Mrs. P from Chicago recently contacted BrownGirlsFly with a burning travel question: How can she, a self-proclaimed golden-aged traveler, venture somewhere new and exciting when fear compells her to stay in the confines of her comfort zone? We discussed 5 very practical tips to help boost her travel confidence. Here’s the upshot of our convo.
Step 1: Indulge in Some Self-Reflection
I know it’s trite, but I’m going to say it anyway …. Before you can start working on a solution, you first must understand the problem. In this case, I think the old corporate cliche might actually come in handy. Most people don’t pause long enough to understand what’s really driving their travel fears. Here are a few important questions to ask yourself. Sit down, really think about the answers, then write them down on paper.
- Exactly what it is about the unknown that makes me so uncomfortable?
- Am I afraid to look like a tourist and stick out like a sore thumb?
- Do the language and cultural barriers leave me feeling lost and disoriented?
- Am I worried that some local scheister will target me as his next victim?
- Am I concerned that I’m not physically prepared to deal with the local terrain?
- Is there something else that concerns me?
- What can I learn, practice, do or buy to lessen each concern?
Self-knowledge is the key. Once you understand what internal dynamics are at play, then you can purposefully and strategically begin to build your confidence in each area.
Step 2: Pick A “Bridge” Locale That Can Ease You Into A New Culture
Armed with self knowledge and a bit more confidence, now you’re thinking about planning a trip. If you’re not ready to jump right into the unknown, one fear-abating strategy is to pick a locale which you consider adventurous, but that also shares some similarities with home. For instance . . .
- If you are curious about China, Hong Kong is a great entry point to the region. Because of its century-long history as a British Colony, it’s a nice blend of eastern and western cultures. In any given section of town, you’ll see traditional outdoor markets, authentic Chinese delicacies, and Buddhist temples intermingled with 7Elevens, Ruth Chris’ Steak Houses, McDonalds, KFCs, western mall shopping and Christian churches. English and Cantonese are equally represented in directional signage, and the majority of locals you meet will be able to communicate with you. This city is different enough to feel foreign but similar enough to feel comfortable.
- South Africa would also be a great introduction to the rest of the continent. Larger cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town — with their strong infrastructure and western amenities will feel more like home than you’d expect. But, a short drive beyond the city borders to nearby townships like Soweto or longer jaunts to local game reserves (aka safaris), regions like KwaZulu Natal, and all the places in between will give you a broader sense of the African experience, the lingering artifacts of Apartheid and the cultural diversity of Mandela’s homeland.
- In Canada, though it’s just across the border Montreal and other areas in Quebec feel more European than other Canadian cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Rather than a trip to Jamaica or the U.S. Virgin Islands, consider Puerto Rico where US and Spanish languages co-exist seemlessly.
Regardless of which continent you’re on, because of globalization, you will be able to find a spot that’s a blend of the familiar and the unknown. Globalization has its downsides, but, in the context of comfort zones, these types of cities await you with open arms.
Step 3: Do Your Research
There’s always a possibility that. when you leave home, something undesirable might happen, but the more knowledgeable you are about a locale and its people, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Here are several ways you can prepare before you ever buy a plane ticket.
- Get a General Overview: A great way to introduce yourself to a locale is to peruse Wikipedia or the US State Department’s country-specific website. Both sources provide details about the country, its geography, population, government structures, local customs and currencies.
- Get Some Visual Inspiration: Visit photo/video sites like Google Images and Vimeo, type in the city or country you’re curious about and then browse through the plethora of eye-candy. This will give you a sense of the local highlights. Take notes about your favorites and start digging a little further.
- Get a Birds Eye View: Goto Google Maps and enter the city name. Zoom out to see where it sits in the world. Then zoom in to see what oceans and countries are nearby. Get a little closer and you’ll start to learn more about the local landmarks within and even see a street level view of the neighborhoods.
- Get Answers To Your Questions: Security risks in the area? Interesting day-trips to take from your selected city? Local transportation prices? Fashion and style? There are a ton of blogs and travel sites you can visit to start gathering more specific details about the region. But, our favorite place to start is Fodors. Search the forums to see if your question has already been answered. If not, post your own question and the locals or frequent visitors will chime in with the answers you need.
By the time you finish your research, you’ll either be itching to book a ticket or you’ll have realized that you’re not as interested in that locale as you first thought. Either way, it was a worthwhile exercise.
Step 4: Booking Tips To Help Raise Your Comfort Level
- Where possible, choose an itinerary that will ensure you land and depart during safe and convenient times (i.e. during daylight hours).
- Arrange your ground transportation (i.e. transfers between airport/hotel) in advance. In the US, we tend to book rental cars when we travel domestically. They’re often reasonably priced and convenient. However, in other countries, rental cars and even taxis can be quite pricey so visitors often use local trains, buses or taxis to help save on costs. While it’s cheaper, relying on local transport could be stressful for the traveler who is nervous about being someplace new. If you pre-arrange your airport transfers, a driver will wait for you on the other side of customs and baggage claim. Seeing your name on a placard will ease your fears and minimize any concerns you have about getting lost or being scammed by a dishonest taxi driver. And, since it’s a cost you know in advance, you can budget for it when you’re planning for the trip. As you travel more frequently, you’ll start hopping the bus and saving the extra dollars for excursions and souvenirs.
- Consider booking a group tour package. Recently, there have been quite a few deals on package trips. So, not only is this one way to save money, it is a great way to create a comfort zone around you, even if you’re traveling to somewhere very different and far from home. Tour operators pre-arrange most of your ground transportation, sightseeing excursions and meals. As locals, they are very knowledgeable about the region, can interpret language or cultural differences for you, and generally address any concerns you might have. You won’t have as much free time or flexibility as a traditional vacation, but especially for a first visit, this type of trip can provide you with the peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy the experience.
Step 5: Repeated Visits Raise Confidence & Comfort
Consider visiting the same locale 3 times in a row. At first this suggestion might seem monontonous, but, it’s a actually a great way to to experience a culture at a deeper level. The first year, you can go with the guidance and safety of a tour group. The next year, return with friends and you can show them a few of the things you learned and then together try new adventures. Then, on the 3rd trip, you can go solo (or with just your significant other). By this visit, you’ll feel very comfortable, you may have favorite restaurants and you might even have friends in town.
To Mrs. P …. thank you for asking such an important question. You’re not the only person who has been anxious about taking a new adventure. The first time is always a bit nervewracking, but like the old German proverb says “fear just makes the wolf bigger than he is.” The exciting news is that the spirit of adventure can be cultivated. With practice and time, you’ll be ready to make a move. And, we hope these suggestions help you get that much closer to your dream.
To the rest of the BrownGirlsFly community … Let’s give Mrs. P an extra dose of encouragement! If you have additional tips to share with her or just your own words of wisdom, please chime in below.
Oh yeah … and send us more great questions for the next post in the Q&A series.
