Always have your passport. Keep your wallet where you can see it. Learn the exchange rate. Wear comfortable shoes. Watch out for people who pick-pocket...
These are just some of the pieces of advice websites and advisers tell you before traveling. But, let me tell you, there are a lot of little things that they don't tell you that I wish I'd known before I left for Spain last summer.
Because I am the the lovely person that I am, I'll give you the advice that you truly need when traveling abroad.
Get a selfie stick.
You might think Selfie Sticks are silly but trust me when I say that you will want one. I didn't go anywhere without mine. I took it to the Colosseum in Rome, on a sangria cruise in Portugal, on tours through ancient castles and cathedrals, and I even took it on a 15-mile hike through the Sierra Nevada mountains. I may have fell during that hike and rolled my ankle, but my selfie stick lived.
Forget to bring one with you? Don't worry.You will find a street vendor selling them on almost every corner.
Bring a GoPro.
This is one step higher than the selfie stick. Go Pros are great because they are waterproof and durable. It is perfect for when you decide to jump off the sangria cruise ship into the Mediterranean because you got a little tipsy drinking all that sangria. Or even when you're going bungee jumping with all of your friends.
Don't forget nice clothes.
Unless you are going for a jog outside or you're going to the gym, do not wear Nike shorts or tennis shoes. I know, you can't live without your "Norts." But trust me, no one wears gym clothes casually. Everywhere you go, you will see women in heels and nice dresses, while the guys will look like they stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad. It's refreshing to see this, but also a little intimidating.
A size 4 here is not a size 4 there.
Prepare yourself for this because this one hurts your pride a little. When shopping in some stores, the tag might say UK: Size 2, US: Size 4. But let me tell you, those shorts you're wanting to try on are not a size 4. They won't even go up one leg. You will need to buy the shorts that say US: Size 10.
Also, smalls fit like smalls but larges fit like smalls as well. Basically, everything in Europe is small.
Do not share eye contact.
Unlike in the United States, you can't give eye contact all willy-nilly. If you wave and smile at someone in Europe, they will not think you're just being a nice person. They are thinking that you are either a little creepy or that you're interested in them.
Do not pet their dogs.
They are weird about that too. No matter how cute or fluffy the dog is, do not pet it.
Driving is very different.
Driving here in the states is not like driving in Europe. A lot of countries drive on the same side of the road as us, but Europe is not one of them.
Another things to note about European driving: it does not matter how small the alley may be...if the car can fit, they will drive through it. It kind of reminds me of the Magic School Bus where the bus could shrink or grow at anytime. This magic is the only logical explanation on how some of those cars can fit through the narrow streets without hitting anything.
There is definitely a lot more to Europe than just this. But that's what so fun about traveling: to learn new things along the way. Maybe after my next trip to Europe, I will have even more advice to give out. Until then, safe travels!
