Those are a lot of really helpful and great lessons you made!
Can mostly agree on that - in case i´ve made the same :)
What i can add is: - try diving into a dumpster of a foodstore

I personally didnt do that for about 70% of my Travels, and as i discovered it - it completely changed the last 30% !!
Unbelievable what you find in those dumpster, really all you can wish for. Its quite like shopping just without queing and paying :p

Cant wait to read more of you,
all the best from germany,
johannes (: