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I don't like traveling anymore

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Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#51

Post by brabel »

bluetomcat wrote: post #45
shubhamjain wrote: post #23

I’m not sure if it’s Covid or just entering my 30s, but both I and many of my friends have noticed a similar shift. We used to love the idea of traveling the world and meeting new people, and while we still do that to an extent, the excitement of backpacking around the globe and going to off-beat places isn't there anymore. However, it doesn’t bother me. The idea of constant travel can feel a bit forced, because West…

The idea of “traveling the world” when young is a very recent, very privileged and very Western perspective. Growing up in post-communist Bulgaria during the 1990s and 2000s, I had never been abroad with my family as a child. At an age of 18 years, I started working from home as a PHP programmer for a guy from Switzerland I found online. When he invited me to his place in Basel for a 2-week visit, to me it felt like…

I grew up in a "developing country". Our family travel was limited to around 200km radius. The first time I went somewhere with only a friend that was like 1,000km, I felt the same as you describe! It was like going to another planet. People had very different accents and liked different types of music, different food etc. In my 20's, though, I managed to migrate to a rich country and started meeting people from all over the world. I met people who spent 6 months in each country, more or less, and had been to like 20 countries in the last few years alone. These were not millionaires, they were young backpackers who did small jobs to pay for their travels. I did not even know that kind of thing was possible at the time. This changed my perspective and after a few years I started doing the same! Went everywhere I could, staying on backpacker hostels. Like many others are saying, it gets tiring after a while. Today, like top commenter, I prefer to stay at the Fours Seasons (or whatever 5-start hotel is available) and just get slightly off the beaten track... but I still want to talk to the locals and try to experience as much as possible the local culture as it is still illuminating to me.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#52

Post by brabel »

keiferski wrote: post #13

There’s a weird gap in the modern world when it comes to travel, which is traveling as a group / society. In the distant past it was very common for entire societies to be nomadic. You’d have both your friends and family + movement around the globe. On the other hand, the solo traveler is a recent phenomenon largely enabled by 20th century technology and political developments. I know there are programs which travel…

> On the other hand, the solo traveler is a recent phenomenon largely enabled by 20th century technology and political developments.

I think people like Marco Polo were not so uncommon for most of history.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#53

Post by nicbou »

Every year, I go on a long winter solo trip. Some trips were incredible, and others felt exactly like what you describe.

The main reason is that I'm leaving a rich home life and quickly miss my people and the things we do together. Every other night a new place and a new hotel room, and a meal alone in a crowd. It feels weird to leave home specifically to get so uncomfortable. The opportunity cost grows, because my roots grow deeper every year.

I'm currently on one of these trips. The last ones felt exactly like what you described, so for this one, I went back to the drawing board.

This time, I dotted the solo journey with people I know. I meet with friends in different places every 7-10 days.

I also slowed waaaay down. This is a motorcycle trip, but I only average 100 km per day. I now have time to linger in cafés. I can read, sketch, or just work for a few hours. I can take the slow, twisty roads across national parks and avoid highways completely. The ride is shorter so I arrive refreshed.

It worked. This is one of the best trip I've taken in years. Above all, it's the first motorcycle trip I consider successful since 2019.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#55

Post by throwaway290 »

SwtCyber wrote: post #35
keiferski wrote: post #13

There’s a weird gap in the modern world when it comes to travel, which is traveling as a group / society. In the distant past it was very common for entire societies to be nomadic. You’d have both your friends and family + movement around the globe. On the other hand, the solo traveler is a recent phenomenon largely enabled by 20th century technology and political developments. I know there are programs which travel…

The idea of "smooth space" being gone is kinda haunting. Everything's mapped, monetized, reviewed on TripAdvisor. There's very little true unknown left to stumble into

According to the authors of the idea capitalism and globalization actually create smooth space. I don't fully get that part to be honest

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#56

Post by keiferski »

brabel wrote: post #52
keiferski wrote: post #13

There’s a weird gap in the modern world when it comes to travel, which is traveling as a group / society. In the distant past it was very common for entire societies to be nomadic. You’d have both your friends and family + movement around the globe. On the other hand, the solo traveler is a recent phenomenon largely enabled by 20th century technology and political developments. I know there are programs which travel…

> On the other hand, the solo traveler is a recent phenomenon largely enabled by 20th century technology and political developments. I think people like Marco Polo were not so uncommon for most of history.

Marco Polo was uncommon, which is why we remember him today. He also didn’t go entirely alone, and spent years traveling to places that can be reached in hours today. Not the same thing.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#57

Post by taurath »

There’s this sort of malaise that took over when Bourdain died which burst the idea that travel was in some way healing or reparative. It can be, but it can also widen the gap between you and the world.

For me what I got out of travel was just being able to experience the “normalcy” of other countries, peoples, cultures. There was this romantic notion that I’d learn something really important about humanity or my place on the earth - all those thoughts in some way seem to exist on a more “conceptual” emotional depth, where you are experiencing and touring, rather than participating. Staying places allows more time for depth than going with the idea that you’ll be moving on.

The whole “digital nomad” trend, while like in a way laudable as a truly neat that it’s possible effect of globalization, still carries a sort of colonial, exchange-rate-maxxing exploitative vibe. It’s playing rich, in a way.

Still, it’s a big world, and it’s good if you can to experience some of it.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#58

Post by nakedneuron »

Author mentions traveling means making 'much' money. I understand then why it might become a chore.

Also, some in their 30ies develop the urge to found a family and settle down.

Offtopic as it's not from the linked blog post, but this had me laughing:

> Today was my first day at this stealth startup. The boss (CEO) is a dick, but we’re building great stuff. The physical entertainment/tourism industry is a huge market, and it’s very possible that we’re going to be the next Disneyworld.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#59

Post by wodenokoto »

pj_mukh wrote: post #9

After 35, you don't like traveling but boy do you like 'Vacationing'. Author is right, after you travel (and slum it a bit) you realize that after surface level cultural/food/history differences everyone kinda/sorta wants similar things in life and while people's life stories are interesting, you start noticing patterns. OTOH, (Caveat:I don't have enough money for this) there is nothing that recharges you more than f…

Having just been on safari staying mostly at 4 and 5 star places, I gotta admit that the one night out at a local pub still has its place when traveling.

Re: I don't like traveling anymore

#60

Post by mavidser »

EVa5I7bHFq9mnYK wrote: post #22
pj_mukh wrote: post #9

After 35, you don't like traveling but boy do you like 'Vacationing'. Author is right, after you travel (and slum it a bit) you realize that after surface level cultural/food/history differences everyone kinda/sorta wants similar things in life and while people's life stories are interesting, you start noticing patterns. OTOH, (Caveat:I don't have enough money for this) there is nothing that recharges you more than f…

The author needs to build furniture to pay for their food and stay. What Four Seasons.

Haha that's fair. Though I wouldn't say I need to, but I like to. These are the few times I get to work with my hands, and having some accountability of an exchange helps with consistency and discipline. But YMMV of course.
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