The People

How to Experience Live Life Travel: A Five Part Series
By Tara Miller

Part Two— The People

The people whom you chose to travel with can make or break your vacation. Traveling is supposed to be fun, but can get stressful at times (you have seen the Totally Griswold section, right?). It is important to surround yourself with people who compliment your personality and will add to your experience rather than hinder it. Here are two things you must consider when choosing a travel companion.

COMPATIBILTY: Can you imagine yourself spending the entire length of your vacation with these people? Keep in mind how you and they behave when you are tired, hungry, irritable, stressed, etc. What are your sleep schedules? Are you a morning person or night owl? Do you snore; do they? When and what do you like to eat? Are you flexible? Are you laid-back or high-strung? How long do you take to get ready to go? How much activity can you handle? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself and there is not a right or wrong answer to any of them. Just make sure that your attitudes mesh well with your companion's.

If you have never traveled with someone before it may be hard to determine your compatibility. In this situation, I recommend rating them using the following scale: 1-they inspire and energize you; 2-you have your ups and downs; 3-they drain the life from your body. I know it seems obvious that you do not want to travel with a 3, however, when you look at the people around you, you would be surprised by how many of them you would actually rank as a 3. Take this into account in your everyday life as well.

PURPOSE: This goes back to part one. It is important that you and your companions share a similar purpose. Why are you going on the trip and what do you want to do? Will you pack each and every day full of hard-core, extreme sports or would you prefer to laze around the beach? Are you more of an “off-the-beaten-path” traveler or a “tour bus rider”? Will shopping and museum stops top your to do list or would you prefer a countryside bike ride? Keep in mind that you do not have to do everything with your companions. There is no reason the group cannot branch off into various directions and do different activities. Although you will want to be sure that each person is comfortable and independent enough to be on his or her own should the situation arise

Traveling is an enriching and exciting experience. The people we chose to accompany us can be the difference between an average trip and the best vacation in the world.

Part One: The Purpose

Part Three: Packing

Part Four: Preparing for Departure

Part Five: Participation