Traveling Alone or Family Travel Whether you want to travel alone, or travel with the kids, parents, or granny, this forum is for you! |
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09-22-2006, 11:05 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Athens, GA
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I love traveling alone and I thought it was amazing. But I know a lot of people think it's dangerous or some bullshit like that. Here are some reasons why I think it's awesome:
- No one to tell you where to go or what to do.
- Less drama, seriously, if you're with someone every day for a month, you're going to get tired of them.
- You're more likely to hang out with strangers. People don't mind hanging out with one extra person, but two... not as likely.
- Get away with age restrictions better. At least I did. I was 17 and I was never carded until I spent a night hanging out with some other 17 and 18 yr olds. Than they decided we all looked too young.
- Cheaper. It will always be your friend to convince you to go to that expensive restaraunt.
- No one back home to remember all of those crazy things you did and will continuously remind you of them.
- You won't feel obligated to hang out with someone.
- It's always easier to squeeze in one more person (tours, trains, tables, reservations)
- You don't have to worry about losing that person.
Any others?
__________________
I've been to 25 countries! Ask me where!
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325
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09-22-2006, 11:59 AM
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#2
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Yoda
Join Date: Jan 2004
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-Because other people piss me off.
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09-22-2006, 02:43 PM
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#3
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Members
Join Date: Oct 2005
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you don't have to wait for someone else to get ready in the morning
__________________
come away, O human child!
to the waters and the wild
with a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full
of weeping then you
can understand
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09-22-2006, 03:12 PM
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#4
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Tpunk Senior Moderators
Join Date: May 2006
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Ok, so I have two angles on this. My wife and I travel a lot together, but last year, she went to the France, Italy and Spain with her moms and I just went to Italy. We met up for a day and then headed our own ways. I love traveling with her but I also love traveling alone. My time in Italy by myself was kinda therapeutic. I Island hopped off the coast of Napoli and toured Napoli. I got to meet tons of people in the Hostels I was staying in, but it was just cool to be able to make my own schedule. After 6 years together at that point, it was the first time we traveled seperately. As much as I would of liked for her to see and do all the stuff I did, it was def. nice to have some personal time in a foreign land to take it in at my pace. I also doubt that that will ever happen again, so in restrospect, it was def. nice to be alone and do things at my pace. Any other married Tpunkers will understand. I will say in her defense, that she is a fucking great backpacer. She can manage 2-3 weeks with a couple of sets of clothes, no make up or hair supplies and be very cool and have a blast. I'm very lucky in that aspect.
I would tell anyone to travel on there own if they get the chance though. Its the best time to find yourself and have a personal experience. As long as you are prepared and let the nerves go, it all falls into place. Just choose your trip wisely and do your prep work!!!
__________________
When an adventure ends you can never go back, never relive it, never hope to feel the same emotion. The secret is to not try and go back but to keep searching for new adventure....
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09-23-2006, 06:43 AM
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#5
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TPunk Recognized
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Fairfield, Ca
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not having to comprimise on dinner, or what for someone else to get dressed. no waiting for someone to wake up
being able to spank the monkey with indifference.
no questions on where you are sleeping.
makes hi speed dashes easier. and no ohhhh i want to go see that followed by "no bitch"
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ok screw the blog go to my website instead
the new and improved stupidhurts.org
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09-24-2006, 11:52 PM
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#6
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Minister of Offense
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Fran Disco
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• Other people's problems don't become your problems.
• You can brag and gloat and make your friends jealous.
• No cockblocking.
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09-26-2006, 09:58 AM
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#7
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TPunk Recognized
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I did do a trip to Italy solo, but I didn't backpack or stay in hostels. Unless you call taking day trips, with a day pack, backpacking. It was a great time. I loved it: no boss, family, or friends. No worries or fears. No one to remind me that I can't hear, no one to tell me to push my hearing aid in, no daily reminders of ever being rejected by women. Total freedom to be a new man and work on being a better man. It was awesome!!!!
The three reasons why you should try traveling alone at least once:
- Freedom
- Freedom
- Freedom
I can't wait to go to Scandinavia.
__________________
You can't take a shirt from a naked man. - Arab Proverb
"An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger, or a beer."
-Confucius
Somewhere in England (maybe) - Spring (TBA)
Israel - Summer (TBA)
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09-26-2006, 08:18 PM
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#8
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada
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No Cockblocking!
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Places that I have visited: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Canada (Qc, Ont, BC)..
Places left to visit: The rest of the World..
http://www.facebook.com/1Alexandre.Rousseau
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
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09-28-2006, 07:18 AM
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#9
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Members
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hometown NYC, U.S.A.
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Rule A) You travel at your own speed without a monkey on your back nor a strict scheduele to share!
With that said I'm sooooo dissing Court after Asia (or in).
__________________
Life comes and goes, stay in motion & it will never pass you by.
Live off your parents, until you can live off your kids.
