Living on the road, eating out, and staying in hotels was something I never looked forward to when work sent me out of town while living in the United States. All I could do was sit in a hotel and watch TV or work. I ate out all the time and felt like crap. I never adjusted to it and couldn’t wait to get home.
However, when I go to Europe, I feel comfortable and relaxed living a similar lifestyle. It’s like I shouldn’t or something, but I do. Traveling is my calling. I can go almost anywhere and make it work for me, anywhere but the States.
Are You Friends With Yourself?
I’ve always been a loner. I love thinking, learning, and personal introspection, so time on the road gives me time to learn and study what I want. Sure, being alone in a foreign country has its moments, but being able to do what you want when you want has its moments, too. It’s up to you to decide if the trade-off is worth it.
Enjoy Life As It Is.
Living on the road is just that; it’s about living. My daily life is mine to determine and control. I decide if I want to read, study, or walk around. I have 24 hours a day to fill. If I had just focused on seeing the sights and being a tourist, my days would not have been fulfilling.
Traveling for months and moving from hotel to hotel are only things for some. To make it work, you have to make life enjoyable. And nothing is standing in your way but you.
I Rarely Watch TV.
When I returned to the States, I noticed many people get up and turn on the TV first thing in the morning. It’s like a pacifier for people who need direction or a clear set of goals. I just realized how much of a habit this is for Americans when I return to the States. Because there’s one thing I rarely do when traveling is watch the boob tube.
There is so much to do in life that TV distracts people from living. Many Americans live their pathetic lives through TV. If they miss a news story or don’t see their talking heads daily, they miss out on life. But for me, life doesn’t exist in a TV set.
Controlling what you allow into your life is controlling your life. I want to control my life and live how I want, not the life others think I should.
Getting To Know New Surroundings
My favorite way to get to know a city is to take free walking tours. I’ve done this in several cities in Europe. It’s the most economical way to get to know your way around the city and ask questions about your visit. These tours are done by volunteers who work on a tip basis. ( I usually give them 5 to 10 dollars.) Many guides are licensed by the city or country as official guides.
They are very knowledgeable and will give you tips on the local cuisine and how to use public transportation, in addition to answering questions about a country’s history. You will also meet people from around the world. I went on one in Tirana, Albania. There were about twenty people, mostly couples, and I was the only person from the U.S.
Eating Healthy on the Road
In Europe, most people eat dinner late at night, like at seven or eight p.m. It’s up to you to decide when you want to eat. One positive thing about food in European and Asian countries is that it’s easy to eat healthy because you can buy fresh, off-the-vine fruits and vegetables at roadside stands and markets in almost every city.
Big-box grocery stores are rare, but outdoor markets are plentiful. Most people don’t have freezers, so they buy fresh food daily. This is a lot healthier than most Americans eat, and it’s obvious when you notice almost no fat people walking the streets.
Can You Handle Spending a Couple of Days Cooped Up In a Hotel?
Maybe the weather sucks, you’re tired, or feeling under the weather, these days will happen. For example, I suffer from occasional gout attacks. And sometimes it’s so painful I can barely walk. I sat in a hotel room for a couple of days until the flare-up subsided.
And trust me, if you can’t find a way to entertain yourself, days can seem to last forever.
Till next time, enjoy life’s travels.
Joseph OBrien