Travel Stories : The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Welcome to our inaugural collection of travel stories from the depths of Reddit, where my dog Noodles and I react to online tales that range from bone-chilling to heartwarming.

After two years on the road, Noodles and I craft informed commentary on Reddit's wildest travel stories; the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

What I like and dislike about the USA.... as a tourist: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/13hmnlx/what_i_like_and_dislike_about_the_usa_as_a_tourist/?chainedPosts=t3_y2xroq

What's your favourite "crazy life experience" travel experience?

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/117e2cx/whats_your_favourite_crazy_life_experience_travel/

Travel mishaps: Do you have any funny travel stories?

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/1cyuwuc/travel_mishaps_do_you_have_any_funny_travel/

Tell me the stories from your solo travel trip that you never got to tell anyone else (because no one else is usually interested)

https://www.reddit.com/r/solotravel/comments/11hk4m9/tell_me_the_stories_from_your_solo_travel_trip/

Noah and Noodles here!

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.

Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.

Follow each adventure visually at:

https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/

Transcript

Welcome to the Van: Podcast Introduction

Speaker 1 0:02

Welcome to the Van , into our very first collection of travel stories from the depths of Reddit . After traveling in our van for over two years researching lost locations and histories , meeting wonderful people across the nation , my dog Noodles and I will react and provide commentary as we read sections of Reddit posts about travel . We'll get into the dark , the weird , the inspiring and beyond . We'll also , of course , continue with our deep dive into the overlooked and undervalued locations across America . That's what we do , that's what we love , but we'll also do this and I hope you're on board . It'll be very fun , very different , very casual , and there'll be surprises along the way . We'll see you at the end of the episode , but for now , enjoy Mine and Noodle's thoughts , reactions and commentary on the stories of fellow travelers

Road Odyssey: Creepy Taxi in Chile

Speaker 1 1:04

. Safe travels Cruising down the street . I wonder where this road would lead . So many possibilities . Care to share what you think . Oh , noodle Dolls , what do you see Back ? Road odyssey . Our first story comes from AskReddit . The question is solo travelers what is your creepiest travel story ? Okay , and right off the bat , I know there'll be a ton , because solo traveling inherently has a tinge of creepiness to it . You have to be on your game , you have to be ready . It's fantastic , it can change your life , but also there are risks that come with it . So let's see where this goes goes .

Speaker 1 2:07

Traveling in South America by myself . As a 22-year-old woman arrived in Santiago , chile , by bus really late at night , like around 10 pm . Shortly after I got off the bus , a guy comes up to me from the general area of the taxi stand and asks if I need a cab , and I say yes . We start by walking to his cab and it's really far away , like at least five blocks . Uh , first red flag . A little bit , you know , but he hasn't done anything creepy yet . I start to feel kind of uneasy , but I'm also in the middle of this big , unfamiliar city and just try to reassure myself . It's fine . I double check . His cab has all the normal brand markings . When we finally get up to it and sit up front with my bag , more out of habit , it's common to do this in Ubers in South America . Okay , so she is a conscious traveler , she knows what she is doing .

Speaker 1 2:58

I gave him the address of the hostel I booked and we small talk in Spanish for the first few minutes of the ride and then there's a bit of a natural pause , which he breaks by looking over at me and saying very calmly are you scared ? Yeah , second red flag there , especially after the pause flag there , especially after the pause . Of course that really freaked me out , but I tried to seem calm . I just laughed a bit and was like ha ha ha , no , I'm good , just tired and it's late and he goes . Hmm well , you seemed pretty scared back there when we were walking . You know there's a lot of bad people around here . Sometimes they pretend to be taxis . You never know who to trust . Are you traveling here alone ? Some thoughts . If this guy is in the fake taxi business , he is very forthright and I'd be scared too . That's actually terrifying after a moment of silence like that .

Speaker 1 4:05

There have been so many locations in the van when I pull up to a place to park for the night or what have you , where people come up to me and start to talk and if I ever feel uncomfortable I get out . You know , you just have this feeling in the pit of your stomach that something might not be right and the first thing to do for me is to get out . This is while we're still driving through the middle of a city . It's dark and it's late and I'm now painfully aware . Literally no one knows where I am . I was going to message my family with an update when I got to the hostel . They don't know I'm in Santiago . They still think I'm on the coast .

