But there are also a few unexpected things to be aware of before your first visit. If you’re getting ready for your first adventure there, here are five ways to make the most of your trip:

1. Get ready to negotiate

If you plan to do some shopping while you’re there—or even take part in excursions—be prepared to negotiate.

Haggling is common—and even expected—in most parts of Thailand. This is especially true in the markets, so don’t take the first price you’re offered if you want to come home with some souvenirs.

The same applies to transport too. It’s a good idea to agree a fixed price with a taxi driver or a tuk-tuk before you get in—unless you’re certain they’re using a meter.

2. Spend a few days in Bangkok

Whilst it’s likely the lure of the islands—and the golden sands of their beaches—that have lured you in, plan to spend a few days in the capital.

This is a place like no other.

And there’s something for everyone, so it’s perfect if you’re heading to Thailand in a group too. You can check out the Buddhist temples, eat some delicious food—and check out the famous Khao San Road.

We recommend scheduling this for the start of your trip, so you can spend the rest of your time recovering from the craziness on the beach.

3. Beware of scams

Thailand is a relatively safe country. But it’s built on tourism—and that always carries a risk.

Keep your wits about you, and be aware of people trying to scam you. Trust your gut. If something seems a bit dodgy, it probably is.

One scam involves two people. The first will find out information about you—such as your name and when you arrived. They will then pass this information onto a colleague, who will try to trick you into thinking you’ve already met, before trying to get money from you in one way or another.

Make sure you have adequate travel insurance—which is essential in Thailand—and can help you out if you get into a tricky situation.

4. Take appropriate clothing with you

If you want to visit cultural sites—such as the many temples and Buddhist monuments around the company—make sure you take appropriate clothing with you.

These landmarks will expect you to dress modestly, with your legs, arms and chest covered. Although this is a matter of respect, you may be also be denied entry if your clothing is deemed inappropriate. Don’t risk it!

5. Stay wary of animal tourism

There are still a number of excursions available that involve elephant rides or tiger temples.

The sad truth is, the majority of these ‘attractions’ do not have the animals’ best interests at heart. Respect the wildlife, and don’t contribute to this unfair industry.

There are plenty more attractions to keep you busy!

So, what do you think? Are you read to go to Thailand??

***All images are taken from Unsplash.com.

***Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. 

The post Five Ways to Make the Most of a Holiday in Thailand appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

When I started planning our western Ireland road trip, I quickly discovered one thing–Ireland will leave you spoiled for choice! There is so much to see. Where to even start?

We found cheap tickets to Shannon, but it was way cheaper to fly back to Budapest from Dublin, so I tried to plan our itinerary around that (which technically means this isn’t a fully “Western” trip). Of course, we ended up flying into Dublin anyway since we kept getting our flights canceled/shifted (and had to drive to Shannon to get our bags…but that’s a long, not-so-fun story…to read or write!).

Ultimately, we decided to play it by ear, to some extent (for someone who is Type A when it comes to travel, this is almost impossible to do fully). We wanted some flexibility in our plans, which was good, since most of our plans had to go awry when we got delayed two extra days in America.

Here’s our itinerary for the six days we ended up having in Ireland. We did end up booking spontaneously, not necessarily something I would recommend in August (ahem, high season, I clearly did my research), but we always had a place to stay, and along the way we saw some incredible places, and stayed in some quintessential Irish B&Bs.

**Disclaimer: A side-effect of an Irish trip will always leave you wanting more. You’ve been warned!

Dublin–Shannon via Bruff

We stayed in the really tiny village of Bruff, where we were immediately struck with the tidiness of the place and the legendary friendliness of the locals (for example, we got lost, and the people who helped us had us follow them in their car way out of their way–then called the inn to make sure we’d actually made it inside! And we never even officially met them!!)

Bruff–Dingle via Adare and Conor Pass

The next day, we drove through the little town of Adare, routinely voted cutest town in the universe (or something like that) and of thatched-cottage fame.

From there, we hot-footed it over Conor Pass (um, glorious) to spend a night in my beloved Dingle.

Dingle–Ballinskelligs via the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry

We drove the entire Wild Atlantic Way in one day (again, not necessarily something I recommend, but it was still worth the drive!), including this stop at Dunquin Pier. It was freezing and cold and still so picturesque.

Ballinskelligs–Waterville via the Skellig Ring Road

We ended our drive on the Ring of Kerry to stay two nights in Ballinskelligs, at the Seaside B&B, our favorite nights of the trip. The inn is in walking distance to the beach and Ballinskelligs Castle, plus it’s so comfortable and cute.

We ended up running out of cash, and the closest ATM was in Waterville–an unplanned stop but a lovely one.

We’d planned to take the boats out to Skellig Michael (I’ve always wanted to…and then my husband saw Star Wars and decided he needed to go, too). Of course, the weather was so terrible they weren’t planning on going out for at least a week–well after we’d be back in BP.

So, we drove around the Skellig Ring Road instead, stopping at the random (yet delicious) Skellig Chocolate, and planning to stop at the Kerry Cliffs but being deterred by the icy sleet.

