Travel is a beautiful experience that lets us see the world differently. But just like all other commitments in life, it comes with hardships. Preparing to go home after a challenging mountain hike only to find your flight delayed for several hours is a mood killer. Probably not as frustrating as talking to a callous Gen Z at the baggage claim over your lost items.
Travel isn’t all fun and fantastic pictures; it has countless quandaries, but dealing with these is the difference between a beautiful trip and a gigantic disaster. Here are some common travel problems and how you can deal with them.
Unreliable transportation
Not uncommon if you are an ardent traveler, delayed flights and trains can be a frustrating ordeal, especially if you are on a tight schedule. It gets worse if the explanation is in a foreign language. Booking the last flight out to attend a festival or conference only for the airline company to delay due to unforeseen complexities can be a hair-pulling ordeal for many. Unreliable transport is a common occurrence in so many countries except Japan, where trains are delayed a couple of seconds
The solution to unreliable transport is better planning. Trying to set off a few hours to an event is a risky endeavor. Always give yourself a buffer for such snags. Set off a day before the event. Also, looking for alternatives could go a long way to ensuring you don’t miss out on your itinerary.
Losing or late arrival of baggage
Watching the baggage carousel do its continual runs with nothing familiar is one way to get the heart racing. Nothing is as infuriating as starting a vacation with only one set of clothes. Restructuring your budget as you wait on baggage claim to trace your items is a bad way to start your getaway. Whereas it is a rare occurrence, it does happen. Airlines lose two bags for every 1000 travelers, according to AirfaireWatchdog.
Prior planning will save you such headaches. Having an extra set of clothes and other can’t-live-without items in your carry-on is the only way to keep the party going. Also, the airport only gives a small payout for lost items in such scenarios, so endeavor to keep pricey items such as watches and jewelry in your carry-on.
Forgetting important items
I bet this has happened to everyone. I once had to walk out of my Airbnb after midnight to try to find a toothbrush. It had been a late flight in, and turning out my bag, I couldn’t see it. Luckily, I found a supermarket down the street. And thank God it was just a toothbrush. Items like contact glasses, prescription medicine, and a phone charger can be serious party poopers when misplaced.
Talking to your hotelier to have the items mailed is the only solution. However, such scenarios are avoidable. Before heading out, make a packing list of things you need for your trip. And run through the list as you leave after the vacation as well.
Food poisoning
For most travelers, trying out new delicacies is one of the things to look forward to when setting off for a trip. But unfortunately, the frequent toilet runs, growling stomach, and profuse sweating is never part of the itinerary when we set out. Food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness, usually results from contaminated food. It is caused by bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella getting into your body because food is not stored well or is left to stay too long.
When faced with such disturbing symptoms, see the doctor and wait it out. Also, extra caution as you enjoy your vacation might be helpful. Make sure to ingest well-prepared food from reputable caterers. Do some google research before walking into any restaurant for a meal.
Running out of money
One of the scariest things to happen to a traveler is running low on cash. Running low on money in a foreign country with probably a higher cost of living can quickly become a complete nightmare. One of the most complex parts of planning a trip is knowing just how much money you will need. It is impossible to cater to all possibilities because so many unexpected things could force you into extra spending on your trip. It could be a medical emergency, city authority fine or other charges you didn’t imagine.
One of my thumb rules is, “Always have a safety stash.” I do a comprehensive study on my destination in terms of what I plan to spend. I also carry an extra stash that I keep in my hotel room. Also, have a credit card for big emergencies.
Homesickness or loneliness
Looking forward to a trip for months only to feel alone a couple of days into one has happened even to the most sociable person. It is true what they say, “the road gets cold sometimes.” Breaking routine is often a cause for excitement and one of the very many reasons we love traveling. But our minds may need a little more time to process such changes. Being free from a stressful job for a couple of days is a riveting experience at first.
Don’t worry; it’s a normal feeling. One of the tips is having long talks on the phone with loved ones. That should give your mind a familiar setting. Also, meditation and music are great remedies for such scenarios.
Jet lag
While many use it as a subtext for being tired, jet lag is an actual condition. Being used to routine and patterns and then having an eight-hour flight into another time zone is the recipe for jet lag. Our minds adopt specific habits such as when you go to bed, when you wake up, what time you have breakfast, and for some, when you visit the toilet. The mind has its internal clock that subconsciously becomes a way of life. For example, I once forgot to charge my phone, which ran out of battery. Guess what? I still got up five minutes before the usual alarm ding.
So, when your internal clock gets disrupted by a long flight causing headaches, insomnia, and tiredness, try going for a walk, meditation or hitting the gym to calm your nerves.