Speaker 1 4:44

Yeah , so that's a mistake . Anywhere you go , you tell people where you're at , where you're going and what your plans are when you're solo traveling . Of course I don't say that and I tell him that I'm always very careful and actually my group of friends know I'm on the way and are waiting for me at the hostel . I see a stoplight coming up and was literally just thinking as soon as the car slowed down I was going to make a break for it and just jump out of the car , probably the most scared I've ever been . Out of the corner of my eye , I see this guy reaching down for something under his seat and my brain is just going gun , gun , gun . It's going to be a gun . Instead , he . There's always one thing we can trust , right , the Lord . Do you believe in God ? He then proceeds to try to convert me for the remainder of the ride , but in the moment that random religious cab driver scared the absolute shit out of me . Yeah , that could have gone any number of ways . It's good that she told him that her friends are waiting . Yeah , I mean , you know , best case scenario would be someone trying to convert you to their religion in that particular instance .

Speaker 1 6:07

Let's see what we got for our next story .

Unexpected Tour Guide in Japan

Speaker 1 6:11

All right , this is under solo travel and it is entirely different than the story we just read . The question is what's your craziest slash ? Funniest travel story Starts simple enough .

Speaker 1 6:29

I went to Japan with a friend to see a concert . We were exchange students in Kyoto , so it wasn't that far , but we only had one day to see the city . We got to the middle of town and had no idea how to get around . Sometimes that's the best way to see a city . Noodles and I actually will park near downtown and just walk around . No research , no anything beforehand , just experience the city , one of our favorite ways to experience a new place . We had a map , but were stuck on how to get up the giant hill in front of us and we didn't know how to get anywhere on foot .

Speaker 1 7:07

Just then , as we panicked about what to do , a man came up to us . We both spoke Japanese , so we told him we were lost . He told us to follow him to his house . He then had a car and told us to get in . My friend and I looked at each other like WTF , but Japan is pretty safe and we had no other way to get around . So we got in his car and he took us to his house Right away . Similar situation , but you have a friend , it's daylight and you have no other option . Sometimes you know it's that line of being safe and taking risks and you know where will it lead . I don't know , but let's find out . His wife made us tea , oh , and gave us snacks , and they talked about how their son was living in the US and they were so sweet , see , you know , sometimes it works out getting in a stranger's car . Then I guess the man changed or something and took us back out to his car . We then drove up the big hill and told him to just drop us off near a museum we wanted to see , but instead he insisted on waiting for us . This is either really nice or exceedingly creepy . He walked with us around the neighborhood after we went to the museum and he took us to an ice cream place that his friend owned . We got free ice cream and then his friend told us to come upstairs and look at his jewelry collection . He made and sold pearl jewelry that was gorgeous . It was fun to learn about that kind of work . Then the man drove us to Chinatown and we said goodbye . We ate in Chinatown and went to the concert , but the best part of the day was being toured around by a local . Had we said no , we would have missed out on a cool way to see the city . I'll probably only do that in Japan , though . Okay , glad it worked out .

Speaker 1 9:11

I actually had a similar situation in Montana . So I was in Western Montana on the 4th of July and Noodles and I went to a campsite in the forest just to avoid the fireworks I don't think Noodles likes them very much and there was this older man across the way . Sometimes with these campsites that you don't have to pay for , there's nobody . Sometimes there's a lot of people , and in this case it was just me and this older guy . So when I get there he comes up , introduces himself and seems very friendly and we talk for a while as I'm setting up the van , and then he asks I wonder if I can show you a place around here . He had an ATV . Is that what that's called ATV attached to his motorhome . And kind of reluctantly I'm like , yeah , definitely , could we do it tomorrow ? Because I had just driven a lot and wasn't really feeling social and also just met this guy . So he's like , yeah , sure , sure , all right , you have a good night . So the night passes and he comes up to me really early in the morning , knocks on my van and says , all right , let's go , your dog can come with us . So me and Noodles go all around and this really , really nice guy shows us different spots around Montana , different lakes , different forest trees , and it turns out he was a tour guide for a long time at Glacier National Park .

Speaker 1 10:45

And it just goes to show with the last two stories you never know when you're traveling and it's this fine , minuscule line between accepting what's happening , being open to new experiences but also being cautious , especially when you're solo traveling . Next story this next story comes from solo travel . Yet again , the prompt is

Finding Beauty in the "Boring" Midwest

Speaker 1 11:15

tell me the stories from your solo travel trip that you would never tell anyone else , because no one else is usually interested . Man , I can relate to this All right . I live on the west coast of the United States and took a solo road trip to the Midwest States and took a solo road trip to the Midwest Because it's the normal thing to do to bash it with the company I keep . I had to hide my excitement about seeing prairie dogs in North Dakota and touring the Deadwood Brothel Museum . I love it .

Speaker 1 11:46

I love it when people have open minds like this , and the drive didn't feel boring . All those cornfields and flat land felt , I don't know , meditative , like a zen garden . There are really some beautiful areas and people everywhere . If you're just willing to open up your mind , alright , I want to see and meet this person , because that's what Noodles and I are trying to do with this podcast . Anywhere you go , any people you meet have a story , an interesting story , if you just look for it . I love the way it was described like meditative . A lot of people say it's boring . Nebraska yeah , boring Nebraska yeah , boring . But Iowa , the driftless region which we're going to dive into next week , it is infinitely fascinating and beautiful to drive through and not many people know it . So I love when other people have the same mentality . Good for you .

