Cheryl Kline

Navigate photologs by Destination by Activity by Date Related Pages: Independent Threaded Travel More About... These Photos Future Plans Independent Threaded Travel Retiring Younger Useful Resources Tips & Tidbits Vagabondboots Story Links this Web Site Getting In Touch Tidbits & Thoughts First - find a photo of a place that you would like to travel to and post it where you will see it regularly. Second - learn the best months to travel there. Third - search the web to price airfare. Fourth - help your dream grow by mentally deciding a departure date! It is really that simple	Tidbits, Tips and Thoughts Travel I have encountered as many women traveling by themselves as I have encountered men traveling by themselves Culture shock is the most intense when returning from developing countries. I become overwhelmed by the choices and luxury that I have here. I give myself time to move back into this culture, just as I give myself time to move into the foreign culture. If you want to 'fit in', watch the local people and observe their mannerisms, gestures, dress and eye contact Learn at least these few words in the local language before you arrive there: hello good-bye please thank you Always ask to see the room You can always negotiate the price of a room... even in the U.S. If you want to feel GUTSY, pretend you are gutsy and it will become comfortable. Traveling independently invigorates my mind, body and soul. I always travel with enough sun block. I can find a substitute for most other products in developing countries except maximal protection sun block. Trust people, it is very rewarding. But for safety sake, do not get caught up in a distracting event and lose your personal awareness. [Read about Ketchup in Guadalajara] The 1st couple photos on my digital camera are recent pictures taken of my grandson. Then when I start feel lonely or homesick can see him through the display. Some say that they do not travel because it is not safe... I think that the more one stays at home, the more dangerous the outside world appears. Don't pack it if you don't need it, aren't sure if you need it or will only need it occasionally After you have finished packing, walk with your pack for a half an hour. Then repack it. Antibacterial liquid dish soap works great as a multipurpose shampoo, bathing  and hand laundry soap. Panama money looks like U.S. money but is called balboas not dollars. In foreign countries I gain knowledge, perspective and experience by letting or hiring local people of all ages guide me through their world. Enjoying my extended time spent traveling in foreign countries is less dependent on how easily everything 'falls' into place and more dependent on how easily I flow with rather than against all the exceptions and challenges. Do not order directly from the menu. Ask what they recommend or what they have in stock or what they can serve easily. Most guest houses have only one burner and/or one pot. Ordering a meal that requires more than that seriously taxes their resources. In poorer countries, when beggars approach you, give food and a warm smile rather than tossing a few coins into their cup because you are uncomfortable with your apparent wealth. Your warmth will be reflected back to you. Retirement As retirement approaches stress and fear of the unknown increase. Letting go of this fear truly permits one to soar. Requiring Less Requiring Less not about enjoying yourself less, but rather about not requiring or purchasing those items that do not provide satisfaction for the money spent. I observe myself when I make a purchases. I ask myself if I am going to get adequate satisfaction from this purchase or if I would get more satisfaction from using the money in a different way. Fear & Other Emotions If you are like me, fear grows while you sit still and dissapates when you take action Luxuries That I Used to Take for Granted water - clean indoor running warm fresh salad clean warm blankets indoor shower and bathtub indoor heat flushing toilet supermarket and all its choices selection of goods and services everywhere paved roads Other Tidbits and Thoughts I christened myself with the handle 'VagabondBoots' in 1990 on the Appalachian Trail.
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http://www.vagabondboots.com/otrpg/tidbits.htm | copyright © 2003 Cheryl Gelder Kline | March 14, 2006