It could have been the flapping of the live chickens that were smushed in their net against our window after falling off the roof of the bus. It could have been
the fact that five hours had passed since we HADN'T had the butt of a standing passenger in our faces. It could have been our own butts' soreness from the hard,
wooden seats. Or the fact that we hadn't showered or changed clothes or had heat or sanitary food in over a week. But as smoke billowed from the open engine,
forcing us to pile off the bus for the third time in our journey up the remote Chinese mountain, my traveling companion, Johnny, cracked.
"The next vehicle I see heading back the other way, I'm getting on it. I don't care about any more beauty, any more culture. I'm done."
Finding the right travel partner can make or break a trip. I thought that I had chosen wisely for this one. Obviously, I was wrong.
How can YOU keep from being abandoned on the side of a mountain in middle of nowhere China? Other than staying away from China completely? Wherever you're headed, consider the following before deciding whom to take with. I call it the "BASIL" recipe--in travel, like in cooking, adding the right spice can make all the difference.
B for Budget: If only the Four Seasons will do for you, don't go with someone who can't afford more than a hostel. And don't be afraid to talk about money and how to share expenses beforehand. Every trip has a price "level," and if you're not both on the same one, someone's bound to get upset.
A for Attitude: Is your friend a complainer? A space-case? A low-energy person? The personality quirks that might be tolerable for a few hours a month back home will magnify when you're around them 24-7. Make sure you go with someone who won't try your patience once you're trapped on a ship with them 2000 miles from home.
S for Sleep: If you're going to be sharing rooms on your journey, don't go with someone who's a snorer if you're a light sleeper. Or someone who can only sleep with a window open when you need four blankets 'cause you're always freezing.
I for Interests: If your goal is to shop or see the sites, leave the person whose only interest is surfing at home. If you're both interested in the sites, discuss which ones in advance. It's okay to go your separate ways some days, but if you wait 'til you touch ground to discover you can't agree on a thing, you're screwed.
L for Location: Shoot me if I'm being obvious here, but pick someone who's as passionate about visiting your destination as you are. Don't go to a Hawaiian resort with someone who'd rather be in Paris.
When it comes to traveling companions, remember the BASIL, and you can't go wrong. It goes well with chicken--especially when it's still flapping in your face.
