General Travel Tips - Kimchihuahuatravel

My 5 Travel Essentials

Hi everyone! Since lockdown is ending slowly and more and more countries are opening up, I want to share with you my 5 travel essentials that might be helpful for your upcoming travels.

Packable jacket: if you get cold all the time, even in summer sometimes like me, then this jacket is a lifesaver! It does not take up lots of space and still keeps you very warm.
Dry shampoo (or baby powder): It is so handy in case I can’t wash my hair or It gets oily, Baby powder is a great alternative, it does not work as good as actual dry shampoo but it contains less chemicals and therefore better for your hair.
Elastic band for working out: I workout regularly so it’s so useful when I am traveling and I don’t have access to gym equipment.
Collapsible Water bottle: It’s very important to be hydrated especially inside of airplane that gets very dry. Always better to take a reusable bottle rather than a plastic one, and my collapsible water bottle is a big plus for saving space!
Zipperbag: I usually pack shoes in them, or small things that can be easily lost, but you can put just anything! Also if you are like me and don’t like to waste any food or snacks even while you are traveling, having a zipperbag on you is so useful. It doesn’t occupy lots of space and you can use the same one several times.

What’s your travel essentials? Feel free to share by messaging me on my Instagram count 🙂

Traveling in a country with language barriers

Are you afraid of traveling countries where you don’t speak the language? Well, I was too, and I still find it challenging. However, after various trips and living in Turkey for a few months where it was such a challenge to communicate every day, I developed a few tips and tricks that might help you to get out of your comfort zone!

1. Connect with the expat community

Usually, every country has a community of expats as well as local people from your country. You can easily find groups on Facebook or other social networks (e.g., InterNations). Most of them are people who live there, so you can get lots of tips and you can even meet up with them and be friends. Also, when I was in Costa Rica, I saw a group of French people staying in an accommodation specialized for French travelers.

When you meet people who speak a language you know or come from your country, you can easily create a strong bond with them just with the fact that you can communicate and feel comfortable with them. They will understand what it’s like to be in your shoes, so they’ll be extra nice and go out of their way to help you in your journey 

2. Do a lot of research beforehand and be prepared as much as you can

It is important to be prepared and have as much information as possible so you can prevent any unwanted events. Especially because when people see that you are tourist and also don’t speak the language, you could be a target for robbery or scam. For example, if you want to take a tour guide, make sure to research general price and choose a legit company. If you are taking a taxi, know the fares before.

3. Stay in hostels

When you stay in a hostel, you can meet many travelers who can give you lots of useful tips and up-to-date information. Also, if the receptionists or staff are locals, they can provide you the most trustful information. Plus, it’s a great way to make friends.

4. Learn a few key words and basic numbers

When you know basic sentences such as “Hello”, “How are you”, “How much is it”, etc., and you try to speak in their language, people appreciate it a lot and be extra nice to you. Also, knowing numbers can be very useful. When I was traveling in Philippines, they happen to use Spanish for numbers, so I was able to negotiate prices.

5. Use Google translator (or any translator application)

Did you know that Google can translate images and voices apart from texts? It can be very useful when you need to know meaning of a sign. Also, their voice translation works quite well for most languages.

6. Always smile and give a good impression

A smile can do wonders! It can make people do favors and provide help without you having to say a word. Always remember to be nice and leave a good impression 🙂

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CN2x3IkImHG/?igshid=wsgdfzo5uv1v