Month: April 2020

 

Indeed, these are not ordinary days, especially for people from Italy, the Philippines, New York, Wuhan, and all other areas that are hit devastatingly by COVID-19. These days are not ordinary for those who are seeing the pandemic realistically, feeling the anxiety and stress of fighting against an invisible villain that has been making chaos in our world mentally, physically, emotionally, and economically. While we are on lockdown with very strict guidelines established in place all over the world, a lot of people, including me, ask if they can still possibly travel and fulfill their life long dreams.

A friend of mine who owns a famous travel planning company told me that the global community is influenced by the promise of discovering the world and the different places that we are presented with when we leave our homes to travel. Of course, recommending you to travel now would be so irresponsible, so he didn’t. Instead, he gave me some useful advice to help me plan for my future journeys.

Concisely, he suggested that I postpone my trips and travel dreams – postpone, not cancel. He recommended that look forward to the fall season, within September and December 2020, when clinicians and researchers foresee that it’ll be clearer and virus-free. Nobody can guarantee this precisely, but it does give us a timeline to be hopeful for beautiful things to come soon.

Soon we will find our way back to the beautiful world again – the world that included chefs, drivers, friends, and everyone who makes traveling so rewarding. Carrie Goldberg, travel director of Bazaar.com, says that his heart aches when he hears people asking whether or not trips to Rome, Venice, or Tuscany will ever be open again, as these places mean a lot to him. He continues that he will surely be the first one to go back to Milan or Venice when it’s safe to do so. The visions of him eating in one of the local restaurants or simply having coffee at the corners of Tuscany is what’s helping him get through the pandemic.

Planning Your Bucket List

My friend assured me that I would travel again. When these restrictions and quarantine implementations that are placed for our good are finally released, when we will be free from the chains of the coronavirus, we will all need to go out. We need a vacation. He embraced me, saying, “When you will be allowed to on vacation, the world will still be there.”

So in the meantime, I am following his advice and coming up with a bucket list of my dream vacations when the world will be ready for me. I have always dreamed of a long journey that will change and rejuvenate me. Perhaps the hidden gems of Tynemouth. It doesn’t matter if I’m in Vietnam having a taste of their delectable cuisine or in Paris being swept away by the romance of it all. I wouldn’t mind learning about the culture in Africa or why dramas in Korea are so sellable. I am just thinking of a trip that will somehow correct the uncertainty of the past months. The desire to go places has always been in my mind, no matter where that is.

Today, I am fixing my bucket list. What of the beaches in Hawaii – a beautiful place that is filled with flowers, trees, and everything tropical. I’m planning a family vacation in one of the rivers in our hometown, where we can set a bonfire and grill some barbecue and smores. There’s no better way to forget about all the negativity that we’ve gathered from this self-isolation than to celebrate freedom with the family?

Another thing that I added to my list is catching up with friends from afar. That, I haven’t done in such a long time – quarantine or no quarantine. If there is one realization that I had amid this crisis, it is that life is short – it only takes a virus to stop someone from breathing. I have friends from around the world, so I’ll be doing myself a favor of finally being able to keep in touch with them and, of course, traveling! Now I think that’s one of the best ways to live life.

 

The 2019 Tynemouth Summit encourages volunteers and tourists to join hundreds of clean-ups around the country. As the coastline continues to suffer from pollution, they appeal to thousands of visitors to ensure they’re not leaving litter on the beaches. It is fundamental when traveling, to follow and respect the rules put in place. 

While exploring new destinations is rejuvenating, a traveler has to conduct proper behaviors when visiting new places. Here are some of the travel etiquette you need to follow when you’re traveling: 

1. Don’t Litter

Not only when you’re traveling, but littering has never been a proper thing to do. You have to pick your trash and put it in the appropriate place. At least while you’re enjoying your trip, you can also preserve the environment while you’re at it. There are no countries that would allow or adore a visitor with no respect for their surroundings. Follow the rules and guidelines of the country’s waste management. 

2. Try To Learn The Language And Custom

You don’t have to join a language course before you travel, but a simple translation to the words like “hello” or “nice meeting you” to the place you’re visiting will suffice. You also have to be mindful of the way the site greets each other. Some countries prefer bowing, shaking hands, or kisses on the cheek when greeting, while some don’t even do physical contact. In this way, you will understand certain gestures and not get surprised by it. 

3. Dress Appropriately

When traveling, you have to be respectful of the culture of the place you’re visiting. One factor in this is appropriately dressing, depending on their tradition. Try to wear clothes that are as close as the locals or cover up the knees and elbows to be sure. If you want to know more, you can ask the people around you or conduct a quick search on the internet.  

4. No Matter What, Be Polite

Remember that you’re a visitor and be courteous when you’re interacting with the locals. People would always want to engage with a friendly person, so be polite no matter what. For example, if you don’t like the food put in your table, don’t show your disgust and try to eat a small bite. In some cases, insulting their food may mean insulting their culture. So be wary.