Post: #1

I just lost my visa debit card (my main tool in cashing out money while travelling) for the second time in less than a month.

And I just realised that, after almost 5 months of being stationed in a place I acquired too many things (mostly books) and I'll be having to get rid of a lot of junk so everything fits in my bag.

Not major distresses... just some frustration, having to send some pain in the ass e-mails and having to find a place to dismiss all leftover junk. And having to take some crap from my dad... again.

But it got me thinking: what memorable problems you guys have faced down the road? How were your obstacles overcome? How have you dealt with the inevitable hard times, loneliness, health, unpredictability?

Let's share some of our stories of overcoming the obstacles in the path.

What made you stronger?

Post: #2

I bought a Sitar in Bangalore, it was a pain in the ass to carry it with me everywhere, but for me travel is the most thorough demonstration of how little you need to survive and enjoy life. Conditioning myself to that means I have less clutter, and material shit back in my routine life.

With your clutter, well buy second hand and sell/donate to second hand store or charities. Condition yourself at the time of purchase that it is something you will relinquish and probably won't get anything in return. You'll then value the utility of them item, and is a good way to curb envy and being more charitable. Humans tend to not like the prospect of someone else getting something for nothing, this will force you to channel away this sort of negative energy if you're giving books away that someone gets for free, so what, you gained the utility from them yourself, that is enough.

Now for travel 'issues'

I travel with 2 debit cards and a credit card everywhere I go, though I never lost any card. I care more about losing a passport.

Lonliness, well this is overcome by meeting new people. This ALWAYS happens to me as a positive adjustment happens to my personality, when I travel I develop greater charisma and less approach anxiety, which is evident regardless of poon or strangers for platonic reasons. Days that I have been conditioned to spend with greater intimate relations, such as family on christmas day do get to be a downer if you are alone, but I have tended to wind up as a guest of someone in times past.

Health, it is a f*cking awful feeling being alone in a studio apartment and sick, no one to assist in your care and may not even speak the local language, you really do feel alone and immensely vulnerable. It is a reason you should work out and eat right, for preventative measures. I have been fortunate that I haven't had to commute while sick. The worst I have ever been was in San Francisco, I was bed ridden for 6 days luckily I got better on the 7th, the day I flew to NY.

The 'unpredictability' aspect is what is sought. I would not seek routine, the other two issues of just 'adapting' is probably a challenge in itself, where you guage yourself. Strange environments are what tests ones own adaptability.

Post: #3

(01-09-2012 12:47 AM)T and A Man Wrote:  The 'unpredictability' aspect is what is sought. I would not seek routine, the other two issues of just 'adapting' is probably a challenge in itself, where you guage yourself. Strange environments are what tests ones own adaptability.

Well put, I like this statement.

Post: #4

I had quite some trouble in Russia and Kazakhstan. Its too much to explain here. For those who are interested :

http://www.aroundtheworldin80girls.com/tag/in-trouble/

Post: #5

I currently live in East Ukraine, if moving to a new country or visiting long term the first thing you should do is register with the US Embassy, in times of need the embassy staff can do alot, you also receive travel updates and travel warnings, and if needed, a new passport takes all of one week to obtain, I have a friend living here from England, he's totally amazed about the services the US Embassy provides to it's citizens.

Post: #6

1. Stomach illnesses

2. Finding good doctors that speak English.

3. Finding affordable long-term lodging.

4. Finding a gym that has a squat rack.