Speaker 1 12:54

This next

European Tourist's View of America

Speaker 1 12:55

one gets into the weeds a little bit , but it's fascinating . All right , so it's under travel and the prompt is what I like and dislike about the USA as a tourist . It's always fascinating hearing different opinions , even from different states , people from the West visiting Midwest or Midwest going to going to California or New England or what have you . But I think conversations like this are what makes traveling interesting , this exchange of ideas . I have been touring the United States for several weeks now , visiting multiple states .

Speaker 1 13:28

I am from Europe , the Netherlands specifically . This is not my first time in the US , but it is my most extensive . It strikes me how vastly different the USA is compared to my country or Europe in general . I just like to give my thoughts here from a European perspective , which things I think are better here and which things are worse . I'm also keeping this limited to tourist perspective , so I'm going to stay away from things that are only relevant when I would actually live here , like healthcare , taxes and politics . Okay , okay , okay , okay , let's sear it .

Speaker 1 14:05

Things I like Nature , raw , wild and untouched . Most of all , vast . The sheer vastness and variety of nature and pure wilderness here is definitely unmatched in Europe . Specifically , the little nature we have in the Netherlands is laughable compared to the USA . That is a good point . I wonder where specifically this person who posted this went what states . But yeah , the nature here is just absolutely gorgeous , particularly out West , the diversity of it all .

Speaker 1 14:39

People are generally approachable and friendly . Yes , I do like Americans , at least their overall demeanor . I would be greeted and asked where I'm from , even by someone at the 7-Eleven . In general , dutch people are quite rude . Free refills this is a small thing but really unheard of in the Netherlands . In my country you pay the same price for just one tiny cup of coffee . In fact , all drinks you order are tiny in the Netherlands and you pay for each one . You know I like this , but I'll actually disagree .

Speaker 1 15:14

Here's a weird thing about me Anywhere I go , I like to have especially coffee . I like to have smaller portions of it . I like it to be concentrated . Sometimes I feel like let's say , coffee here a little watered down Traffic lights across the street . I can't for the life , life of me understand why we still have to lean over the steering wheel and get a sword neck looking straight upwards at the traffic lights in Europe . Oh , interesting , I actually didn't know that . So you can't see , unless you like , lean forward . Well , the more you know . Let's get to the final positive Tipping .

Speaker 1 15:57

This is a widely contested topic . Why the heck do I need to be partially responsible for a proper salary for these people ? There you go Also . It's just annoying to have to calculate the tip every time . It is also annoying that listed prices are almost exclusively without tax , that listed prices are almost exclusively without tax In my country and across most of Europe , as far as I'm aware . You pay exactly what is listed as the price , no hidden surprises . You make some good points , good points there .

Speaker 1 16:30

The food Ooh , we'll see about this one , especially breakfast . Almost everything contains sugar . Well , okay , yeah , you're right about that . Breakfast is never with fresh bread and fresh good meats and cheese . In fact , american cheese is awful . You know what I will chime in and agree with that American cheese is the worst of the cheeses . But maybe I'm spoiled , living in my cheese country , living in cheese country . For dinner the price isn't quite as bad , but it's still nowhere near the quality and variety that you find in Europe .

Speaker 1 17:09

Plastic Too much plastic is a problem for Europe also , but the amount of plastic and styrofoam and other disposable crap used here is bizarre . I also find it really bizarre that in every hotel breakfast is all disposable cutlery and plates . Also , you really never see this in Europe , not even in the cheapest hotels . You're making some good points , yeah . Yeah , the disposability of it all is kind of all around here . Depends on the state , but you're right .

Speaker 1 17:46

And finally , for negatives , imperial measurements Gallons , miles , feet and especially Fahrenheit is so bizarre . Also because the conversion factor to metric is odd . Almost all the world , as well as the scientific world , uses metric , which makes so much more sense in every way . Why does the US hold on to such an archaic system ? Your guess is as good as mine , my friend . I would be so curious to look into the history of that . Maybe that could be a future episode . So here are some of my thoughts . Feel free to add your own or tell me where you agree or disagree . I'd love to read the same perspective from Americans who have visited Europe . That's what it's about , right Conversation , talking about the goods and the bads of any place you go , and that's what makes these conversations absolutely fast .

