**The Journey of Travel: 25 Things Adventurers Couldn’t Do 30 Years Ago**
Approximately three decades ago, I set off on my inaugural trip around the globe, which commenced in 1993. At that time, traveling was a decidedly different experience—more straightforward in certain aspects, yet significantly more demanding in others. My then-girlfriend (now my wife) and I spent a year navigating Southeast Asia, Nepal, India, Greece, Turkey, Holland, and England, lodging in $4 bungalows and deliberating over whether to have rice or noodles for supper. We circled the planet two additional times after that, but our travel experiences in the 1990s were fundamentally different compared to today’s.
When I hear individuals nowadays lamenting about the “strain” of travel or the minor hurdles they encounter on their journeys, I can’t help but grin. In the early ’90s, travel was considerably more rugged. The internet and smartphones have since simplified travel to an unimaginable degree, but at that time, we relied on guidebooks, paper maps, and word-of-mouth suggestions. To provide some context, here are 25 things adventurers couldn’t do 30 years ago that they can effortlessly accomplish today.
### 1) **Send an E-mail**
In 1994, unless you were technically inclined, sending an email was virtually unfeasible. The majority of people didn’t have email addresses, and services like Hotmail, AOL, and Yahoo Mail were yet to come into existence. Communication was conducted through faxes or handwritten letters, which could take days or even weeks to arrive at their destination.
### 2) **Find Information About Hotels or Restaurants Online**
There was no internet to search for reviews or recommendations. You depended on your guidebook or sought advice from locals. If you wanted to discover where to stay or dine, you needed to be there in person to assess it.
### 3) **Google Anything**
Google didn’t make its debut until 1998, and even then, it wasn’t extensively utilized. For information, you had to turn to books, magazines, or ask someone in person.
### 4) **Book Accommodations Online**
Reserving a hotel or hostel in advance came with risks. You had no images or reviews to depend on, merely a brief description in your guidebook. Most travelers simply arrived on-site and hoped for the best.
### 5) **Compare Flight Prices and Book Online**
In the ’90s, arranging a flight necessitated a visit to a travel agent or a direct call to airlines. Flight comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights were nonexistent. You carried physical tickets, and any alterations demanded considerable effort.
### 6) **Check-In with an E-Ticket**
Physical tickets were essential. You couldn’t merely arrive at the airport with a confirmation number or an e-ticket on your device. Online check-ins were unheard of.
### 7) **Check Flight Status in Real-Time**
Flight delays or cancellations were only uncovered upon reaching the airport. There were no real-time alerts via text or apps.
### 8) **Shop for Travel Gear Online**
If you needed travel equipment, you had to visit a physical retail outlet. There was no Amazon or REI website to explore. Your options were limited to what was nearby.
### 9) **Keep in Touch with Friends and Family Easily**
Communication was slow and costly. You either mailed letters, made expensive international calls, or sent faxes. There was no Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp to maintain connections.
### 10) **Bank or Invest Online**
Online banking was nonexistent. You had to rely on ATMs (if you could locate one) or carry traveler’s checks. Managing finances from the road was a logistical challenge.
### 11) **Post on a Blog**
Blogging didn’t gain popularity until the early 2000s. If you wanted to share your travel adventures, you had to wait until returning home to recount your stories.
### 12) **Ask Questions on Message Boards**
Online travel forums like Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree had yet to surface. If you needed guidance, you had to ask fellow travelers face-to-face or rely on bulletin boards in hostels.
### 13) **Read Reviews on TripAdvisor or Yelp**
There were no online assessments to alert you about poor hotels or eateries. You had to trust word-of-mouth or your guidebook, which might be outdated.
### 14) **Pull Up a Map for Anywhere**
If you required a map, you needed to purchase one. There was no Google Maps or GPS to assist you. Getting lost was a frequent occurrence.
### 15) **Use GPS**
GPS technology was confined to military or specialized missions. If you became disoriented, you had to navigate with a physical map or seek directions.
### 16) **Store Photos Digitally**
Photos were captured on film, and