Heading out on the road can be a downright daunting experience, full of the unexpected. Traveling is amazing. We see such spectacular things and are in a constant state of learning, but what is an experience without someone to share it with? The friends you meet while traveling; be it on a bus, on a plane, in a hostel or on the street in front of a tiny restaurant can have such a large impact on your journey. There are something’s that are so special about the bonds between friends made while travelling, so here’s to you guys. You are great.
1. Thank you for being so open minded and accepting
From the moment I dropped my bag and trudged into that hostel, you did not care who I was, where I came from or what language I spoke. You still asked me to join you for dinner, a game of cards, or on a crazy adventure. One of the greatest characteristics about meeting friends on the road is that travellers are culture hunters and are therefore happy to have you around, learn about you and hear your opinions. Judgment seems minimized here. Oh and if you stumble upon someone from your home country then it’s always a hilarious moment of “remember this….oh I’d die for that”. Thank you travellers for being so welcoming.
2. Thank you for not thinking; that was a bad idea


Let’s be real here. Travelers are a little wild at times. I mean what do we have to lose when we are in a place where no one know’s us and we may never be back again….and for some reason we also think there are no consequences. Thank you friends from the road for accepting and contributing to every bad idea I ever had…because why wouldn’t you attempt to climb that mountain at midnight to catch the perfect sunrise and why wouldn’t you get lost in a jungle trying to find the perfect piece of beach? Exactly!
3. Thank you for being so weird


That’s right, I threw it out there. Travellers are weird and I love them. With an ongoing influence of different cultures, different mind-sets and a lack of judgment it is no wonder travelers can’t help but express their weird sides. In some mixed up world we think it is cool to ditch your shoes, to hitch-hike, to go luxury yachting or to stretch your money unreasonably thin. It’s great if you want to read in a tree all day or take salsa lessons when you can’t dance. Thank you traveler friends for being so weird because when they don’t hold back, neither do I. It is just more fun that way.
4. Thank you for teaching me how to fall in love
The friends you make while traveling are so special. These people come out of nowhere and they are so beautiful, open and exciting. Occasionally someone walks into a room and has the ability to just take your breath away. Sometimes we have special connections with certain friends. I mean how you could not fall in love with someone who is on your page; a wanderer. Meeting these people, falling in love/lust or whatever it may be, often has a massive impact on my journey. A shout out to those romantic moments dancing in the streets and all those late night heart to hearts, thanks for that.
5. Thank you for not telling anyone what we did last night
Because this is on repeat when I am on the road…sometimes you just make stupid mistakes with even worse actions and for these moments I have to thank my traveler friends for keeping it in and making it an inside joke…sorry moms and dads of the world, you just can’t know about that one time in ….
6. Thank you for being my temporary Hero
The strange but noble truth is that I probably knew you for less than 2 hours before we departed on a 5 day trek through the jungle together. For those 5 days I depended on you for almost everything. Let’s face it, we were each other’s temporary heroes. We trusted each other with everything (literally) we owned, with our food, money and even possibly our toilet paper in case we were sick. That’s the cool thing about friends made while traveling…we went from A to B, or 0-60 in 2 seconds or less and it felt normal. Thank you to all the travel friends who have been my temporary heroes throughout my journeys. You are so awesome!
7. Thank you for understanding my need to explore
Wanderlust, you have it too. That’s what is so cool about you. You guys get it. You don’t want to look at the picture… you want to be the picture and you share the same need to see what is around the next corner as I do and for this I appreciate you. When everyone at home is trying to get married, settle down, and climb career ladders, it is you fellow transients who allow me to be more comfortable with my decision not to do that. There is more to life than what society says is normal, and you get that. Thank you for understanding my need to explore, grow, adventure and learn.
and finally…
8. Thank you for the adventures
Finally, thank you for joining me on all of my adventures. The friends you make traveling are so special. They burst into your life with spectacular ideas and all of the excitement in the world. They accept you. They teach you. They help you grow and for this I thank them. I thank them for sharing experiences with me and for making my travels even more unforgettable. Thank you for the adventures!