Ballinskelligs–Kinsale via Killarney & Killarney National Park

The next day, we drove to Kinsale via Killarney.

I was expecting to love Kinsale and admittedly, it was my least favorite spot of the trip. Not that it was more touristy than Dingle, but it felt more like it. Does that make sense? It’s still a really cute town, right on a harbor and full of Irish charm.

Kinsale–Wexford (Duncannon) via Ardmore

The next day, we drove to Duncannon in Wexford via Ardmore. We stayed at this little Airbnb that I adored.

Wexford–Kilkenny via the Hook Peninsula

On our last full day, we drove down to Hook Lighthouse–the whole point of going to Wexford–and finally had a gorgeously sunny day–followed by a perfectly beautiful (except for a small incident with a bee in the car…I’m not proud of my reaction to this) drive up to Kilkenny, our last stop. Perhaps the highlight of the lighthouse tour was when our guide said I was more Irish than him with my last name. Totally false, but whatever ;).

Kilkenny Castle, you guys! I didn’t actually go in–I was happy with the views–but man it was awesome.

The town of Kilkenny itself was so fun. We heard at least three live bands in one night while we went pub hopping–and had some last Bailey’s before heading out.

Have you been to Ireland? Which of these places would you most like to see? 

The post Western Ireland Road Trip appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

I don’t blame you for being scared of the cost! But, I’m here to tell you that it is possible to travel on a budget in Europe–and you don’t need to backpack to do it!

1. Pick your destination wisely–not just where, but when! Europe does still have a few places that are more affordable–Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, to name a few! However, don’t just choose the cheap destination if you have no interest in these places. If you’ve always dreamed of wandering the Swiss Alps or dreaming amongst the wineries in Tuscany, those places are still doable–especially if you go in the off-season, or to lesser-traveled regions outside of the well-known tourist areas.

^^Romania, beautiful…and inexpensive!

2. Now decide how to get there and how to get around! My favorite sites for flights are Skyscanner and Kayak, as well as Airfare Watchdog. Within Europe, use Rome2Rio or GoEuro to find the cheapest option between points A and B, either by bus, train, or car. GoEuro is easier to book from itself, but Rome2Rio has options for this as well.

3. Prioritize. Now that you’ve chosen (which to me is the hardest part!) and bought your tickets/scoped them out, think about what’s most important to you at the destination, as that will be what you spend your money on. Unless you aren’t traveling on a budget (and if you aren’t, lucky you), you will not be able to go full-out in every area of travel, especially in Europe! So, do you want luxurious accommodation, or all the food? Do you want to see every little thing possible, or are you happy just soaking in the vibe of the place? Do you want to stay in one city, or see the entire country?

        ^^two weeks in one small corner of Croatia still didn’t feel like enough time!

4. Accommodation research. As much as I want to say that it the destination is all that matters, I am picky about my accommodation. Now that I’m in in my late twenties, and married, I generally don’t want to stay in hostels or shared rooms, even though these are often the cheapest options. What’s more, when I look back on my travels, often my favorite places were amazing in part because of where I stayed while there. It’s half the fun, after all! I spend hours researching where to stay in each destination–looking at location, amenities, and reviews. As I’m sure you know, Airbnb is a great way to get places with kitchens (which will save you money eating out, see next point). I’m also a fan of Booking.com, as you get rewards the more you book.

^^an adorable apartment in Vienna (and my adorable husband)

5. Eating out. Eating out is often inevitable when traveling, and it can be some of the most fun and memorable parts of your trip. I often choose one large meal a day, and eat smaller/cheaper meals through the rest of the day, or stop frequently for small snacks. In Italy, for example, I know there will have to be gelato stops–so I eat smaller and cheaper meals to save money.

^^moussaka on Santorini–one of my most favorite meals ever and a must to try–and shared with my husband!

6. Eating in. If you find a place with a kitchen, this will help a lot with your food expenses. If not, it’s still easy to make a picnic! If the weather is not on your side, share food or get an appetizer as your main dish. Grab snacks at the grocery store so you can easily skip a huge meal, and eat on the go if necessary.

7. Walk! The best way to see a city, in my opinion, is to walk its streets. Sometimes the help of public transportation is necessary–and, in places like Prague, a fun way to sightsee–but it can save you money to hoof it a few extra blocks. Bonus, you get in some free sightseeing, you get some exercise, and you get a feel for the city that isn’t always possible otherwise.

^^Prague from a tram

8. Be picky with activities–and search for package deals or free/discount days. Many cities in Europe nowadays have a city pass to get you deals on their major sites. Paris has it’s famous Museum Pass, for example. That being said, before buying, make sure it will actually save you money and that you actually want to do all of those things. Several times I’ve bought a pass and ended up wasting time with activities I wasn’t that interested in just because I needed to make it worth my money. Or, I bought a pass and realized I didn’t have enough time to make it worth my while! And, finally, most memorably, we bought Museum Passes in Paris but didn’t account for the fact that our pass was good over a holiday–so we lost a full day! In addition to city passes, many places in Europe have deals on the first Saturday of the month, or on Tuesdays, where museums or churches are free or reduced in price. Or, if you’re going off-season, these things may be cheaper AND less crowded–just make sure to check opening and closing times!

