10 Things that Only Travellers Know and Understand

Being a traveller teaches you a lot of things, and gives you extremely rewarding experiences, including some of the items on this list:

1. The first time you saw your passport (whether you received it in the mail or claimed it personally), you were filled by overwhelming excitement—and you have spent a good chunk of your time daydreaming about all the places you can now visit with your passport.

2. Purchasing something can lead you to think that a cup of overpriced is worth three days of meals in a Southeast Asian destination, or a steak dinner being worth a day or two in a decent hostel. There is plenty of guilt to be felt and the thought of “I could be doing more with this money” always runs in your mind during a shopping trip.

3. Conversation with friends who do not travel can be an exercise in control—you learn how not to spend every second talking about travel, whether for the dispensation of travel trips or to gush about the incredible places you have been. The desire to cut back on travel-related talk is a sign of being aware that, in fact, travel can annoy some people.

4. On the other hand, you and your travel-loving friends never stop talking about travel.

5. While the idea might seem hokey, you really feel like travel has allowed you to see the world differently. You know that this does not make you so much better than anybody else, but you know—deep in your heart of hearts—that travel really has changed the way you view the world.

6. You do not really like it when someone (friend, family member, government official, etc.) talks about how one of your favourite or dream destinations is dangerous or horrible. Especially if this someone has not been to that destination and is basing his or her opinion on second- or even third-hand information.

7. Your Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, and other social media accounts are filled with pictures from your latest adventure. You just want to share the beauty you were able to experience to your family, friends, and whoever is following your social media accounts.

8. You are eternally grateful for the kindness of strangers, which have helped you get through moments of confusion and stress during your travels. In those trying moments that you wanted to give up and go home with your tail between your legs, these strangers always come through for you. Thank you, kind strangers.

9. If, on the first date, someone told you that they do not like to travel and is generally disinterested in everything remotely related to exploring the world, you consider it a deal breaker. And then never see that person again, even if she or he is very attractive.

10. You have dedicated countless hours to researching and daydreaming about your next travel destinations. You have scoured through countless online forums, read tons of travel blogs, bought travel guides, and have spent nights lying awake in bed totally excited for your next trip.