Colin Wright: Author, Entrepreneur, Full-Time Traveler

22 Things to Do More Often While Traveling


Posted on 4th June, 2010.   27 Comments

22 Things to Do More Often While Traveling

 

It’s always interesting flowing back into the more nebulous, impermanent lifestyle of a traveler after having a home-base for several months.

As a rule I tend not to do list posts, but this seemed like an important and timely one, as I’ve recently become homeless again and am vagabonding my way around New Zealand for a few more weeks.

So when you’re traveling, do this stuff every single time you get the opportunity:

Shower
Brush your teeth
Meet someone new
Use the toilet
Hug someone
Get a massage
Go where the locals go
Wash your clothes
Just sit and watch/listen
Eat a healthy meal
Leave a place better than you found it
Sit quietly and think
Exercise
Do something ridiculous
Take someone out for coffee
Listen to unfamiliar music
Check out a gallery or museum
Surprise yourself
Take photographs from the hip
Sleep
Read the local newspaper
Listen to a stranger’s stories

Trust me, do these things and you’ll get a lot more out of the experience, suffer a lot less stress and not come across as a typical (smelly) traveler as often.



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Maybe it's because I'm traveling too, but this list could easily be renamed "daily ways to keep me sane". Well, some far more daily than others. Ahem.

"Sit quietly and think" is my favorite & can be easy to rush past while traveling. Ranks right up there with use the toilet. Both excellent ways to start the day :D

Maybe it's because I'm traveling too, but this list could easily be renamed "daily ways to keep me sane". Well, some far more daily than others. Ahem.

"Sit quietly and think" is my favorite & can be easy to rush past while traveling. Ranks right up there with use the toilet. Both excellent ways to start the day :D

Hahaha! Thank you for that very important reminder Jonny! LOL.

Thank you so much for this list buddy!

Hahaha! Thank you for that very important reminder Jonny! LOL.

Thank you so much for this list buddy!

Always check the ACTUAL sex of the girl you are dancing with - Especially important in Thailand.

Always check the ACTUAL sex of the girl you are dancing with - Especially important in Thailand.

I agree Tony. Just today I was drinking Sake with a bunch of old Japanese farmers and I pretty much just listened. It was really quite amazing to hear their point of view on life in general.

I agree Tony. Just today I was drinking Sake with a bunch of old Japanese farmers and I pretty much just listened. It was really quite amazing to hear their point of view on life in general.

Its amazing how interesting strangers stories can be if you just listen.

Oh BTW,

This is a total longshot but, You never knew a guy called Party Nate in Columbia did you?

Peace,
Darren L Carter

Hey Colin,

Great list. This is my first time here but really great site you have. (and lifestyle).

On my list (in my head), I also have - talk to a homeless person (yes), and talk to strangers on the street.

Also, if you end up in Japan anytime soon give me a shout =)

Peace,
Darren L Carter

Its amazing how interesting strangers stories can be if you just listen.

I opt for doing something ridiculous.. even over using the toilet.

Oh BTW,

This is a total longshot but, You never knew a guy called Party Nate in Columbia did you?

Peace,
Darren L Carter

Hey Colin,

Great list. This is my first time here but really great site you have. (and lifestyle).

On my list (in my head), I also have - talk to a homeless person (yes), and talk to strangers on the street.

Also, if you end up in Japan anytime soon give me a shout =)

Peace,
Darren L Carter

So so true. Health meals and excercise can be super difficult to manage while travelling around. Hostels are a time warp of constant hangovers. Not conducive to healthy living.

I opt for doing something ridiculous.. even over using the toilet.

I guess the general consensus is these are 22 things to do more often, period.

I think I'm going to bookmark this with the tag, cures for boredom.

And I still haven't figured out the picture. What's going on there?

So so true. Health meals and excercise can be super difficult to manage while travelling around. Hostels are a time warp of constant hangovers. Not conducive to healthy living.

It seems to me that many of these items would be awesome to implement even when stationary. They will provide the same effects: "you’ll get a lot more out of the experience, suffer a lot less stress and not come across as a typical [anything]."

I spent (yes, spent) 15 years in the trade show industry and did 20 of the 22 everywhere I went. Sometimes, I forget to sleep and, regretfully, I never took the time to get a massage.

I would like to add...don't save it for the road.

Do the same things at home.

Especially 'Listen to a stranger's stories'.

I guess the general consensus is these are 22 things to do more often, period.

I think I'm going to bookmark this with the tag, cures for boredom.

And I still haven't figured out the picture. What's going on there?

It seems to me that many of these items would be awesome to implement even when stationary. They will provide the same effects: "you’ll get a lot more out of the experience, suffer a lot less stress and not come across as a typical [anything]."

I spent (yes, spent) 15 years in the trade show industry and did 20 of the 22 everywhere I went. Sometimes, I forget to sleep and, regretfully, I never took the time to get a massage.

I would like to add...don't save it for the road.

Do the same things at home.

Especially 'Listen to a stranger's stories'.

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