“You can do anything you set your mind to”

                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                        ​ -Your Mother
     
     Bear and I met an 87-year young man in Muktinath, Nepal two Octobers ago who was looking tired but could not stop smiling. Here I am at just over 15,000 feet finding it laborious to get oxygen and this well-seasoned octogenarian is on his way down from the pass I was not going to make. I had trained for months (as best as you can in Florida), but I had a hard lesson to learn about our last guideline of travel preparedness. I had set myself up inadvertently for one of those “I can’t” moments that I have grown to despise, and, unfortunately, it was more than just the foolish pessimistic feeling that I could not do something.
      You can go anywhere you set your mind to, and you can quote me on that. The key is to throw out the irrational, fear-based “I cant” bull$#!t and figure a way to get there. This is an overview for overcoming the obstacles to living your travel dreams. It is slightly longer than most or our blogs, but it is foundational for you if you dream of travel and adventure.  

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​Components of Travel Planning and Preparedness

1. Prepare your finances

2. Prepare your body

3. Prepare your mind
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4. Preserve your health

​Preparing your Finances for Travel

     If you “can’t afford a vacation”, you can’t afford not to have a vacation. Do you really love your work enough to do it 5 days a week, every week of the year, year after year? If so, you are either an odd duck, full of shit, or a slave to the wrong ideology. You know what usually happens to people who identify with their jobs and do not make time for finding themselves on vacation? They f#@&ing die within 5 years of retirement and never accomplish the recreational ideals they had boiling beneath the surface their whole career. This is not for me, and, if it is not for you, keep reading.

  

​   I have helped dozens of friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances optimize their vacation experiences, but it was a bit of a journey in itself to get there. I would like to help you do the same, as I think well-traveled people are more accepting, happier, and more empathetic citizens of our World.

​  The first thing you must decide is do you need travel. My belief is that travel is integral to the human experience, but my ethic is not universally accepted as a scientific law. So, what does travel mean to you? Have you traveled? How have you traveled? What are your travel-related interests? Who do you travel with or want to travel with? For each of us, the answers are different. This is what makes humanity great. Then you need to decide to make these happen.

     Most people travel to live at a slightly higher standard of living than they have at home and with priorities like letting loose or simply relaxing. Those reasons are amazing! I still allow for time to be spoiled and times to party on my vacations and think that these are essential to the clearing of your mind from the day to day stresses that our 9 to 5 lifestyle forces on us. I personally like to put the relaxing, spoiling times at the beginning of the trip and sprinkle the partying in as often as I can do so responsibly. However, I must have adventure, I must have nature and culture and history, and I must share this with others. All of these have costs in terms of time and money.
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     Before you jump right into your budget, and most of you will have to budget, you need to decide on a trip and your priorities on that trip. So, if you do not have this in mind, take a break and think for a minute. Meditate on what would be your dream vacation and then you will be ready to continue………

     You can afford that trip in your mind! It might take a little while if you dream big, but you can do it. Write it down. Make a bucket list with other dreams. Prioritize experiences because they last forever.

     Now, we get down to brass tacks. Let’s start with your budget. Do you have a budget? Write down how much you currently spend on vacations even if it is zero. Then, let’s consider what you think this dream trip will cost. How long will it take you to save for this trip or do you already have it set aside? Most of us will have a rough timetable at this point. But, most of us do not know the tricks to shorten this timetable. I travel more than any non-retired person in my circle and most of the retired ones, and I bring close friends and family on trips that they did not think were possible. Most importantly, I fly on miles and use rewards points for many of my accommodations, making a month in Europe or Asia more affordable than our family camping trips to the Smoky Mountains. I accomplish this through experience and the knowledge I have gained through research, and I will share some of the highlights with you for free in detail over the next couple months.  I do not currently monetize anything on this website.
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    In case this is the only blog you read here, I travel because I budget paid time off and money for each trip and prioritize this highly when making spending decisions that are not need related. I make more than I once did and much less than I did 10 years ago. However, I travel all over the World and, when I am with friends or family, I stay in high-end accommodations; I love hostels when I solo travel. If you don’t currently do so, make a budget already! You will thank me for it. Every other strategy you learn here and elsewhere on your journey to becoming a frequent traveler will be built on this first step. A brief and transparent introduction to my personal travel economics follows, more for introductory purposes than anything else:

Poor then Wealthy then Somewhere in the Middle: I’ve Been There

I was raised with so many advantages; a loving family, great pets, enough food to never go hungry, and weather that allowed for hours of outdoor recreation. Unfortunately, material riches were not among my advantages. By most American standards, we were poor. In fact, well into my 30s, we were scratching and clawing our way into Lower Middle Class demographically, whatever the hell that means. However, I seldom missed a vacation, and neither should you.

