BootsnAll Travel Community

The idea of a RTW trip just started brewing. I have told some friends and none of them gave positive responses.

I get the usual 'I would do it if I had the money and time' - as though I'm some sort of rich kid. Coz I'm not, I'm intending to save every month to make this happen. Taking time off from work is one issue for me, considering I'm in a comfortable job. But I think it'll work out, when the time comes.

And then there is the thought of doing it alone. I don't even have to mention that yeah I'm thinking of taking off alone! They assume that I'd find a guy to do it with and travel happily together. Or else they'd ask "so who you going with?" (and if i replied 'alone' i'd get a horrified expression)

Probably where I come from taking off to see the world just ain't part of our culture. And definitely not alone. Sux.

--end of rant--

IGNORE THEM AND GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I, and many many many people on this board, was in the same boat.

Don't worry, once people realise how serious you are you they will come round to your way of thinking. And most negative comments are either:

a) people who care about you and are worried, which is natural. just try and put them at ease if you can

b) people who are jealous as hell of you

As far as the job goes I would not really worry about it. I leave mine at the end of Jan and have been told they can't keep it open for me. So what, I thought, it's not the end of the world.

I am in a lucky position where I can come back home when I've finished and probably walk straight back in to a job, but seeing a RTW trip on a CV will probably give you and edge over other applicants anyway I reckon.

Don't let the doubters make your hormones unhappy.

I just expected my enthusiasm to be met with enthusiasm when I tell my friends. Not to have my excited bubble pricked with their disdain.

There was one good pal of mine who said "for what?! travel around the world? I can do that at home. With my remote control."

happy, many of us have been met by the same attitudes from friends and family. My sister made me feel like instead of going around the world I should be settling down and getting ready to buy a house and get married and stuff. And of course my dad thought I was insane because he thinks everything is a waste of money that isn't totally necessary. I started to really doubt whether I should go since so many people in my life thought it was a bad idea. I am so glad I didn't listen to them!!

re: your friend who made the comment about the remote control--I used to want to change my friends and acquaintances who felt that way. I wanted to tell them how amazing travel was and that they needed to go for it. I wanted to convert everyone!! But I've learned that some people just aren't interested...and that's ok. To each their own.

Hooray, for you, happy! Of course, I'm biased, but I think you've made a wonderful decision! Unfortunately, as others have have said here, some among your friends and family are just NOT going to get it.

Part of the problem is this: for those who've never traveled outside their own country, or their own culture, the world seems a threatening and scary place. They think the world is made up of leering, knife-wielding, bomb-carrying thieves and rapists on every corner. Tell them that the world is by far made up of sweet people with a long tradition of hospitality who'll go out of their way to help a stranger, and they won't believe you.

It's hard, but you'll probably have to carry on with your plans in the face of their "disdain", as you put it. Look for support and understanding wherever you can find it: HERE, for example.

I also found a lot of comfort and inspiration in reading books and stories by other women travelers when I was in your shoes.
This Rough Guide series has some great stories.

I also liked Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman, who didn't travel alone until she was in her 60's -- and is still out there doing it!

Of course, there is an ever-growing body of these books, so you can find many, many others.

Traveling alone as a woman can be a challenge in certain places, but it's meeting that challenge that is part of the thrill of travel for me. It has increased my self-respect immensely. Also, I think traveling alone makes you more open to experiences, and more approachable. You'll be amazed at the connections you make.

Best of luck -- and don't let the nay-sayers get you down.

quote:

There was one good pal of mine who said "for what?! travel around the world? I can do that at home. With my remote control."

You know what? I bet that friend of yours would travel around the world if they even considered for one minute all the exciting and amazing experiences that are possible on such a trip.

If he/she could only see past their damn cathode ray tube, they'd realise what you're beginning to discover for yourself.....

HI IM TRAVIS....
FIRSTLY,IM OFF RTW ON 1ST MAY, ITS SO NICE TO SEE OTHER GUYS OUT THERE, WHO ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT AS ME....A LOT OF FRIENDS NOT BEING THAT POSITIVE AND DONT REALLY SEE THE POINT OF IT ALL!
LUCKILY, MY MUM AND SISTERS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF ME, BUT MY LITTLE SISTERS DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF IT ALL!
APART FROM THE USUAL WORRIES, I HAVE THE ADDITIONAL FEAR OF MY NANS HEALTH, AS IT HAS VERY SLOWLY BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND OF 51 YRS, SHE WANTS ME TO GO SAYING IT WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO DO.
IF IM AWAY AND THE WORST HAPPENED, WOULD I BE COVERED ON INSURANCE TO FLY BACK, THEN AFTERWARDS CARRY ON MY TRIP?
ANY HELP ON THIS WOULD BE GREAT!!

I seriously doubt you would be covered on your insurance to fly back to be honest, not 100% on this but I would be surprised if they did cover you for such eventualities.

that is quite a predicament though, and not sure how it would affect me.

if, heaven forbid, the worst did happen then i'm sure you will be able to get a cheap enough flight back home and continue your travels when you feel ready.

best of luck

I'm sorry to hear you've been getting negative responses, but you are doing the right thing - for you!
I must say, I'm taking my son out of school and will be travelling with him for eight months and I have had nothing but a positive reaction when I expected all hell to break loose.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.

that's not entirely true now is it 40s'thing!!!

after heated discussion though i was won over....much like the doubters you're having at the moment will be when they realise that you are going to do it, nothing they say can make you change your mind, and they will realise that this is what you want to do, for you and your own happiness.

