A couple snippets from the article ...

"Read maps instead of just asking for directions. Try and get a sense for the local language, and any similarities or differences from your native tongue. Take mental notes about formalities with certain associated actions ..."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/t...#ixzz2A9Y16KkE


I love maps ... paper maps I can hold in my hand and turn upside down and sideways to fit the direction I'm facing. Maps I can bring with me, tucked in my handlebar bag map case so I can refer to them as necessary.

Through our travels, we've discovered maps can be found in various places ... tourist information centres (often located near train stations or in the middle of town), sporting goods shops, hostels, hotels, campgrounds, and even on the sides of bus shelters. Some towns post maps every few blocks to show tourists where they are and where they might want to go. As we travel, we keep our eyes open for sources of information like this.

And I also enjoy learning and trying new languages. It's good to be able to greet people in their own language, at least. If we do return to Hokkaido (as I hope we do), I'd like to go with a better knowledge of Japanese so we can communicate more than we did.



"It’s OK if you get lost – you’ll have an adventure finding your way back. Try out a new skill; chances are good that you’re not going to be a world-class Tango dancer, but if you’re in Spain and don’t give it a shot, you’re just sitting on the sideline. Ask questions you otherwise wouldn’t. If you’re curious as to why something is done a certain way, use the “tourist” card and find out."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/t...#ixzz2A9YHvHP6


I especially like the comment about getting lost. On this trip, we did spend quite a bit of time following designated routes, and that was OK but it can get a bit onerous and I like the flexibility of being able to decide to go elsewhere today. In the past, some of my best rides have been rides where I've turned down this road to see where it might lead, and then turned down that road to see where it might lead. I highly recommend doing that sort of thing in preparation for tours ... go explore your local area, see what's there, ride all sorts of different roads, stop in at little grocery stores in the middle of nowhere, take photos ...



One question that comes up sometimes on these forums is whether or not people will have difficulty re-entering the workforce after an extended tour, and this article addresses that to some extent, highlighting a few transferable skills ... skills which a traveller can develop, and which can then be useful in the workforce. Extended travelling can be as much a learning experience as attending night classes or acquiring further education to enhance a person's ability to do his or her job.