Speaker 1 18:48

Our next story is from travel . The prompt is craziest thing that's ever happened to you while traveling . Okay , this could get crazy . Let us

Finnish Sauna Birthday Crash

Speaker 1 19:02

see . Went to a Finnish sauna somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Finland because I wanted the real experience , not the touristy stuff . No one spoke English , and Finnish looks like made-up words to me . Everyone was completely naked , except for a teeny tiny towel you were supposed to sit on . It wasn't large enough to cover anything up . You know , sometimes when you're in one of those experiences you just have to dive right in . So I mustered all my courage and went into one of the three bungalows . As soon as I opened the door , I realized this wasn't right . About 15 very drunk men and women holding beers were sitting in this teeny sauna house . Since everyone stared at me standing in the open doorway , I decided to just go for it and go in , figured it would have been weird to mumble sorry and disappear . That's the right mentality . That's the mentality you have to have just going for it . For example , I have a quick story .

Speaker 1 20:07

So when I hosted a beer podcast , I would go all around and interview brewers about how they got started , why they enjoyed brewing and the breweries that they were at and or created . And one time in South Carolina I went deep into the woods . It was far away from any main town because I was going to interview this brewery . I kept going and going and I'm like man . This is kind of in the middle of nowhere . So I got there and it was a garage , just somebody's garage , and there was five men sitting there , three of them bearded , and a dog . And there was five men sitting there , three of them bearded , and a dog , and there was definite proof that this is where I was supposed to go , because the brewery sign was above . So I thought to myself you know what ? This is going to be great , I'm going to make this an awesome experience . And I talked to them all night .

Speaker 1 21:00

At some point , the owner of the brewery in the garage took me back , poured a pint and said watch this . We went out to a field , two donkeys came up , and one of the donkeys , right away , made a noise and chugged the pint that he brought out . Yeah , so it turned out to be a great experience . So when you're in those kind of experiences , you just got to go for it . Glad that this person did . We'll see what happens , though .

Speaker 1 21:30

As soon as I sat down , the naked guy next to me started talking . After realizing I don't speak the language , he switched to English . So how do you know Micah ? Huh , who ? Well , it's Micah's birthday , oh , so I started to get up and leave because I didn't want to crash a naked party of strangers , but the guy next to me had already called Micah over to introduce me . Before I could even apologize for crashing and making my excuses , micah had already pulled me into a massive hug . Yep , you read that right . I got a hug from a very naked , very large and sweaty Finnish dude in the middle of nowhere in Finland , while being naked as well For context , I'm a pretty petite girl . That adds a little spice to it . He put a beer in my hand , invited me to join the party , and that was certainly one of my more weird experiences

Vietnamese Birthday Party Connection

Speaker 1 22:30

while traveling . Love the fins , though . You know it's a story . It's a story that's awesome .

Speaker 1 22:42

So our final story is from Solo Travel . The prompt is share inspiring travel stories . I wanted to end our very first Reddit travel story reading reaction to a positive story , something to uplift the spirits , because I feel like that's what travel is supposed to be and that's what we're trying to do with this show . Without further ado , let's get into it .

Speaker 1 23:12

Me and my girlfriend were having some quiet drinking in a quiet bar in far north Vietnam . The owners started to set up a table with a cake , food and other celebration-style things . Up a table with a cake , food and other celebration-style things , it became obvious that it was their young child's birthday party , maybe five years old . Aw , I always love seeing that . Since we were the only customers there , we decided to leave so they could get on with their party , but they insisted we stayed . They shared their food and gave us more drinks and didn't expect any money . Of course , we gave them a decent amount , no more than what we would have paid if it was a meal plus generous tips . There was such a huge language barrier that all we could do was say to one another cheers and just smile and laugh with one another . Lovely human interaction , and we were very fortunate to be there . Love those moments . Now . I love this story .

Speaker 1 24:10

This speaks to the core of what it means to travel , in my mind , to connect with people that are from different places , speak different languages , have different points of view . You can connect with people in a fundamentally human way . Whether it's taking an impromptu trip to the Midwest , even though your friends say that it's lame , whether you cheers with somebody who doesn't speak your language , there's something fundamentally human in us all that we should try to seek out and acknowledge , and that's what's great about reading stories like this except for the taxi guy who asked if you're scared , that's you know , but mostly

Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes

Speaker 1 25:07

it's Noah here . I hope you enjoyed our new segment into deep dive Reddit travel stories . It's fun to feel like I can sit down and casually talk about travel and travel stories with you and travel stories with you .

Speaker 1 25:25

This is not to say that we're not going to continue with our deep dives into locations and the history of places people normally overlooked Far from it . We've got some very exciting things coming in that regard , but we'll also add casual talks and reactions like this , as well as some interview episodes coming up . So we're expanding . We're doing some very exciting things and if you find value in what we're trying to do here , in bringing the joy of travel , finding new places , stories to people , rating and reviewing is the best way that you can help us continue to do that . So thank you for your time . I appreciate you all . Be good to each other . Where to next ?