How to be a Traveler, NOT a Tourist

[The American Heritage dictionary] Tourist: one who travels for pleasure; Traveler: a person who changes locations. The overall difference is not found among dictionaries and thesauruses, but among psychological and emotional aspects. To be a traveler is to step completely outside of your everyday life and into a whole new world - wherever your travels take you - with an open mind to experience culture while a tourist is one who leaves the routine of their daily lives to experience personal amusement and escape. The customs we carry with us everywhere determine who we are, but at the same time, determine what we are. One who leaves their own customs at the door when they depart for travel is a traveler, and one who takes them with is a tourist. Our customs are founded by clothing, food, language, communication skills, and all of our thoughts and actions. One should learn to leave these things behind if they want to be able to experience whole-heartedly the new people and places around them along their expeditions.

1.Fashion Yourself to Comfort BE COMFY IN YOUR CLOTHES, BUT ATTEMPT TO DRESS NOT TO SHOW OFF HOMETOWN PRIDE OR TO STAND OUT IN A HAWAIIN SHIRT
2.Picture This! TAKE TONS OF PICTURES, BUT OF PLACES YOU CAN'T FIND IN BOOKS AND ON-LINE - BUT DO NOT RELY ON JUST PICTURES
3.Come On and Take a [Free] Ride! USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
4.Accepted Everywhere You Want to Be DO NOT JUST USE YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR ALL OF YOUR PURCHASES, THE ACT OF BEING PART OF A CULTURE IS USING THEIR CURRENCY
5.Culture: It's What's For Dinner GO OUT OF YOUR CULINARY BOUNDARIES AND EAT TRADITIONAL/AUTHENTIC CUISINE - AND TRY MOM/POP PLACES AND HOLE IN THE WALL'S, TOO; ASK THE LOCALS FOR REC'S
6.Relax for a Delicate Few RELAX ON A PARK BENCH OR AT A CAFE, WHILE STILL TAKING IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE TOWN...
7.Cómo What?! TRY SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. STUDY COMMON PHRASES AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE LANG., BUT ALSO DON'T CARRY A TRANSLATION BOOK WITH YOU EVERYWHERE - TRY TO BLEND IN A BIT.
8.Reservation for Two? TRY STAYING AT HOSTELS OR PENSIONS, CHEAPER THAN HOTELS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU TRAVEL ALONE.

Look around; see past the horizon and into the eyes of the people you brush shoulders with.

Traveling: its destinations are infinite and always subject to change. It's about experiencing the culture, not the attractions. Learn about the world, its cultures, its people, its languages and customs, and in turn, learn about yourself.