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Beyond the Glamor - The Other Side of Travel

“If God had really intended men to fly, he’d make it easier to get to the airport.” – George Winters

Travel is arguably one of the most fulfilling things in the world, but sometimes the glamor can cast a shadow over certain aspects. With the help of satire and some famous quotes, we will try to make sense of some of the problems we encounter while traveling. Such is the beauty of humor.

The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” – Russell Baker

Aside from the usual aggressive street vendor nuisance, there is nothing wrong with being recognized as a foreign visitor. Blending in with the locals is seen as a form of flattery, and although it varies by destination, most people won’t mind what you’re wearing, as long as it’s decent. So don’t worry about sacrificing comfortable clothes for the sake of blending in, but rather enjoy the magnificent country you chose to visit. With that being said, I would appreciate if you left the fedora at home… or the basketball shorts, college t-shirts, sandals & socks, Hawaiian shirts, sports jerseys, etc.

Also, use your best judgement when buying souvenirs, when interacting with locals, and don’t eat at restaurants close to tourist attractions. Even more important, never try to compare the food with the one in the US. “New York pizza is 10 times better than here!” is only one of the many statements that ruined the reputation for all of us.

“I have panicked unnecessarily in all four corners of the globe.” – Jon Ronson

One thing is certain: no matter how grave the problem may seem, you can always find an experienced Australian traveler that will make sense of your issue with a “no worries mate” attitude.

“The inventor of cobblestones was clearly not communicating with the inventor of luggage wheels.” – foodandwhining @foodandwhining

One of the most stressful aspects of travel is dealing with cab drivers, public transportation, and of course hauling your luggage in search of your hotel. Whether from the airport or rail station, book a private transfer and travel worry free.

The unforeseen will always be part of any travel adventure. Tell us in the comments below what else should be featured in this article, or a funny story from you past travel experiences.

Thank you for reading and as always, we wish you safe travels.

Adrian Buda
Born and raised in Romania, Adrian has a strong passion for languages and the culture that follows. At age 18 he moved to Italy where he lived for seven years and earned a degree in Linguistic Mediation at Tuscia University. It was there that his desire for “different” awoke and decided to travel as much as he possibly could. According to Adrian: being a foreigner is the gateway for an open mind.