“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain
I couldn’t have put it more eloquently than the man who wrote “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn” because if you have traveled with different people, I am sure you have experienced both extreme feelings. A good travel partner is so important to have because there are so many factors that go into getting along on the road. I have seen it happen time and time again so just remember that before you jump into an opportunity to go away for a while with a friend(s) or whoever, make sure you can stand them being there constantly for as long as your trip lasts because otherwise your trip could turn into a nightmare.
Much like a relationship, you need to have the same goals and desires. You need to have the same style and the ability to compromise. Partners need to be laid back and generally have roles where each excels and doesn’t step on the others ability to choose their own path. Partners need to be understanding and accomodating and most importantly they need to be patient.
People have different styles of travel. Some people like to stay in hostels and some in hotels; some sleep late and some are early risers; some like to walk and some like public transport; some have high budgets and some are penny pinchers. Again, these are all things that have to be taken into account before you get on the road, especially if traveling for an extended period of time.
I have had many wonderful experiences doing this with some of my best friends for months on end but I have also had some bad ones for shorter periods of time. So just make sure you know your partner and be honest with yourself and your partner as to what you want to accomplish and make sure that you both have the ability to give a little. It’s always better to travel with a friend and have experiences to share for the rest of your lives but don’t force the issue, there is something to be said for independent travel as well and believe me, it’s better to be alone than to be miserable on the road.
I once broke up with my girlfriend in South Africa because we drove each other nuts. We had purchased a car and were driving around together constantly and she drove me to the point of lunacy. We split in Capetown and I really haven\\\’t spoken to her since, perhaps a blessing in disguise.
Did she ever make it back?
Cheeky girl did come back with a new boyfriend and they have since married. Jokes on her however, as he was put in jail for robbery
This is the most important thing. I hated a friend I traveled with around Europe and we literally split and headed in different directions. When we got back home a month later we were still friends but just couldn’t be around each other all day everyday, thats tough to find.