Responses... - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

nuker · 08-21-2007, 05:53 PM

I've only done a few relatively small trips to Europe a couple times and around the states some but what I am wondering is what kind of responses have you gotten when you told someone where you would travel, be it far out of the way.

Like, It just seems some of the people I have tried to explain where I want to go, at this time central america and/or south america, have looked at me like "are you serious?" I have just had so many less than optomistic replies it's starting to get to me.

Personally, the one thing I want to do above anything else is travel and see exactly what I havent seen, I'm almost 21 now and the thought of some routine career is right on top of my list of things I do not want

**millmuff** · 08-21-2007, 06:36 PM

Well if your looking for people to tell you the opposite then your in the right place!

First off it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks...if you want to do it then do it. Don't change your mind because of friends, family, or especially a career.

The main thing I think you'll find though is that you'll never talk to someone who has travelled extensively or backpacked that will question why you would go. the only people that will question are the ones who never had the balls to do it.

This forum is a great way to meet like minded people. Get their advice, share knowledge, and don't forget what you want.

**c0urt** · 08-21-2007, 07:30 PM

+1

you have to do what you want to do,

this is not the place to come for advice if you need you hand held or if you want to travel with a big group of people, those have their place in the world and all. but ultimately most of the people here who have stuck around are the types who feel the need to break the mold and get away from cookie cutter package deals and do their own thing.

look down in the travel stories section and you will get a feel of what i am talking about.

**Elizabeth** · 08-21-2007, 07:40 PM

Just go. Where do you live? I live in a small town (not from here though thank God) and people do not understand travel. They think you need to be rich, that venturing out of our grand USA is unsafe and unpatriotic, and life revolves around this small town.

Now is the time cause tomorrow could be your last day.

**marc873** · 08-21-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizz

Just go. Where do you live? I live in a small town (not from here though thank God) and people do not understand travel. They think you need to be rich, that venturing out of our grand USA is unsafe and unpatriotic, and life revolves around this small town.

.

Hey, I know those people, they annoy the shit out of me

**MeTurk** · 08-22-2007, 05:32 AM

I find that so hard to believe. You never get that reaction in Ireland, I suppose thats why everywhere you go in the world you always run into Irish or 2nd generation Irish. You'd only get that reaction here if you said you where going to Iraq or somewhere well known to be unstable. Otherwise it's "Isn't it well for some"

**simply_angelic** · 08-22-2007, 05:54 AM

Most people are really supportive and say things like "wow, I'm so jealous" or "that'll be a really amazing experience"...others tell me that I'm brave or alltogether crazy to want to go somewhere like South Africa. But whatever, that just makes me want to go more: to broaden my mind & experience things I would never experience here.

**DC_Jessica** · 08-22-2007, 06:44 AM

Honestly, it only took a time or two for people to "get used" to the idea of me getting weirdo travel ideas. Now, I think I get a little more shock if I'm not planning something. Actually, the next big trip for me is Arizona, and people are like, "why?" I've just been saying that I hear there's this really understated hole in the ground that I've heard about and thought I might as well go and see.

My mom is the only one who refuses to adjust. I say, keep it off the wall entirely. If I tell my friends honestly that I'm nervous about something or know it's a big deal, then they get nervous and think I'm crazy. I make it clear that I'm 100% ridiculous, all the time, and I get no hassles. For instance, it's true and I still insist that the impetus behind my Malaysia trip was a flight deal. Just get a ridiculous (possibly true) reason, and stick to it. Shock 'em once or twice, and they'll leave you alone after that!

**lilwings** · 08-22-2007, 06:57 AM

You've come to the right place! You gotta do the things in life that make you happy. If no one else really understands you in the place that you live right now, don't worry about it! There are plenty of people around here who totally understand the concept of wanderlust.

Just remember, don't limit your ideas about 'travel' only being outside the borders of this country. You can see some pretty amazing things here in the US.

**c0urt** · 08-22-2007, 11:11 AM

actually, it is funny, people tell you not to go,

but when you get back everyone tells you how jealous they are are, and how they always wanted to do it.

