Myths of Travel

There are many reasons why some people think that they cannot do the type of travelling that does not entail a couple of weeks at a resort. Here are a few of the common myths of travel and what we think of them…

You need tons of money to travel for long periods of time.

We Reckon…if you make a conscious effort to spend no money on transport and accommodation, you can spend a lot less than if you settle for taxis and the mid-range hotels.

All foreigners are out to rip you off.

We Reckon…if you walk around with your money in plain view, designer clothes and your expensive camera, of course you’ll be targeted by criminal entrepreneurs. Dress for the occasion, have some commonsense and don’t say yes to everything.

If you don’t speak the language, you can’t communicate.

We Reckon…there’s a lot to be said for gestures and a smile. It doesn’t hurt to try and learn a few words, and you should pick up some things on the way. However, if you try hard enough, with enough patience, there is no reason why you won’t get your point across.

You need to plan your trip from start to finish.

We Reckon…it does not hurt to have a general idea of where you’re going, but set itineraries are an unnecessary pressure. So often we hear that the best things happened when people did things they had not planned to do.

All backpackers are beer-swilling, pot-smoking oddballs that rarely shower and are always borrowing stuff.

We Reckon…there are definitely some of those out there and there is nothing wrong with that. However, there are many more people who consider themselves “backpackers” who are nothing like this.

It’s more dangerous for Americans to travel in some parts of the world.

We Reckon…get a grip!! Sure, if you go around proclaiming your American-ness like it offered you some special privilege, you’ll get negative reactions. If you don’t stand out, there is no reason to target you.

There’s no way to pack everything you need into one pack.

We Reckon…you need to look closely at what you’re taking. Some folks buy every fancy gizmo, from self-inflating bus pillows to re-usable toilet paper, and wonder why their pack weighs 50kg. Take the basics and buy what you need while you’re there, especially when it comes to clothes. The second you stop moving, clothes will magically appear in your pack.

You can’t eat the food or drink the water without getting sick.

We Reckon…commonsense plays a large part. People that live those areas have to eat and drink, so it can’t be all bad. Find out what the dangers are and be careful. The water in London goes through eight people before it gets to the tap, and people assume it’s clean.

There isn’t enough time to travel.

We Reckon…a job or career might last 30-odd years, but the experiences gained from some time spent outside your comfort zone will last a lifetime. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is more to life than increasing its speed.”