^^Selfies to pass the time in the endless Paris lines

9. Be choosy with your souvenirs. It can be really tempting to go crazy shopping in a new country full of beautiful local handicrafts, delicious food and drinks, more exclusive shops, etc. Of course, since I live in a tiny flat and am acutely aware of the size of my suitcase, this isn’t as much of a problem for me–but I still have to rein myself in. I usually let myself pick one thing from each destination–something easily packed–along with a few postcards. I try to get a postcard from every spot! Of course, if this is your one big trip to Europe, go crazy and buy all those things I wish I could–a cuckoo clock in the Alps, pottery in Romania, local alcohol from every destination, giant paintings of Santorini…and the list goes on.

10. Use these travel hacks from Personal Capital, for your travels in Europe, and future travels in the rest of the world: 

Want more tips? Visit this post from Personal Capital: How To Save Money Traveling Like A Boss. For more help with financial planning, check out their free financial software.

Tell me–what are your tips for traveling on a budget, in Europe or elsewhere?

The post Ten Tips for Budget Travel…in Europe! appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

I’ve mentioned this a few times on the blog, generally quickly and casually, because it’s an uncomfortable topic for me. I also never know how to bring it up. It doesn’t generally fit into my fun travel posts, or my expat revelations post.

Ultimately, this blog is about my story, and as often as I wish this anxiety and depression wasn’t a part of me, it is.

I’ve struggled on and off with depression and anxiety for a long time. I feel grateful for the fact that, as debilitating as it can be for me, it hasn’t prevented me from living my life.

I tend to feel anxiety about everything–it doesn’t discriminate–but for some reason, travel is often exempt from this category. Sure, I feel anxious about the details and the logistics, so I occasionally over plan (or, um, always over plan), but usually, I am certain that traveling to someplace new is never something I could regret. So, for some reason the anxiety around travel just…disspates. Which can seem completely opposite of what one would expect.

However, now that I am essentially traveling full-time, and after a year of living abroad and traveling as much as possible, my anxiety around travel has increased. Perhaps because travel is not just an escape from my life, but it kind of is my life? Travel is not just a quick vacation any more, but what we are building our life around, so I suppose it makes sense that it brings a whole other suitcase of things to worry about now.

I don’t have a magical solution for my anxiety, but I have noticed some things that help with this. I hope maybe they can help you, too, if you struggle with this or are nervous about traveling in general!

