Helping you set your travel goals for the new year.
BY PHILL FELTHAM
With Christmas and New Year’s celebrations behind us, you have undoubtedly made your resolutions for the new year. One of the most important items on your to-do list is to travel. Before I write anything else, I want you to scratch the title “resolutions” and replace it with “goals.” Why is this important? Resolutions are forgotten after a month, while goals are eventually achieved. With that being said, no matter what type of wanderer you are, traveling is on that list.
Now it’s time to take your goal to wander in 2009 to the next step. First, make a list of the countries you want to visit this year and contemplate where you want to go. Of course, the type of wandering you do will depend on the type of wanderer you are.
ACTIVE WANDERERS
It’s no secret you love to keep fit and you are very particular about what you eat. When you take that week off, it’s easy to lose sight of your fitness and nutrition goals in favor of that ultimate destination. When I wandered England and Scotland last year, I ate true English cuisine (more than just fish and chips). However, the food I ate wasn’t all that healthy, and I was walking so much that my body never had the proper time to recover. Sure, my travel experience was well worth it, but I wish I had taken better care of my body.
It’s tough to keep nutrition and fitness in mind when you’re planning your travel journey. It’s even harder to keep it in mind when you’re trying to accomplish everything on your overly ambitious itinerary. When you plan your trip, be sure to leave room for activities such as walking through the park and biking, and spend less time on the bus and more time on your feet. Balance your itinerary by also incorporating plenty of rest and recovery time so you don’t overexhaust yourself.
Remember, travel and stay fit because you want to, not because you have to. Make it an important part of your scheduled trip for 2009. Taking care of yourself while overseas shouldn’t be a hindrance, but a benefit. For tips on staying active while on long wanderering expeditions, see Linda O’Byrne’s article in this week’s TWW.
EXPATRIATING WANDERERS
Before Christmas, I was talking to some old buddies of mine on MSN who live in Taiwan. At the end of the conversation, I was amazed at how much I missed my time there, and how much I’ve forgotten. I’ve been back in Canada for two years, well established in my job and ready to take the next important step in my life. For you repats, if you miss your time overseas, then maybe it’s time to revisit the country you spent one, two, three or four years of your life in. If you’re outside of Canada now, take this moment to reflect on your second home. Realize just how much your host country is now a part of you and how much you’re a part of it. For wanderers wondering what it’s like to live overseas but afraid to take that first step: Find someone who is (or was) overseas and take the plunge. Dedicate a year of your life to exploring other lands and come back with a completely new perception. You’ll be glad you did.
SPIRITUAL WANDERERS
If you’ve had the chance to visit multiple countries, maybe it’s time to give something back. In the summer of 2007, I went on a missions trip with my church to Cape Breton Island. I became intimately involved with the youth in Cape Breton by ministering to them. Now, you don’t have to be involved in religion to give something back. There are many volunteering groups that travel to places such as the Caribbean, Africa and the Dominican Republic to help out. If you’re looking for that kind of opportunity, this could be the one for you.
ROMANTIC WANDERERS
When I lived in Asia, I traveled around mostly with my then-girlfriend. It meant a lot to me to share the best part of myself with someone else. Do you ever notice that when you travel, a new part of you comes alive? The freedom of wandering and exploring brings out your passion–something the mundane reality of home doesn’t provide. If you need to spark some passion in your relationship and your partner hasn’t seen the best part of you while you’re on the road, maybe it’s time they did. One of my biggest regrets is that my ex-fiancee never had the chance to be with me on the road. Between us wanderers, this is something that will happen next time. Consider a romantic trip for two–without the resort or hotel package–that you and your partner will never forget.
BUSINESS WANDERER
If travel is your job, then your goal for 2009 is to make the most of your time overseas. When I worked for Electricity Today Magazine, I had to make multiple trips to the U.S. to attend a variety of trade shows. The beauty of these shows is that your company is paying for you to be in a new city, state or country, but you don’t always have to be locked there from beginning to closing each day. Take the opportunity to do a little wandering for a day, an evening, or just a couple of hours. If you’re really pressed for time, try to locate sites nearby you can wander to between work, clients and luncheons. Taking in a bit of the city is also a chance to blow off some stress that can elevate during trying business operations.
Whatever type of wanderer you are, make your decision to wander and travel. Just be sure to do it in 2009. IT!
Phill Feltham lived in Taiwan for two years teaching English and freelancing for the local English magazines before returning to Canada to work as Senior Editor for Maximum Fitness magazine. Phill started The Weekly Wanderer while living in Taiwan and continues it here in Canada.
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