Doreen Pendgracs says
Love this post, Kim. There is indeed something incredible about those of us to love to travel and explore the unexpected. Keep on doing it, girl!
Karla | karlaroundtheworld says
Traveling becomes more memorable when you are with the right company.
Rhonda Albom says
Cool, although it makes me think you might be having more fun than we are. Great post.
chandi says
your pictures remind me when I was in my twenties, out there on the road in Europe and Asia, meeting young people from all over the place… Glad you are gettin’ out there!
Cai Dominguez says
I can so relates to all of these. I love this article. Thanks for sharing! This mostly applicable for someone traveling solo on the road. Thank you to all the friends That I’ve met!
Marteen Lane says
Brilliant post Kim, love it ?
Christina Guan says
Aw I loved this! Each point definitely reminded me of a certain someone or moment. Thanks for the wave of nostalgia haha.
Liesbeth says
Great post Kim! What would we do without travel friends? The bonds that are created are something very unique and I don’t think anyone who hasn’t travelled can ever imagine what it’s like! Here’s to great travel friends!! :)
Elizabeth @ Compass & Fork says
Nice post, it reminds me of when I used to travel solo when I was young. Keep traveling, it never gets old!
Natalie says
Really good attitude
Thanks!
Mar Pages says
Traveling blogging isn’t something everyone can get on board with because so many things about it are different, like the types of lessons and problems we can encounter. Its always great to know that there are a bunch who do understand and experience the same things!
Garrett Schleier says
Good article, Kim!
I owe the Davies’ a big thank you far taking in a guy walking around the Galapagos with a umbrella, and making it a memorable trip….. And thanks again for all the travel advice you’ve given me.
Annemarie says
Really great post. Enjoyed reading it and can so relate. People you meet on the road and who become your ‘temporary’ friends are just great. It is a whole different bonding experience and I am still in touch with a lot of them. Love it!
Carmen | Carmen's Luxury Travel says
Having fun people to travel with can make any vacation ten times better! I love traveling with my family or close friends and even meeting new people through my travels!
Meg Jerrard says
I really agree that travel friends are some of the best you can ever make. There are never any expectations or judgements, and I’ve found that you form a much closer bond more quickly than you probably have with people you have known your whole life.
Even if the majority of friends you meet traveling are only “5 minute friends”, and passing through, these are the people you always remember for having shared a wonderful time :)
Vicki | MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld says
Travel friends are the greatest – the join us in our crazy adventures and know how to keep a secret when required. Here’s to all the travel friends I’ve met and all those I have yet to meet!
Lotte says
What a nice and positive post! And I completely agree, let’s make a virtual toast to being thankful fro travel friends:-)
Elaine J Masters says
I hope you stay in touch with some of these new travel friends. It’s always interesting years later to check in and catch up. Takes traveling to another level entirely.
Laura says
What a fun post. We’ve met so many great people along the way and sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye after just a few days together. You really can make some incredible friends while traveling.
John M. says
9. Thank you for not sharing that picture of… ;)
I hate to say it, but I have more fun traveling solo and meeting up with friends from the road than I do traveling with the friends I made at university or elsewhere. They’re like me, and I don’t have to be a tour guide.
Drew says
Such a great and fun article! Love the shoutout to your fellow travelers, and how we all make things more fun, entertaining, weird, and unforgettable for each other.
Jenna says
Love this! We have met some of our best friends while traveling–travel creates such a unique bond and it’s one we wouldn’t trade for anything. So many fun random adventures with people from around the world!
Uncover Your Caribbean says
It’s great to go it with company and especially those who share your sense of adventure!
Jenny says
This is such a lovely post and so true! Travellers really are some of the nicest people around :-)
Zaria Papa says
Hi Kim,
Your words put a smile on my face. It is great having a friend who understands you need for traveling and adventure. Heartfelt post, thank you for sharing!
Zaria
Kimberly Erin says
Thank you so much for reading Zaria :) I am glad I was able to make you smile
LIVIA says
kimiii!! I love your blog !! Please, could you do a post or tell me which backpackers hostels are the best… for example buddha hostel in medellin, or your experiences!!!
THANK MY DEAR!! CANEDIAN!!!TRAVELER”””