A backpacker's guide to keeping your cool through worst-case scenarios

Here, we’re talking about some worst-case scenarios that can happen on the road and how to navigate them with a minimal amount of stress.

Bickering with travel buddies

Everyone has different travel styles, pet peeves, and personal quirks. Getting into fights over routes, activities, restaurants, and that cute person sitting across the room is common. These disagreements can get heated quickly, and in some situations staying calm is crucial to the success of your trip. After a fight, take a few minutes to breathe, think through what happened, and communicate rationally. Taking some space on your own for a day or two can help. In some (more extreme) cases, parting ways can even be the healthiest option.

When road tripping through southern Mexico, my travel buddy chose to try driving through a worker’s protest without telling me. Her actions led to our car being swarmed by hundreds of locals and a two-hour standoff. It was scary AF, but I stayed calm and we survived. It was the last time we travelled together.

Dealing with an illness

You can pack things like over-the-counter medications for tummy troubles or headaches and hydration tablets in case you get sick and a pharmacy is out of reach. Those are helpful for dehydration, traveller’s tummy, or common minor illnesses which are less than ideal, but easy to treat. If you get really sick, check that your travel insurance covers, and make notes of symptoms, including dates and times. If you think you need to visit a doctor or hospital, go with your gut and make sure you feel comfortable. If you have a travel buddy who can accompany you, great.

While travelling in China, I came down with the flu and dragged myself through the hutong in search of teas and medicine that could help. The air quality was horrendous and after almost two weeks of being unable to function, I made the call to drop the rest of my plans and return to Thailand. The heat, spicy food, and medication helped immensely and I started feeling better within a couple of days.

Stress surrounding travel documents and immigration

Immigration can be a source of stress for plenty of travellers. Sometimes you’ll come across an intimidating immigration officer. Or, you may feel overwhelmed in making sure you have the right documents and requirements to be admitted into a new country. Yes, this can cause anxiety but your best bet is to simply answer the questions you’re being asked and be ready with your paperwork (such as travel visas, ID, a passport that meets expiration guidelines, relevant vaccination documents, proof of citizenship, proof of return, etc.).

It can also be useful to be aware of any common scams specific to your destination. For example, I’ve seen people claiming to issue visas just outside border crossings in places like Southeast Asia. Education and awareness is power.

Dealing with bad weather or natural disasters

What can you expect from the local weather and how can you best prepare for it? What’s on the recommended packing lists to keep yourself feeling comfortable and protected from the elements? Is this area known for any extremes such as forest fires, earthquakes, or torrential rains? If for whatever reason, an evacuation has to happen, know that you are more important than anything in your backpack. When bad weather or natural disasters hit, stuff your ID, passport, and money on your person and follow instructions from local authorities. Also know that in cases like natural disasters, emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances, the Canadian government recommends registering as a Canadian abroad and/or signing up for advisories and alerts.

Last-minute cancellations

Cancellations might be frustrating, but they’re also completely out of your control, so getting pissed off won’t help you. When flights are cancelled, visit the customer service desk to make new arrangements (gate agents cannot help you) and be civil. If your accommodations or tours get cancelled, allow yourself to feel frustrated for a moment but then restore your calm as you start to look for alternatives. Once you’re settled elsewhere, voice your concerns to the companies involved as some may offer compensation.

I’ve slept in airports on numerous occasions and received hotel vouchers from airlines as well. It’s important to know the compensation policies. Many airlines are required to offer food vouchers if a delay is longer than three hours, but they don’t always offer them openly, so be sure to ask. Also, you can often claim compensation for long delays or cancellations through airline websites.

Unwelcoming local sentiment

As someone who lives in Quebec City, a popular destination, I can attest to the tourist fatigue locals sometimes feel. Tourism is great for the economy, but overtourism can lead to increased cost of living for locals, crowds, environmental damage, pollution, and housing shortages. Plus, not all travellers are well behaved.

Currently, many locals in Spain are frustrated by the effects of overtourism even saying that visitors are no longer welcome. If you’re facing a similar situation abroad, it’s important to be mindful. Talk to locals or hostel staff about which areas or events to avoid. If you end up in a sticky situation with a local, don’t get into an argument or confrontation. If you can, leave immediately. As cliché as it sounds, follow your gut. If there’s a public and safe space nearby, go there until things calm down. Being courteous and respectful is important.

When travelling, remember that the only thing you can truly control is yourself. As scary as it is to accept that, this is essential to staying calm and navigating through sticky situations. Once you’re on the other side, take the time you need to process what happened and seek whatever extra help you need. Eventually, it’ll be a crazy story you tell at parties.