Help!! I started a long term overland trip about 4 months ago, travelling through Tajikistan and down into Pakistan. Now these places blew my mind and I consider them some of my favourite places to travel.

The problem is it seems that every country I've visited since then is completely unable to keep my interest for more than a week before I get bored and move on. I've already skipped through Iran and Armenia, and feel like I am about to do the same with Georgia.

I'm not even comparing these countries to Pakistan, but I seem to think that had I visited them before Pakistan, or on seperate short term trips, they would certainly have amazed me but now I feel just jaded and unimpressed.

Has anybody experienced similar feelings, and what have you done to get back into the spirit of travel, apart from returning home to wait for the bug to bite again?

Well, why did you enjoy Pakistan and Tajikistan so much? What was it about these places that "blew your mind"? This is certainly not a very pleasant situation to be in. Maybe you need to make more of an effort. Seek out activities that you like even when at home, take some language classes or pottery making classes. Maybe meet up with travelers from your own country to give you a break. Are you feeling homesick or just unimpressed? This is a distressing situation to be in.

I am reminded of "Travels with Charley" by Steinbeck, he mentions towards the end of the book that the journey had left him, it was over, he couldn't get back to his home in NY fast enough. I don't want to say that's what is happening to you, but maybe a possibility? But don't give up, I would say keep moving.

I will term this problem the "Embarrassment of Choices Syndrome" Or ECS. The problem is similar to what happened when there became one million channels to watch on tv. With all those options in front of you, your criteria for what is interesting has become more stringent. All of a sudden, a fairly contented afternoon is not good enough, you need fricking jugglers and tumblers following you around all the time just to be entertained. I have been on the road approaching a year and have felt that.

Bad news, there is no known cure for ECS. ONe place or another, you just have to stick it out and try to push through the wall. Most places have the surface life that travellers see, and the real life underneath. Hang around a little longer and see what else there is down those streets you decided against.

Good Luck. Chip up.

D

1 - recharge your capacity for sense of wonder.

2 - go to a region of the world with a different CULTure.

3 - identify themes of travel.

...like I want to see as many sites sites related to ____________

Focusing and appreciated the finer details helps. The same thing happens to people in any field - not just travel. The seen it, done it mentality.

From what you say, I´ve been in your shoes more than a few times. As well as many people on here. Take time out, do some writing, try a new experience. (Like scuba diving, if you haven´t)

I am getting restless right now, and I am a recent transplant to Colombia (5 months now) and just came back a couple months ago from a 2 month jaunt to Brazil, Peru, and Chile. Not jaded - I like it here a lot and experiencing new things, but I need to go to someplace more different. Unfortunately, I have nothing like this planned until August 2008. But, then, my story is bit different than everyone else. Though going back to US for a few weeks in March 2008 might be a good shock to the system.

See the same things, with new eyes. Nuff´said. Buena suerte!

Party on!

I know that feeling, and it is a little worrying at first, but I don't really think it's a problem. As Piecar says, in situations like these we have so many options that it's hard to decide.

I think it's all about contrast. You go on the road to see new things, and the first major stop is 90% new to you, but making short jumps from there only reveals a few new things with each jump.

If you were able to hop down to a Greek island or a Red Sea resort area for a week or two, you'd be able to reset your newness meter a bit for when you go through Georgia.

But it might be a mistake to try to be a completist while traveling. For example, it's true that each of the 50 US States is a bit different, but I think attempting to spend enough time in each one of them to tell them apart would not be a good use of travel time and resources.

I see your problem. Pakistan is also way up top on my list. Solving the problem, as has been mentioned here, is going to be difficult. And especially on a 'long trip' you are forced to either a) abandon the initial plan and fly into a region you think you might like or b) stick with it and use the gained knowledge of preference for future trips.

The second option is basically what I regard as the value of an RTW: you figure out what regions/cultures appeal to you and which don't. So, in that sense you can go on, test the waters and then take it from there later. However, if it becomes increasingly 'boring' for you and you have a considerable amount of time left - well, then it probably might make sense to abandon the plan.

Basically I'm saying: I have no solution for you. You have to follow your gut instincts on this.