"The Journey Is The Destination"

I've been tryng to find websbites, magazines, blogs, anyone who will publish something I have written about traveling. No such luck. So far all they want is something about the fashion of that country or city, the hot spots to eat, the places to visit that are on any travel site possible.
That is not what traveling is about.
I could write articles about all of those things. It may interest 20 people. Everyone's interests are different. There are so many reasons to travel. And so many kinds of people who embrace it.
To me, the whole point of traveling is getting lost because that's when you find the best things.
So ask me to write a real article and that's what I'd tell you, get lost... As hell!
It's not an adventure until you're lost. My tour guide in Europe specifically told us not to overthink directions and maps, but to just go. (In numbers of course so we'd at least have company).
Sure, research the top restaurants and top places to see, but remember those have all been visited too often, and are shaped to please tourists and outsiders (I learned this when I went to the Stone Forest in the Yunnan Province).
If you go abroad, you should seriously attempt the not-so-sculpted places for eating, anyway. If they know you're coming, they change their authenticity to what tourists like or expect. This happens far too frequently.
I'd tell you to go to the Italian bistro I stumbled upon. The one down the third alley just past the Duomo in Florence. You'll pass a wall with dollars everywhere (don't ask). It's on your left. And when you think you've gone too far, you're just about there.
My dad has this theory about mom and pop joints in small towns. He says they have the best food because the grease is good and built up from the year's of business. Sounds gross, but mom & pop's are the best, right? My dad is also on the search for the world's best burger, and he's found it a few times. When we travel anywhere, we never eat Chili's, Burger King or other franchised joints. We always stop at a a log cabin building off a dirt road called Bob's Burgers, or something along those lines. Seldom are we disappointed.
This is kind of what I do when traveling. I suppose that's a habit inherited from my raising. Even when I first came to China, knowing I didn't eat Chinese food. I didn't eat McDonald's or Pizza Hut every day. I may have stuck to noodles and rice for a while, but I forced myself to be authentic.
In New York City, in Little Italy, I'd tell you to find the Italian restaurant with a handsome waiter named Giovanni with the most beautiful olive green eyes because that places gives you the first glass of wine free and the bread is delightful.
The Internet would tell you to try Lombardi's (which I have and it's delicious) but the Internet is often going to reference you to the "quality" places, as opposed to the cozy places. Obviously if you are a food junkie, you'll try the place flashing, "award-wining pizza," but that doesn't mean it's the best pizza. Ya dig?
Besides, just because I like a restaurant or place doesn't mean you will. I'll put the suggestion out there and I'll share my stories because people love stories, but what is great for one person isn't necessarily great for the other. Seriously... I like this that and the other. Do you? Of course not!

Aside from getting lost, the second thing I can say to you is, "you can't get lost if you don't know where you're going."
Plan your trip as thoroughly as possible, for time and money management purposes, but when it doesn't work out, take a breath and enjoy the results. You're still away from work, and if you're lucky, the kids, so make the best of whatever situation you're presented with.
I may not be able to tell you the best places to eat and shop because as a 20-something-year-old I obviously travel on a budget, but I can give you some common sense type advice and tips (in no particular order).
1. If you're in a country that doesn't speak your native language, you should always carry your hotel or hostel address with you, pointing is the same in any language. On paper because phones die and that picture won't be handy then. 
2. Where words fail, it's amazing how much understandable communication can be achieved with hand gestures. Be elaborate when speaking. Also, it's a language barrier, not a hearing problem. Don't yell at people to make your point - you look foolish.
3. If you're American, remember you're not in America. What I mean is, not every big city is dangerous. Do your research prior to visiting and avoid paranoia.
4. Don't bother ensuring you have international data. You can contact whomever once you've acquired wifi. 
5. Actually, just turn your phone off. If you want to use it for photos and music like I do, keep it on airplane mode to keep the battery up and contact down. 
6. WATER
7. Backpacks, not purses. Side shoulder bags for women are great if you are just strolling and don't need more than a wallet. 
8. Stay in a hostel. You don't need five-star service. Hostels have wifi, too. Bunk with strangers. It can be entertaining and you can meet friends or people to split tour costs with. 
9. Talk to people. Everyone has a story. Find it. Some may inspire you further. 
10. The most important of all. Open your senses. Listen to the sounds. The traffic if it's a metropolis. The waves if it's the beach. The languages if it's a foreign land. With your eyes look at the differences. Not the skin color or clothes people are wearing. I mean their demeanors. The happiness found in children playing with empty water bottles in villages. They see fun where we'd normally see garbage and filth. Open your nose to the smells. Remember them well. We can witness many things if we just look past the norm we're used to. 

If I sat here long enough I could give you 20 or 30 more tips and thoughts on travel, but you should get out there and find your own. Be cautious, yet bold. Be curious, yet smart. Just do it and enjoy it.  

Here are a few photos with captions of explanation  from some of my most memorable uses of the senses from my travels...

A family playing with their daughter on the beach of the Pacific Ocean in Beidaihe, China. 

When you're walking in foreign territory, be sure to look in all directions. Especially up. This will always remain one of my most favorite pictures. It's just nostalgic I guess... (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

A bit odd I know, but every place I go, when I smell manure, farm animals or hay it always puts me in a happy place. I wasn't raised on a farm, but anyone from the South is familiar with the smells of agriculture. It's the same in any country so far. (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 

Watching this guy engrave a wallet for my dad, I will never forget the strong aroma of leather in this shop (Florence, Italy). 

My biggest memory of the Notre Dame was sitting in the bleachers out front listening to his performance. He sang, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." I don't think a more fitting song could've ever been played at a more appropriate time. (Paris, France)

Dachau Concentration Camp: Dachau, Germany. I forced myself through each written piece in the museum. I forced myself into the barracks. I spent the bus ride home reflecting on the history this hell contains. I shed tears. This is the most emotional place I've ever visited. Although a major tourist attraction, it holds it's purpose and it isn't maintained to please the public. It's there to show history and tell stories.  

I sat on this levee with my feet dangling eating a piece of strawberry pie I'd bought at a bistro. For once I didn't have my headphones in and I distinctly remember the cooing of pigeons. (Stone Bridge, Regensburg, Germany)





Christmas is my mom's favorite holiday. We watch Home Alone 2 religiously as a family. I remember being sick to my stomach and homesick missing my first Christmas in 23 years.  (Rockefeller Center, NY, NY)

Someone will always be around with ponchos in case of rain. But don't worry, rain isn't a game changer. Just a temperature changer. :) (Xingping, China. Guangxi Province). 

She was just jumping over the rope by herself while her mom was holding down the shop.  (Yunnan Province, China).

A view, a moment and a day like this I will never be able to put into words, but it will forever be etched in my memory.  (Yuanyang County, Honghe, China)

We met the Israeli guys on the night bus into this town. The fog altered our plans so we crashed at their hostel. We just talked a lot. Oh, and had the most amazing day together touring the rice terraces for a grand total of 80 yuan. (Yuanyang County, Honghe, China).

This was one of my favorite moments because in every country, in any culture, old ladies will always gossip and sit around :) (Ancient Town of Dali, China. Yunnan Province)

The air smelled like chocolate because there were chocolate factories surrounding our bike tour route. (Amsterdam, Netherlands).

In closing I would like to say I realize various types of people write travel articles and various types of people travel. Each individual is different. And when it comes to travel, we are certainly not all the same.