Travel is a big party! This might sound strange, but it's true. Everybody is on vacation and out to have a good time, and you will bond amazingly quickly with those who are experiencing the same hardships that you are. Be prepared to meet lots of new friends and spending some long, fun nights. 

 You will meet more travelers than locals. This may be unfortunate, but unless you speak the native language, you will be spending your time with other travelers who share a common language; either your native tongue, or English (the "tourist language"). However, this is also one of the most rewarding aspects of travel - especially for Americans and Canadians who normally have limited opportunities to meet people from Europe, South America, and the more affluent Asian countries. Remember; for many less economically developed countries tourism is BIG BUSINESS and the tourist route is a well beaten path. This is good and bad: it is relativley easy to find tourist accomodations, but sometimes it seems impossible to get away from your fellow travelers!

 To really meet the locals learn the native language. Even your basic 500-word vocabulary will get you far and show that you are interested in the local people and culture. I cannot emphasize how much of a help this can be when trying to break the ice. Also, leave your "I'm-so-cool," my-country-is-better-than-yours, American TV sit-com, ego-centric, selfish attitude at the border. Who needs that? And remember that you are not just another "Yank", "Pommie", or "Aussie", but that while abroad you are representing your entire country. Think about it!

 Do your homework. You will find many excellent travel guides at your local book store and public library. Two popular and excellent series are Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. Lonely Planet's ThornTree discussion forum is a wellspring of up-to-the-minute information. Use popular search engines such as Yahoo!, All the Web, and Google to find extremely informative Web sites. Tip - search by country and the word "travelogue" or "diary".

 Travelers are your best source of information, even better than the locals themselves. Do you know where the local hostel is, or where the long distance bus station is? Do you know anything about the local public transportation system? Even your trusty guide book, as well intentioned as it may be, will often contain inaccurate and outdated information. (For a real eye-opener check-out this fascinating Salon Magazine article.) The "travelers' hotline" will supply you with the most up-to-the-minute and accurate information on hotels, restaurants, buses, flights, visas, permits, etc. Share the wealth!

 Traveling is an emotional roller-coaster ride. You will experience as many highs and lows in one day as you would normally experience in a week, or maybe a month, of normal work-a-day world. In the morning you may find yourself in the dirtiest, noisiest, most polluted, disgusting city - and end the day on top of a pristine mountain viewing the most euphoric sunset of your life. Such is travel.

 Traveling is often slow and extremely frustrating for fast-paced Westerners. You can try, but you can't fight it. Go with the flow. The journey is as important as the destination - maybe more. Poor countries often have a different sense of time, and different cultural values and norms. Forget your Western sense of "fair" and "just" - other cultures often have very different priorities. Remember: you are the guest. (Which is not to say that you should be ripped off constantly - just be a bit more patient and understanding about it. One large Westerner and their backpack might easily take up the space of 3 locals!)

 Cultures are not better or worse - just different. Very, Very Different. No matter how screwed up another country might seem (and your patience will be tried to it's absolute limit), remember you are traveling to experience these differences. If it wasn't different, there'd be no reason to be there in the first place. Try to travel with an open mind and remain as mellow and cool as possible.

 Take normal safety precautions. Don't be out late at night in strange areas. Females, though normally not hassled, should take extra precautions, and traveling with a buddy is strongly recommended, though not an absolute. Don't be paranoid, but do be aware of touts, hustlers, and scam-artists. If it sounds too good be to true, it probably is.

 Travel light, light, light. Most every-day items can be purchased abroad. Do bring any necessary prescriptions and medications. Get all those nasty shots and take precautions against unsanitary food and water. Take some anti-diarrhetic medication for Deli-belly, etc. I would also strongly recommend taking a pair of ear plugs. As a general rule, the poorer the country, the louder it is.