The last 16 months of my life have been spent wandering.

After graduating from college, like many of my peers I had no real clue as to what to do with my life. I did what anyone with an insatiable travel bug would do and took off to an exotic destination to teach English.

The exotic destination quickly turned into a mundane daily rhythm that was full of obstacles, frustrations and existential questions. At the end of my contract, the travel-bug and existential questions were still there. I kept traveling.

I struggled to define myself. Was I a vagabond? An unemployed 20-something with no future?

Some people made me feel like I needed to define a goal for myself, so that all this traveling and wandering would lead to something concrete. In trying to quell their concerns, I realized that I really didn’t have an answer about my goals.

Three continents, several undeveloped rolls of film and one minor leg burn later, I’ve learned that what I was doing all of this time was defining myself as a human being; in finding my niche as a traveler I was learning how I wanted to live.

Now, as I try to establish a normal routine in my home country, I hold onto lessons from the road. They are my support system, reminding me of who I am and where I have been.

Here are 4 of the most important life lessons I learned while traveling.

1. Focus on the “now”

When the path ahead of us is unclear, it’s easy to question what we are doing with our lives. Western society teaches us that we should go to school and get on a career path.

But some of us want some time off in between school and careers. Yes, we all want great jobs where we feel good about the work we do, but some of us want to postpone, and in some cases escape, the 9-5 lifestyle.

For those of us destined to walk down this path, it’s inevitable that others will ask questions:

• “So what exactly are you doing on this trip?”
• “What do you expect to do when you get back?”
• “Don’t you have a five year plan?”

These are all questions that you do not need to have an answer to – remember that it’s OK to just travel for the sake of travel.

There is plenty of time in life to follow schedules and make five year plans, but traveling is about taking a breather from high intensity, stressful society and relearning how to focus on the present. This teaches you to deal with life on a day to day basis.

2. Embrace the ordinary

Being open to possibility is the only thing that allows us to move forward. Often we find that the reality of travel is very different from our dreams. Yet without those illusions about the traveling lifestyle, we may never have had the courage to hit the road in the first place.

Talk to anyone who has studied, traveled or worked abroad and they will tell you about the difference between glamorous expectations and normal everyday routines.

When we travel for extended periods of time we see that not everything is as exotic first thought. Television ads in a foreign country may seem weird as long as we hear them in that foreign language, but as soon as we get a sense of the language, the ads seem as absurd as anything at home.

Long-term travel is not about constantly seeking the extraordinary, but coming to terms with the ordinary itself. It’s about learning to appreciate the simpler moments that everyday life offers.

3. Push your comfort levels

Traveling is about breaking out of our own personal boundaries. No matter the length of time, be it one week or a whole year, just being in a new place forces us to push ourselves.

We are obliged to memorize a string of strange sounding words just to order a simple coffee, master new public transportation systems, learn how to use unfamiliar toilets and ask for directions by way of body language, pictures and the common language of laughter.

In new places we want to be able to handle the situation, and so we force ourselves to learn.

Returning home after a trip often seems boring compared to our recent experiences; because in a new place we are constantly succeeding in conquering new situations. Recreating that feeling is therefore a matter of finding situations that push us as human beings, be it with a job, seeking knowledge or in our personal relationships.

4. Stay flexible

If travel teaches us anything at all, it’s that an itinerary can change at the drop of a hat. Buses break down, hurricanes roll in and travelers get sick.

Being a good traveler means always having a backup plan or being ready to think of one. My difficulty with the five year plan was because I am always ready to do something different.

In our travels we can never predict the future, and the same holds true for our “regular” lives back at home. Staying flexible allows us to achieve what we truly believe in even if that means sailing off course.

It allows us to push our boundaries and move beyond what we, and others, think is possible.

What life lessons have you learned through travel? Please contribute to the discussion by leaving a comment below!

Anna Brones has a love of culture, foreign languages and good food. When she is not on an adventure she spends quality time in her native Pacific Northwest. Her writing has appeared in Transitions Abroad, A Woman’s World Again and Matador Travel. Her personal travel writing endeavors can be found at Intercrossings.

I am a sucker for train travel. What other transportation alternative offers ample leg room, no security lines and no traffic jams?

In fact, the mere mention of the word “rail” evokes romantic thoughts of long afternoons spent gazing at gorgeous scenery while happily chatting with the person in the next seat.

Unfortunately, I have also had my share of nightmare train experiences. I’ve spent hours sitting on cold station floors, I’ve been stuck in a cramped fetal position in Eastern Europe because I thought the cheaper ticket was the better deal, and I have dealt with my share of screaming babies.

