Toilet Paper, Kindness and Culture Shock | 50 Days on the Road

Here we are — halfway through our 100-day, 11-country adventure. And let me tell you… travel will humble you. It will expand you, delight you, and—if you’re paying attention—it will also reveal a lot about who you are.

There’s a lot no one tells you about being out in the world full-time like this. So here’s a little mid-trip reflection—a mix of practical tips, cultural observations, and soul-searching moments from the road.

Heading to Switzerland

The Push and the Pull (Literally)

Let’s start here: Pushing and shoving has absolutely nothing to do with gender. It’s everyone and everywhere. Trains, ferries, planes—anywhere there’s a door or a window people have to get through, it’s game on.

I’ve had to remind myself (often) to breathe, step back, and remember: I will see what I’m meant to see. I will experience what’s meant for me. A little Zen goes a long way.

Bathrooms, Batteries, and Breathing Room

Yes, you’ll need a coin for the bathroom. Yes, bring your own toilet paper. (Pro tip: those tiny compressed paper tablets you can get on travel sites are gold.)

Battery management becomes a spiritual practice: Between map apps, translation apps, and the sacred act of capturing photos so future-you can relive this—all I can say is… bring the charger.

As someone who lives on an island with endless breathing space, the sheer proximity of other humans can be…a lot. Suitcases slamming into my legs, shoulders colliding, someone spitting right near me—it’s a masterclass in practicing non-reactivity. My work is noticing what bubbles up internally…and choosing my response.

Geneva Bus System

The Truth About Cultural Differences

There’s a difference between “challenging” and “bad.” Some cultures simply have different standards for things like personal space, hygiene, or public decorum. Flying into certain bathrooms where apparently no one has figured out how to target the giant hole in the room - or what it's used for. Yup. That’s part of it.

But then… something else strikes me: There’s almost no litter. No visible homelessness. Entire societies have made different cultural agreements about how to care for shared spaces—and it shows.

Language, Connection, and the Things We Share

It’s remarkable how far you can get with just a few words, a smile, and a willingness to try. And yes, most people speak some English, but what’s more moving is how we communicate without it.

I’ve had to catch myself explaining things that only make sense inside my culture. It’s made me deeply aware of not only what I’m saying, but why I’m saying it. Some people are curious. Some aren’t. Some want to know where we’re from, and yes—in today’s political climate—that often leads to deeper conversations.

The Kindness That Moves Me Most

Not all lessons are hard. Some are beautiful.

Like the man in Seychelles struggling with his fins and mask. Michael noticed, walked over, and—without fanfare—showed him how to use them. Then they swam together, hand in hand, like old friends. I was standing there, witnessing it, thinking: This is the world I want to live in.

Or the time a man on an electric trike skidded into a ditch. Without hesitation, Michael pulled him and the bike out. The man’s companion stood by, offering… nothing. No hand. No thanks. Nothing. But Michael? He simply dusted himself off and walked back without a word about it. A reminder, once again, that real kindness is love in action. It doesn’t need acknowledgment. It simply is.

And then there are the smaller moments. The stranger who scoots over to make room for you. The person who walks out of the bathroom and quietly warns, “No toilet paper.” Tiny acts. Huge heart.

Next Stop: Geneva’s Global Soul

As we head to Geneva, I’m thinking about how this little city holds the heartbeat of the world.

Geneva is home to 38 international governmental organizations and over 460 NGOs. Think: Greenpeace, Doctors Without Borders, WWF—and lesser-known but vital groups like Access Now, which fights for information access, and Frontline AIDS.

These organizations work across five areas: humanitarian aid, economics, health, peace, and the environment. Geneva’s air buzzes with the energy of diplomacy, science, human rights, and the messy, magnificent effort of trying to make the world better.

And… About Flushing Toilets After 10pm

Oh, Switzerland. This might be my favorite random fact of the trip: It’s not technically illegal to flush your toilet after 10pm here… but it’s strongly frowned upon. Noise pollution, they say.

Yes, flushing a toilet after 10:00pm is considered noise pollution.

The Big Lesson (So Far)

Halfway through this journey, one thing feels clear: Traveling doesn’t just show you the world—it shows you yourself.

The messy. The beautiful. The way we all push, pull, help, ignore, or love—sometimes in the same five-minute window.

If there’s a takeaway, it’s this: Wherever you go, remember to bring your patience, your charger, your toilet paper…and most importantly, your humanity.