Was on a date with a girl yesterday and told her I had planned on going on a gap-year RTW backpacking trip and she laughed at it, calling it unrealistic. I didn't take offense to it because I know it's not for everyone (she's not much of a spontaneous risk taker type)

But has anyone ridiculed your plans when you revealed them?

Was on a date with a girl yesterday and told her I had planned on going on a gap-year RTW backpacking trip and she laughed at it, calling it unrealistic.

Don't know that I've gotten quite that response, but I have heard the term "unrealistic" before. Which seems odd, because it's actually not that difficult of a thing to make a reality...much easier, in fact, than a lot of peoples' more conventional goals.

Nope - because its so common for Europeans to do rtw year - in fact if you dont its weird!

I never got quite that response, but there were a few people who were mildly disapproving and who dismissed the idea as sort of frivolous. The (very predictable) irony of course, is that I probably spent less during that year abroad than they did sitting at home buying useless crap...

I've definitely been called unrealistic. And I get lots of questions about what I'm going to do when I get back. You know, when I'm going to start my real, grown up life. But like you said, its not for everyone, so I try not to get too upset about it anymore.

When I'm met with resistance to the idea of long-term travel, I usually attribute it to the fact that many people think of travel as escape.

And , I think that to someone who equates the idea of travel with that of escape, the prospect of long-term travel implies long-term dissatisfaction. This is implicit in the question, “Why a round-the-world (RTW) trip?”

What’s really being asked here is, “What’s so wrong that a two-week stint at a beachside all-inclusive can’t cure?” or “What are you running from?”

I get called selfish on a regular basis.

My dad also doesn't understand why I would spend the equivalent of a down payment for a house on travelling. I said, "Because the travelling is worth more to me than the house." I am often met with looks of confusion and bewilderment.

I get lots of "wows" and headshakes and wide eyes. It's excellent.

Can't wait to go. Feb 2010 I'm outta here.

I really don't get the buy a house thing. Maybe I will eventually, but why is there such an emphasis on the conventional life cycle? There's so much permanence once you own property. I don't desire permanence in any way shape or form.

I couldn't agree more with that. I sold my house a few years ago, pocketed the money, and couldn't be happier renting. It's one less loose end that I'll need to tie up when I eventually take off on RTW #2...

Yes I've heard the disapproval from family, friends, coworkers, etc. They're also the same people who are incredibly jealous when they see my travel pics. I'm leaving for Peace Corps in Africa soon and I've also gotten "the lecture" from many concerned family members (I'm asian-american) who think this is absolutely mad and can't understand why I'm not focusing on getting married. I take it with a grain of salt. Most people are concerned because they care about you and the others are haters so who cares?!

"He who jumps into the void, owes
no explanation to those who stand
and watch" - Jean Luc Godard

I just find it difficult to understand how anyone can be content staying in one place their entire life and not seeing anything outside of their hometown/country.

To me most of the all-inclusive type 2 week trips to Mexican/Cuban/Dominican resorts are just an extension of your life at home except for the fact that you get shit-faced everyday and deal with a hangover every morning and are surrounded by a bunch of Americans instead of a bunch of Canadians.

I find that the people who are recently married are the ones who are most likely to ridicule my plans, they believe that because they are married everyone else who isn't must be miserable and lonely and searching for something to fill the void in their pathetic lives...I just want to see the world, I'm not running from anything and I don't believe in following a set plan for how my life should unfold.

Sorry for the bitter reply, I'm just getting a little frustrated with people being so close minded

I've discussed the idea of a RTW trip with several people close to me, including my husband, mother and best lady friend.
My husband thinks the entire idea is insane. He loves the idea of coming home from work every day, living a "normal" life. The idea that he wouldn't have a routine, that he would have to change jobs, none of this is his idea of a good time.
My mother is jealous of the very idea. She's considering doing it when the last of my brothers move out, but she's also worried she will be too old by then. (She will be 49 by the time my youngest brother is 18)
My friend says that it sounds kinda fun, but not her thing. She prefers to stay home and party than travel.

In the end I doubt I'll ever go on a RTW trip. But who knows!

Hear, hear, Roscoe! And just wait until all your newly married friends start having kids and begin lecturing you on how your life can't possibly be complete without becoming a parent...

And, Landire, tell your mother that there are loads of people much older than 49 out there on RTW trips right this very moment. Hell, I turn 40 this year and I'd hate to think I'm that close to my "travel sell-by date"...

roscoe2009 wrote:I find that the people who are recently married are the ones who are most likely to ridicule my plans, they believe that because they are married everyone else who isn't must be miserable and lonely and searching for something to fill the void in their pathetic lives...I just want to see the world, I'm not running from anything and I don't believe in following a set plan for how my life should unfold.

While I agree with you, getting married and buying a house were what indirectly motivated my wife, Kathryn, and I, to consider a RTW trip! Sometimes the stark realization that you've just committed to be in the same spot for a very long time works like a cold splash of water to the face!

Wildcat1982 wrote:"He who jumps into the void, owes no explanation to those who stand and watch"—Jean Luc Godard

This is an amazing quote. I'm getting this put on a t-shirt. Anyway, thanks for getting the old gears moving with the original question, K2. As it the case with so many posts on BootsnAll, it inspired a post on our blog — "Why Go Round-The-World?". I usually restrain myself from pimping my blog, put this post was directly inspired by K2's original question. I also found it difficult to write.

In a nutshell:

Ultimately, we [my wife and I] came to the realization that our desire to travel long-term was motivated in part because its ethos aligned more closely with the goals of conservation, social justice and sustainable development that we sought—and are seeking—to apply to our own lives. Travelling long-term allowed us a means to live, to paraphrase Duane Elgin, in a manner that is outwardly simpler yet inwardly richer.

We're still such a long way off, but it's threads like these that sustain our interest and keep us going!

No offence intended to you or your wife Dan (I don't think you took it as such), you sound like you are a very open minded couple as a few of my married friends are.

As wildcat says people can't understand why he/she isn't focusing on getting married...how exactly do you focus on getting married? My understanding has always been that this is something that should come naturally and as I've said I don't believe in a set schedule for how my life should progress.

All in all my intention wasn't to ridicule married people or people with families as I hope to have both someday, it was intended more as commentary on the tunnel vision that a lot of people have about what constitutes "responsible" behaviour in adulthood.

I just recently turned 30 and through sound real estate investment (I purchased my house just before the market took off and am selling as it peaks) and hard work to establish myself in a good career I have been lucky enough to find myself in a situation where I can travel the world for a year or more without putting myself in a difficult position when I return.

How is that not responsible, adult behaviour?

roscoe2009 wrote:No offence intended to you or your wife Dan (I don't think you took it as such), you sound like you are a very open minded couple as a few of my married friends are.

No offence, at all — and your observation was taken as it was intended. We've known lots of people who are as wildcat described. Those closest to us, ie our family, are all very supportive and know where we're coming from. Before my wife and I were married, we travelled and lived abroad in Korea. We decided to take a job together and travel a bit a few short months after we started dating!

We're still considering the selling/renting/housesitting options. Luckily, we've got lots of time to plan!

The most responsible thing one can do is to take an interest in our plant. If that's expressed through travel, so be it!