Today I turn 30. While there are a lot of people out there who truly dread being a decade older, I am actually really excited about it! You see, I did a lot in my 20’s. I had all kinds of adventures, graduated college, experienced heartache, found true love, made some decisions that turned out great, some that I wished I had thought out better and lived in 6 cities, 4 states and 2 countries.
In my 29th year, I accomplished a major goal, 29 years (well two years actively) in the making. I was able to add my 30th country to my list of places visited, most of which I went in my 20's. Yes 30 is not the biggest number out there but it is an accomplishment worth celebrating nonetheless, especially since I almost didn’t achieve it. In late 2017 I was curious how many countries I had visited, so I made a list. I realized that with the combination of my semester abroad, trips taken with friends/partners and family vacations, I had visited 26 different countries. However, because I always have the itch to travel, and like round numbers, I immediately made a goal to visit 30 countries before I turn 30. Four countries in a little over two years seemed totally achievable!
In 2018, instead of going back to Cincinnati to visit for the Thanksgiving holiday, I went to Argentina and Uruguay for a week. I was able to add country 27 and 28! Or so I thought... Shortly after I returned, I started planning my next trip. During the trip-planning process, I took another look at my list and realized I had miscounted! I actually only had 27 total and needed 3 more countries to make 30. I spent a full day feeling like the biggest ding bat on the planet before buckling down and trying to figure out how to squeeze in another trip. A trip that I did not budget for financially or with my time off from work. My first thought was to add another country in the Caribbean during our sailing trip, but the charter company we were renting the boat from said that with our timeframe, it would not be possible. I started looking up locations that would be nice but inexpensive in early January 2020 (happy 30th birthday to me!) but I was coming up short. I decided to dedicate my full attention to county 30 when I returned from the sailing trip, even if it meant taking unpaid time off from work and dipping into my “emergency fund” to make it happen. This WAS an emergency!
The travel gods must have been smiling down on me on that trip because on our first night at sea, I began talking to a couple at dinner who highly recommended we visit Grenada while we were in the area. I told them we would love to but we didn’t have time to go any further south than Petite St. Vincent. Well low and behold! Petite Martinique, the northernmost island of Grenada is RIGHT ACROSS THE BAY from Petite St. Vincent. The best part? No need to even raise anchor, we could just take the dingy over. The island is relatively self governing because it is so small. At 586 acres and a population of about 1000 people and there is not a customs office on the island, which is why the charter company did not mention it. The island does not get a lot of tourists, especially during the off season (June-November) so things were relatively quiet. Not much was open but we found a man who said he would open his restaurant for us to have lunch. We drank delicious fruity beach cocktails (because vacation vibes!) and I had some of the most fantastic battered fish of my life! After lunch we walked around the “downtown,” a small market with a few shops. I wish we could have spent more time on the island but it started looking like a storm might blow in, so we had to get back to the boat. The dingy ride back was choppy and we all got soaked but I didn’t care, I had reached my goal! I had visited 30 countries before I turned 30!!
My favorite part of traveling is how much I learn. Every country has its own experiences and lessons, so I actually made a list of of 30 things I have learned in my 30 year in 30 countries*. My hope is that this list may help a new traveler out there avoid some of the mistakes I made and encourages them to learn new lessons and make some mistakes of their own.
30 things I have learned in 30 years in 30 countries
- Always check the ATM card slot before you put your card in - learned in England/Greece
The Metric system -learned in school then relearned at the market in Hungary
When layering tights to cold keep the cold at bay, layer underwear, tights, another pair of underwear, then the 2nd pair of tights. It keeps them from drooping in the crotch - learned in Austria
Always keep your hair securely out of the way when dealing with any kind of pulley system - learned (second hand, from my sister) in Costa Rica
Always waterproof your travel shoes - learned in Hungary
Always wear sunscreen at the beach, even if you will only be there for an hour- learned in Greece
When surrounded by men on horseback harassing you for daring to be a woman and on a beach in a country where women are expected to be fully covered, take out your phone and pretend you are calling the police (even if you do not have service) - learned in Morocco
There are times when you can successfully do hotel sink laundry and times when it it is better to fork over the money for a laundry service - learned in Argentina and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Only check a bag when absolutely necessary - learned (2nd hand from my mom) in Italy
Pick a hostel that offers walking tours and do them on your first day to get acquainted with the city - learned in Latvia
Even when your phone is on airplane mode, the blue dot on apple maps still moves with you. It is very helpful if you are lost. -learned in Spain
Do not over plan your days, pick 1-2 things to do each day, leaving time to go back to that cool park or store you saw or take a much needed nap - learned in Canada
Pick a hotel that offers free breakfast and do not be ashamed to grab an extra apple or muffin for later - learned in Czech Republic
Do not drink in excess the night before a 3 hour walking tour in the snow -learned in Hungary
When you have finished a meal, ask your server what their favorite bar or restaurant is, they always know the best places - learned in the US
Always spend a few weeks learning the local language prior to visiting a new country. The locals will always appreciate your effort even if it isn’t perfect - learned in France
Get a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and use it whenever you can - learned in Hungary
A good neck pillow and noise canceling headphones can make all the difference on a a red eye or long haul flight - learned in St Lucia
After your 20th Turkish Delight, you may start to not feel so delightful - learned in Turkey
Do everything your tandem hang gliding instructor says- exactly when they say it - learned in Brazil
Staying hydrated and popping a Midol here and there are the best ways to fight altitude sickness- learned on the Inca Trail in Peru
How much skill is needed to help sail a 40ft catamaran! - learned in Croatia
Do not order a smoothie in a country where you would not drink the water unless you are 100% sure they wont use ice/water from the tap - learned in Mexico
The ATM will usually give you a better deal than the currency exchanges, especially if you have ATM fee reimbursement as part of your checking account - learned in Hungary
It is ok to swim in a river with piranha fish, as long as you are not currently bleeding - learned in Bolivia
All inclusive resorts are almost never the best deal but they are fun every now and then - learned in Jamaica
If a tour guide tells you that everyone rubs this one statue/wall/pillar for good luck - absolutely, under no circumstances should you touch it. It is covered in germs or worse... - learned in Poland
Make sure to double check if there will be a time change when taking a day trip across the border to another country - learned in Uruguay
Fruehlingsfest is all the fun of Octoberfest with a fraction of the tourists and better weather - learned in Germany
How to make the best of things when a trip doesn’t go as planned. Such as a volcano erupting halfway across the continent grounding all flights home for 3+days. - learned in Bulgaria
My first 30 years and countries have been quite the adventure. I am excited to see what the next 30 have in store, and then the 30 after that!
Cheers,
JetlagLeah
*not all 30 countries are represented on this list.