Travelers who wish to free themselves from bondage to their guidebooks and who want their own spirit of adventure to guide their journeys may wish to consider these 10 precepts for independent travel:
I. I am a traveler, and I am free. I shall not put any guidebook writer’s discoveries before my own. I shall make good use of guidebooks before my journey starts — for ideas, research and planning — then choose one book to use only minimally as a resource while on the road. I shall let my instincts, my spirit and chance be my primary guides. I shall seek suggestions from the people I meet to help me.
II. I shall thoroughly examine my reasons for traveling and base my plans on those, rather than depend on someone else’s list of must-see sights. I shall relax and let myself spend time getting to appreciate and know one or only a few places well, rather than rush frantically about on the lame excuse that I may never travel this way again.
III. I shall let myself be sidetracked and follow my whims rather than some preplanned daily schedule. I shall not rush an experience just to fit more sights into the day.
IV. I shall honor the culture and customs of the place I’m traveling and of the people I meet.
V. I shall not lose my sense of awe at the world and shall embrace all its surprises and lessons.
VI. I shall try to meet and talk with at least one local person a day, just because she or he seems interesting.
VII. I shall learn as many words in the local language as I can and shall not expect people to speak English to me. I can and will communicate with sign language and drawing pictures if necessary, and do so with a sense of play and good humor.
VIII. I shall not worry too much about getting lost, getting cheated or where I will eat or sleep because I know that I will always find my way with the advice and kindness of strangers. I shall not let doubt or fear rule my actions.
IX. I shall not let shopping become my main way of getting to know a place.
X. I shall return home changed by my experience.
