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Severe case of wanderlust.
When travelling, I feel that the company (or lack thereof), can make or break your travels. Some people prefer travelling alone as that gives you the benefits of being able to do anything YOU want to do, and the freedom to meet as many people as you like.
Everyone travels differently - my favourite travel companion (and bestfriend) and I share the same sentiment as to what our money should be spent on. Spending very little on cheap (but clean) hostels allows us to splurge on good local food, excursions, and activities or cultural shows that cost a substantial amount (eg. a flight over the Nazca Lines set us back 85 dollars but to us it was very, very worth it!) However I know some people who would rather spend their money on nice hotels, or buy food from grocery stores instead, or just wander the streets without doing anything touristy, or just spend all day at the beach sunbathing- all of which are fine by me, but only in small doses. Throughout three years of travelling with friends I’ve noticed one key fact- How well you get along back home is not always a fair indication of how you’d get along when travelling! Which of these travel types are you?
1. The Navigator
The one who holds the map and makes sure you don’t get lost! An absolute essential during any trip or you will find yourself lost fairly often. The Navigator may enjoy finding things on the map but be warned, confidence may not necessarily translate to being correct!
2. The Planner
The Planner and the Navigator are at times the same person, but this is not always the case. The Planner does the research, books the hostels, finds out where to eat- I have even heard of a friend who made an hour-by-hour itinerary starting from 8AM up til midnight with no possibility of deviating from the schedule. The Planner is useful if you are the type who likes not having to do any work, but if you’re more of a relaxed traveller, you would probably not be travel compatible!
3. The Kerfaffler
This traveller comes in many forms. It is the girl that takes an hour to do her hair and make-up, the one who wanders round the hostel getting ready for a shower but somehow does everything other than actually showering, the one who leaves the hostel in the morning and has to return because they forgot something, then spends an additional twenty minutes in the hostel on Wifi - Basically, the Kerfaffler kerfaffles a lot - and makes everybody WAIT.
4. The Excitable Photographer
This person will stop at every street sign, blooming flower, drain, or person shining someone’s shoes to take a photo. (I confess- I do this!)
5. The Tourist
This person will take photos of everything with a massive smile on their face and a total lack of decency - including the torture cells of Auschwitz, a cemetery, a statue of Jesus dying on the cross…
6. The Ignoramus
This person is the one who doesn’t know anything. Has done no research on where you’re actually going, makes no effort to help with any planning or navigating, doesn’t even know the name of the hostel you’re staying at- Handy if you like to lead, but potentially very annoying if you don’t like doing everything!
7. The Lazy Bum
The Lazy Bum would rather not do a lot of walking- or anything too strenuous. Ever.
8. The Horny Tourist
This is the boy (possibly girl?) who goes on holiday to pull/sex as many locals/fellow tourists/hostel buddies as possible. Usually travels in big groups!
9. The Cultured One
This is the person who tries to learns the language fairly quickly, loves having long chats with locals and assimilating themselves into the culture!
10. The Social Butterfly
They will talk to anyone; a waitress, person waiting at the bus stop, the guard checking your ticket at an attraction - great company for when you want to meet new people but are too shy to make the first move!
I think every person can be varying levels of pretty much any type on any trip, depending on how you feel at that point! The bottom line is- if you want to travel with someone, think carefully how you each travel to make sure you are travel compatible! And be prepared for surprises coz everybody’s true self only comes out when travelling!
x
