and now just as anecdotal writing about my travels:
My number one way to solve problems is by asking other people. I ask strangers when when I'm lost, waiters when I can't decide what to order on the menu, and locals when I'm trying to figure out a good place to (fill in the blank). Primary sources are often far better than maps and guidebooks.
When words are lost in translation, I revert to Pictionary or charades.
I'm a decently well-seasoned traveler, which also means I've made a lot of amateur mistakes.
Several years ago I missed my flight out of Brazil, and since then because I'm so overly cautious about checking dates and departure times I haven't missed another flight (I really hope I didn't just jinx myself), and-bonus! I got to stay in Brazil for another week.
As for Europe:
I've ordered water and learned I have to pay for it. I've learned that "water with gas" is carbonated. I know that "ding ding" means "get out of the way before I run you over on my bike." In every European language.
After sitting in a restaurant for hours, I've realized that patrons must ask for the check in Europe. Restaurants don't slip you a check as soon as you've taken your first bite. They think it's rude, and after realizing this, I think they're right.
I've used my Spanish to speak with Italians, and my two years of Latin to attempt to decipher the words written on churches and monuments across Europe.
Factoid I learned about horseback statues: If the horse statue has one leg raised, the said man was injured in battle. If the horse is on its hind legs, the man died a war hero. Thank you tour guide in Munich for that handy little way to crack the code of statues worldwide.
I'm a collector. Ticket stubs, coasters, receipts, napkins, matchbooks, labels, candy wrappers, free postcards, and anything else of noteworthy memory or interest. (Denmark manages to make both health care and postcards free. Amazing.)
I will walk up a mountain to see the Neuchwanstein castle before I pay for the bus ride. It really does make one appreciate every gold candlestick and granite slab that laborers dragged the whole way.
I've learned to go to dinner early on football (soccer) game nights-both to get the best seats and to beat the crowds to ordering food.
I've made all the mistakes possible when it comes to trains, and learned from each and every one of them.
I know to ALWAYS CARRY YOUR PASSPORT. In Europe, a U.S. Driver's License is about as valid as a peel-n-stick nametag.
I have learned that you can't always count on hostels to provide towels even when they claim on the website that it's included. There are handy little towels from REI (yes, that's a product placement) that can be rung out and dried after each use...after repeated use, smell is an issue though.
I refuse to pay to pee in those bizarre facilities found all over Europe that charge you to relieve yourself.
I have been humbled by a European vegetable scale in a grocery store and many-a-European-keyboard. Both can be more challenging than they appear.
I know how to use a Eurail Pass!
I have learned (from the best, thank you mom) how to pack my life into one backpack or suitcase or whatever a trip may require.
In the end, I've learned all of this knowing that I'll make more mistakes and face more unfamiliar and bizarre situations and emerge unscathed. Part of what I love so much about traveling is that no matter the context there are people to help you find fun, the place you're looking for or, it's so incredibly cheesy but true, yourself.
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