**pinknic38** · 08-22-2007, 03:02 PM

shoot I grew up in a ass-backwards place where many of the older residents have never even ventured outside the county. not country, mind you. COUNTY. some people just don't get it.

but you are at the right place if you want a large group of people to support your travels!

**LostFarmboy** · 08-22-2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeTurk

I find that so hard to believe. You never get that reaction in Ireland, I suppose thats why everywhere you go in the world you always run into Irish or 2nd generation Irish. You'd only get that reaction here if you said you where going to Iraq or somewhere well known to be unstable. Otherwise it's "Isn't it well for some"

Ditto for Australia. My motives for travel have never really been questioned, and I've grown up in a small country town and am from a family of farmers who have all lived in the same town for generations.

**patchouli Lover** · 08-22-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuker

....and the thought of some routine career is right on top of my list of things I do not want

Bravo! I feel the same way. Sitting in a office day after day would kill me.

You know I find that when I tell people about where I want to go their reactions depend on where I'm going and whether or not I'm going alone. If I say I'm going to a westernized country they get all excited but when I tell people that I plan to spend some time in the Middle East they are so CLOSED MINDED!!!! I hear all the time "Oh don't go there you'll get blown up" or "Why would you want to go there?"

I get really tired of these remarks. I've just gotten to the point where I shrug my shoulders and to each his own. If I'm really defensive I start telling them stuff they don't usually know. Most people get there info from the media which leaves a bias opinion of the ME.

The only worst reaction I get than that is when I tell people I'm going to go alone *gasps*. I'm woman why would I even think of doing that? Man people can be closed minded.

**aliz** · 08-23-2007, 01:57 AM

no one here really questions people travelling (especially in sydney) but my old friends from school are always like "you're so luckyyyy" or "thats so not fair, you go overseas all the time i've never been anywhere" or something equally whingey. that really annoys me cause it's like they think the airlines just go 'ummmm who shall we give our free tickets to this month... ali always likes a trip, we'll pick her to go to europe". I actually work to save up for where i want to go and travelling isn't nearly as expensive as most people think. also a lot of my friends have no idea how to manage their money.

**pinknic38** · 08-23-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliz

that really annoys me cause it's like they think the airlines just go 'ummmm who shall we give our free tickets to this month... ali always likes a trip, we'll pick her to go to europe".

I know isn't that irritating!? Everyone I know is like that because when I meet new people I mention that I travel and they automatically assume you have assloads of money and I'm like, uh yeah right. By scouring the internet and mainly TP, I have learned there are places you can stay for a dollar a night! So the ability to travel doesn't lie in having a lot of money, it lies in being resourceful.

and if you don't know what it means to be resourceful, check out this thread and the resourcefulness of one of my college friends!

**DC_Jessica** · 08-23-2007, 02:47 PM

I agree!! Traveling is definitely a choice, and a hard-earned right, not a random freebie. During grad school, the more credits I took the less paycheck I took home - my income taxes actually inflated my earnings by over $15k because of the tuition remission, but I STILL traveled. Nobody really associates my lack of more decent clothes (I mean, I don't look like a hobo, but I'm not really "dressing for the job I want" at the mo') with the fact that I travel. But Aliz, if you do get that phone call, and maybe you are busy that week they want to give you the free plane tickets, give em MY number! Not too many people get to make a living doing this, so it's the same choice as "how many nights do I want to eat out or get wasted" vs. "ummm, if I learn how to cook some sweet potatoes, I can save!!!"

**expatben** · 08-23-2007, 04:15 PM

when it comes to traveling there are 2 basic types-those who understand and those who never will. Here, well we all understand. We understand the sacrifice and the work but we also understand the joys and why people want to do it. I always say traveling is the only thing I know how to do. I cannot live in an office type environment either and trust me I have tried.
Nowadays the people I know tend to accept then I am quirky and will want to travel to places like India and Africa although my Mom would rather drop dead then go herself. As I say man 2 types of people...

Echeverry · 08-23-2007, 08:00 PM

Or crazy are the names people tend to call me after telling them my adventures or the next trips I have in mind. Then again I have crazy stories and a couple of Tpunks can tell you. Anyhow do your trips enjoy life and do what you really heart.