There has been some big news recently about changes to travel in Europe. Some of this is not new news, but there have been some other changes discussed and it looks like they are all finally going into effect soon.

For a few years now there has been talk of pending changes to travel in Europe, with a new visa system being put in place. Now, there is a new part that I just heard about. We will have to basically “create an account” with biometrics when we first enter the Schengen area, but after that it will be faster. With this new system we will be tracked around the continent, which is fine given there are 29 countries in the Schengen area in Europe and it will speed up crossing borders. There is another thing that will happen…

There will be no more passport stamps.

That is a bummer. They are souvenirs and memories of our travels. Perhaps they will offer stamps in our passports somehow, like at a kiosk, but I won’t count on that. I am really glad I have the stamps I have since I probably won’t be back there before the change happens.

It also makes me wonder. If it is all biometric, then what is the purpose of carrying a passport if they have all your info tied to your biometrics? I guess it would be used in case of a system outage or if you get stopped and need to show ID.

Anyhoo, as always be sure to check you have the proper visas and documentation necessary. You want to do this months ahead of time to make sure you have enough time to take care of any issues that arise.

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Travel guru Rick Steves talks about three different types of Americans who travel: Tourists, Travelers, Pilgrims. Each are distinct in how they approach travel to new places. They fall roughly into the following descriptions:

Tourists – tourists stick to what I call “bucket list” things; landmarks and overcrowded tourist destinations. They check boxes on a list, take ducklip pictures only to try to impress everyone, and tend to compare wherever they are to American experiences and customs.

Travelers – travelers want to engage, adapt & immerse themselves in local culture and customs, engage with their environment to broaden their perspective.

Pilgrims – pilgrims travel for personal growth and self-discovery, traveling with a purpose and often reflecting on their experiences and learning much about themselves in the process.

I found this very to be very interesting when I really stopped to think about it and looked at how I travel. I am certainly not a tourist for the most part, especially when I go to a foreign country. I don’t stand in lines to see everything everyone else wants to see unless it is something very special, like the Kóln Cathedral. I do tend to avoid the touristy stuff. I can see the Eiffel Tower from the ground.

I feel that I consider myself a hybrid – a “traveling pilgrim”. I always immerse myself into the local wallpaper, trying to just blend in and see everything & everything because it is all new. I eat the local foods, drink the local beverages, and have the experiences a local does to the best of my ability. I respect the locals and their culture.

I also try to take as much away from my foreign travels as much as possible from a personal perspective. I have said before that travel changes you, and I strongly feel that if you do not learn something about not only about where you visit but also about yourself then you are not traveling correctly. You are a tourist.

Seeing the mountains changed me in a different way than going to Europe did. Both have stayed deep in my heart, but for different reasons.

I guess domestically I may be more of a tourist, just not obnoxious. I camp in the forest to be away from other people, enjoy some hikes, and take in nature in the peace & quiet. I will try the local foods, beverages, even music, but it is still the same country but with regional differences. I will stop and see certain things like the world’s largest Superman, biggest rocking chair, the sights in D.C., national parks…you get the message.

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Speaking of being outdoors in nature, there’s a new thing called the “20-5-3 rule”.

The “20” stands for spending 20 minutes a day 3 times a week in a greenspace such as a park.

The “5” is five hours once a month in a semi-wild area, like a state or national park.

The “3” is for three days a year camping off-grid in wilderness or in some other form of lodging without any cell or internet service.

This is drawn from another study that is based on “forest bathing” – the practice of going into the woods and taking in the real world that is in your surroundings. Studies prove that this is really a thing, and I know when I am in the forest and or mountains I really can get away mentally from the things I need to get away from. My mind goes into another place and I get to focus on the things around me. Unfortunately, since I do not hear as well as I used to I cannot enjoy the sounds as much as before, but there are still the smells and the beauty of the world that I see around me. Even the tastes – picking wild berries to snack on was always a bonus, especially salmonberries and Himalayan blackberries.

It really is amazing how something so simple and inexpensive has so many benefits. I know before I left Washington I was out walking at least 10 miles a day, and most of that hiking was in the forest, along rivers, in state parks, county parks, Olympic National Park, wildlife refuges…anywhere I could go. M

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I saw another article earlier today that at first had me shaking my head. I was not going to read it since it seems like every other day there is some new way invented for people to identify themselves that makes no sense (not that I have an issue with it – to each their own). When I read it, it actually made complete sense to me.

At least this one is not sexuality-based. I am talking about a new personality identity called “otrovert”. I know…insert facepalm here. Basically, it is about NOT fitting in.

This really makes perfect sense to me as it is exactly how I am. I am not antisocial, as anyone who knows me can attest to. I just don’t conform – be that good or bad. I am not a good sheeple.

Otroverts of the world unite…ALONE! ™ ©2025

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That is all of today’s fun. Thanks for checking out my blog. See you next time!

Shawn