1. Plan, plan, plan. Obviously with travel, it’s important to remember that there is so much that lies out of your control. No matter how perfectly you plan, you are still not in charge of the flight or the hotel or the weather. However, it helps me to research as much as I can about where we are going, especially the best places to stay and the best ways to get around. If we are traveling more free-form, I also like to read as much about the country we are visiting as possible so I know our possibilities. I like the website Rough Guides for the general overview it gives to almost every country in the world–along with pictures!
2. Write a daily grateful journal. This one has been so important for me! I absolutely love journaling, but occasionally, as is common with anxiety, if I have too much freedom, I will end up dwelling in writing on whatever is making me anxious. Not good! My grateful journal gives me a positive direction to write in, helps me catalog specific memories I am grateful for that day, and reminds me of my staggering privilege. Since beginning to write in my journal almost every night several months ago, I’ve noticed an overall decrease in my anxiety and much better sleep at nights.
3. Coloring. This one is a method that has taken off huge recently thanks to the report that coloring is the next best thing to meditation. As a psychology student, I was introduced to this technique as I was working with kids. I discovered that it also works great for me! I have this awesome travel coloring book and it’s a fun way to calm myself down.
4. Focus on the moment. Mindfulness is huge in the psychology world, and for good reason. Since mindfulness is tricky and can take a lot of practice, an easy way to start is to play what I call “the Mindful Game.” I do this basically by turning my natural ability to over analyze and ask questions away from my own brain and onto the world around me. Asking questions like “what do I smell right now? what do I see? do I like what I see? why or why not? what am I sitting on? what do my socks feel like against my feet? am I comfortable? why or why not? do I like any colors or shapes around me? why?” and so on. It’s good to focus on something you like around you and explore why you like it. Like, why do you like that blue car? Is the blue pretty? Why do you think it’s pretty? It is cute? What makes it cute? However, when it’s something you don’t like, it is best not to judge your answer–say you don’t like it and move on, rather than dissecting that, because it could be a trigger.
5. Puzzles. I prefer crossword puzzles, but Sudoku or anything like that works well, especially when you are waiting and you are concerned about waiting or what comes next.
6. Breathing. Simple, but so important! There are so many breathing techniques, but they are all so effective. Sometimes I count to three as I inhale through my nose, count to four as I hold it, count to three as I exhale through my mouth. Sometimes I breathe deeply, again through my nose, as I imagine relaxing every muscle in my face, or even relaxing every muscle in my body, starting at my toes and moving upwards. Make sure to spend extra breaths on the parts of your body that hold more tension–I spend extra time on my knees, stomach, shoulders and forehead! Finally, a great one to do is one that I have often taught kids: the balloon method. Pretend that you have a blue balloon (or whatever color you choose) in your stomach. Breathe in slowly, filling up the balloon as big as it can get without popping. Don’t breathe too fast or it will pop! Then, imagine the air slowly leaving the balloon. You can even watch the balloon get bigger and smaller in your stomach if you want, it can be helpful to see what those breaths are doing. Just make sure to breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
7. Music. Calming music, or fun music, can go a long way in soothing your anxiety. I have a bunch of music that I call my “nostalgic” music because it reminds me of different periods of my life, good ones!, which means hearing these songs will remind me of the good past, and give me a bit of a break from the stressful present.
8. Reading. If my anxiety level isn’t too high, reading fun, light books is a great way for me to relax. It also gives you something to do during those long hours trapped in an airplane, car, bus or train. I often will read highly suspenseful novels as a way to distract me from a long travel day, but I have to be careful because these can sometimes suck me in too much and increase my stress level, so I start to feel more stressed about my current situation than I had before.
9. Being prepared. Here’s where my extensive years in the Girl Scouts pays off–I always love to be prepared! (Okay, so that’s the Boy Scouts, but still). Along with my number one tip, to plan, being prepared can help alleviate some anxiety. I personally tend to go overboard with medication and extra underwear–and if I over pack in these areas a bit, but it gives me peace of mind, so what? I tend to have way more medications than I need. As long as I can over pack in these areas and still bring everything else along that I need, it’s no problem. In fact, I even have anxiety soothing medication that I have never used, just in case I have a panic attack or my anxiety gets out of control. Again, it gives me peace of mind to know it’s there.
10. Give yourself a break. Remember to validate your feelings. It’s okay to be nervous or anxious. It doesn’t mean that you don’t want to go, that you’re ignoring your instincts, or necessarily anything like that. I find that acknowledging my anxiety–instead of just trying to run away from it–helps calm it a little bit, as if my anxiety is a separate person screaming “PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!! Oh, you’re listening? Oh, okay.”
11. Do it your way. There is no wrong way to deal with your anxiety (although admittedly there are healthier responses than others). Do what works for you! Don’t forget to that usually, all of the traveling is worth the stress and anxiety.

Do you have anxiety while traveling? How do you deal with it? Share below in the comments! 

Linking up with Travel Tuesday. 

The post Anxiety and Traveling appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

From the minute I stepped off the plane in Bangkok, the culture shock of Thailand hit me like a sweaty fist. Literally and figuratively, because that humidity is no joke! I quickly realized that Thailand is a rich, varied culture that is at times incredibly different from my own. I love to “collect” small and big cultural customs when I travel, so I have complied a list of some that I noticed during my travels in Thailand. I am no expert on the culture, history or country, I only have my experience to guide me!

Without further ado, I give you my ABCs of Thailand (minus a few letters, because ain’t nobody got time for X!), all of which I gathered during my two-month long travels there. During these travels I stayed in the south on an island, staying in a village in the north (where we taught English briefly), and visited cities, temples and vistas everywhere in between!

Birthdays, bucket showers, and “bai nai.”  I was surprised to find that in Thailand, the day you were born is much more important than the date, i.e. they celebrate on the day of the week you were born at that particular time of year, such as the second Tuesday in November.

We experienced the infamous bucket showers (where you put water in a bucket and dump it over your head in lieu of a tub or shower) while staying with our friend in the Peace Corps who lived in a tiny village. I didn’t mind them so much on those hot, humid days, but never learned to stop giving an involuntary squeal upon dumping the first bucket over my head!

As a greeting, Thais will say, “Bai nai?” meaning, “where are you going?” It’s kind of like our, “what’s up?” It always made me feel like I was in-the-know.

Color-codes.  Every day of the week has a different color. At the schools we visited, the childrens’ uniform shirt must match the day of the week that color happens to be!

Diving, dragonflies and dancing. Thailand was the first country I went diving in (I was certified there!) and I was pretty spoiled because it is certainly first class.

The dragonflies we saw in Thailand are RED. And huge! Almost the size of hummingbirds, sometimes, and jewel-toned.

During my stay in the village, we learned some traditional Thai dancing. The dancing mostly consists of dancing lightly while moving in a circle or line (and much more complicated than my explanation!) while bending the hands back at the wrist–and mine do certainly not bend that far! When the girls are babies, they will have their hands soaked in warm water and pushed back to increase flexibility of muscle and bone. Then, when they are older and in lessons, their hands are actually taped back to achieve the most beautiful curve.

Elephants and eggs. I was unbelievably excited to see elephants in Thailand and I was not disappointed when I finally saw some! We rode elephants in the hippie town of Pai, and went to an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai where the elephants actually paint pictures. I also met a baby elephant there, that was maybe a little too friendly.

