?
Haha, Maxie, we are such twinzies!! *sassy hand fliip* Since I wrote the list, my top 3 have definitely changed – but as of now: Athens, Milan, & (a little less far away on this one) San Francisco! Can you believe I've never been to the West Coast before!?
This is such a lovely post, and makes me want to catch the next departing plane to where ever! I've bookmarked it so that next time I go travelling I can look back at these tips!
Claire // Technicolour Dreamer // Bloglovin'
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