Travel is a mater of priorities and realistic goals no matter where you fall on the economic spectrum. When we were less affluent, we went on hiking and camping trips in Florida and the Appalachian Mountains twice a year. No, it’s not the French Riviera or Bali, but these trips brought me enduring fond memories and an enormous love for nature. They also brought a time of respite and pride for my parents. Many of their peers did not take these “long” vacations because they thought they were out of reach. In retrospect, however, many of our circle made more money than our family. Our ability to vacation was a matter of priorities. Travel as a priority is one of the greatest ideals they passed on to us and one of the greatest legacies we try to impart to those we love.

As an “adult” (not sure I self-identify that way), I have been poor then wealthy then somewhere in between, but my love and prioritization of travel only wavered once. One of the hardest two-year periods of my life where the two years when I was most wealthy and traveled least. In fact, I traded a free trip to Hawaii for a bonus that was less than 2% of my salary. What a dumb ass!

While I have several friends and family members who are able to find a healthy balance between climbing corporate ladders and home life, my competitive and ambitious nature made me lose sight of my priorities, including travel and, to a small extent, family time. I had more money for travel but thought I could not afford the time. By the time I realized the folly in my mindset, I was both sick of my job and literally sick. I had to quit. Not just quit this job, but I needed to make a drastic change to my life.
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I find myself somewhere in the middle, now. Much better off than my early years and making less than half as much as the wealthiest years, I am the happiest I have ever been. I have found balance between work and life. I travel extensively and spend plentiful time with my family at home and on the road. I travel with friends, I travel with family, and I solo backpack. Best of all I do it more for less and less money every year. There will be more on the economics of this in further blogs, so, stay tuned.

​Prepare your Body for Travel

​      This can mean so many things depending on your current abilities and what it is you want to accomplish. Physical fitness may not seem essential if your dream is to stroll or wheel your way through the Boboli Gardens and the Uffizi on a trip to Florence, but I would bet some stretching would help you better deal with the long lines and stresses of the crowds.
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    The gentleman from the introduction had two replaced knees and three stints, but he had just gotten to Nepal after climbing Kilimanjaro. Does that mean you or I should climb Kili tomorrow? Not if we did not train for it. He had made a conscious decision to overcome these things and push himself constantly to prepare for the goals he had set. Depending on your conditions, the Spanish Steps might be your Kilimanjaro or you could be a prime candidate for ascending Everest. Either way, the more you train now, the better your experience will be.
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​   Don’t get me wrong. I am far from a fitness Guru. I have decent cardiovascular health and strong legs from years of sport and hiking, but I have a beer-drinking dad bod, especially right now in the throngs of this stupid epidemic. I have to train for trips like an actor trains for parts. In fact, I have twenty COVID-19 pounds to lose before Machu Picchu in the Spring.

     I walk the beach a lot and try to hit the gym in the 6 months prior to a hiking trip like this. We are doing the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, if anyone wants to share any pointers or experiences with us. I may try Yoga this time too to help better balance all the camera equipment I have added to my backpack to start vlogging.
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The key is, you do you. Exercise is more sustainable when it is enjoyable. Most people’s vacations are not extremely demanding, but most do walk more, eat more, and sleep less. If that is your holiday routine, then walk more leading up to it, make sure you are well rested before hand, and maybe loose a few pounds before you go. I usually push hard the last month on cardio work and eat more, this way I loose some weight and expand my ability to eat and drink, but that is just my propensity to be gluttonous talking.

