What makes you wanna travel? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Dude** · 07-25-2003, 05:56 AM

I have always wondered what makes someone want to travel? Is it the adventure?, is it meeting new people? is it curiosity of what else is out there?, is it love or lack there of?, is wondering what is over that next hill or across that ocean?

I have about 10 close friends and none of them have any interest at all in treking through a jungle or sitting in a cafe in no-where Romania talking to some locals. They look at me as if I waste my money on the places I go, thousands upon thousands of dollars spent and they see nothing in return. I get asked why don't I buy a new Mustang? or why don't I get a Jet-Ski? I have no interest ( although fun), I just don't have an interst in those things. All they see is me leaving and coming home with what I left with.

What they don't see is worth more than diamonds and worth more than gold, what they don't see is, life experience, memories, friendships...There is no price tag to be put on those things.

My friends would rather sit on a resort and have a local girl bring them drinks on the beach all day, never leaving the inside of the compound to see what else is out there. I could not, can not, and will not do that with my friends, even on my own honeymoon to a resort, I went off on my own and sat at a local bar for some drinks.

I just have this urge to explore, I have always had from the time I was 2 yrs old running around getting into all kinds of trouble. When I was 6-10 yrs old and I used to go and explore the forest for secret caverns or hidden mines, dispite never finding any, I never stopped looking. My first roadtrip with a friend to Montreal when I was 16. To the begining of my time traveling over seas when I was 21.

To me there is no price tag to be put on the life changing experiences I have gotten from travel, and no one can take it from me.

The biggest fear in my life in forgetting.

**crionnacht** · 07-25-2003, 11:02 AM

oh man, I hear ya CD! My main reason for travelling is that, I just don't think I was made to stay in one place. It's hard because I want this trip more than anything and I'm getting little to no support from anyone besides my Dad. I'm pretty sure he's the only one (of my family) who thinks I can actually pull it off. My sister doesn't really care. She thinks I'm moving there for some reason. My mum is the worst though. She is constantly telling me that I won't have enough money, that I won't last being away from home for more than a week. My mum and I seriously don't get along, and this only fuels it. Sorry, guys, that turned into a rant. I guess I want to travel to get away from my family.

crio

**Canadian Dude** · 07-25-2003, 11:23 AM

Thats funny, I had members of my family saying the same thing, your going to get home sick, your not going to have enough money, what if something happens to you, and the worst part now is that my wifes family is all up in arms because she is not coming with me on my trip, they think we are getting a divorce or something what husband would leave his wife for 10 days to galavant around Europe? and this is from people who have been divorced 2 times before, who are they to pass judgment!

( My wife and enjoy different things, she has no interest in a trip like this, and she would never stop me from doing something that I love to do

)....I guess to understand what we do, have done and are about to do you have to believe in yourself.

**travelpunk** · 07-26-2003, 05:54 AM

I was fortunate to have a lot of support. Mom will be moms <_< Mine is always doing the "is it safe" routine, and all kinds of "what if´s." That´s just the way they are, so I just shrug it off and see if I really have answers for those "what ifs," be cause if I don´t, then I haven´t done all of my homework

I choose to be different. This means rather than go back and forth domestically and blow all of my money, as I´ve done in the past(it´s easy

), I choose now to see the world. It´s more thrilling and you gain much more wisdom and hands on education about life by doing so. It´s Priceless.

Cuz I´m freeeeeeee....free fallin........ B)

butternut punkin · 07-26-2003, 08:46 PM

I love this site more and more each time I come and see it. I did a very safe trip over to london and Ireland and Scotland with my partner at the time (he was a pom and I am an Aussie) we rented a nice car and stayed at great hotels with a spa and bla bla bla, it was amazing, don't get me wrong but one of the best days I had on the trip was a day where I ran off by myself and walked through Dublin. I rode on the bus and had lunch in a pub with locals who told me a great place for dinner. I went there and a few musicians began to jam, more and more came in and everyone in this tiny pub were singing and playing music. I was lent a drum type thing to play. It was incredable.

This time I am going on my own. I am taking only what I can carry, a tent, a sleeping bag and my yha card and I am going to see and do it all. Most of my family and friends are saying what for? I am selling my house to fund my trip and I am getting such negative resopnces. What is the point of having a little house that I don't even love when I could have this wonderfull time and experience? I am going to find me, my strengths and my happiness. I do not need anyone to make me feel good anymore. All I need is me and my backpack and I can do it all (oh and I need to finish paying off my ticket!!)

Goodness, that was a rant. Thanks for listening and thanks for being such great positive people and encouraging people like me to be brave and do what we want.

**crionnacht** · 07-26-2003, 09:00 PM

good for you, butternut!!!

**travelpunk** · 07-27-2003, 06:12 AM

Whoa! Talk about a life altering decision! That´s a very bold move on your part, Butternut. I encourage you to follow your dream and wish you peace and happiness on your journey. You´re right, you don´t need anyone to make you feel good. Feeling good is something that you can create from within. Abraham Lincoln once said, "People are about as happy as they makes up their minds to be." So true, and you´ve already made up your mind to be. More power to you! It´s your world, baby, and everybody else is just living in it :P Well, I´m sure you´ve heard it all before

I hope that if you really do end up selling your house, that you set aside some of the funds and direct it to another type of investment that will grow profoundly in time. Even if it´s just a little bit, because it´s hard to start all over again from scratch.

As you´ve experienced in that tiny pub where everyone was singing and playing music, great times can be had without spending too much money

I will live vicariously through you B)

**Diorama** · 07-27-2003, 03:45 PM

Do you know that there is an actual word for this. The urge to be NOT at home.

I found this paragraph a while back. Can't believe how much I relate to it.

