Alright, so I decided to dive headfirst into planning a trip around unique traditional celebrations worldwide. Figured it would be a cool thing to document, maybe even inspire some folks. Here’s how it all went down.
Phase 1: The Brain Dump
First things first, I grabbed a notebook (yeah, old school, I know) and just started listing every weird and wonderful festival I could think of. Think La Tomatina in Spain (tomato fight!), Día de los Muertos in Mexico (Day of the Dead), and maybe something a little more obscure. I even googled “weirdest festivals in the world” and added a bunch more to the list. It was a total mess of names, dates (if I could find them), and locations. Basically, a brain dump on paper.
Phase 2: The Great Festival Sort-Out
Okay, so I had this massive list. Time to get organized. I copied everything into a spreadsheet. Columns for Festival Name, Location, Month (approximate), and a notes section for anything interesting. Then, I started sorting. Cut out anything that felt too…touristy or generic. I wanted UNIQUE, remember? Also ditched the ones that were logistically impossible (like, happening in Antarctica). This took a while, and involved a lot of cross-referencing different websites.
Phase 3: Deep Dive Research
Once I had a manageable list, I went deep on each festival. I wanted to know the REAL story, not just the Wikipedia summary. I checked out travel blogs, forum posts, even some academic papers (for the really obscure ones). I wanted to understand the history, the cultural significance, and what it would actually be like to BE there. Crucially, I looked for practical info: best way to get there, where to stay, local customs to be aware of (don’t want to accidentally offend anyone!).
Phase 4: The Itinerary Struggle
This was the tough part. How do you string together a bunch of festivals that are spread across the globe and happen at different times of the year? It was like a giant puzzle. I played around with different routes, factoring in travel time, visa requirements, and my own budget. I used Google Flights and Skyscanner to get a sense of prices. I also looked into regional airlines to see if I could find any deals. This involved a LOT of late nights and strong coffee.
Phase 5: The (Tentative) Plan
After weeks of research and planning, I finally had something that resembled an itinerary. It’s not set in stone, of course, but it’s a good starting point. Here’s the super rough plan:
- Early Spring: Head to Japan for the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival). Brrr!
- Summer: Run with the bulls at the Fiesta de San Fermín in Pamplona, Spain. A classic, but still intense.
- Fall: Experience Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico. So beautiful and moving.
- Winter: Something festive and freezing… Maybe the Harbin Ice Festival in China? Still researching that one.
Phase 6: Booking (Slowly and Carefully)
I’m not booking everything all at once. Too much can change. But I AM starting to book flights and accommodation for the first festival (Hadaka Matsuri). I’m also making sure my passport is up to date and researching visa requirements. Travel insurance is a must, of course.
Phase 7: Continuous Learning
This isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process. I’m constantly reading new articles, watching documentaries, and talking to people who have been to these festivals. The more I learn, the better prepared I’ll be. Plus, who knows? Maybe I’ll discover even MORE amazing celebrations along the way!
Lessons Learned (So Far)
- Planning takes time. Don’t rush it.
- Research is key. Know what you’re getting into.
- Be flexible. Things change. Be prepared to adapt.
- Respect the culture. You’re a guest. Act like it.
- Have fun! That’s the whole point, right?
That’s pretty much it for now. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress. Wish me luck!
