I have found that people are skeptical about whether the RTW that my best friend and I have planned will actually happen until we tell them that we've got the plane tickets. That shuts them up.

I've never been ridiculed - but my entourage did think I was insane when I announced I was going RTW at 43... Especially since I had a great (read hard-to-get) job, a stable life, everything most people wanted. But I couldn't shed the nomadic me and had to go.

I found most of the reactions fell into two camps: fear and envy. Fear came from those who genuinely cared about me - my family and close friends. On my own? A woman, backpacking, staying in hostels, at 43? What they neglected to remember is that I'd been traveling solo for a loooong time - but this time it entailed quitting jobs and shedding dwellings and things - serious stuff. The others felt envy, and they were the ones who kept finding reasons why this wouldn't work (I'd come running back tail between legs, I'd run out of money, never find another job again, I'd get sick/mugged/robbed/lost/kidnapped/dead). Sure, anything's possible, even at home. And there are ways to deal with the nay-sayers.

I left for six months and ended up staying away for three years. And I met people of all ages, for those who might worry about time passing by... in one dorm in Durban, I shared a room with an 80-year-old man (and six other, younger backpackers).

A last word - packing up and taking off is the number one absolute BEST thing I ever did for myself. I did find another job when I returned - a better one. Everything in my life fell back into place - eventually better than I'd left it. More important, I was a changed person - more confident, tolerant, patient, energetic, accepting, adaptable, grateful... you name it. And my little finger tells me someday I might just be in the right mood to do it all over again. Perhaps at 80. Perhaps later!

So I've discovered something lately- for those of you who think you got ridiculed a lot for your first rtw, don't for a moment think it holds peanuts to reactions people give you if you even hint at wanting to do it again! Because apparently those reasons against it before are really, really important now. Or it's just post-travel slump. Or I'm not facing something or another that I should be facing.

Y'know, some people could hide their jealousy a little better.

Building upon this question initial thread — how do you come to terms with the ridicule you received, especially when it's coming at you in full force from all sides?

Since I started planning this trip (I'm leaving in January), no one really believed me. Finally I had a nice, long chat with my parents who suggested I cut out a continent. So I did. Now it's about cutting the length of time (six months). My mom thinks it's selfish, dumb, unreasonable and unnecessary. Part of it has to do with the fact that she's never left New York and I think part is that I'm her oldest and other than college I've never left home. My dad's a bit more supportive — he's OK with the length of time, but set some "ground rules" for when I come home.

Mom's resorted to either shouting matches or not speaking me, while throwing in snide remarks about packing up my things and kicking me out while I'm gone, or was wishing I left already so she wouldn't have to think about it.

I'm 22, graduated a reputable college in three years, live at home and worked for a year and was laid off from a reporter job at a newspaper — which led me to the revelation that I DON'T want a 9-5 desk job, a serious relationship or to stay in one place and do the conventional American treadmill ride, at least NOT YET. I have an open mind and an affinity for language and culture and writing. I want to see and do and expand my horizons outside of the great U.S. bubble. There's a whole world out there and I just can't seem to make my parents (more mom) understand.

I finally booked the first flight to Bangkok for Jan. 7 (Southeast Asia to Israel to Europe), but I have a lot of guilt and second thoughts because I don't want to end up totally alienating myself from my mom for the rest of my life — not even for the months before I leave. How do I reconcile her feelings with mine and just make her understand, even just a little bit?

My mom wasn't as bad as yours but definitely not happy- and don't think she ever stopped worrying/ not totally approving the whole way, but there's only so much they can tell you when you're on another continent. I suppose one idea regarding your mom could be to say you'll be open-minded about coming back if the trip isn't your cup of tea as it's a nice vague sort of thing to say which might placate her but doesn't peg you in at all.

I mean hopefully your mom is a reasonable person and just doesn't vent well the worries of having her baby travel in a (what I'm assuming she thinks is) unsafe world. (Was the reaction similar when you left for college or would she say similar things if you took a job in another state? In that case it might just be empty nest syndrome.) Give her reading material for places on your route maybe, and ask her if there's something you can do while you're on the road to make her feel more comfortable about you being away, such as keeping a travel blog, and be sure to keep in contact with home regularly for the first few weeks of your trip when you get going.

Other than that good luck as I know this isn't the easiest- the important thing is to remember you're an adult now and there's no reason to allow your parents into bullying you about dreams you'd regret not following through on later in life.

Many people thought we were nuts when we sold our dream home in 2005 and took off on an open ended world tour as a family in 2006! Funny thing is, now those same people think we are brilliant & psychic! Ha! timing is everything.

Now, 4 years into our nonstop travel, 4 continents,30 countries, over 160,000 miles (most overland) later, we have never been happier & have no plans on stopping and it has been the best possible education for our child!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn9rDTZj-m4

Reminds me of that famous saying...

"Those who say it can't be done are usually interrupted by others doing it"

Keep that in mind the next time someone laughs & follow your bliss!

When me and my husband of 4 years told our friends and family that we were selling our house and using the proceeds to take a year out, people couldn't believe it. Maybe I should have done it when I was younger, but at least I can take a debt free, guilt free career break before we get tied down with kids etc, and I know I will be happier when I do decide to settle down. The question is not 'why are you doing a RTW trip', but 'why not?'

Yes! Most of my family and friends think that going around the world is a fantastic opportunity. In fact, more often than not they are envious. However, there are quite a few who think I am being childish and irresponsible by spending my hard-earned cash for a trip. By all means, I don't feel guilty about it whatsoever. I just get a little upset when they tell me I should be saving to by a house so that I can have kids - like it's one big rat race.

I revealed my plan to my mother last weekend and she was totally against it. Even went as far as suggesting I don't come back at all.

I think in the US people dont understand how accessible the rest of the world is, so when I tell others I am leaving they are mostly confused. Their eyes gloss over as I explain the details and they dont have much to say. Most people wouldn't know where to start to get a trip like this underway.
Others resent that I have chosen a lifestyle that I love. Apparently we are supposed to work for 30 years at one corporation, get our gold watch and retire?

I think ridiculed is a bit of a harsh word, but I would say people definitely dont understand. I have never felt more at home when I was traveling.

Having lived in Wisconsin and now florida and no one really "gets it". Does anyone live in a US city where this lifestyle is accepted? If so where is it?

travel droppings wrote:Others (my dad) resent that I have chosen a lifestyle that I love. Apparently we are supposed to work for 30 years at one corporation, get our gold watch and retire?

....

Having lived in Wisconsin and now florida and no one really "gets it". Does anyone live in a US city where this lifestyle is accepted? If so where is it?

I feel you. If you know where this magical U.S. city is where people are accepted for having a sense of culture and the realization that there is an ENTIRE WORLD outside of the United States, please let me know!

Countdown to Jan. 7 can't end soon enough...

most people, after ive told them how much im likely to spend on my year away, shout 'THATS THE PRICE OF A DEPOSIT ON A HOUSE.'

And to that i usually reply 'I'm only 23. I dont want a house just yet.'

And then i get back 'But you're getting old. You should be wiser with your money.'

OLD?