     Also, do a little more than you think you need but do not overdo it. There is no direct need to look like a bathing suit model to hike in the Alps, but it might get you some fringe benefits if you are single at spring break. Extra muscle can be a detriment on a road cycling tour on the Pamir Highway through Tajikistan, but you might need to focus on your arms if you plan on hanging off of mountains. ​​

​Prepare your Mind for Travel

Expectations lay the basis for whether a trip is viewed a success. I have been amazed by trips and extremely disappointed and in both cases it was due to a lack of research and mental preparation. I have found that the more I know about a destination beforehand, the less I miss and the less I am hit with culture shock.
There are 6 components to my approach to mental preparedness. These are:

1. Research and list the experiences you want to have
2. Research the cultural and ecological aspects that make the area unique
3. Find a geographical, chronological or subject-related order that will build understanding and enhance the experience
4. Organize your essential route components
5. Research the perceived negatives and safety concerns
6. Relax in transit and/or upon arrival

​Research and List Destinations and Experiences

Flying by the seat of you pants can be fun, but many find it stressful. Stress will not only shorten your life, but, even worse, it will dampen your vacation. I like to have some flexibility worked in to allow spontaneity and the ability to take advantage of opportunities. However, the information to pinpoint "can’t miss" elements of a destination is readily available, and you should list those that appeal to you and prioritize them as the first step of your planning. Watching videos and reading blogs about others’ travels to an area is a great approach to this process. I tend to read 2-3 popular blogs, watch multiple YouTube videos, research the destinations on TripAdvisor, and take notes on the aspects that fit my travel likes.

​Research the Unique Aspects of the Destination

  I want to experience the vast majority of what makes this world so special in my lifetime. In many cases, this is reflected as places in my bucket list. Many of these places are beautiful, relaxing, and great for social media, all of which are priorities for most travelers in this age. However, for myself and those who will tune in here and on our other platforms, I like to find the things that make each place and the inhabitants unique. It is these unique aspects of the culture, history, and ecosystems that exemplify how special humanity is as a whole. If you seek to add these elements to your travels you will find the experience all the more rewarding and memorable.

Find a General Theme and Order Your Experiences Around It

​     Many times in my travels, I have been in a hurry to see the main site or park I am aiming to see and I have wished I had seen the museum or park information station beforehand. Now I tend to build up to the pinnacle experience in some sort of order, unless weather dictates prioritization of the site during a certain window of time.

​Note: See and experience your priorities when conditions are optimal as far as weather, crowds, and schedules

     ​I tend to see things in groups that are either close together and/or in an order that allows for a build up of understanding and anticipation towards the pinnacle experiences at the destination. 

Plan Your Route

​      Armed with priorities and a general order of what you would like to see and do, you will better be able to plan the specifics of your routes and timetable at each destination. I start with a timetable for each destination when more than one destination is planned over the course of one trip. For instance, a beautiful scenic area like Lake Bled is great for a 2 day respite between more rigorous adventures, while there is so much to see and do in the Angkor Wat region of Cambodia that my 4 days there was completely inadequate for me. Your timetable should give ample time to see your priorities and participate in the activities you enjoy most like hiking, learning, going on street food tours, etc.

     With the timetable out of the way, add a flexible order based on your research. I suggest a thematic build up when possible, but geography and ease of travel are often much more efficient ways of organizing your trip. Weather will also dictate changes many times and you may find that some or all of your secondary priorities will have to be scrubbed, so make sure you know how important each item is to you.

Identify and Prepare for Potential Negative Travel Experiences

    Negative experiences come in many forms, but all have the potential of detracting from or ruining your vacation. I tend to focus first on weather possibilities. Is there a rainy season, a time where hurricanes, typhoons, or tonadoes are more likely, or maybe a season that is too hot or cold for your liking? If so, are you saving enough money to justify the risk of bad weather? 

Sometimes it is nessesary to chance the weather, but armed with the likelyhood you can at least be sure to plan for it.

Next, you should read you Deparment of States warnings and restrictions on the places you are heading. This will allow you to decide if it is safe and what major concerns you should consider when deciding whether to go.

Then, I suggest you get onto blogs and YouTube travel guides that discuss common scams and petty crime in the area. Always expect pickpocketing in crowded areas. I always keep my money and valuables seperate and secure and I will share specifices on how in our Travel 101 Blog soon.

Last, look up blogs on unussual laws and customs in the area. Some Laws can really be harsh in some other countries when compared to home, and many of our jestures and culturally accepted behaviors can be offensive to different cultures.

Find Relaxation Early and Often

     Do whatever you can to avoid undue stress before and during your trip. If you can sleep on a flight or other mode of transportation, then do so. Arrange for early check-in when possible to rid yourself of the burden of your belongings and rest if needed. You can stretch or meditate or pray depending on how you feel about these things. The key is to enter the adventure on calm footing and to take the time to even out during the trip if you find your stress level at a level that is distracting or impairing to your ability to enjoy what you are doing.