In Thailand, if someone hands you an entire egg, it means they never want to see you again. This was unknown by Christian missionaries in the village, who handed out a variety of eggs on Easter. It was a huge faux pas and it took them quite awhile to establish relationships again afterwards.

Generosity and geeks. The Thais are some of the most generous people on the planet. It is known as the “Land of Smiles” for a good reason. I cannot think of one person who was rude, in fact, most of the people we met ended up feeding us, giving us a refreshing drink, giving us contacts in another city, giving us rides, or offering us a place to stay! The only “rudeness” we experienced was either in huge crowds, in the bus station, or on the border. And those situations are prone to rudeness in any country!

One custom in Thailand that completely flummoxed me was their tendency to have “geeks,” or mistresses. A majority of married men have a geek on the side that is well-known about the village or town. It is perfectly acceptable, although I never heard of woman having geeks themselves.

Hitchhiking, hair and humidity. Hitchhiking, while not encouraged when you’re alone, is fun in a group; and as previously discussed, the generous nature of the Thais always had them rearranging their truck for us and refusing any sort of compensation!

My hair, as you can imagine, went wild in the humidity. However, I’m not sure it’s ever been healthier, and the same goes for my skin. I still never adjusted to that dampness, though, and am not sure I could ever live someplace like that for a long period of time.

King, khanoms and karaoke. Everyone in Thailand loves their king, or at least appears to. Every day, in public places, his anthem is played, and every house has a least one picture of the king inside, if not multiple. Even the empty house my friend in the village ended up renting had no furniture, but a picture of the king on the wall! When you go to the movies, you’ll watch a short film and hear the anthem prior.

Khanoms are any kind of snack, usually something sweet, that is customarily brought when you visit anyone, like a hostess gift. I love this tradition and I always loved the khanoms, whatever they were! I loved them so much one of the villagers nicknamed me “khanom” briefly. Luckily that name didn’t stick!

Karaoke is a huge pastime and you will do it everywhere: parties, camping, at dinner, etc! I do love karaoke and they have a plethora of 80’s songs wherever you go.

Languages and “la.” Within Thailand, they have several dialects of Thai. My Thai name was in the northern dialect, which made me many friends since it is such a rare dialect, especially for foreigners. Everyone in the north speaks this dialect, as well as the national version of Thai.

“La” means handsome, and I used it all the time as it’s accompanied with a fun hand gesture. I’m fairly certain it’s only used for men but don’t hold me to that one!

Monks, milking out, massages, moles and “mai ben rai.” Monks, wearing their customary bright orange outfits, are everywhere and I loved seeing them. Women are not allowed to touch them, and everyone is required to give up the front bus seats when a monk steps on. Boats have little areas that are sectioned off, as well. We saw monks of all ages, from little boys to very old men. Some boys will enter monkhood to honor their family or if their family is impoverished. It is my understanding that it is not a lifelong commitment, although it can be if so desired.

Breasts in Thailand are called “mountains of milk,” I got told often that I was “milking out.” When you have big mountains it’s just inevitable sometimes…

Traditional Thai massage involves a lot of bending, moving, tiger balm (a soothing, mint-like cream…like natural Icy Hot) and the pressing of blood vessels. While the first massage was a little terrifying (and I accidentally took my shirt off…Thai massage includes clothes!!), the second one was amazing when I knew what to expect. It wasn’t as relaxing as a typical massage, but my body felt relaxed afterwards!

Moles, especially with long, nasty hair growing out of them, are a status symbol and a sign of wisdom, so the old men especially prize them. A custom I found particularly, well, gross (to sound completely culturally incompetent. But, ew).

Finally, “mai ben rai” is the Thai equivalent of “no worries!” and can be an answer to anything. I relate it to “hakuna matata!”

Night markets and nicknames. Night markets in Thailand are the best! The best stuff, the best haggling, the best atmosphere. Everyone has a nickname in Thailand that usually sounds nothing like their five-syllable-long given name, at least to an outsider like me. For example, we met one young girl who’s full name was Haittaratt, but was called Lyette. I don’t see the connection there, but Lyette IS much cuter!

Ovaltine.  Iced. It’s the best.

Pants, pad thai, paying and pomegranates: Fisherman pants (the ones with really low crotches), which I always thought were weird, are ubiquitous and quite comfy. I may have bought a few too many pairs because there were so many cute varieties!

Pad thai is AMAZING, and I love that it never tastes quite the same.

The oldest person at the table is generally required to pay.

Pomegranates rock here: they’re white-pink on the outside and sweet on the inside. The taste similar to the ones I’ve had in the states, but I found them much better!

Rice. SO MANY KINDS OF RICE!!! Sticky rice, purple rice, plain white rice, dessert rice…the list goes on. I’m not always a huge fan of rice (especially for breakfast), but sticky rice is pretty good! Especially when mixed with coconut milk.

Sugar, spirit houses, and “suwai.” Even my sweet tooth could not handle the excessive sweetness present in many Thai dishes and snacks.

Spirit houses are one of my favorite Buddhist traditions. You build someone a spirit house when they die, and every day for a year you light the incense on the house and give them offerings, to ease their transition between lives. Whatever your religion is, I found this a beautiful tribute.

“Suwai” means beautiful, and it was definitely one of my ten go-to Thai words (and really only ten words). However, I figured out near the end of our trip that using it in a different tone means something along the lines of disgustingly ugly…nice. Don’t you just love tonal languages?

Tuk-tuks, traffic and “Thai-napping.” Tuk-tuks, or bike taxis, are all over. They can be fun and easy (or necessary), but those drivers can be persistent. I know it’s necessary as it’s how they make their living, but sometimes a girl just wants to walk!

Traffic in Asia is a WHOLE different organism than traffic anywhere else. I thought South America was crazy, but Asia was a whole different ball game. Unlike in the states, it’s better to NOT look both ways. Never let ’em see you sweat!

One term we coined was “Thai-napping,” when your projected plans for an hour meeting turn into a several hour, day-long, or even night-long event. The Thais (and much of Asia) have a very different concept of time. Often, we would make a plan for lunch, and would end up eating dinner or going on an impromptu camping trip. Sometimes I struggled with this custom as I like to stick to my plans (Asia had fun with my plans a lot), but in the end, all of the Thai-napping experiences were just too much fun.

Wats, whiteness and “wai-ing.” Wats, or temples, are everywhere and seemed really decadent to me (although to be fair, many religious monuments are!). All the wats I saw were curly-cued and gold-tinged and some seem waaaay over the top. They were all certainly beautiful, though!

Whiteness is sort of like the opposite of tanning here. While everyone wants to be darker here, in Thailand, everyone wants to be paler, and they have tons of whitening products (even for the armpits, as I made the mistake of buying whitening deoderant…). The key chemical in their whitening products, for the most part, is bleach. So if you use them continually, like for years, as many of the older woman do, you end up a funny grey color. Definitely an example of different cultural standards of beautiful. There, everyone called me beautiful, due to my really pale skin (although it was very scandalous when I accidentally was sunburnt and suddenly a lobster). Here in the Western world, I always feel much more beautiful when I’ve had a touch of sun (although I really am super pale so I mostly just turn pink).

By far my favorite Thai custom is wai-ing, where you fold your hands like you’re praying and bow your head to others. Different placement of the hands is required for monks or elders (and woman) but I pretty much wai-ed everyone like a monk just in case, as the placements were about an inch apart.

Years. The Thais go by the Buddhist timeline, beginning with the year that Buddha achieved enlightenment (from my understanding) and therefore the year is 2553.

Do you “collect” customs when you travel? What are some of the ones you’ve found most fascinating? 

The post ABCs of Thailand appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

1. Do NOT think that arriving two seconds before the train leaves will guarantee you a seat because you have tickets. It doesn’t, and you will have to sit in the stairwell.

^^it was a novelty for about 20 minutes. the next three hours, not so much.

2. If there are one hundred wines to taste at a wine tasting and you already paid, do NOT taste all one hundred. You will feel the pain, no matter how much fun it is at the time.

^^and then all of your pictures will be even blurrier than this.

3. Do NOT assume every bathroom will have toilet paper. They don’t always, and you’ll discover this lack of toilet paper just when you need it the most.

4. Do NOT avoid looking in your shoes if you are afraid of cockroaches. Stepping on one is much, much worse that finding it first.

5. Do NOT think your bus pass is good for everywhere just because some rando told you it was. It could get you kicked off the bus in the middle of nowhere and that bus driver will not have sympathy for you unless you can pay up.

6. Do NOT expect that flavors will be the same, even if they are the same color.

^^although it clearly says paprika on this one, so I don’t deserve much sympathy.

7. Do NOT think that just because the street happens to be quiet, it is an okay spot for a mini-tantrum. That old guy definitely saw you throw your water bottle in a rage from his window.

8. Do NOT assume it’s beef. It might not be beef!!!

9. Do NOT assume that cobblestones will be softer on your feet.

10. Just because it is cute, does not mean it is clean.

^^but when a puppy is THIS cute, who cares how dirty?

11. Do NOT think it is always best to be over prepared, especially when you are the one responsible for carrying that preparedness all over the world and back.

^^I’m trying really hard not to wince.

12. Do NOT assume the wetness on the floor of your shared hostel bathroom is water. It probably isn’t.

13. Do NOT think that it will not matter if your backpack is so stuffed it is crooked. It will especially matter on the back of a motorcycle taxi.

14. Do NOT think it’s a good idea to wear a white tank top when visiting a place known for its “red dust.”

^^yes that tank top used to be white.

15. Do NOT agree to a “little jaunt” on any trail, anywhere, especially if you are wearing rain boots, unless you know exactly what it will entail. It will not be a little jaunt to you and it will hurt for days afterwards.

^^the time I climbed a mountain and was told it would be an easy little jaunt.

16. Do NOT underestimate the value of making friends with beer.

^^obviously my new BFFs.

17. Do NOT think it “doesn’t matter” where you sleep because you “can sleep anywhere.” You are not as young as you used to be, son.

18. Do NOT assume that just because you are drunk you are actually any better at karaoke, especially in a different language. In fact, you are probably worse. But get up there and have fun anyway, because its way easier to karaoke at that moment in time.

19. If the beach you are visiting has a bunch of cute raccoon pictures, run. This means that they are using live raccoons as zoo animals and that does not make for relaxing time on the beach.

^^we drank lots of drinks really fast in the shade to avoid the raccoons.

20. Do NOT think the gorgeous, remote places you see on the internet are completely real. Sure, they exist, but there are likely ten thousand other people clamoring for the same shot as you. Push on through and you’ll get that shot, and it will be great, but you will step on a few toes.

^^how cute is Germany? Even with the crowds? I took about twenty shots trying to get one without twenty people but no such luck.

Question of the Day:

What are some things you’ve learned about travel?

Welcome to Travel Tuesday!

The post How NOT To Travel, Part 3 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

1. I’ve said this before, but you should bring peanut butter. It’s a magic food, that will make you new friends and bring you a taste of home when you’re surrounded by fish sauce in say, Thailand. Not that there’s anything wrong with fish sauce, but sometimes a girl (or guy!) just needs some peanut butter when everything else is unfamiliar.

2. Stop worrying about your hair. There will always be a place somewhere in the world that makes your hair go wild. Unless you’re one of those people with perfectly straight, perfectly shiny hair that takes no effort…then you shouldn’t worry about your hair. Ever. Do you exist?

3. Take a blanket, scarf, pair of socks, warm sweater, something on the plane. Trust me.

4. Do jumping jacks in the tiny plane bathroom. Your non-swollen feet will thank you. It’s worth the strange look the flight attendants will give you.

5. Perfect selfies are boring. You should take fun ones because they are guaranteed to make someone smile whenever they’re pulled out.  Either you, or your travel buddy, your kids, your grandkids, or the myriad of other family members or friends you make sit through your travel slideshow.

         ^^no, it’s not a cute selfie. but it reminds me of my absolute exhilaration at meeting an elephant which is way better than looking cute! because, elephants.

6. You should try a weird food wherever you go. You may find something you never thought you would have loved! And if not…that’s what the peanut butter is for!

^^this was a birthday cake we had in China. and yes, there are tomatoes and olives on it!!

^^Sichuan hotpot. I’ve never tasted anything as spicy (or nearly as delicious!) as that killer Sichuan oil. (that’s why it’s orange!)

7. You should pinch your pennies. But you should also know when not to pinch your pennies. You will probably be getting ripped off for a nicer toilet, but sometimes in the middle of the night on a bus and pee sloshes onto your foot as you try to relieve yourself…well let’s just say I wish I’d paid those extra two dollars.

8. You should learn a few words or phrases in the local language. There will likely be locals who immediately hate you for being a tourist, but there are also the jolly locals that will immediately be your best friend, recommend the best hole-in-the-wall food spots, and take a video of you trying to speak Thai. If nothing else, you feel totally awesome when you can order one thing in that language and IT WORKS.

9. You should take a lot of extra underwear. Because you never know.

10. You should make copies of everything.

11. You should write some things down. Even if it’s just a few sentences, a list of things you don’t want to forget, pretty things you saw, weird things you saw. You will love it later and be mad when the memories fade. Be warned, though, that you will end up with some sentences that won’t trigger a memory and will not make sense. But that’s okay, because the rest of them will!

12. Most of all? Just go! Travel across the seven seas, travel to an unknown spot in your backyard, travel to a town an hour away. You will never regret exploring a little more.

^^trust me, young grasshoppers.

Linking up with Treasure Tromp!

The post How You SHOULD Travel, Part 1 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

An inevitable part of travel, am I right?

So, how do you deal with it? Do you have a system?

While I’m no expert, I’ve picked up some tips over the years that work for me.

Stick to the country’s clock.

Whatever time you arrive in the country you’re visiting, stick to their clock. Don’t go to sleep at three in the afternoon because it’s three in the morning at home. Instead, ride it out, and go to sleep when it’s time for sleep. It sucks, but it helps! Along with this…

Fill your first day with planned activities.

Like visiting the main square of Brussels!

While you’re doing your best not to crawl onto any flat surface and pass out, the day will go much faster if you have a few easy activities plan. It’s probably not the day for intense walking, but meandering through a museum, stopping at a few restaurants or coffee shops, or hitting a cathedral can be a good way to see the sights, keep yourself awake, while not working yourself so hard you need a nap. I also love to wander near wherever I’m staying, as fresh air feels so great after that pressurized cabin.

