Here is where I will compile any lessons I have learned (most of them the hard way) throughout my travels. Most of them come with a story of how they came to be part of my little collection of wisdom gems.
1. Every situation is a learning situation!
--While traveling in Berlin with Amy Knight we were searching for a bus. We soon realized that we needed to make sure we were waiting on the correct side of the street because that determined the direction the bus would continue on in. Amy asked a nice gentleman in the station "which side of the street must we wait on?". I had never thought to ask this question before, and told her job well done. Her reply was something I will never forget. She just looked at me plainly and said "that means you've never made that mistake". PERFECT place to start for this list. Every time you travel there is a lesson to be learned, and I have definitely made mental notes along the way.
2. Don't rely on other people's clocks!
--Lauren and I needed to make a bus connection in Budva, and the timetable (along with the clock) was posted on the board. It was great because we had time to walk around to find an ATM, grab a quick snack, buy our tickets etc. We thought it was best to buy the tickets first and then kill our hour. We came back to the bus station and heard the heartsinking words "you missed your bus!"....wait, what?! We still have 30 minutes, right? Well that would be right if that clock was right. It was an hour off. Lesson learned: check and double-check (and maybe triple-check if you're a Type A) the time with your own reliable clock!
3. Bring tissues!
--This is not for sneezing, or crying purposes. In the Balkans the restrooms (the WC's as they are called) are BYOTP. If you forget this precious paper, you'll wind up doing something silly...like using an old receipt or something of the sort.
