What Are Two Months of Long-Term Travel Like?

I've now completed two months of long-term travel. Similar to one month of travel, there have been things I've learned, loved, disliked, and lessons I'll take with me in my future adventures.

Two months abroad allows you to experience life differently. You are can learn so much about yourself how you enjoy travel and even what you enjoy about life. Two months of long-term travel is when you start to find your rhythm in foreign places and allows you to fine-tune your routine and activities.

What I've learned about alternative living

Travelling for two months straight might not seem like a lot. Despite the relatively short length of time, it is still possible to gain a greater knowledge of this style of alternative living.

I feel that two months of travelling and living abroad allows someone to start to gain a deep sense of the places they travel. It is enough time to really immerse yourself in other cultures and ways of living. I also see it as enough time away from what you're used to; thus becoming more adaptable and flexible in new environments.

One of the biggest things I've learned about alternative living is how welcoming the world is. Some peoples are incredibly welcoming and will drop whatever they're doing to help. It makes me feel supported by people I don't even know. Maybe it's because I sometimes look so lost or perhaps some people are genuinely friendly and helpful.

What I've learned about myself

Two months of long-term travel has taught me some valuable lessons about myself. I've gained more confidence in my ability to exist in other countries. I've also reassessed what I enjoy doing while abroad.

I've learned that it's possible to get by almost anywhere in the world with the skills I currently have. Not only have I learned more about how to communicate, but I've also learned about where to look for food or the best district in a city. I've learned things like paying attention when I see a lineup of people in front of a food stall; it's probably incredible food. I've also become more well-versed in transportation in other countries and know what systems will be reliable or not.

If my trip was shorter, perhaps I would have been fine with bodyweight workouts and limited fitness. But, I'm in it for the long run. I feel it's important to keep this aspect of my life up. It gives me the means to improve myself and find normalcy in most places I go. Sure, bodyweight workouts and using my backpack as a weight is sufficient at the time, but it doesn't feel the same as a proper gym session (Even if there are older women who want you to teach them and take photos with you).

What I've loved

Long-term travel has shown me more about what I love about this lifestyle. I love the novelty associated with a foreign country. Overcoming the challenges of foreign travel is rewarding. I also enjoy being in places where my money goes further than at home.

I've loved the daily novelty associated with being in a new environment. Of course, you could stay home and find something new every day. I find there to be a much more rewarding outcome when finding novelty in a new place. I also love the challenge of finding good food, the best sights, and a good coffee shop to work from.

I've loved how affordable things are in some places abroad. It allows me to make different choices in food and activities. I know that I have the privilege to go to a different country where my money goes further. I'm impressed with the relative cost of some activities. For example, a day pass to a museum in Taipei can cost less than $10 USD. Whereas a museum back home can cost as much as $25 USD. While some food remains similarly priced as western food, you can often find delicious local dishes at a fraction of the cost.

What I've disliked

I've also learned more about what I dislike about long-term travel. There exist some frustrations that might not be a concern when you are home, or in a place for a long amount of time. Making the most of your travels also means being on the move more. With more experience, I'm sure I can turn these dislikes into something I can work around.

This point might be location-dependent. I like to live in a moderately structured way. Sometimes the transportation isn't always reliable. While I've remained flexible and have kept in mind that transportation can't always be relied upon, it's still frustrating that I can almost count on disruption in my schedule. Maybe I'd do better in Japan where train workers make public apologies when they aren't on time.

Another aspect of long-term travel that I didn't enjoy has been the frequent moving. Sure, I enjoy novel sights. But I don't like moving around so much. It becomes taxing to move every few days, even if from hotel to hostel and back. It is also difficult to get into a routine, despite routine sometimes being the enemy. I missed having structure in my days and the routine I used to have of waking up and having a slow morning with lots of coffee. It's not always possible to do this if you need to catch a train, or need to check out of some accommodations by 11 am.

What I will take forward with me

As I transition once more to spend the holidays with loved ones back home, I know that I want to spend more time travelling. I've found a way to satiate my desire for novel sights. I've also worked on building a system to work from anywhere I am.

I am excited about returning to van life. It's the adventure I set out to enjoy from the beginning. I know long-term travelling abroad will be around for some time to come. Yet, I'm excited to take what I now know to my life in a van. I enjoyed staying in one place while in my van, and I'll be sure to enjoy a place more in-depth than changing spots every few days to see more.

I can appreciate how helpful people can be toward travellers. I'm inspired to make a point of helping out other travellers that I meet when I come across them. Doing something in return and paying it forward will help spread the gratefulness I have acquired during my travels abroad.