We’ve been gallivanting around the UK in an unconverted Ford Transit van, sleeping on the floor for 3 whole months now and man, it feels like we’re only just getting started!
Why is the UK so much bigger than it looks on the map?
And why did we originally assume we could race around its entirety in 1 single month?
But you know what? When I say it’s taken us 3 months to travel the UK, what I actually mean is that it’s taken us 3 months to travel some of England and Wales…
Uh huh, we haven’t even remotely touched on Scotland or Ireland yet.
But I think there’s a reason for this – for a richer travel experience and to really understand a country, slow is the way to go. Well that’s what everyone says anyway.
I’m still unsure whether we’ve been following this advice or whether we’re just too interested in every little detail. Or it could just be because we spend the majority of our time trying to find WiFi and power points.
But shit, by now we should have been halfway across Europe!
Nevertheless, the unique experience of travelling by van is a huge learning curve in itself and it can be embraced no matter where you are. You’ll be surprised at how much it can actually change your world view and help you to appreciate the finer details in life.
Here’s a casual 30 things we’ve learned about life after 90 days of travelling by van:
1. Less is more – “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.“- Lao-tse.
2. Money trees really don’t exist – sorry.
3. Plans change – pretty much every day for us.
4. Comfort zones are lame – “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch.
5. Toilets should be more appreciated – not everyone is blessed with one.
6. Showers should be more appreciated – not everyone gets to have 3 showers a day.
7. Beds should be more appreciated – not everyone sleeps on a bed, or anything that replicates one for that matter.
8. In fact, everything should just be more appreciated .
9. We should all be a little more conscious in everything we do.
10. Too much food gets wasted – 842 million people in the world are starving.
11. Too much water gets wasted – 783 million people in the world do not have access to clean water.
12. There is a world outside of the TV – and it’s a beautiful, less scary version!
13. Weekly shopping sprees are not necessary – nobody cares whether you’re wearing the latest fashion trend when you’re all busy exploring the world.
14. The world is really big – hence why we still haven’t made it out of the UK.
15. Done is better than perfect – this goes for everything. Spending your life trying to get things perfect will get you nowhere.
16. Cars should be fixed as soon as they start sounding like a choking seagull – unless you want the bill of a lifetime.
17. You don’t realise how much unnecessary crap you accumulate until you live in a box – leaflets, 3D sunglasses, water bottles, car polishers, the list goes on.
18. Washing a t-shirt after wearing it once is ridiculous – or 3 times for that matter. Wash it when it smells.
19. Having too many material possessions only locks you up – travel lighter, travel more.
20. Mirrors only lower your self esteem – why worry so much what you look like when everyone looks like crap anyway?
21. Personal grooming is difficult while travelling – therefore, it has to wait.
22. Getting bicycles is a smart idea – see more, pay less for parking, get some exercise, be kind to the environment.
23. It is very possible to travel one month in the UK for less than $850 – as long as you’re ok with roughing it just a tad.
24. Around 80% of our money goes towards food – but that’s not to say it would be the same if we were paying for accommodation.
25. Travelling is EXCITING – and what’s life without excitement?!
26. Beauty can be found in everything – almost.
27. Shit happens – it’s good to move on.
28. Travelling with someone really helps to get to know them – whether it’s in a good way or a bad way.
29. You can prevent many arguments from happening by simply knowing how to read a map – or listen to instructions.
30. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain.
Your turn! What lessons has travelling taught you? Any of the same? Please share in the comments section below! 🙂
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