Let's talk about the stuff nobody posts on Instagram.

You know those gorgeous travel photos flooding your feed—perfectly plated tagines, sunset camel rides in the Sahara, colorful markets bursting with textiles?

Yeah, those moments are real.

But so is the moment when you're tapping your tour guide on the shoulder in the middle of a Moroccan highway, whispering with increasing urgency: "I really need to go. Like, now."

This is Mel Ripp's story. And if you've ever worried that travel isn't for you because you're not adventurous enough, polished enough, or brave enough—this one's for you.

A blonde woman in sunglasses, a black and white gingham dress, and red slip-on shoes leans against a weathered golden-yellow wall. — *Mel looking cool as hell in front of an accent wall. [Mexico City, 2024]*

The Highway Incident (Or: How to Shit with Grace)

Picture this: You're in a van full of women you barely know, driving back from an incredible Italian dinner in Marrakesh. Your stomach starts to gurgle. Then it gurgles more. You're maybe 15 minutes from your riad, but those 15 minutes suddenly feel like an eternity.

Mel handled this situation with what I can only describe as remarkable composure. A polite shoulder tap. A calm inquiry about distance. And then, it became clear that waiting was not an option: "We need to stop now."

Our driver Kamal pulled over on the highway. Mel grabbed some wipes, ran behind a bush, and returned two minutes later completely unfazed. "Okay, we can go now."

No drama. No meltdown. Just a woman handling an unglamorous situation with the kind of grace most of us reserve for much less dire circumstances.

Here's what I love about this story: Mel wasn't embarrassed to ask for what she needed. She didn't try to power through and make herself miserable (or worse). She advocated for herself, did what needed to be done, and moved on.

That, my friends, is travel confidence.

A group of approximately ten women stand with their arms around each other's shoulders, backs to the camera, watching two large hot air balloons inflate at sunrise or sunset in the Moroccan desert — *From 'Will people like me?' to 'These are my people.' This is what group travel does—it transforms strangers into community. [Mel with the Morocco 2023 crew]*

When Your Stomach Doesn't Love What You Love

Let's be real: food sensitivities and international travel are not always a match made in heaven.

Mel loves Italian food. Her stomach does not. Something in the gluten-dairy-tomato trifecta sends her digestive system into rebellion. But here's the thing—she went to that Italian restaurant in Morocco anyway. She shared plates with the group. She had dessert and coffee. She enjoyed the experience, knowing full well she might pay for it later.

And she did pay for it. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

This is something I think people need to hear more often: You don't have to be the person who eats everything everywhere to be a "real traveler." Mel still dreams of traveling to India despite genuinely disliking Indian food. Why? Because India is about so much more than the food. (And yes, we'll figure out the food situation. We always do.)

Travel isn't about pushing through every discomfort or pretending you don't have preferences. It's about knowing your limits, working within them, and still showing up for the experience.

The Cumin Conspiracy

Can we talk about cumin for a second?

There's something about cumin—particularly how it amplifies and blends with other spices—that just doesn't work for everyone. As Mel so eloquently put it: "Everything just kind of tastes like feet."

If you've ever felt weird about not liking a certain cuisine, here's your permission slip: it's okay. Some people don't like Indian food. Some people can't handle spicy food. Some people have texture issues with certain ingredients. None of this makes you a bad traveler.

What matters is being honest about your preferences while staying open to trying new things. Mel made it through Morocco (where cumin is everywhere) just fine. She's dreaming of India. She's not letting her food preferences keep her from exploring the world—she's just realistic about navigating them.

Pro tip: If there's an ingredient that consistently bothers you, learn how to say it in the local language. Local guides and restaurants are usually happy to accommodate when you're clear about what you need.

Three smiling travelers take a selfie on a turquoise vintage car in Cuba. The boat has teal leather seats and chrome details. — *Mel, Dawn, and Andrés enjoying one another’s company in the back of a classic car. [Cuba, 2025]*

Airport Anxiety is Universal

Even seasoned travelers get lost in airports. Even people who fly 10-12 times a year sometimes can't follow the signs. Even travel professionals occasionally stand in the middle of São Paulo airport thinking, "What the actual fuck is happening right now?"

Airports are designed by chaos gremlins. I'm convinced of this.

Different terminals, concourses that lead to other terminals, signs that contradict each other, security checkpoints that confiscate your $300 worth of lip gloss because you forgot the liquids rule for the hundredth time. It's a lot.

