Vagabonding summary

Planning the trip of your life doesn’t begin with setting a departure date or when you arrive at the airport – it starts with your attitude.

It begins as soon as you stop finding excuses for delaying your journey and start saving money, researching your destination and looking over maps. Vagabonding is about looking, learning, embracing your fears and changing your habits. This type of attitude isn’t something you can just pick up at the check-in counter along with your ticket; it’s something that starts at home and needs to be cultivated over time.

One of the keys of developing a vagabonding mindset is to understand that it’s not so much the amount of money you have, but the way you use it. The best approach here is to keep it simple.

Vagabonding involves applying simplicity to your life. Paring down on material possessions in a bid to live more simply is something we’re all familiar with; every major religion teaches the absurdity of chasing happiness through material desires. But we seldom follow this principle!

It’s your choice: you can either prepare thoroughly in advance or stride boldly into the unknown. Either option will have a huge impact on your travel experience.

Keep in mind, though, that many experienced backpackers find that overly preparing for a trip puts a damper on it. A significant part of the wonder of traveling lies in the unexpected and the happy accidents you encounter along the way. On top of that, preparing too much beforehand can give you the wrong idea of a place. Some travelers pore over so many films and books that it gives them an idealized impression of a city. Then, when they finally get there, they’re crushed to find it has dirty, noisy streets or rude people in the hotel.

Have you ever gone on a trip and wound up being more stressed than you were at home because of all the activities you wanted to do and places you wanted to see? Don’t get stuck in that trap! To really relish your time abroad, throw away your schedules and to-do lists.

Avoid hurtling through the sights as soon as you step out of the plane. Instead, make the most of your stay and take the time to have a good look at everything around you.

Traveling isn’t only about the places you visit, it’s also about the people you meet. In fact, these people will play a significant part in the months or years you’ll spend on the road.

These people might be travelers, like you, or locals. They may be drinking buddies for an evening, or become lifelong friends, or even lovers. The things you can learn about their cultures will be fascinating, from learning drinking songs and discussing politics to adopting the appropriate dinner table etiquette. Socializing with others during your travels can also teach you a lot about your own country and give you a fresh perspective on things you might consider normal. For instance, Americans who were raised with individualism as a core value may be taken aback or intrigued by Asian cultures, which favor blending in over standing out as an individual.

For around two centuries we’ve known that there’s no continent on Earth left undiscovered. So what’s next? Is true adventure still possible? In the absence of uncharted territories, we need to rethink the meaning of the word “adventure.”

What does adventure really mean in a world where risk-taking is fairly minimal, even if you fly to the other side of the world, hike to villages in the Himalayas or trek deep into the forests of Borneo?

Even the most idyllic, lazure lagoon can turn into a flat, boring pool of water after enough time. So be prepared to use a bit of creativity if you want to stay captivated on your travels!

After a long stint on the road, you’ll eventually fall into some sort of routine. Even when sunbathing on the beautiful beaches of Guatemala, there will come a point where your enthusiasm for your surroundings will start to dwindle.

The key message in this book:

While tourists go on holiday to escape the daily grind and chase after must-see attractions, vagabonders know to keep an open mind to anything and anyone around them. With the right mindset concerning money, planning and interacting with their surroundings, true vagabonders reap the greatest rewards of long-term travel.