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[Yuppie Nomad]

For me it would be getting an authentic pho recipe straight from Vietnam!

http://www.yuppienomad.com/blog.asp?category=Musings#71

I lived in Vietnam for 6 months. It was a big deal for me, the experience, as I've always wondered what life would be like if my parents had stayed there and the usual first generation general ponderings about the culture. Turns out, as my mom casually told me when she visited, I probably wouldn't have existed if they had to stay after the war. They wouldn't have wanted to raise more kids in such hardship.

Yuppie Nomad
http://www.yuppienomad.com

[kris]

the coolest thing i've learned is a few chords on the guitar.. it's been 5 years since i learned the basic stuff, i wish i bought one when i got back as i'm sure i'd be heavy by now.. i learnt the intro to 'tears in heaven' back then and my mates aren't really impressed anymore now they've heard it a hundred times, hopefully i'll be competent at covering a variety of songs before i get back.. or even make up my own song, who knows?

[ScottWoz]

I'm with you there Kris. I'm picking up bits all the time as I go from different people I meet. Plus, it's amazing how once you've learned something you never really lose it, just need to pick it out before it comes back fully. I'm still remembering old classical pieces that I thought I'd forgotten ten years ago! Keep it up!

[babieemelly]

I haven't yet had a chance to go backpacking around the world, but I'm saving up for it and my cousin and I are planning a two-month long trip through Italy and France for next summer. We'll see how that works out.

Anyway, I have travelled throughout my own country quite a bit, and it's amazing how different the US is in different areas and regions. Coming from New York City I was shocked by some of the things I saw in small towns down south, specifically all of the Confederate flags and racist tidbits. I knew that this was still going on, but I had no idea how much. It wasn't exactly a cool thing to learn, but it was insteresting.

When it comes to learning something awesome... it would have to be that this country really is made up of so many different people. On my travels up and down the east coast, I've met people from China, Japan, Norway, Morocco, England, France, Africa, etc. We've traded souvenirs and I've collected so many amazing things from people who were here from other nations. It's amazing!

[wakingdream]

There are so many great things I've learned on the road, but I think the most significant is how it feels to be a minority. To be stared at, and pointed at, and talked about like I was some kind goat with 8 legs or something!!! So many hands touching me, my skin, my hair. Especially the blonde hair. Now in some places, that is totally out there! But you know, in some ways it made me feel really good inside to feel this way, to be subject to something so many people go thru everyday. To know that I would never feel like this is my own country. The best part is if you are lucky enough to get to know some of these people who think you are just so bizarre, and when they realise that you may not look like them at all, but you are very much the same inside.

[uncle_davros]

I learnt that I was actually an alright person. The longer I have travelled, the more I have learnt about myself. It has been an amazing experience, as I have watched myself grow. And everyday, I learn something new.

When I was younger, I thought I knew it all, and then I woke up.

[whereshegoes]

One cool thing I learned is that no one is greater or lesser than anyone else. Humility.

[ScottWoz]

One of the things I learned was to stand back and look at the full picture, and never to judge..

[marilee8537]

We flew into Milan. Hadn't traveled much in Europe. First, we couldn't find our rental car, which was underground, under the underground mall. A nice English women helped us locate our car. Thinking we could ask the agent at the gate how to get to the Autobahn, we were shocked to discover there was NO ONE and no gate! We are not in the middle of Munich on the ringstrasse and have no idea how we need to go to locate the road to Vienna. Maps at this time, seem to be only confusing us. We stopped at the first gas station and I stand looking helpless.....and this wonderful young german man looks at me with a question? I ask if he speaks English and find out he speaks NO english and I speak NO German. He speaks loudly in German and then decides to do sign language. This angel.....drives us out of the city for approx. 10-15 minutes, at times, stopping in the middle of the street, speaking loud german and pointing, and somehow we manage to follow him and he gets us to the Autobahn. I will never forget him.....He gave us a wonderful start to our trip and I learned that strangers can give you love and kindness, when you least expect it.

[Jessica_CDN]

I've learned a few good ones that are similar to what you guys have already covered.

I'd agree with Scott - trying to reserve judgement is hard for me, but it's something I've learned to do.

I'd have to say that the best thing I learned while travelling is that there's no place I love more than home with my family and friends.

[cheer4lvw]

I've found with my travels so far is that it all depends on your attitude. If you go into a situation with a negative attitude, not much will change your mind. If you go in open minded and positive, then you never know what you will learn or experience.

[wakingdream]

I've found with my travels so far is that it all depends on your attitude. If you go into a situation with a negative attitude, not much will change your mind. If you go in open minded and positive, then you never know what you will learn or experience.

Cheers to that!

[exploreamerica]

I have learned many times before and definitely again on my current road trip that it isn't about the destination, but much rather the journey.

A few days ago I was heading west toward CA when I took a slight six hour detour to the north to watch the sunset over the Grand Canyon before heading back down on the road.