5 Travel Tips From A Proud Tourist

Now that I have been home from study abroad for a few months I have started to decompress, reflect and spout wisdom. Hear ye, hear ye- below are some tips and tricks that I have learned from my 5 months of suitcase life. In short: fanny packs are your friend. 

1. Commit
If you are traveling, chances are you paid a lot of money to get there, changed your schedule to make it happen, and want to come home with stories to tell. So act like it! Don't let jet lag get you down, carpe diem, and take pictures everywhere sans shame. Also, get off your high horse and at least attempt to conquer the public transportation system. Even if everything goes wrong and you end up in the Bronx when you wanted to be in midtown Manhattan (#truestory) you at least have a great story. 

London Tube, January

En route to Versailles in Paris, May 

2. Comfort
My Mama Brovelli hat is now on, and I am begging you to be comfortable, pack wisely, and plan. You could be on your feet for 12 or more hours of the day so you had better wear comfortable shoes (just not tennis shoes with jeans I beg of you), socks, shoe inserts, gloves, chapstick etc. These might seem like obvious suggestions, and they are, but that doesn't make them any less important. Blisters can ruin your plans, cold and chapped hands can make you miserable, and not bringing an umbrella is a recipe for a 15 euro umbrella purchase during an Austrian downpour (#truestory). Lecture complete.

The Supergas that traveled the world:

Sevilla, Spain with Liv

Morocco beach trip

3. Acceptance 
As much as the guidebook/map/big camera/fanny pack may give you away, you have to accept the tourist you are inside. Reality check: trust me, the locals already know you're a foreigner, so go big, go home, or get really lost alone in Paris because you're 'too cool' for a map (#truestory). Trust me, you're not too cool to ask for help and chances are the metro stop you are looking for is just around the corner. Also, go on a guided tour! You will gain so much more appreciation and understanding for each landmark and part of the place you are visiting because your kodak moments will be beautiful AND have context and history. Plus, there are a ton of free tour companies so all you risk loosing is a few hours of your life. 

Pretending to be Maria in Salzburg, Austria

Wearing a 'yes I am a tourist' sign around my neck (my big camera)

4. Food

You are exploring uncharted territory, and the worst thing on an adventure is getting hungry or dehydrated. Please be kind to the earth- bring a water bottle with you in your purse/backpack or buy a water bottle in the afternoon and refill it during the day. Remember kids, you're supposed to have at least 2.2 liters of water a day so the one glass you have at lunch and dinner wont cut it! Also, bring provisions. There is no shame in having a bag of nuts, a granola bar, or even a sandwich tucked away 'just in case'. You don't want your hangry wrath to affect your trip, so plan meals ahead of time, make reservations, bring snacks and water, and remember that food is your friend.

Captured: Pure joy in Madrid at purchasing cookies, peach rings, and pretzels for dinner

Underrated food strategy: supermarket smorgasbords eaten in bed

Exhibit A. Feat: Mom in Paris

Exhibit B. Feat: Olivia's arm, Sevilla and She's the Man

5. Expectations
Sometimes the most unexpected parts of traveling can be your favorite memories. For example: I may have invested a lot of emotional capital into finding/kidnapping Harry Styles when in London, but my mission failed. I might have fantasized and planned how our epic romance would pan out, but I could have never anticipated how much I would enjoy the alternate dream of spending New Year's eve cuddling with my family, ending 2014 with red wine and Phish Food Ice-cream. My point being: say 'yes', stay positive in the face of One Direction adversity, and make the best of your privileged opportunity to explore the world. 

"10 days in London: cold, history, beer and family" 

6. Bonus tip:
Make a shirt that says "NO, I DO NOT WANT TO BUY A SELFIE STICK". You can thank me later. 

With love and passport stamps,

Sarah Belle