I just came back from my Japan (Tokyo & Hakone) trip. And it was a bad experience because of my travelling partner. And she really hurt me.
On the last night of the trip, at the airport after the customs inspection at Haneda Airport, I just told her nicely that she should take note of the gate she should enter. It's important when you're travelling. And guess what her response was: Don't worry. I'll never travel with you anymore. I know that the trip wasn't what she expected it to be - all the walking and rules/culture, but really, to put the blame on me. *Sigh*
I guess here's just a note to people out there who's planning to travel. It's more like a FYI thing, to keep your expectations on your trip more realistic.
1. Try to be open-minded
You're going to a place which culture might be different from yours. It doesn't mean that it's wrong and that you should condemn it. Just accept it.
2. Language
Don't get angry at people just because they don't speak English and then condemn the whole community because of that. There are a lot of places where people don't speak your native language, but most of the time (if you're not frustrated at that moment), body language is easily understandable. It would be even better if you learn a couple of important words before you go.
3. Please note that if you're travelling on a budget, you really have to walk a lot. (No taxis- especially in Japan because they are freaking expensive)
It doesn't mean that if a place has a lot of train stations, you do not have to walk that much. You still have to walk from one station to another etc.
4. Take care of yourself and your travelling companions.
I never knew I would have to teach a 24-year-old to take care of herself and that being apart (her being lost from me and didn't even bother to find me)from each other in a new country is bad. If your feet hurts, do something about it - get Salonpas and stick on your feet, go for foot reflexology, use compression socks, etc. Don't just expect for it to go away.
If you're tired, sleepy, then go to sleep. Don't be playing on your phone. Please keep your priorities straight.
5. If you're going to be on your phone a lot (Facebooking, watching videos etc.), then just forget about travelling.
Travelling (to me) means experiencing every single thing, looking out the window while riding a train, siting at the observation deck of the airport watching planes departing and arriving, window shopping (just looking at a different country's goods is fun, no?), etc.. All these simple things actually make the experience more fulfilling to me.
I guess it means that travelling is not just merely visiting the landmarks and taking the pictures and that's all. If that's really what you think travelling is, then I guess it'll be a very different one from mine.
When I came back, I kept asking myself, was it my fault that you had a bad experience? I really tried my best to compromise with you. I really did tried - I walked slower when your feet hurts and whenever I could remember (I am really not a fast walker. I walk at the same pace as every other normal person), I took care of you - got you motion sickness medicine which you didn't even bother to get for yourself, I got so many different Salonpas because you said your feet/leg hurts from walking, we got home early everyday just so that you can rest, I ask for your opinion to see if you would like to go to a place, and so much more.
At times, I really felt really frustrated that you were rolling your eyes and looking displeased at everything and complaining so much even though the Japanese were really very friendly and helpful. I was angry and mean at times too but I never said anything hurtful, maybe just an angry expression, or a I-don't-like-your-attitude kind of look.
I guess I have my own expectations too and was also (mildly?) frustrated that those expectations were not met (which are the above mentioned things). I travelled before with lots of different people and it had always been a good experience, so for this to be a bad experience with a friend that I have known since I was 9, was quite a shocker.
I guess in the end, the trip is not up to your expectations and you blame me for it. I'm sorry if it was really my fault.
