Where to, boss?
First Time Away
AAAAARGH! Terrifying, isn't it? If you're not scared now, believe me you will be when you're on the trip to the airport. And then there's the culture shock once you get there. Nightmare. Here's how to deal with the fear before and during your first trip:
- Make sure you're as prepared as you can be. Read up on where you're going, and pre-plan your trip from the airport to the hostel. Your plan may go all to fack along the way, but it's good to have something to aim for.
- Don't worry about the airport. You're not going to miss your flight, unless you leave it all till the last possible moment. So don't. Get there 3 hours prior to departure, and check in online from the comfort of your soon-to-be-abandoned home.
- First thing to do when you arrive safely is let people know with a phone call or email. As well as reassuring them it'll relax you a bit by proving that you haven't severed all contact with your comfort zone. Try not to cry.
- Get pissed. Works wonders for culture shock. Just make sure you've got a base to crawl back to and that you're around people you trust. Also, eat. Your stomach may be the size of a walnut from the flight and the heat, but food is gooood. Good food. Good.
- Sleep. Or, if the insomnia beast is lurking in your sweaty room, stare at the fan for hours and relax. This could be a good time to take up smoking, if you don't already. Nice.
Right, now you've done all that take stock. Still terrified? Unable to drop your guard even for a second, even on your own in a locked room? Thought so. That'll last about 3 weeks, after which you can safely relax a bit and take time out to develop a traveller's ego and a feeling of superiority over anyone who's been there for less time than you. Noobs.
