We all carry our responsibilities with us. Sometimes they are a burden, but they help shape us ethically and morally.
It is important to travel with integrity and I believe that our key responsibilities as a traveler can be succinctly explained and categorized under two domains:
When you travel, YOU are foreign. Alien. Introduced to an alternative type of existence. Relying on the social and structural supports of societies built over years, decades, centuries or even millennia. Often with very different rules, customs and ideals to your own.
When your reality looks like this, I believe it is best to consider yourself a guest. Someone privileged enough to catch a sneak peak into a people’s history and culture.
You’re bound to eventually meet people that you disagree with and who might be very successful at aggravating your sensibilities.
Temperance is recommended when proselytizing our own beliefs, especially if they can seem in contradiction to the beliefs of your host. Consider this a powerful opportunity to be a keen observer and learn something new about where you are and who lives there.
That being said. If you think you can shift a mindset for the better, give it try, you might make a new friend.
Share something important to you, or share our twelve principles.
The sharing of profound beliefs is a powerful force that can unify us behind an ideology of respect for each other and our right to our own beliefs.
I hope that one day, despite differences and disagreements, we can all manage to get along.
Social Challenge: Make a new friend.
Your life on the road, by definition, is transitory, so making friends can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Get out there and meet some people!
Hostels are great places to meet other travelers, but maybe you want to meet some locals?
Bars can be a good place to start, but if that’s not your thing, try a free class in something you’re interested in.
Whether it be dancing, yoga, circus, cooking… whatever. Almost all major cities have places that offer these services and often at a discounted price as introductory offers.
Make sure to get there early and hang around after as this will give you opportunities to introduce yourself and chat to new people.
If you do it often enough, eventually you’ll meet someone you really click with. Try to foster that relationship and show that you care about it.
I have some great friends from all over the world, some I’ve known for only a few days.
The best ones I’ve known for longer, so if you really want to make solid friendships while you travel, the best advice I can give you is to travel slower and stay in one place longer.
2. Environmental Responsibility
Thou shalt travel sustainably, leave no trace and nurture nature.
This is covered in significantly more detail in our principle of preservation, but I think it’s important to emphasize that preservation of our environment doesn’t happen without people who are willing to take responsibility for preserving it!
Environmental Challenge: Leave No Trace
That’s it… Just look after your shit.
It’s your shit and it doesn’t belong randomly on the ground anywhere in the world.
If you brought it with you… you take it home.
At the very least carry it around until you can find a bin.