Ha Ha! You're right Ian, I forgot about YOU!!!

quote:

Originally posted by fortysomething:
Ha Ha! You're right Ian, I forgot about YOU!!!

ha ha....and if i've learned one thing from 40s it's 'don't let the bastards win'

seriously though...you're always going to get doubters and negative comments no matter what you do, everyone sees things totally different from yourself....even on an open minded environment such as BnA

Thanx all, I'm getting psyched day by day, even though planned trip might/will take place at least 2 years from now. Just yesterday I got one neutral response from a colleague I gushed too. Perhaps I'll get an enthusiastic 'omg i'm so happy for u' kind of response some day soon! If that doesn't happen, fuck it, I'm still goin'!

What a fantastic discussion.

I have 5 days to go till I hit the road for my 1 year RTW and I am not looking back. I CAN'T WAIT to get started.

I'm doing this by myself and can't wait to come across the many people and cultures I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do so if I had of stayed back here and worked... the thought of working atm is the furtherest thing from my mind. I've been on holidays for 2 weeks now and am LOVING IT!

In terms of budget, yeh, it is expensive - two thirds of my trip is coming out of a managed fund that I've had for about 5 years. Luckily, the australian share market has done ok.

Anyway, I'd be interested to chat privately if interested.
Shane.

My family is well trained! I started traveling by studying abroad when I was 20 and ever since then I have traveled by myself. My mom worries but she doesn't let me know, I just find out when I get back.

Unfortunately you will always have people giving negative comments. My first time away I lost most of my friends, they blamed me for leaving and thought I was being selfish. Some people aren't interested in travel and some are jealous. As long as you don't count on them for support you'll be okay. On that same note, don't count on them to be excited about your trip when you get back. Most people will not want to hear stories or see photos. It's unbelievable!

If you need a little boost or examples of women traveling on their own you can take a peek at my blog. I've been to Europe, Turkey, and Peru alone before my RTW trip. Last year I spent 6.5 month alone in Asia... I also ran into a few girls from Singapore and Malaysia traveling alone. They talked about how frowned upon it is in their societies--especially for females. Just be brave and go for it!

I don't think we should expect friends/family to be that excited about it. I mean, I would be sad if my own mother blew it off but I know that if one of my friends came up to me and told me this exciting news that he was going to some concert of his favorite band and it was the happiest day of his life, I would be mildy happy for him but then move on. So I can't expect other people to care about something I care about so deeply. It isn't fair. Sometimes we get selfish I think and feel the need for validation of what we are doing.

I sometimes feel guilty talking about it to people because it can quickly turn into bragging more than anything.

Hi all. Happyhormones I feel your pain. After I got back from my last shot to europe last summer, I immediately started planning the next. After about two months I decided on location (circumnavigate the mediterranean)- duration (9 months, cost (12K) and specific stops (Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Croatia). I blabbed this out one night around some people and they weren't very receptive. I guess they thought I was just in a Guinness moment and was just spewing. I held off saying anything more, bought a one way to Paris (gotta get my coffee and wine fix), and then last week said the tic is paid for and I'll be leaving at the end of may... More blank stares.... What's wrong with people? Not that I'm seeking any reassurance or anything, but for chrissakes, not even a "Oh that sounds fun, what are you going to do?" Nothing. I suppose I'll just keep my mouth shut and then do the disappearing act in May. It may be the island mentality (you live in paradise, why go anywhere but Vegas?), or concern (doubtful), or denial (he won't really go), but it's all very disconcerting to me. I never feel alone in a new country with new people and new places, but right now I feel alone... How's that? Thanks everyone, all you BnA people keep us lonely wanderers on track...

One cannot expect others to appreciate travelling around the world on a tight budget. Ok, if you just retired from your big job, and are embarking on a year long junket, people will say WOW!. If you are leaving the work world, mostly they'll wonder what in the world has possessed you to leave the career track, as if that is the only track to be on.

The other thought in their heads will be:
"What can he expect to learn popping all over the place! I know what the world is like already"

You know what? YOu can't defeat that. What you can do is answer curtly when asked where you went. My standard response now is

"Oh, I did a few countries on each continent, nothing special"

That seems to set off fewer alarms, and intimate you're used to such things and might do it again, if necessary. It also intimates you're a little tired of it, and will stay in your current life for a while.

There is another factor at work here you must be aware of. Why should people bother to establish long term relations with someone that might be gone off to some distant place in a few months?

I'm sorry to hear so many people experienced such negative reactions from so many friends and family. When I e-mailed my friends to give them my itinerary, the response largely was, "Where can I meet you?"

quote:

Originally posted by Venice22:
I'm sorry to hear so many people experienced such negative reactions from so many friends and family. When I e-mailed my friends to give them my itinerary, the response largely was, "Where can I meet you?"

Do you mean friends and family from the places you will be going or from home?