Fortunately I have learned that although things like screaming babies are impossible to plan for, there are a whole lot of other variables you can control to ensure a pleasant trip by train.

Here are some key-pointers for keeping your train ride enjoyable, convenient and inexpensive:

Plan Ahead

It may sound obvious, but the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be.

Check out the train traveler’s bible at www.seat61.com. With everything from timetables to train photos, the website offers just about everything you can know without boarding the train itself. Grab your spiral bound notebook and start taking notes.

First Class Can Be Cheap

When purchased in advance, many train companies, especially in Europe, have promotional offers that sometimes include the luxury wagons. If you know your travel dates and can commit to booking in advance, you may have a chance at a first class ticket for just a little over the regular price. Just remember to freshen up before taking your seat next to a local businessman.

Turn Long Trips Into Overnight Trips

If several train journeys are on your itinerary, consider making the longer ones overnighters. Even the best of travelers can get antsy during long train rides and unless you are devoted to enjoying the scenery, save your travel energy and book a night ticket.

Trains are often calmer during the night hours and if on a budget, you will end up saving one night’s accommodation. On top of it all, what can be better than falling asleep in one city and waking up the next morning in a whole new one?

Get Up And Move Around

Train rides, especially long ones, are more enjoyable if your body feels fresh and energetic. Stretching your legs every hour will give your blood a chance to circulate and perk you up. Not only will you feel better, but walking around the train can often lead to interesting conversations with the locals, giving you lots of juicy bits for your travel blog.

Keep Track Of Your Luggage

Even in the safest of countries, always keep a good eye on your luggage. As any mindful traveler knows, money, passport and other valuables should be kept on your body. In regards to your backpack or suitcase, try to stow it as close to your seat as possible.

If forced to place it at the end of a wagon, or out of your view, get up every once in awhile to go and stand by it for a few minutes – this way people know that you are keeping it under surveillance.

Pack Essential Food

Remember the days of packing a school lunch? Train travel is no different. Depending on the country, train food can be one of three things: Expensive, Unappetizing, Non-existent.

Don’t take the risk; before boarding your next train, go to the local market or grocery store and pack your own lunch. Stock it full of high energy food like fruit and nuts, which will keep you feeling healthy throughout the ride.

And don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Anna Brones has a love of culture, foreign languages and good food. When she is not on an adventure she spends quality time in her native Pacific Northwest. Her writing has appeared in Transitions Abroad, A Woman’s World Again and Matador Travel. Her personal travel writing endeavors can be found at Intercrossings.

Do you have any train travel stories or tips of your own? Share in the comments!

One day however, I was forced to return to the United States. I was happy to go home and see my family, drink Northwest microbrews and be with my friends again.

On my flight home however, something strange happened.

As we neared the Seattle airport, the sounds of the airplane went silent; for a moment I was left only with myself and the sensation of descending.

The moment I felt the wheels touch the ground I instantly burst into tears. The woman sitting to my left glanced awkwardly in my direction.

I pulled myself together and made my way into the terminal, forcing a smile when the customs agent said “Welcome Home.”

I managed to climb into my parents’ car, emotionally torn between my “normal” home and my new one in Paris. The following weeks went by and I found myself in a slump; all I wanted was to return to France.

As many great minds have said, sometimes the hardest part about traveling is coming home. We experience so many things, push ourselves outside of our usual comfort zones, and learn more about ourselves as individuals.

Be it a one week trip or a year-long expedition, returning home is difficult. Emotions run high and your life can feel a bit out of control. The good news is, there are solutions!

1. Put some decent hours into making a photo album

It’s time to put the hundreds of photos stored on your computer to good use.

Printing your pictures and turning them into an album full of travel eye-candy not only gives you something to show your family and friends, but it also takes you on a visual trip back through your travels.

Each photo gives you the chance to re-savor the moment that was caught on film.

2. Throw a dinner party

After your photo album is complete you’re going to want to show it off. Use the occasion to put together a themed dinner party, with food and music from your recent travels.

Your friends and family will get a true taste of all the elements that made your travels memorable.

3. Find other travelers

Other travelers have inevitably spent some time on the same emotional rollercoaster. Not only are they more forgiving of sentences that begin with “On my trip..” or “When I was in…” but they also understand the culture shock that you are going through.

4. Find the local expat community

If you’ve spent extended time in another country you may find that you have been seduced by its culture, customs and language.

What used to be foreign now comes as second nature. We sometimes even use the expression “at home” when referring to our host country.

