Travelers make the best friends

I never thought I was a traveler. I love being home, hate driving & flying, and don't have very exotic taste in food. People would say "I love to travel". And I would think "that will never be me".

That was until this trip. Never in my life would I have seen myself eating snake, taking a sleeper bus to a 15 mile hike, walking into a hectic flow of motorbikes without looking left or right. I would never have thought that I would love traveling as much as I do. As of today, I'm already planning my next trips to Europe and Southeast Asia. And something else I've learned along the way is what fantastic people travelers are.

They've Got A Story

Most people you meet while traveling have a reason they're there, a sequence of events that led them to that country, that city, that exact place. You meet people who quit their jobs and sold their possessions to explore the world. People who are backpacking through every country in Asia. People who hadn't even planned to be where they are, but ended up there all the same. It teaches you to close your mouth and listen to the amazing things the people around you have to say.

They're Up For Anything

It takes a certain type of person to eat snake, ride a motorbike taxi helmetless, or sleep 5 to a hotel bed. 

They Invite Interesting Comparisons

On of my favorite things about living in close quarters with 36 non-Americans as been comparing how things are done and how people act in their country with how we do things in America. 

For example, an Australian girl I share a room with continually said "I can't be bothered" when she didn't want to do something. At first I thought she was acting like a total princess, but eventually I figured out it's their way of saying "it's too much trouble". Other fabulous Australian phrases: "I reckon...", "mozzie" (mosquito), etc.

Often, I've been embarrassed by other Americans. Many of the most vocal complainers I've met here have been Americans. But that's another good thing about travelers: they usually don't make first judgments based on what country you're from.

They're Impulsive

This is one I've had a bit of trouble with. If you know me, you know that I am the ultimate Planner. I like to know my plans way in advance, I hate making snap decisions, and unexpected changes drive me crazy. But some of my best nights here have been the result of an impulsive decision, and I've loved every minute.  

Perhaps I can't call myself a true traveler yet, but I really hope I'm on my way there.