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10-02-2006, 02:05 AM
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#10
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T-PUNK SPECIAL FORCES
Join Date: May 2005
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rousseau5550 @ Sep 26 2006, 07:18 PM) [snapback]141013[/snapback]</div>
What on earth is Cockblocking ?
__________________
Dance like no-one's watching
Sing like no-one's listening
Love like you've never been hurt
And eat chocolate like it won't make you fat
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10-02-2006, 02:33 AM
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#11
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Certified Wise
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Australia
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A cockblocker is a mate that gets in the way of you getting laid.
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One of God's own prototypes. Some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die -HST
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10-02-2006, 08:01 AM
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#12
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Members
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Eugene, Oregon
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1. No cockblocking! Well, a chick's version of that (hooha blocking?). You can bring home or leave with whoever you wish - no questions asked or judgmental comments.
2. You always seem to meet more people when you are alone. I always do!
3. Fewer stupid people to deal with when you are hungover... and more beer for you during the binge.
4. You are apt to do more of the crazier stuff without someone acting as your conscious!!
__________________
Amanda
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10-16-2006, 08:38 AM
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#13
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call me Condi!
Join Date: Oct 2006
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I agree with a lot of the responses so far. There's a certain amount of ballsiness that comes with knowing that everyone you meet when you're traveling is playing the same game you are. I spent an incredible evening prowling the Ramazan fair in Istanbul with an Australian woman my age where we both, without prior discussion, determined that the best way to not be intimidated by all the attention we got as female travelers was to make up character names, backstories, and accents.
AND bonus upon bonuses, a person I met on that same solo trip is going to play host to my next great solo trip - a country I don't think I would have visited alone otherwise. So whether you live in the moment and say goodbye with a smile and no exchanged contact information or keep in touch with someone over three years and then visit them, these are people you would NEVER meet when you travel as a group or a couple.
Oh, and the phrase "hooha blocking" officially made my Monday morning. Thanks!!
__________________
"I set out alone, finding no companion to cheer the way with friendly intercourse, and no party of travellers with whom to associate myself. Swayed by an overmastering impulse within me, and a long-cherished desire to visit those glorious sanctuaries, I resolved to quit all my friends and tear myself away from my home."
---Ibn Battuta, CE 1325
Latest travel crushes - Arizona, Morocco, The Baltic States, Tunisia, Portugal, Mexico
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10-16-2006, 10:09 AM
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#14
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french touch
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Québec
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It's easier to get to know locals, be invited at their place or hang out with them. The best part of travelling, in my opinion !
__________________
people are people
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10-16-2006, 10:44 AM
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#15
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TPunk Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hanover, Ontario
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I love traveling alone. A lot has been said about the fact that you are more likely to get to know new friends when you are by yourself. Also its a great confidence booster when you think of some of the things you actually get through all by yourself! I was so proud of my sister when she took a year and a half backpacking trip to Oz, NZ and SE Asia all by herself. It is not normally something that she would do but she did it and her life is completely changed because of it.
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"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~St. Augustine"
Come visit me in the DR!
www.sosuavacationrentals.com
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10-26-2006, 09:40 PM
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#16
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Location: Melbourne
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YOu get to do whatever you want, whenever you want!
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11-03-2006, 10:02 AM
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#17
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Travelling alone has its good and bad points. It's nice to not have anyone telling you what to do, but it gets lonely!
I combine both of them and travel alone on vacations where I can meet people to travel with! This past summer I went with a tour group and met up with 45 amazing people that are still my friends today. You still have the luxury of no parents or rules, and have companions to share all the fun memories with and keep in contact with upon returning home!
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01-05-2007, 09:52 AM
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#18
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Different Experience
I agree that traveling alone has its advantages. However, now that I have done both I have to say that meeting people offers a whole new experience.
I for one enjoyed having people to share the moment with. When I needed to be alone I lost myself in the city and I had my space. I just got back from a Contiki where I went with 44 other people my age. Going with these people not only made the trip, but now I have life long friends. You can't go wrong with that!
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01-05-2007, 05:06 PM
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#19
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I have to say, whilst traveling alone does have advantages, i think having 1 travel partner is the way to go.
You can still have your own space, you still meet people and at the end of it all you have someone to discuss all you have seen and done.
I mean, i've travelled solo, and you get back and share stories, but its not the same
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06-07-2007, 10:43 AM
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#20
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Join Date: Jun 2007
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I couldn't travel very long with another person. I like to be able to go where I want, when I want, do what I want, and have total freedom.
Plus, and I hope this doesn't sound too asshole-ish, but I often find couples and families in backpacker areas to be more annoying than other solo travelers. I kinda wish they'd stick to hotels rather than hostels, but they have a right too, I guess. They tend to have little spats and weird interpersonal dynamics, and I've seen more than a few couples have their relationships torn asunder by the road.
Plus, being solo and hanging out with couples from time to time kind of puts you in the third wheel position. Even worse if one of them starts taking a liking to you and the other gets jealous. So, I try to just hang with the other solo folks.
I love being able to just change directions at the drop of a hat and I find I get invited to lots of neat experiences that wouldn't occur if I had someone with me.
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