5 pitfalls of long-term travel

5 pitfalls of long-term travel

We examine the most common pitfalls of long-term travel

So you saved up for a year, quit your job, and told all your friends that you were going to see the world on your very first long-term travel adventure. You've bought your round-the-world ticket, undermined the naysayers, and said goodbye to your prescribed life.

Now you're several months into it and you tell yourself you've broken out; that you are an iconoclast; that you did it to the man. You think you're having the time of your life, but you don't realize you've fallen into one of the common pitfalls of long-term travel.

Here we list 5 things you should ask yourself to ensure your trip is everything you hoped for…

1. Am I just checking boxes?

Dead Sea? Snap, snap, tick. Petra? Snap, snap, tick. Red Sea? Snap, snap, tick. As you make your rounds and fill your memory card, it's so easy to fall into the box-ticking trap.

You visit attractions not because you want to see them, but because your guide tells you to. It's important to ask yourself if you're still truly enjoying yourself or if you're traveling for the sake of traveling.

There's no shame in returning home earlier than planned if you're no longer enjoying the road.

2. Do I really need the lowest price for this?

Long-term travelers can become obsessed with keeping costs down. Getting something at the cheapest price is often used as a badge of honor ("What?? You paid 10 dinars for that scarf? I got it for one!"), but remember that haggling is not about getting the cheapest price; it's about agreeing on one that is fair and acceptable to both of you.

Admittedly, it's important to be frugal when you're on a tight budget, but the local economy depends on tourism. So if you can afford to pay a slightly higher price, it's okay to do so - you're still a "real" traveler.

3. Will I get X’d by my friends?

OK, you might cross hostile deserts and discover new species, but do you have to bore your friends to death? If you post on Facebook several times a day about another stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean or your daring trek through Jericho last night, you might get a few appropriately envious comments at first, but soon you'll be Xed off people's newsfeeds.

You won't know, of course, so it might not be skin of your nose, but if you want a few friends left when you return, don't brag. Instead, set up a dedicated space (a blog, an Instagram account) so that if people really want to stay up to date on your travels, they can proactively look for the details instead of having everything shoved down their throat.

4. Do I only hang out with expats and tourists?

We all know it: the sweet familiarity of learning our native language on foreign shores. We are social animals and therefore predisposed to be attracted to those with whom we can connect. Not surprisingly, expats are usually found in clusters.

There's nothing terribly wrong with grouping up with other tourists or expats, but if you can't remember the last time you shared a meal or drink with a local, then you're doing it wrong. Traveling is about experiencing new cultures, so step out of your comfort zone.

5. Am I ethical?

In addition to point 2 above, remember that you are a guest in the country, so leave it as you found it. This means that you don't do anything that harms the country, be it littering, entertaining beggars on the streets, or giving in to a harmful impulse (Thailand, anyone?).

Find a more sustainable way to invest in a country, whether it's a reputable children's charity or raising awareness via your travel blog.

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