BootsnAll Travel Community

Having a really short attention span doesn't help, but I am finding it tough getting my brain stimulated on the road.

I am travelling with my partner, and he is, of course, very intelligent etc, etc (he might also be readng this ) but you can't rely on one person to keep the old grey matter occupied all the time.

Talking to other people in hostels, etc helps but I really, really need a discussion beyond people's routes, where they have stayed, where I am from etc. (I am as guilty of this as anyone else).

Reading is good, but I have spells where I just can't get into books, no matter how good they are.

So - my question is: how do you occupy your brain productively whilst on the road?

Any fresh ideas welcomed.

(Spending hours on the internet on BnA does not count).

KG

Are you talking of when you have arrived somewhere KPG or actually in transit, like on a bus, train, boat or plane whatever.

In either case, and the former was easiest I have found, I would not exactly go out of my way to meet locals, but it would happen anyway.

I had the same happening a few times while I was in transit and take the opportunity on some occasions to have a chat with people on waking up after an airport sleepover.

Whilst locals may not have the same level of exposure to the outside world as travellers should, you can still learn plenty about their lives and let them know about your own experiences at home and in travelling as get engaged in conversation and it can lead anywhere.

We actually had a poster here somewhere who was asking about the fors and againsts on singular travelling or otherwise and there was intention to meet up and also separate for a week or so at a time.

If you have sometimes different interests, have you tried say each going off to do/look at something different and then you both not only get separate inspirations but will have new experiences to talk about with one another.

quote:

Originally posted by gonorth:
Are you talking of when you have arrived somewhere KPG or actually in transit, like on a bus, train, boat or plane whatever.

Don't even get me started on being in transit... I am going to start another thread at some point called 'travelling sucks'. I am a much better 'stayer' than 'traveller'. I have met some really interesting people on a few occassions, but most of the time I just have to zone out.

quote:

In either case, and the former was easiest I have found, I would not exactly go out of my way to meet locals, but it would happen anyway.

Yeh - we actually had a really good chat with a guide we hired for the afternoon today. Really interesting 3rd generation Indian guy living in Malaysia, speaks Japanese, is really into his plants and cooking. It's great when you meet someone like that. Had a really interesting chat about the ethnic make-up of the UK as well as life in Malaysia.

All too often though we have been lured into what we think is a friendly chat with a local only for it then to turn into a sales pitch.

The going off and doing your own thing is a good idea too. Think we will be happier doing this once in NZ as Asia still a bit new to us and felt intimidated getting a taxi on my own last week which makes me think I am not ready for that yet.

We tend to have a day once every week or so where we head out and do our own thing. I sometimes envy people travelling by themselves or with friends as opposed to partners as it seems easier to hook up with new people and go out for the day together. People often see a couple and think that they're self contained and happy to be spending 100% of the time together.

I'm as guilty as everyone else as I don't like hijacking other peoples plans and so am reticent to ask if I can tag along.

I guess the biggest problem is that I am not very good at relaxing and doing nothing. I like having 'projects'. At home there would always be something - decorating, creating a new website, going to evening classes - all on top of work. (I think the reason I liked Chiang Mai so much is because we took cooking classes and batik classes and I was able to use my brain again). It's not easy to have 'projects' on the road.

Anyway - this is turning into a bit of a 'Dr Phil' session. I think I'm through the hardest part really. We're heading to NZ in 2 weeks and 4 days and then I will have to 'get out more' as I need to earn some money...

KG

quote:

Originally posted by KPG:
So - my question is: how do you occupy your brain productively whilst on the road?
KG

LOL! I think by making an asspain of myself.

Seriously, I am such a geek that I can find myself fascinated by many things. On Amtrak last week, I spent an hour or so getting an Intro to the Cafe Car from the lady who runs it. (Learned how they service the cafe stations, how they predict materials flow, when and how they change the menu, stuff like that.)

If I'm sitting unoccupied next to someone who wants to talk, I'll often get them on a topic they know a lot about and then just let them wail on it. Later, I turn these into character sketches in my journal.

If I'm sitting with someone who has a different language, travel is great time for a lesson.

If I find myself saddled with an obnoxiously nosey seatmate, I lie to them. Egregiously. I've been a runaway bride, and agent of an unnamed government agency, a product tester, on my way to pick my daughter up from a nunnery.

I also bring little "hand" projects, because sometimes I just get physically twitchy. Braided bracelets and origami are a couple of things I like, as you can give the results to people around you.

You know, I read this post and realize: I really am a dork.

La

Heh...conversations with other travelers occasionally turn really interesting, but for the most part are dull like you say--"where are you going", "where did you come from", "wanna trade some currency", and "yes...I know Bush is an ass".

So, I read a lot, with an effort to pick up something historical about the place I'm headed to. Not only is it interesting in itself but keeps me thinking while wandering about at the destination itself.

I find that writing in my journal is a good way to burn off some energy....mental equivalent of going to the gym for me.


But the best intellectual stimulant of all...particularly while in transit....SLEEP!

I've had the same problem. Conversation and reading is good but not enough at least not after a few months of travelling.. This is a bit geeky perhaps but a travel scrabble? And chess. This sounds geeky but well. To me not many things give as good intellectual stimulation as scrabble and chess and similar games. Oh how sad is that.

lol at so many things!

quote:

Originally posted by La Rosser:
If I find myself saddled with an obnoxiously nosey seatmate, I lie to them. Egregiously. I've been a runaway bride, and agent of an unnamed government agency, a product tester, on my way to pick my daughter up from a nunnery.

Such a cool idea. Going to spend some time perfecting good stories and hunt for some victims...

quote:

Originally posted by amalia:
This is a bit geeky perhaps but a travel scrabble?

At risk of obliterating any street cred (Or should that be board cred) I still have, we already have travel scrabble. The daily game (or two) was the only thing keeping me going for a while. Problem is Mr KG keeps on winning (damn him!!) and I feela bit geeky wondering up to strangers and asking if they want a game of scrabble...

Have a journal and a blog but can be a drag writing it when you're lacking inspriation.

On the plus side, I made a concious effort to speak to new people at the hostel last night. Including some I maybe wouldn't have struck up a conversation with naturally. Inevitably included travel chat, but some good chat about 'stuff in general' too.

KG

quote:

You know, I read this post and realize: I really am a dork.

Not at all La Rosser, just an imaginative mind and that certainly can help keep the mind active even if it means daydreaming sometimes and not being as alert as may be in best interests.

KPG, go get them outside the hostels.

I'm a rabid collector of stories. When out in the world I ask stangers to tell me the most unusal thing that's ever happened to them, what was their first car or cars, what was the most unusual job they've ever had or the most bizarre thing to ever happen to them on the job. You would not believe the answers I get. Regular old ho-hum folks end up telling you stories that are hilarious, incredible and completely insane.

As for me, most unusual job? Broommaker in a Western theme park. It was fun, but crazy: Gunfights at the top of the hour, peacocks invaded my work area when it rained and sometimes I got to run the mini-rollercoaster.

Jet

I am similar to Jetgirl in that I love other people's stories - and practically everyone on the planet has an unusual story somewhere, even if their lives appear to be unbelievably humdrum.