10 Unexpected Things You Will Learn on Your Travels

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.—Oliver Wendell Holmes

Whether you are traveling to a remote and unknown corner of the world, or just a train station away from your home place, you are bound to learn something new, unless you are walking with your eyes closed and headphones on.

Not only the unknown destination and the journey to it will teach you some cultural and historical lessons, but about relationship with people, things about yourself that you were not aware previously, and other valuable life lessons, and some of them will be unexpected.

1. Money Is Overrated

Oddly enough, people think that at their travels they will need more money than they actually do. Many of the most interesting destinations are rather affordable, and if you decide for backpacking, you will be surprised how much things can you get for free or even for labor (why not, an extra experience).

2. The World Is Smaller than You Think

Wherever you go, you can meet at least one person who knows someone from your country or something about your hometown. You may even meet someone with whom you have a mutual friend.

3. Small Things Matter

It might sound silly, but when you spend some time on the road, things such as a closet full of clothes, your book shelf, and even vacuuming can be the cause of immense nostalgia. On the day you come home, you will find joy in opening your refrigerator, realizing you have nothing interesting to eat and eating whatever is in your reach.

4. Missing Someone Never Stops

The sad part of traveling is that you will always miss someone at home. The even sadder part is that once you are at home, you will miss someone whom you met on the trip. It is a never-ending story.

5. Hostels Can Literally Drive Someone Crazy

Yes, the experience and the destination are the most important, but where you will stay and how you will feel there also count. It does not have to be a luxury room, but unless you have always wanted a spider or a cockroach for a pet, or noisy in-love neighbors, some hostels should be avoided.

6. Some of the Customs Regulations Are Silly, but Most of them Are Myths

London Heathrow security worker once confiscated a miniature toy gun from a Toy Story figurine. Imagine that! Usually, however, the rules are not that strict. The most important things you should avoid are dangerous items. There are some items that are allowed, but have to be reported at the custom, like silver bars.

7. Kids Are like Sponges

Seriously, they take it all in. If you are taking your kids to a trip, you will see how it can change them for the better, teach them tolerance, curiosity, respect, self-belief, flexibility, and few history lessons (if you are headed for that kind of destination) they might miss out on.

8. It Is Not about the Destination, It Is about People

You will soon realize that Paris and Kyrgyzstan have the same charm when you are accompanied with fun and pleasant people. The local population is also important for making your staying more enjoyable.

9. Strangers Are Not Strange, It Is just Their Name

Strangers are normal people, just like you. They usually have similar interests and most of them even speak English, if you are in a known tourist destination.

10. A Photo Is not Worth Thousand Words

No matter how some destination looks amazing, when you snap your camera to capture the moment, it will never look equally good. The best memories you can take with you are in your mind.

We are sure that you will learn even more, but some things should catch you by surprise.

Traveling is a never-ending wonder. You will always discover something new. So pack your bags and sett off into the amazing world. Be it with your friends, loved one or even alone, it doesn’t matter.