​Preserve your Health Before and During Your Vacation

     Before during and after a trip, your health will be paramount to the experience. Sometimes this is out of your hands, but many times it is at least moderately controllable.
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     I hinted at one case where my health let me down in Nepal, and while it was mostly unavoidable it serves as an extreme example toward the importance of doing everything in your power to begin and end your adventure healthy. I will save the full story for another blog, but share enough below to make it real for you…..

​How Microorganisms Kept Me from Thorong La Pass

Notice the Elevation..... We only made it to here :(

     There is only so much you can do for altitude preparation in Florida. You can use exercise equipment on inclines, run the beach, and improve your cardiovascular endurance in the hopes of strengthening your legs ad increasing the health and capacity of your lungs. This along with slow altitude gains will in most cases be adequate to avoid any acute altitude sickness in altitudes below 20,000 feet. So, I did these things religiously for six months prior to the trip and felt fit and confident with more than a month left to go. Further, I had an appointment for a check up 1 week before the trip to get altitude sickness medicine in case it was needed.

     The last month, therefore, was just routine exercise and packing - or so I thought. Then, about two weeks before the trip, the surf kicked up to 8 to 10 feet at Jupiter Inlet and while I knew that there was some chance of getting injured, I was confident in my skill to avoid any nasty falls. So, I paddled out and had a great time. I was not injured. A lifetime of surfing and bodyboarding in Florida, New Jersey, and Hawaii made the risk justifiable and initially I left the water tired but not noticeably worse for wear. However, I do not normally find myself drawn towards the news as it is often far too partisan and negative for my liking, and an underlying water condition was blooming that would inevitably make my health problematic for high altitudes.

     F@{k red tide and f@{k the people and businesses that cause red tide! Nutrients from run off have been causing natural microorganisms like those behind red tide and blue-green algae to flourish in the waters that are evacuated from Lake Okeechobee, and those conditions have been degrading the water quality in many waterways for many years. 2018 was especially bad and, unfortunately for me, the issue was just starting during my session at Jupiter Inlet. Big waves and heavy winds drive sea spray into a surfer’s lungs in small amounts and wipeouts can regularly cause one to swallow small amounts of water. I am sure both happened to me that day, and I am sure I loved every minute of it. Little did I know that 2 hours of joy would leave me needing to plan a second trip to Nepal to complete the sixth highest rated experience on my bucket list. Maybe I need to watch more news or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be that trip, but it was disappointing.

     In the story above, my health was compromised by an unseen foe, but I do not feel responsible for the issue. I could have been extra careful and avoided the surfing session, but that would not be true to myself. However, I do avoid some of my favorite things like basketball, where sprained ankles are one of my most common statistics, for at least 1 month before a trip. Ironically, I learned this from Bear. While not specific to basketball and while he has seemed to solve the issues he had as a young boy, Bear once had a propensity to get injured right before a vacation. Almost without fail, he would injure his foot before a trip to the mountains or on a cruise and we would all be limited by the injury. We would still have a great time. Travelling with your family is rewarding in its own rite. However, there were a couple years where hiking up mountains and climbing Maya Ruins were something we all skipped or I had to do alone. From Bear I learned that controlled exercise activities trump the extreme or potentially dangerous options before a trip.

     On top of preventative health, you should always get required vaccinations and have a check up before any trips that will push your body outside of the norms. Destinations have different diseases and sanitation than your home, no matter where that is. Drinking water issues are also ice issues and can lead to raw vegetable issues. There are some food preparation standards that many of us find wanting in some destinations. Wildlife is different and no matter how cute the kitten or puppy looks, they may not behave like they do in your neighborhood. Research health concerns and ensure you are healthy on the stay and when you return.

​Learn More About Travel and Get Out There

​      Travel is within your reach and will enrich your life more than many things you are currently spending your money and time on. Old Soles Travel is dedicated to helping everyone experience the World and become better citizens of it. More content will expand on the premises here and help you realize your travel dreams while hopefully suggesting some great destinations for you along the way. Please reach out on our social media platforms with any questions about how and where to travel. We also plan trips for modest fees and consult on credit card rotations to pay for your travels.