BootsnAll Travel Community

My very first "trip" was actually a move from the midwest to Germany to live for 3 years. I was moving with my then husband who was in the military. I had no clue what to expect, where we would live, what the culture was like, anything about the military. And still I didn't give it a second thought.

We travelled throughout Europe much the same way....not really knowing much about where we were going or how to get around......didn't even think about it.

Now, almost 30 years later, I started out thinking I was going to go on a RTW trip. The planning process became so overwhelming to me that I have now settled on a 4 month trip with the option to extend. Granted, my life today is more complicated than when I was younger, but I recognize that I have changed.....for better or worse. I want to know more about what to expect. I need to have things more planned. Not that I can't roll with the punches but I like to have plan A, B and C thought out.

How has time changed how you travel?

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How has time changed how you travel?

This is an interesting question.

I find that I don't want to travel alone anymore, I'd really rather have a companion. Good thing I picked up that Euro-husband on the way. I really want someone at my side at the end of the day to talk to about, oh, that crazy thing that happened this morning, or did you see that thing over there...

Economically, things are certainly different. I used to forgo experiences that cost money if it would extend the distance I could travel. Now I don't make an endurance test out of it. I travel as long as I can afford to, and then I go back to work. I know it's not the last time I'll be "out there" so there's not the frenetic need to accomplish - what? Miles? Countries notched off the list? Anything, really. I travel much more for the enjoyment and not for the sense of accomplishment.

Now that I say that, jeez, what was that about? Travel as endurance? No thank you.

Pam

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I need to have things more planned. Not that I can't roll with the punches but I like to have plan A, B and C thought out.

I know that for me, and many people I know, the more I travel the less I need the drawn out plans. Improv because it's much easier and less worrisome.

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Originally posted by scubamama:
How has time changed how you travel?

Interesting question!

For one thing, time has changed the way I decide what to do when I travel. I think I've gotten better at deciding what I really want to experience and what to give a pass on. I've gotten more comfortable about changing my plans on the fly. I've mastered the one day trip and gotten hella good at what I call "workpacking" - tacking an old school trek onto the end of a trip that HMC pays for.

I've become less interested in destinations and more interested in localities. I don't travel at a steady pace anymore - I spend more time in some places and less in others. I've gotten more interested in local life and languages. I party less often, but harder when I do. I spend more time talking to kids and old people instead of people my age.

I have no idea what any of that means...but it was fun to reflect.

La

"How has time changed how you travel?" is a great question!

My answer includes a lot of the same thoughts La Rosser just mentioned.

-I'm much more in tune with my own genuine desires.
-I'm more discriminating and much better at discerning where I want to go, and importantly, where I don't want to go.
-I'm much less into "sight-bagging" (though I still enjoy and do include some, depending on the destination)
-I'm much more interested in day-to-day local life
-I'm perfectly happy, and prefer, traveling alone whereas when I was younger, wanted more fun and comradery.
-I plan much less, though I still set out with a general outline of a trip, then change it on the fly if I feel like it.
-I recognize I'm often happiest when I stay in one place for longer than I expected, even if it means missing out on other parts of a country. Maybe I see less, maybe I see more...
-I'm significantly more open to serendipity and new experiences, and consciously devote time for "do-nothing" days just to see what comes my way.
-My eyes are more widely open to small details.

Great question.

I now travel with my partner and my child so have to consider what they might like to do.
Eat nicer food but drink far less.
Still interested in meeting locals rather than other travellers.
Go fishing instead of nightclubing.
Stay clear of danger rather than jump straight in.
Drive instead of catching buses and trains.
Spend more money.

How has time changed how you travel???? Well, in 1979 & 1980 my main form of traveling was hitchiking (by myself, and I am a female)all over the US. Thank gawd I've moved up to airplanes...HA!

Fabulous question...

I wish I could say I pack lighter - and overall, I guess I do, but I still don't pack light enough. Mostly, I'm much less worried about traveling the "right" way or being concerned that I'm seeing the "right" things/cities (according to who? I dunno). Travel is such an individual thing, nearly like a fingerprint, so what's "right" for one person can't possibly be perfect for everyone. It's been pretty liberating to realize that.

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Originally posted by scubamama:

How has time changed how you travel?

I absolutely refuse to sleep on the ground ever again. No more snakes and rocks and bugs and critters, and rolling downhill all night in a wet clammy sleeping bag. No. Nyet. Not.

I also like not being desperately broke as we were in the backpacking days. It's a nice thing to have a few bucks in your pocket for lunch.

Travis's post was excellent, but I'd probably add:

- I'm less interested in what's in my bag. I find knowing what I need and what I don't to be much more intuitive.

- I'm less averse to running into fellow Americans/Westerners. The actions of others don't really impede on my enjoyment anymore.

- I don't sweat communication. I can learn your language.

- I can better garner whether or not a person's behavior is culturally acceptable or not. I'm not averse to punching a local schmuck in the face if need be.

- I tend to avoid long train rides, unless we're going through pleasant country.

- I don't try explaining trips to family and friends, but I'm better about checking in.

- I genuinely like you until you give me a strong reason not to.

- The weather doesn't make me grumpy.

- I've grown to like Nutella.

Stage One: On my first trip abroad, in 1989, on my way to Yugoslavia, I was giddy and nervous. I packed way too much, and not enough of the right things. I quickly found out that I was not as cosmoplitain as I had led myself to believe.

Stage Two: Quick to put on my traveling shoes (or boots as the case may be), eager to sleep on a floor or fall asleep on a bridge, had no problem making a grocery store meal of a sausage stick, some crackers and cheese, thought that I wanted to see the best sights, but learned that I really wanted to sit and have shots and break bread with the factory worker at his local bar, mindless of the fact that we didn't speak each other's language.

Stage Three: Still don't mind inconveniences of small rooms and crappy breakfasts, still half packed and ready to go to the airport, but mindful that I have to take a long a few diapers and help my kids carry their bags; enjoy sitting at a cafe with my book in on hand and my kids beside me; don't mind missing a cool pub so that my daughter can play on the slide a little longer. I still go, but I go slower. My eyes are on my kids more than on city lights. I get to see the world through their eyes.

All is good.

In direct response to the original question here, I would say you should take the time to learn about each country you think you may visit. I reflect on this a lot too. I research every tidbit before going to a destination now, where before I didn't even realize how ignorant I was about where I was traveling.

I am preparing for a RTW trip and have decided to make my own travel guide from various sources. I'm taking hostel/hotel suggestions from different boards and recommendations and cultural differences that might offend in some places. I'm also noting where you tip, barter etc. Also its good to know where things will not run on schedule or are not dependable. I remember living in Australia and thinking - I never really thought that the "no worries" philosophy stretched this far - as I waited for a bus that was over 20 minutes late on my way to work. If you know in advance that a culture is layed back (or under-efficient in some other way) then you feel much less stressed since you planned for it.

Beautiful post, Heather.

I just know that (as my late Sicilian grandmother would say)...

Yougottadagoudahaht.



Highcountry

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The planning process became so overwhelming [.....] I need to have things more planned.

It seems I haven't changed much since 60/70s when I hitch-hiked around Poland.
I buy a flight ticket and I know what interests me. No bookings, nothing beforehand.

There are a couple of things that are different now (apart from the destinations that have become more remote) - I can easily access money from ATM, and all kind of information on internet.