What Being a Tourist Can Teach You About Life

Over the holidays, Mr. Toolbox and I had some family and friends visiting from out of town. I enjoy playing hostess, especially with people who are excited to explore the area. There's something really cool about seeing your everyday environment through the eyes of a visitor. It made me realize that there are certain things people do when in the role of "tourist" that can be translated into some pretty big life lessons.

Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions

When visiting an unfamiliar area, most of us feel free to ask a ton of questions, never worrying that they're "stupid" or "silly". We ask about the weather, the traffic, how to get where we're going, the best place for a taco. When you're a tourist, you don't mind telling people that you're clueless - you don't have to feel bad that you don't know something. And that makes you free to be curious about anything. Everything is a mystery and so it all becomes much more interesting.

The best part about being a tourist and asking a lot of questions is the wonderful information people are willing to share. Locals love to whisper their favorite, secret restaurant - and they'll probably give you the name of the owner and tell you what to order too. Just by inquiring, tourists can end up the most knowledgeable people in town. It's amazing how helpful and forthright most people will be when asked.

Do Your Research

Most tourists do their best to prepare for their visits by researching. They read books, surf the web and talk to people about where to go and what to see. They often arrive clutching a list of activities that must be done before leaving. Ask any seasoned traveler and they'll most likely tell you that a trip is much more enjoyable when you've done some thorough research. Going in blind usually means you end up wasting time figuring out what's what. And by the time you know what you want to do, it's time to leave. Without proper research, you may also end up with some very unpleasant surprises. For example, if you don't know you're headed to Florida during hurricane season, you might be in for a rather rude awakening.

Explore!

As tourists, we're often struck with an uninhibited sense of exploration. We allow ourselves to take the long way because it's prettier. We try new food because it's traditional. We laugh when we get lost and often end up stumbling upon something unexpected and wonderful. Heck, even if the things we explore turn out to be a duds, we still end up with a few good stories. While we often get stuck in the routine of our everyday lives, we get to abandon that as tourists. Rarely do tourists have appointments to keep so, of course, it's pretty easy to let loose and explore. Tourists lose track of time and hardly ever worry if they stay out later than usual. It's all an adventure!

I love the feeling of being a tourist. It's especially fun to feel like a tourist at home. I encourage everyone to give it a try once in a while. Break your routine and set out to have an adventure in your own backyard. Remember that life itself is a journey. Along the way, don't be afraid to ask questions, be sure to do your research and always be free to explore!