The attraction of travelling?
Discussion
Is anyone able to explain the attraction of travelling to me? I don't mean in the basketball sense.
When someone says to me I've been travelling in South America. I think so what. I can't imagine anything worse than sitting on a bus in some hell hole and eating stuff thats likely to poison you.
If I say that they seem to take it as some kind of envy on my part.
I think its a middle class willy waving thing.
Utterly pointless.
I can understand an adventure aspect to some extent but that seems to be the exception.
When someone says to me I've been travelling in South America. I think so what. I can't imagine anything worse than sitting on a bus in some hell hole and eating stuff thats likely to poison you.
If I say that they seem to take it as some kind of envy on my part.
I think its a middle class willy waving thing.
Utterly pointless.
I can understand an adventure aspect to some extent but that seems to be the exception.
It is human nature to be interested in new things, the unknown, sometimes have a mini-adventure. Remember, travelling doesn't have to mean being a scruffy student type with a backpack - you can do it in style too!
Have you ever left your hometown? Did you feel some anticipation and look forward to your trip?
Have you ever left your hometown? Did you feel some anticipation and look forward to your trip?
I've spent about a month in my life "travelling", all the other times I've been away I've considered it as "being on holiday". I'm not sure if it's what the OP meant but the whole travelling thing seems to be about being cash-poor/time-rich as opposed to cash-rich/time-poor.
During my month of travelling in South America after the first couple of weeks I realised it wasn't for me as the best bits were starting to become getting on the bus/train to go to the next place rather than anything to do with where I got to. I met lots of other travellers who just seemed to keep moving and think that was what it was all about, convincing themselves that living a cheap western existence in a poor country was somehow getting close to the people and "real" travel rather than "tourists" that they looked down on. The reality was that they were living like rich locals staying in hotels and guest houses, not working, eating out, smoking drinking etc. etc. Really started to piss me off after a while!
Some people love this kind of travel - I see it as a way of ekeing out your money as long as you can for the sake of it, but whatever floats your boat I suppose.
Since then any travel has been usually shorter (more expensive) and more focussed and active. In particular I don't think you have to keep moving in the way that some do, I'd much rather stay somewhere I liked for a while and do excursions or activities from there.
During my month of travelling in South America after the first couple of weeks I realised it wasn't for me as the best bits were starting to become getting on the bus/train to go to the next place rather than anything to do with where I got to. I met lots of other travellers who just seemed to keep moving and think that was what it was all about, convincing themselves that living a cheap western existence in a poor country was somehow getting close to the people and "real" travel rather than "tourists" that they looked down on. The reality was that they were living like rich locals staying in hotels and guest houses, not working, eating out, smoking drinking etc. etc. Really started to piss me off after a while!
Some people love this kind of travel - I see it as a way of ekeing out your money as long as you can for the sake of it, but whatever floats your boat I suppose.
Since then any travel has been usually shorter (more expensive) and more focussed and active. In particular I don't think you have to keep moving in the way that some do, I'd much rather stay somewhere I liked for a while and do excursions or activities from there.
For me the attraction is seeing loads of places other than just the normal, everyday things I've been brought up with. Different places, people, cultures, food, history and anything else in between. If you don't travel to me you're only seeing a very small bit of the world. I appreciate that many people don't 'get' the attraction, but I'm glad that I do!
OK, my last holiday/travel was to South America, as it happens.
Three countries, 13 flights on large and small planes, face-to-face with tarantulas, giant anteaters and otters. Photos of plants and animals we'd never see again, taken by actually being there. Walking through the jungle to see caiman or magnificent waterfalls. Talking with locals and learning about their history and culture.
Bats flying around your room at night above the mosquito netting. Experiencing new foods and drinks.
That's why we travel.
Three countries, 13 flights on large and small planes, face-to-face with tarantulas, giant anteaters and otters. Photos of plants and animals we'd never see again, taken by actually being there. Walking through the jungle to see caiman or magnificent waterfalls. Talking with locals and learning about their history and culture.
Bats flying around your room at night above the mosquito netting. Experiencing new foods and drinks.
That's why we travel.
I usually have what I call luxurious travelling, I see lots of places but I don't take smelly buses and sleep in dodgy hostels.
The big fun for me is seeing and experiencing things with my friends and family, however s
t it is, we always have a laugh and come back with good memories.
I guess if you don't see the point then you never will, different stokes for different folks, as you find this really strange, I find it even more strange how someone can live their life never having seen how other people on this planet live theirs, only having seen it on the TV or internet.
The big fun for me is seeing and experiencing things with my friends and family, however s
t it is, we always have a laugh and come back with good memories.I guess if you don't see the point then you never will, different stokes for different folks, as you find this really strange, I find it even more strange how someone can live their life never having seen how other people on this planet live theirs, only having seen it on the TV or internet.
I think if you have to ask the question, then it isn't your thing.
Travelling is all about learning about new things, getting a feel for different cultures and seeing how daily life varies across the world. I always find it amazing to think for example, that while I am here on this computer, there is someone somewhere else at this very moment trading camels for clothes or whatever in a completely different environment with a completely different way of life and view of the world. There is so much stuff out there and I just want to see it and experience it all and see what its all about. Curiosity of life I guess.
Other people are just not interested in what is across the horizon, or what appears around the next corner. They have interests in other stuff. Its just what makes you tick.
It always makes me laugh though, when you see people who are travelling who quite clearly don't 'get it' or particularly enjoy it, but they feel they should be doing it anyway just to fit in
I think it might have something to do with whether you are a 'judge' or a 'perceiver' ( http://changingminds.org/explanations/preferences/... )
Travelling is all about learning about new things, getting a feel for different cultures and seeing how daily life varies across the world. I always find it amazing to think for example, that while I am here on this computer, there is someone somewhere else at this very moment trading camels for clothes or whatever in a completely different environment with a completely different way of life and view of the world. There is so much stuff out there and I just want to see it and experience it all and see what its all about. Curiosity of life I guess.
Other people are just not interested in what is across the horizon, or what appears around the next corner. They have interests in other stuff. Its just what makes you tick.
It always makes me laugh though, when you see people who are travelling who quite clearly don't 'get it' or particularly enjoy it, but they feel they should be doing it anyway just to fit in
I think it might have something to do with whether you are a 'judge' or a 'perceiver' ( http://changingminds.org/explanations/preferences/... )
Edited by Shay HTFC on Friday 6th November 22:33
For me, the exploration is within... I haven't finished with learning about people in the UK. The more I study them, the more interesting things I learn and can apply on a day-to-day basis in understanding local and global events (you do realise we're more similar to other cultures than you could ever imagine?). And therefore (mixed in with my other goals), I don't have the time nor inclination to travel. You could call it the curiosity of life. 
(Mind you, I was spoilt as a child and spoilt in terms of my cultural background which may explain why I don't even have a passport now. And no, before you say it, it isn't "sad"; if you even thought that, perhaps it is "sad" that you feel the need to run away.)
I do find it amusing when people go "exploring" and they are actually talking about Prague or Bangkok. Come on. It's been found. Try exploring the Amazon or the Himalayas. That's proper exploring. Not living in a 5 star hotel and exploring the back streets of Prague and discovering(!) a quaint little cafe serving local delights via your package holiday and tour rep.
That's like saying you do martial arts and then actually do Body Combat once a week. (If you're not sure, it's dance classes that make you look like lycra-clad karate kids.)
(Mind you, I was spoilt as a child and spoilt in terms of my cultural background which may explain why I don't even have a passport now. And no, before you say it, it isn't "sad"; if you even thought that, perhaps it is "sad" that you feel the need to run away.)I do find it amusing when people go "exploring" and they are actually talking about Prague or Bangkok. Come on. It's been found. Try exploring the Amazon or the Himalayas. That's proper exploring. Not living in a 5 star hotel and exploring the back streets of Prague and discovering(!) a quaint little cafe serving local delights via your package holiday and tour rep.
That's like saying you do martial arts and then actually do Body Combat once a week. (If you're not sure, it's dance classes that make you look like lycra-clad karate kids.)Edited by ShadownINja on Saturday 7th November 00:53
ShadownINja said:
I do find it amusing when people go "exploring" and they are actually talking about Prague or Bangkok. Come on. It's been found. Try exploring the Amazon or the Himalayas. That's proper exploring. Not living in a 5 star hotel and exploring the back streets of Prague and discovering(!) a quaint little cafe serving local delights via your package holiday and tour rep.
But that's the level many people are comfortable at, and while it's not really exploring or new it is enjoyable getting off the well-beaten tourist trail and mixing with the locals. And generally the food's better too
As far as the OP goes there's probably no point trying to explain, as he simply doesn't get it. And judging by the disparaging way he talks about it he never will.
Having said that he has a point and I think quite a few people go travelling without realising that they don't particularly enjoy it so they end up moving from party spot to party spot with all the other tourists. They may as well be in a big resort in the Med IMO.
trickywoo said:
Is anyone able to explain the attraction of travelling to me? I don't mean in the basketball sense.
When someone says to me I've been travelling in South America. I think so what. I can't imagine anything worse than sitting on a bus in some hell hole and eating stuff thats likely to poison you.
If I say that they seem to take it as some kind of envy on my part.
Nothing worse than a 'travelling' inverse snob. I've met a few on my, erm, travels. When someone says to me I've been travelling in South America. I think so what. I can't imagine anything worse than sitting on a bus in some hell hole and eating stuff thats likely to poison you.
If I say that they seem to take it as some kind of envy on my part.
But I honestly do like seeing new places. I don't kid myself that I'm discovering new things because I fully appreciate that the things I want to see are also on the short list of many other people. Hence, heavily touristed and firmly on the beaten path. I still want to see them though.
I intend to drop out for a year, soon, but I'm reticent to the use the phrase 'going travelling'. I just fancy a year-long holiday.
Vee said:
I'm a snob in ways . . . and not afraid of it.
I love seeing new things but not on some rickety bus or a 30 year old plane which feels like it's going to fall apart.
Much like the OP, treking and staying in a camp isn't appealing but doesn;t mean that I don't like travelling.
That's the crux of the argument.I love seeing new things but not on some rickety bus or a 30 year old plane which feels like it's going to fall apart.
Much like the OP, treking and staying in a camp isn't appealing but doesn;t mean that I don't like travelling.
You won't see much of a country if you travel by plane, are met by the airport and then whisked to some luxury development. You could be anywhere in the world.
But trekking, travelling by rickety local bus and living in slums is not the only way to travel. Like anything, a compromise has to be struck.
rsv gone! said:
Vee said:
I'm a snob in ways . . . and not afraid of it.
I love seeing new things but not on some rickety bus or a 30 year old plane which feels like it's going to fall apart.
Much like the OP, treking and staying in a camp isn't appealing but doesn;t mean that I don't like travelling.
That's the crux of the argument.I love seeing new things but not on some rickety bus or a 30 year old plane which feels like it's going to fall apart.
Much like the OP, treking and staying in a camp isn't appealing but doesn;t mean that I don't like travelling.
You won't see much of a country if you travel by plane, are met by the airport and then whisked to some luxury development. You could in Costa Brava.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff