Comments on: Why I Quit Traveling

By: Sweet Shit Saturday #002 (Soaked To The Core Edition)

Sweet Shit Saturday #002 (Soaked To The Core Edition) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:09:09 +0000

[...] hate being in a constant state of movement and always rushing to the next destination.” I’ve already stated my feelings on that topic a few times so I won’t go into it again, but read this article for John’s take on [...]

By: Kelsey

Kelsey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:13:47 +0000

I generally prefer to visit fewer places and spend more time in each. In 2007 I spent 6 weeks in Switzerland. I spent two weeks in one hostel, three weeks in another, and one week cumulatively wandering around. Both of the hostels were located in tiny villages (one with 113 residents), and due to being kind of a temporary facet of the village, I got to know the locals quite well, and they got to know me. By my final week in the 3-week hostel, I didn’t pay for a single meal or drink – the locals all were so amused that I spent so much time in their village that they all bought me drinks and paid for my meals before I could even get my tab. One of the major reasons I travel is to develop a relationship with locals, and I have found that staying in one or two places for an extended period of time is the best way to do that.

By: Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com

Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:01:33 +0000

It’s nice to get an in depth view of a place you visit. The tourist stuff is usually borderline boring. I know what you mean about having a home base for a while too. It’s nice to get some stability once in a while.

By: Paramesh

Paramesh — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:22:10 +0000

Hello Karol,

I have just about an hour ago stumbled on to your blog. I am Indian and, live in Mumbai. I see that you are transiting through on your way to Goa. You are an interesting man and it would be a pleasure to meet up in Mumbai that is, if it is not going to put a crimp in your schedule. As you must be aware India is more vegetarian than non; having said that I must caution you, Goa does not have too much options for vegetarians. You will get by certainly. Cities will not pose too many problems though. Feel free to correspond if there is any bit of info you may need.

By: Karol

Karol — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:23:37 +0000

Hey Steph,

Thank you for sharing your perspective on the traveling vs living abroad conundrum. :)

“These two travel styles were so remarkably different and I can honestly say they both worked for the time in which we did them.”

Well put. I think like David mentioned in the comments, everybody should travel in the rushed “must see everything!” pace just to experience that. Because, as exhausting as it is, it’s also incredibly fun. :)

Thanks again!
Karol

By: Steph H.

Steph H. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:16:32 +0000

Karol, You’ve discovered what many of us “full-time travelers” have found – “traveling” abroad is different from “living” abroad.

When my husband and I took a year to travel to mostly third-world countries by motorcycle, we also thought we’d travel for that year and then come back to “real life.” We crammed in as much as possible, thinking we might never get the chance to see the places again so we should take advantage of the opportunity to see and do as much as possible. Well, that year was exhausting! Fun and life-changing, but exhausting.

When we came back from that year and decided to make “exploring” other countries our way of life, we made a major change: we built a “home on wheels” that would be rugged, and yet comfortable enough, to take us where we wanted to go, and to allow us to “live” in each place for as long as we desired. These two travel styles were so remarkably different and I can honestly say they both worked for the time in which we did them. But, when asked how we prefer to travel, we respond that we prefer to “live” in a place for a while so we get the chance to really get to know the vibe and the people. That’s almost impossible to do when popping in for a day or two, and certainly challenging when trying to cram in many stops in a short period of time.

I wish you all the best on your continues travels and hope your time at home in MI is fun, relaxing and not too cold.

Happy Holidays,
Steph

By: Karol

Karol — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:24:35 +0000

hehe, it doesn’t sound strange at all Kelly. There’s nothing like a “to do” list to make a trip feel like work. :)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:28:40 +0000

I know this will sound strange but I love to see the world BUT I HATE to travel. Meaning I hate having a short time span to see any place (by short I mean 2 weeks or less) — I hate the stress of running around like crazy trying to get a feel of the place and also see touristy stuff too. My husband wants a crazy quick trip to the Swiss Alps someday with a “to do” list — not looking forward to that so much.

By: Karol

Karol — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:19:42 +0000

It was a matter of semantics. I didn’t mean I quit in the traditional sense. But using the headline “Why I Quit Rushed Traveling” isn’t as effective a headline as simply “Why I Quit Traveling.” The former doesn’t evoke as much curiosity.

By: Karol

Karol — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:12:56 +0000

Thanks for commenting Bobby! That’s so awesome that you joined CS. It’s a wonderful community. :) Congrats on selling your stuff and quitting your job! That is great to hear.

No plans to head to Japan any time soon.