Travel is weird, man.
It’s beautiful, stressful, hilarious, exhausting — all at the same time.
You can’t plan it perfectly, and honestly, you shouldn’t even try.
If you really wanna feel it, like really live it, here’s what you should do:
1. Stop Rushing Like You’re Late for Something
You’re not late.
You’re already there.
Take a breath.
Look around.
No one’s gonna give you a medal for seeing fifteen monuments in two hours.
Nobody cares how many places you checked off.
Feel the place you’re in.
Sit somewhere and do absolutely nothing for a while.
It’s allowed. It’s good.
2. Talk to Someone You Don’t Know
Does it feel awkward? Yeah.
Is it worth it? Also yeah.
Say hi to the guy selling fruit on the corner.
Ask the barista where they go on weekends.
Smile at the old lady feeding pigeons.
People make places real.
Otherwise, you’re just collecting pretty pictures.
3. Get Lost. Like, Seriously Lost.
Put the phone away.
Turn the map off.
Wander.
Pick a street because it looks cool.
Follow the music. Chase the smell of food.
Get a little uncomfortable.
That’s when the good stuff finds you.
4. Eat That Weird Thing
You didn’t come all this way to order a cheeseburger, man.
Eat the weird soup.
Bite into the mystery meat.
Try the candy you can’t even pronounce.
You might hate it.
You might love it.
Either way — you’ll have a story.
5. Laugh When Stuff Goes Wrong
Because it will.
You’ll miss a bus.
You’ll get rained on.
You’ll order something thinking it’s chicken and… it’s definitely not chicken.
It’s fine.
It’s all part of the ride.
No one tells stories about the days when everything went right.
6. Look Up
Not at your phone.
Not through your camera.
Not at Google Maps.
Just… look up.
Look at the crazy rooftop shapes.
Look at the old, cracked windows.
Look at the sky — it’s different everywhere.
You’ll remember it better if you see it for real, not through a screen.
7. Be Cool
Don’t be that loud, annoying tourist.
Don’t treat locals like they’re props in your vacation.
Learn a word or two in their language.
Smile.
Say thank you.
Be a guest — not a jerk.
People will treat you better if you treat them like actual people.
At the End of the Day
Travel isn’t about crossing things off a list.
It’s about getting a little lost — inside and outside.
It’s about the people you meet, the mistakes you make, the weird food you eat, and the stories you can’t wait to tell later.
It’s not supposed to be perfect.
It’s supposed to be real.
And honestly?
The best trips are the ones that mess you up a little bit —
in the best way.