So when back on native soil, it’s time to track down the local expat community of the place you’ve left. Here you can share all the things you loved about the culture with natives, who are equally happy to find an understanding friend in their own host country.

5. Write about it

Keeping a travel journal seems to be a travel tip that a lot of people give. What they don’t tell you is that a post-travel journal can be equally helpful.

Record your experience of culture shock, your joy in reconnecting with friends and family and your difficulty readjusting.

Another method of recovery can be working on travel essays about your trip. Use the occasion to gather and clarify your thoughts and produce some great travel writing.

6. Be there for other travelers

After you’ve gotten through your own post-travel blues, it’s time to help someone else get through theirs. Remember to ask specific questions:

“What were you doing the second to last day of your trip?”
“What was your usual morning routine?”
Stay away from general ones, like “How was your trip?”

The more specific questions you ask, the more likely your fellow returnee will light up and launch into a detailed and interesting travel anecdote.

Don’t stop dreaming

And remember- one of the best ways to recover from post-travel blues is to start planning your next trip!

Anna Brones has a love of culture, foreign languages and good food. When she is not on an adventure she spends quality time in her native Pacific Northwest. Her writing has appeared in Transitions Abroad, A Woman’s World Again and Matador Travel. Her personal travel writing endeavors can be found at Intercrossings.

Any more tips you would add to the list? Share in the comments!

For several months I had the luxury of forgetting about the stress of traveling in Europe with a weak dollar.

A month ago however, when the European bank account had run its course, but my travel lust had not, I pulled out the American ATM Card and went to the bank.

Life was great until I checked my account several days later when the only words I could get out were, “70 euros equals how many dollars???”

My heart rate went up and I realized I would have to get back to the basics.

I wracked my brain and managed to come up with several key-pointers that helped me refresh my memory on how to keep Europe inexpensive:

1. Take advantage of public transportation

If on a budget, it is easy to assume that you will not be taking a taxi. What then are the options for public transportation?

Most cities offer various passes for their public transportation, ranging from day-long to month-long. If you’re spending a week in a city, a week-long pass may be worth the investment. The more you ride, the cheaper your ticket!

2. All-in-one city passes

If you are planning on a tourist-intense few days in a city, with visits to museums, cultural sites and a lot of bus riding, consider an all-in-one pass.

Tourist offices in many European cities offer these, which often include admission to most major attractions, a day (or week-long) public transportation pass and even reductions at participating stores and restaurants around the city.

You may even end up visiting some places that weren’t on the itinerary.

3. Picnic!

European cities are often known for their well-maintained parks and communal areas. On clear days, take advantage of them by bringing your own picnic.

When shopping for your picnic, try and buy at a local market, where regionally grown produce is often cheaper. You save some euros while supporting the local industry at the same time.

4. Bring the kids

Who said traveling as a family was expensive? From museums to movies, Europe is a wonderland of family reductions.

Family packages can range from three people with the same last name (regardless of age) to a combination of two adults plus a minimum of two children.

Across Europe, there also tends to be a wide variety of reductions for students, allowing you to travel inexpensively with teenagers.

5. Travel on weekdays

Skip the weekend crowds and protect your pocket book by traveling on weekdays. For trains and flights, tickets tend to be cheaper Monday through Thursday, meaning if you can travel on these days you may be able to score a good deal.

6. Do your research

Before embarking on your big voyage, visit the websites of some of the big attractions you plan on seeing. Many museums offer free admission one or more days a month. Plan accordingly!

7. Grab a local culture guide

The advantage of big cities, especially in the summer, is the selection of community cultural activities. Many of these are sponsored by the city or cultural organizations – meaning their free!

With everything from outdoor movies to concerts in the park, local culture guides give you a good idea of what is going on and what residents of the city spend their time doing.

Be ready however to partake in foreign language adventures; the outdoor movie with free admission may only be in French, but isn’t being immersed in the language part of traveling?

8. Stay hydrated for cheap

Certain items are necessities when visiting major sites of Europe. Water is one of them.

Don’t fall into the “3 euro per bottle of water trap” that often happens to those caught thirsty in a tourist filled square.

Instead, make a morning trip to the local grocery store and buy a liter of water at a fraction of the tourist price.

Anna Brones has a love of culture, foreign languages and good food. When she is not on an adventure she spends quality time in her native Pacific Northwest. Her writing has appeared in Transitions Abroad, A Woman’s World Again and Matador Travel. Her personal travel writing endeavors can be found at Intercrossings.

Any more tips you would add to the list? Share in the comments!