And if you're someone considering your first international trip, your first solo trip, or your first group trip, know this: Navigating airports is genuinely hard. It's not just you.

The difference between experienced travelers and new travelers isn't that we don't get confused—it's that we've learned to roll with it. We build in buffer time. We ask for help. We don't panic when we take a wrong turn. We just...deal with it and move on.

The Retrospective Appreciation Factor

Here's something Mel said that really stuck with me: Some trips are about "retrospective appreciation."

China, for example. Mel described it as a trip that's "so hard to navigate while you're doing it, and then when you get home, you're like, oh my god, I navigated that."

This is the essence of Type 2 fun—experiences that might be challenging, uncomfortable, or even miserable in the moment, but become your favorite stories later. The kind of travel that transforms you not because it was easy, but because it was hard.

Not every moment of travel is magical while it's happening. Sometimes you're:

Lost in an airport
Dealing with food poisoning
Uncomfortable in the heat
Frustrated by language barriers
Missing home
Questioning why you thought this was a good idea

But then you get home. You process. You look back at photos. You tell stories.

And suddenly those hard moments become the ones you're most proud of. The ones that proved you could handle more than you thought.

Travel isn't about having a perfect, Instagram-worthy experience from start to finish. It's about showing up, navigating the chaos, and discovering you're more resilient than you knew.

Why the Hard Stuff Makes It Worth It

I've watched Mel transform over three trips. From someone terrified of traveling with strangers to someone planning her fifth and sixth group trips (and leading some of mine soon—more to come on that!). From someone worried about fitting in to someone who genuinely doesn't care if everyone likes her (in the healthiest way possible).

And you know what created that transformation? Not the perfect moments. The messy ones.

The emergency bathroom stop taught her to advocate for herself without embarrassment. The food challenges taught her to work within her limits while staying open. The airport confusion taught her she could figure things out even when lost. The group dynamics taught her she's someone people actually want to be around.

None of this would have happened if travel was easy and comfortable all the time.

So if you're sitting there thinking you're not cut out for international travel because you have food sensitivities, or IBS, or anxiety about flying, or worry about fitting in with strangers—I'm here to tell you that those things don't disqualify you. They're just part of your travel story.

The question isn't whether you'll encounter challenges. You will. The question is: Are you willing to handle them with grace, humor, and a little bit of that "well, shit happens" attitude?

Because if Mel can calmly handle an emergency bathroom situation on a Moroccan highway with a van full of near-strangers, you can probably handle whatever comes your way too.

Practical Tips for the Unglamorous Moments

For digestive issues:

Always travel with wet wipes (thank you, Mel, for this reminder)
Know your trigger foods and plan accordingly—but don't let them stop you from going
Bring any medications you need (Imodium is your friend)
Don't be embarrassed to communicate your needs to your guide or group

For airport anxiety:

Build in extra time—way more than you think you need
Download airport maps ahead of time
Don't be afraid to ask airport staff for help (that's literally their job)
Global Entry is only worth it if you travel internationally 4+ times per year

For food sensitivities abroad:

Learn key phrases in the local language ("no dairy," "no gluten," etc.)
Research the local cuisine ahead of time to identify safe options
Communicate with your tour guide—they can usually help navigate restaurants
Bring safe snacks as backup

For general travel chaos:

Give yourself permission to not be perfect
Remember that challenges become your best stories
Advocate for yourself without apologizing
Embrace the retrospective appreciation mindset

Three women smile and hold up cocktails in colorful ceramic cups at an indoor restaurant or bar. — *Cocktail class in Cuba.*

The Bottom Line

Travel is not always glamorous. It's not always comfortable. It's definitely not always Instagram-worthy.

Sometimes it's unglamorous, messy, and a little bit chaotic. And that's exactly what makes it transformative.

So pack the wipes. Bring your medications. Learn your limits. And then go anyway.

Because the version of yourself who can handle an emergency bathroom stop on a Moroccan highway? She's pretty fucking amazing.

Book Your Trip

Ready to embrace the beautiful mess of international travel? Check out our upcoming group trips to Morocco, Cuba, Kenya, and beyond. We promise gorgeous moments AND the occasional unglamorous adventure. Learn more here.

Listen to the full episode with Mel Ripp on the Type 2 Travel podcast for more stories about transformation, travel anxiety, and why prioritizing adventures over bathroom renovations might be the best life decision you ever make.