| Have you ever taken a trip abroad and were left | | | | about which direction to go in her life. |
| unsatisfied? Are you tired of the safe but boring | | | | The fact is while you are thinking about doing this, |
| organized tours? How about dealing with annoying | | | | there are thousands of people all over the world |
| friends and being forced to compromise your | | | | pondering the same issues. What you don't know |
| travel experience as a result? Well my friend, I | | | | is when you take that leap of faith and actually |
| know exactly how you feel! Back in the day I | | | | arrive to your first hostel without a plan and by |
| took an organized trip to the middle east and the | | | | yourself, you will meet people in the exact same |
| entire time I was crawling out of my skin because | | | | situation. You will connect with these people and |
| all I wanted to do was explore the area, visit | | | | you will travel in a way you never even dreamed |
| attractions my own way and meet locals. The | | | | possible. |
| tour guides, however had a schedule to keep. | | | | Outside of Europe, hostels have a somewhat |
| Another time I went to Russia with a friend who | | | | unjust reputation. In many cases hostels are not |
| had local connections. Experiencing another | | | | cheaper than budget hotels and provide you with |
| country with someone who knows the local scene | | | | all the travel services you'd expect from a full |
| sounds great doesn't it? Well, it would have been | | | | service hotel. But even these are not the main |
| great if only I didn't have to fight with him every | | | | reasons people stay in them. People stay in |
| step of the way about where I wanted to go and | | | | hostels purely because they are the best way to |
| what I wanted to do! Both experiences were true | | | | meet adventurous like-minded, open and friendly |
| disappointments because I felt like I missed out | | | | people who are in the exact same position as |
| on what travel is truly all about: Freedom and | | | | you! |
| Adventure! Afterward I vowed never to take | | | | A few years back, I was planning a trip to Brazil |
| another organized tour or be subjected to a | | | | with a couple of friends. At the eleventh hour, |
| friend's itinerary ever again! | | | | they decided to forgo the opportunity and I was |
| In my vision, travel abroad is meant to be | | | | left with the decision to go at it alone. I pondered |
| adventurous, exciting and spur-of-the-moment. | | | | the decision for several days and on a whim, |
| You must have the freedom to go anywhere | | | | closed my eyes and pushed the "reserve" button |
| you want, live how you want and be free to take | | | | for the airline ticket. On the airplane, I was more |
| advantage of incredible opportunities should they | | | | scared then I have ever been in my life. When I |
| present themselves! In order to make this a | | | | arrived, standing in customs, I was telling a lady |
| reality, there are three simple rules that must be | | | | about my decision to go at it alone and she asked |
| followed no matter where in the world you decide | | | | "do you even speak Portuguese?" I said "no." She |
| to go. The first is to make the unconscionably | | | | chuckled and replied "good luck!" But somehow I |
| scary decision to go at it solo. The second is to | | | | knew everything would be alright. When I arrived |
| have faith that your trip will be amazing no | | | | to the hostel, the first person I met was a Swiss |
| matter what and refrain from making an itinerary. | | | | guy who had never traveled like this before and |
| The third and final rule is to decide on a hostel in | | | | said he was a bit apprehensive about going to |
| your first destination. Whether you're a guy or girl, | | | | Brazil by himself, but he did it anyways. We |
| young or old, I promise you that if you follow | | | | became friends instantly! Over the next three |
| these three rules, you will have the time of your | | | | weeks, we formed a group with 4 other guys |
| life! | | | | and girls who were in the exact same situation. |
| I have a friend who is a lady, 38 years old and | | | | Together we had incredible parties in Rio, |
| loves the idea of travel. After many sub-par | | | | experience the full flavor of the Iguazu falls and |
| experiences, she asked how to do it right | | | | together laid on the beaches of Florianopolis. To |
| because mine seemed incredible to her! I told her | | | | end the trip that had been the time of all our |
| exactly what I am telling you - don't make an | | | | lives, we went skydiving on our last day together. |
| itinerary, don't take any friends and make sure to | | | | These are people I still keep in touch with to this |
| stay at a hostel. She listened, booked a ticket to | | | | day after several years have passed. |
| Argentina and told herself "let the cards fall where | | | | Since that trip, I have been to dozens of |
| they may!" A month later, she returned and had | | | | countries on almost every continent on the globe. |
| the most incredible glow about! She told me that I | | | | And every time I start preparing myself for |
| was absolutely right not to make an itinerary. She | | | | another adventure, I simply follow the three rules |
| met people along the way, at the hostel and | | | | mentioned above and set sail. To this day, myself |
| other places, who helped her whenever she | | | | and the many friends I have turned onto these |
| needed it. She found adventures she never | | | | three rules have yet to be disappointed. |
| thought possible and returned with a clear idea | | | | |