3. Sometimes a book, MP3 player or the internet isn't enough

If your trip is long you probably won't hear your voice for quite a bit. In Japan, I was pretty much silent, unless I had to ask for directions or say thank you after someone offered a gesture of kindness.

Even though you get keep yourself preoccupied with a book or a device with a screen, you will crave conversation with a human soul, once unread messages on WhatsApp no longer appear.