Dear local traveler, you made it!
You have started this year opening yourself to a new way of traveling. One that, as you know by now will set you free. Free into a life of unprecedented adventure, the first unmatched to the second. Extraordinary each and every time. A journey that unites the world, expands your horizon and perspective, feeds you with priceless knowledge as you go around the world and introduces you to a new way of life every time you step into the diverse cultures and traditions earth has to offer.
Journeys breathing life into your lungs and setting beats for your heart to pound by.
I know this way of traveling might be a big leap for many of you, even for me it is so sometimes.
That’s why I want to finish off this transformational blog series on becoming a local traveler, by touching on the safety factor. Please remember that I can always only speak of my own experience. What I taught you in these last blogs comes from a massive background of experience, 51 countries to be precise. So, id like to say that my words, although they guarantee nothing, carry validity and the chance that you experience the same as I have.
So, where does your safety lie in this way of traveling. Is it as risk? Is it in the safest of hands?
With the knowledge and information, you acquired in the last blogs, what would you say, is traveling as a local safe? If so, why?
As I have stated before, I have in 51 countries only had one really uncomfortable and somewhat threatening experience. Good thing I could learn from it and now I can share this with you so that you can avoid it.
The answer is yes, traveling as a local is safe and here is why:
An Aware Traveler
To travel as a local, as you know, one must engage in massive action and do a lot of research. You must as no one is organizing this trip for you nor do you want to experience what everyone else experiences. You want to dig deep and discover the gem that lies hidden in the hearts, customs and minds of the locals.
During this research you will and should come across information on the country’s status, current situation customs, rules and norms. These will equip you with a certain awareness. For instance, don’t go out onto the streets in Africa once it gets dark.
If you know the country isn’t financially stable or has a high percentage of poor people (that is seen financially), for instance, you know you won’t go out onto the streets demonstrating all your belongings, wear the greatest of jewelry or waver with luxury.
What does this give you? It gives you a different set of eyes. Your research allows you to blend in fully, it guides you on shoulds and should nots and above all gifts you an awareness most ‘tourists’ don’t have. Meaning, there are enough unaware ‘tourists’. People see this and they acknowledge you, for as you adapt and are aware your behavior is a certain way and this on the other hand demonstrates respect towards locals.
Apart of your research which leads to a greater understanding and awareness, influencing how you dress, behave and act outside in the streets, your way of transportation and accommodation also influence your safety. Positively of course.
Wether you talk of accommodation (such as enrolling in doing Trustedhousesitters, Workaway or Couchsurfing ) or transportation (taking local transportation, hitchhiking…) they both and all, as you know, connect you with locals. Not only does this give you the special opportunities to learn about and immerse into their life but it often even gives you a new friend. A local friend.
Your friend or simply host can guide you. Who knows the destination better than the locals? No one. They can advice you, build your awareness and lead you the way. Also, you will be camouflaged amongst the locals automatically. Imagine it like living in a village. I mean when one person knows, the whole village knows. People you don’t know wave at you with the greatest of enthusiasm. That’s village life, that’s traveling as a local. You will not be exposed to danger but guarded, leaded and respected.
Never Give Up Your Self Responsibility
Last but not least, what did my one uncomfortable and somewhat threatening experience teach me? If your source of information, suggestions… whatever, does not come from an absolute trusted person, don’t rely blindly on what they share with you. One thing about traveling as a local is that you must always accept and be self responsible. Have an idea, awareness and base knowledge of your own.
Do you see where this is going? Traveling as a local screams whole heartedly and whole souled the beauty of life. Everything comes together when you travel as a local. Strangers become friends and yesterdays experiences become tomorrows new adventures. It’s endless like the cycle of life. So, I encourage you. Live fully, travel like a local and become a witness of earth’s richness.
Thank you for investing your time in reading my blogs. For trusting in my words and for letting me guide you through this extraordinary journey.
Feel free to contact me anytime and let me know, where did this new you take you?
Live free,
Kayleen