Episode 68

Szia! This is part 3 of the icipici series of Traveling to Hungary. If you are planning to take one of our trips to Hungary or Transylvania or you are doing your own thing, we will be covering some important things to consider as you plan your trip.

This time we are talking about documenting your journey.

I have mixed feelings about having cell phones on a trip. There are some great cameras on cell phones and that is probably my favorite thing about having a phone along. And while it is awesome to be able to take amazing photos, it is also very distracting — for the photo taker.  Some people actually miss out on the here and now experience because they are taking a lot of photos.

I know, it is a hard call. I take photos a lot – for ideas, for memories, for promotional brochures. There are times I just have to remind myself that I don’t always need to have a photo for everything – in fact, that’s why journals are a good idea! A photo does give a great visual but it can’t use your own words to communicate your thoughts and emotions and the other details of your experience. Do yourself a favor, experience where you are without always needing all the photos and consider keeping a daily journal of your trip. I suggest taking notes in a tiny, portable notebook you can have with you during the day. Then at the end of the day, do a longer recap of the day. Every day you will have so many experiences that it is best to write them down each evening. Or, if you tend to wake up in the wee hours of the morning, grab your notebook and find a quiet place to think your thoughts and write out your experiences!

If you visited your grandparents’ village and walked around, how did that feel? What did it leave you wondering?

If you walked into a butcher shop and you inhaled the amazing aroma of the smokey meats, did it remind you of something from your younger years?

If you are traveling with an elderly parent, what was it like watch them reconnect with a family member? Did they start telling you stories you hadn’t heard before? How might you share those stories with others? Of course, there is nothing like being there and hearing the stories first hand, but try to recapture something of the experience before life gets crazy and you forget yourself.

Do you see what I am trying to say? There isn’t always a photo captured for these types of emotions. But thinking them over and putting them to paper – even if just to say it was indescribable paints a picture for the reader. And we don’t always know who the reader is or when they might be pouring over these memories.

As you think about documenting your journey, there is no right or wrong way. There are advantages to each. Just remember to be present and experience it! If you spend too much time behind a camera or in a phone, you will definitely miss out on a few things.

Would you like more information on our upcoming Zoom chat about our tours to Hungary and Transylvania? It’s free and there is no obligation to sign up for a tour. It’s a just a way for you to meet us and see if our tour structure is something that works for you! Email [email protected] for a link to the next session coming up!

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this podcast, Stay tuned for Part 4 of the Icipici edition of the Hungarian Living Podcast all about Traveling to Hungary. we also have Icipici podcasts on Getting Started with Genealogy and Getting Started with Hungarian. Be sure to check them out wherever you listen to podcasts!!