Splurge for a nice(r) hotel for one night.

our simple but totally awesome hotel in Brussels

I’m not saying you need a night at the Ritz (if you can afford that, can we travel together?) but a nicer bed and a bathroom you don’t have to share can make the adjustment so much nicer. It also helps to have a place to stay all lined up, so you don’t have to find one at four a.m. on the busy streets of Bangkok. Getting one solid night’s sleep in a comfy bed can do wonders for the rest of your trip. Getting at hotel with a location near all the activities on your must-see list can be really helpful that first night, too, so you don’t add extra stress trying to get around a new, foreign land.

Hydrate.

fancy Scottish water to help hydrate

Drink that water, on the plane, and when you get there!

Sleep on the plane.

If you can! I know I always have a really hard time with this, so do what you can do. I usually watch a movie or read, which will eventually exhaust my eyes and knock me out for a little while at least. In a perfect world, we would be able to sleep the entire flight and arrive totally refreshed, but I’ve rarely had that happen. Wear comfortable clothes, too, so you aren’t cursing your skinny jeans or push-up bra while you’re trying to sleep. If you must wear those cute heels on the plane, bring socks to give your dogs a break! Also…

Bring a small bag of comforts on the plane with you.

I always bring a toothbrush, eye drops, face wipes, a few small snacks (including chocolate), a pillow or blanket, a clean pair of socks and undergarments. A blanket will go a long way in helping you sleep, stay warm, or can be used as a pillow. Face wipes and a toothbrush will make you feel much more human when you arrive, even if you’re just heading straight to your room.

Stick to a sleep schedule.

Although traveling can be fun 24/7, especially when you first arrive, it’s best to have a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed early even for a few nights can help you get rid of jetlag and fully enjoy your trip. Usually, you want to, anyway!

Give yourself time to adjust.

I know I get frustrated while traveling when I want to see and do everything, but my body just needs to rest. It’s okay to spend a few nights in your room, getting extra sleep and relaxing, because that will make the rest of your trip much more bearable.

Share some of YOUR tips in the comments!

Today I’m linking up again with Casey, Jordan and Angela for Fresh Face Friday! 

The post Jetlag appeared first on Amy and the Great World.

1. Do NOT overuse the thumbs-up. It’s not always cute. (Okay, maybe not ever).

2. Same goes for that peace sign.

3. When riding in the back of a truck full of buckets of crabs, due to the nice people in Thailand who love to give you rides, do NOT think that balancing your leg over a bucket will not get you pinched. It will.

right before the incident. ouch.

4. Don’t bring flip flops, socks…and no other shoes.

5. Do NOT expect the man next to you with a bowl of noodle soup to drink that up quietly. That just isn’t the way of the world.

6. Do NOT assume the meat you are eating is chicken.

7. Do NOT try haggis for the first time before getting on a night bus. You will vomit. (Also, eating chips and candy right after the haggis and directly before the bus might contribute to this, too).

8. Do NOT expect the same hotel you stayed in five years ago to be the same. It probably has an entirely new name and suddenly feels ten miles away from everything that you thought it was so close to.

9. Do NOT expect your room to have a flushing toilet. If there’s a large bucket full of water with a small bucket inside next to the toilet, that is the flushing mechanism. Be prepared.

10. Do NOT think that if you give someone a mean funny nickname in English they will never figure out what you said.

11. Do NOT assume your international phone card will actually work.

12. Do NOT assume the tea your host mother is giving you to help you adjust to the altitude is without mind-altering properties in high volume.

13. Do NOT assume the cute wedges you had to bring will work on the cobblestones.

14. Do NOT assume your rolling suitcase will also work on the cobblestones.

don’t except these to work on cobblestones, either. but aren’t the cobblestones cute?

15. Do NOT think the cute little boys running at you with a bucket of water shouting (in Carnivale season) are not going to douse you in water because you’re a foreigner. They will. With glee.

16. Do NOT assume everyone you are with is carefully reading the signs like you are. You may accidentally leave them on the subway when you get off (at the right stop).

17. Do NOT assume everything with “ice cream” in the title will be delicious. There are lots of different kinds of milk out there, my friends. Like yak milk.

18. Do NOT assume you won’t get lost on a tiny island so it’s “okay not to pay attention” to where people are leading you. At some point, you will need to get back on your own, and you will get lost, no matter how tiny, because suddenly everything looks totally familiar and yet unfamiliar at the same time.

19. Do NOT think that Couchsurfing is always a good idea. If you try it in Cambodia, and you sleep on a mat surrounded by dead bugs and shower with a cockroach, you have been warned. Free is not always best!

20. Do NOT try Indian food for the first time in Cambodia.

actually, you probably should, because this still makes me laugh. (sorry, cuz!)

22. When someone on the street begins to dress you up, laugh loudly, and take pictures, expect them to ask you money for this experience.

don’t ask if I paid for this, please.

23. BEWARE of the beautiful macro-shot of that amazing flower. Things, like bugs, live in those, and are just waiting to come at you.

thankfully, a thing-free flower.

This is letter H for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Whew, almost halfway through! Let me know what you think so far

The post How NOT To Travel, Part 2 appeared first on Amy and the Great World.