The Joys of Cross-Cultural Trip Planning

Planning a three-month trip across multiple countries is challenging enough, but add in working with people who don’t speak much English and cultures that have a very different sense of timing, and it becomes an adventure all on its own.

Communication (or Lack Thereof)

Trying to coordinate details with people who don’t speak the same language as you is a true test of patience and creativity. Emails and messages often turn into a guessing game, and Google Translate is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes, what I think is a simple request—like needing to book a hotel or planning flight details—results in a one-word answer like "Ok" or "God bless," leaving me more confused than before. I might ask whether I should arrive on a Monday or Tuesday, and receive a response days later saying, "Yes."

Logistics? What Logistics?

Booking transportation, lodging, and schedules requires a certain level of blind faith. Flights might be changed without notice, buses leave when they feel like it, and I’ve learned to never assume I know where I’ll be sleeping until I actually see the room. Plans change on a whim, and backup plans often become the actual plan.

The Joy in the Chaos

As much as these challenges can be frustrating, they’re also what make this journey so rewarding. Learning to embrace the unpredictability has deepened my patience and trust in God’s timing. Some of the most amazing opportunities have come from last-minute changes or unexpected detours. The best stories are always the ones I never saw coming.

So, as I prepare to embark on another adventure, I remind myself: It’s not about perfect planning—it’s about being open to what God has in store. And if my hotel booking takes five emails and a prayer to confirm, well… at least it keeps life interesting.