Some Truths About Travel Friends

 

Making Travel Friends 

Do you ever look back and think how different your life would’ve been if you had never met this friend, or that friend?  Perhaps you would have met other friends instead.  And created memories with them that were just as good.  But then again, maybe not.   

 

Throughout our lives, we encounter opportunities to make new friends.  Take tour groups for example.  A bunch of strangers thrown together in an alien environment, under extraordinary circumstances.  It can be a real bonding experience, and you may find yourself making new friends.  (Either that or you want to kill each other.) 

 

To be honest, most of these friendships only last for the duration of the trip.  Once we're reunited with our real families and friends, these new travel friends are often relegated to no more than fond memories, and maybe a photograph or two. 

 

Then there are the travel friends you keep in touch with... for a while.  You might exchange emails or texts for a few months, or even a few years.  But gradually you lose touch.  As we often do with people who aren’t part of our daily lives.   

 

And finally, there are the travel friends we know for many years.  The ones we let into our lives, and travel with again and again.  I was fortunate to have such friends. 

 

Nancy 

I met Nancy through a travel group I belonged to when I first started traveling.  Later, we ended up taking a lot of trips on our own or with other tour groups.  Sometimes other friends would join us. 

 

We traveled well together and liked a lot of the same sights and activities.  We were also both very independent.  We had no problem going our separate ways and meeting up later if we had different agendas.  I probably traveled with Nancy more than anyone. 

 

Although neither of us are traveling these days, we still keep in touch. 

 

Gail 

Gail was a teacher in Los Angeles when we first met on an Alaskan cruise in 2002.  We were both traveling solo and assigned to the same dinner table (along with another new friend Marilyn).   

 

We ended up emailing each other regularly, and got together several times as I passed through L.A. on other trips.  We even took a few trips together, including a Hawaiian cruise. 

 

Gail was one of the most generous people I've ever met.  Sadly, she died of cancer in 2015. 

 

Work Travel Friends  

I’ve also traveled with coworkers.  There's one group in particular that I grew very close to.  Although the participants may have changed over time, depending on availability or life events, we enjoyed many successful "chick trips" together.   

 

I've lost touch with some of them over the years, while others are still a part of my life.  In fact, our friendship has expanded beyond travel or work.  (Although we all originally met through work, none of us are there now.)   

 

We've been to parties, weddings, and funerals together.  We've watched each other's children grow up, and have children of their own.  Through good times and bad, we’ve been there for each other. 

 

Questions To Ask 

I lucked out, because traveling with coworkers can be a risky proposition.  What if the trip is a disaster?  You still have to work with these people afterward, which can be awkward.  Sort of like working with someone after a bad breakup.  It’s probably a good idea to do a little vetting first.  

 

The article Vacation With Your Coworkers – Is It A Good Idea?, mentions some things to consider before traveling with coworkers (or anyone really): 

• Do you think you will be compatible for long periods of time? 
• Is everyone willing to compromise? 
• Is anyone habitually late? 
• Does anyone require more time to get ready? 
• Anyone with physical limitations? 
• Who will room together? Or is a separate room required? 
• Any night owls? Any early risers? 
• Do you have shared interests? 
• How are you going to divvy up the costs? 
• Who is going to be in charge of each responsibility? 
• Will you have a schedule or just wing it? 
• Will you always be together or split up? 
• Does anyone need to eat at regular intervals? (me) 

Compatibility Is Key 

Now I admit, in my younger days, I wasn't thinking about most of this stuff when I agreed to travel with someone.  Back then it was all about the fun and adventure.  The excitement of going someplace new and having someone to share the experience with (and the expenses).   

 

The reality is that no trip is perfect.  Something is bound to go wrong.  And you may need to work together to resolve it.  Or tensions may build up, and you need to separate for a while.  That's normal.   

 

Ideally, you'll want to travel with people who meet the following criteria: 

• They know how to chill, and not let the negative moments spoil a trip. 
• You enjoy being with them. 
• They make you laugh. 
• They listen to you. 
• They are honest. 
• They respect you.   
• They have your back. 

In other words – friends.  (And okay, family members and lovers too.) 

 

And sometimes, you might want to take a chance on a coworker or stranger, who isn't a friend yet, but could be. 

 

Have you ever traveled with a coworker?  How did it go?  Do you have friends you met on your travels that you still keep in touch with?