Travel Around the World with a Ukulele

When my sister and I were young one word that our dad taught us how to spell was “ukulele.” We were so proud of this fact we would challenge anyone to a one word spelling bee of ukulele. Any other words, we probably would have gotten wrong, but ukulele we had down. I was also very good at spelling the word “vertebrate.” A lot of people, adults included, were not even sure what a ukulele was. This only made us beam brighter as we’d loudly profess, “It’s like a small guitar!” So when Colleen reached out with her guest post about how she travels the world with her ukulele, I thought it was perfect! I hope you enjoy this guest post by Colleen:

Around the World with a Ukulele

Only six months ago, I quit my job, sold everything except the clothes I could fit into my backpack and my ukulele. Traveling alone has had it’s ups and downs, but I’ve found that my ukulele has been my constant companion. My uke has been with me through a number of trying experiences, but also opened doors for me that I didn’t know existed. I’ve always been an avid guitar player, but decided to learn the ukulele when I knew I’d be backpacking.

First of all, a ukulele is compact and easy to fly with. A ukulele can count as a carry-on, which saves you money, especially when you’re traveling with budget airlines. I can store it in the overhead bin space, but I make sure to watch it closely. Stressed out travelers will try to jam stuff into the bin without really looking if items are already stored there. You can also slide it under the seat in front of you, or ask the flight crew to put it in their coat closet.

Toting a ukulele around Europe has been a great conversation starter. Music is a language that everyone speaks, no matter what country they are from. I’ve had many random strangers come up and ask what my instrument is. People will ask me to play, or want to sing along while I strum. I’ve even made new friends through my ukulele!

When I bring out my ukulele, I can feel the mood around me instantly lift. Once, I was at an airport and our flight was delayed. And I mean VERY delayed, about five hours. Everyone around me was grumpy and irritated that their vacation plans had been disrupted. I pulled out my uke and started strumming “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” I started to see some toe tappers, then a few people swaying their hips. A couple of kids came up and did some dancing. Pretty soon, the entire gate was enjoying themselves. I even received song requests!

I also use my ukulele to make friends when I’m staying at hostels, or camping. When you are looking for something to do, or someone to talk to and you hear a little music, your natural instinct is to see where it’s coming from. After a couple minutes, you’ll have a circle of new friends singing along and enjoying themselves.

Some of the most stressful times I’ve had while traveling is when I’m short on cash. Having an instrument is an easy way to make a quick 20 Euros. I just open up my case on a busy corner and start strumming  a few fan favorites. If you find the right time of day and the right location, you can usually draw a pretty good crowd. I think the best part about having a ukulele, is that it’s not a common instrument. It attracts people, but also exudes the carefree, Hawaiian lifestyle, which is different than a guitar.

Lastly, I can use the strumming of my ukulele to help me relax. Sometimes I have those days where I’m stressed, or grumpy. I know that once I whip my uke out I’ll be in a better mood. It’s the cheapest form of therapy I could ever buy!

For me, my uke isn’t just a creative outlet. Though it isn’t a replacement for a travel companion, or a best friend, it does open doors to finding those people. Having my ukulele with me has taught me to put myself out there and be more open. Plus, I’ve made many  long-lasting friends over a good jam session!

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Do you travel with an instrument? Have you ever sang songs in the airport while waiting for a flight?

Author Bio – Colleen has a passion for guitars and ukuleles. She enjoys jamming, teaching, and getting others involved in music. Her website, Coustii, focuses specifically on guitars and ukes. Colleen loves to travel and uses her ukulele as a conversation starter on the road.

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* Announcement! We’re starting a new series on the site called My Story. What kind of traveler are you? How long have you been traveling? Do you maximize your vacations? Have you been able to take time off work? We want to hear from you and share your story! Please email: tiffany@vagabondway.net for more details. 🙂 

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