"The germans have a word to describe the chronic affliction many of us suffer from. That insistent urge to be somewhere out there and not here. "Fernweh". It's the opposite of being homesick; instead it's a pining to be not home, to be away, way away. Because that's where you feel at home"

i love it.

butternut punkin · 07-27-2003, 08:14 PM

Thanks travel punk, I intend on putting some of the money aside, who knows, I may decide to settle somewhere one day! I know I have said it before but it is great to see supportive people. There is an awefull lot of negative stuff but you guys are great!!

:P

**travelpunk** · 07-28-2003, 05:47 AM

All dreams are supported are these boards, butternut B) ! We are so happy that you have joined the boards!
you are our official Australian representative

Great word, Dio. You "fernweh-er!" I shall remember it as I suffer from it too

!
As expected, there is a Fernweh.com, but it´s in German.

butternut punkin · 07-28-2003, 07:08 PM

Hooray, the Australian representative has two dots!!

07-29-2003, 09:57 AM

What makes me want to travel is seeing new things, cultures, meet new people, learn new experiences. I am always open to learn something new.

Traveling is also an escape from my daily routine. It is always good to change it up once in a while. Plus all these new things i see and learn by traveling, no one can take them away from me. They will be with me till the end, and that is something very valuable to me.

07-29-2003, 09:09 PM

good question, impossible to answer.

but, i'll give it a try.

why do i travel?

well, travelling for me started as a kid. seventeen years old, stuck my thumb out and away i went. at that time in my life travelling often felt more like running. away from or to something, both qualify.

from there i found myself aboard boats, a life style i had grown up with. boaters always think that they live the ultimate travel adventure, sometimes true sometimes not; most of the time there just alcoholics with bigger wallets then most.

but, that was where i learned that travelling is a lifestyle, not somethign you do on weekends or two weeks during the summer.
for me it became about always leaving that option open, the option to leave everything and hit the road again. i became terrified at what i was becomeing when i graduated from a pick-up load of stuff to a 26foot u-haul.
things tie you down, travelling is meant to lighten your head, heart, wallet, and to lighten you of things.
<_< by the time i was twenty, i had hitchhiked the east coast, travelled the eire barge canal, spent upwards of sixteen days alone in the ocean, riden in 18 wheelers, and stood on the deck of a 56 million (USD) yacht.
oh, and then there is the women. wheather your back home or on the road, some woman will find your tales amazing, but don't get stupid and decide to drag her along on your next journey.

And then there was albania, six months, it broke my spirit, renewed my love and hate for humanity, and took all of my things and made them worthless. (a long tale for another post. but, it must be said travelling can be great, as the origanal blogger once said, 'it was the best of times, it was the worst of times'.

so here i am now, two weeks from a trip to eastern europe. a trip that actually started seven months ago, when i realized, after a two week trip to nyc and west virginia, that what i wanted was to go farther, stay gone longer and consume experience like a fat man consomes 99 cent big macs. :P
so, why do i travel? if i really knew i probally would have no need to do it anymore. that is like asking the pope why he is catholic. he forgot a long time ago. and i have forgot why i travel, i just know that i do and when i'm not i am not a full person; i feel like i'm on standby, just waiting to leave.

well, that was deep and philosophical, and full of a lot of bs.
oh ya, i forgot to mention that i am also trying desperately to aviod thirty thousand dollars in student loans, and when they send two sweaty italians over with baseball bats they can have what i have, untill then, they can't have it. education and experience are the two things they can't reposess.

well i hope that answers your question and gives you somethign to mull over.

upstatecb · 08-02-2003, 05:06 PM

Simple...because the world is too big to stay in Albany, New York much longer

**verstehen** · 08-03-2003, 03:43 AM

Adventure, understanding, self-improvement...

... and that feeling you get when you let loose the wheel allowing the winds of fate and the currents of fortune take you to places you'd never dreamt of seeing before.

**travelpunk** · 08-03-2003, 05:37 AM

Some deep and provocative answers here, folks!

For all those people thinking about traveling or taking a backpacking trip for the first time, whether you have a good reason to or not, these posts are clear evidence on how impactful your journey(s) can be. You just have to pull the trigger...

kerouacscabbie- Deep stuff! We definitely want to hear that Albania story when you get a chance

**crionnacht** · 08-03-2003, 08:49 PM

i think that Albania story would've given CD a run for his money in your contest, by the sounds of it!

Conbhar · 08-05-2003, 08:01 PM

Id have 2 say its the thought of waking up in a different bed in a different country,and if your lucky beside a beautiful woman(or man)whatever your preference.Its the thought of walking round a city that millions of people have walked round before.Its the thought of doin things youd never think youd do,seeing things youd thought ud never see and doin it all of your own accord. ^_^

PhilBill · 08-14-2003, 11:49 PM

The combination of being stranded and raised in the middle of nowhere, Des Moines, Iowa and lucky enough to have parents who subscribed to National Geographic Magazine which I skimmed over dozens of times since I was 7 years old created a wonderlust in me from an early age. By age 10 I'd read every single biography of the European explorers of the "new world"and Asia in the library. From then on I dreamed and fantasied about exploring faraway places and wishing I'd been born a few hundred years earlier.

Remember when your school counselors started asking you, "what do you want to be when you grow up?" type questions? I started out knowing what I did NOT want to do and ended up NEVER answering those types of questions. But I did come up with my own answers to "the meaning of life", vowing to focus on two general pursuits, LEARNING and ADVENTURE

**Diorama** · 08-15-2003, 12:59 AM

^ i like that. finding out what you don't want to do first. i think school and counselors in general put so much emphasis on finding your life path/university/career options. it's ridiculous. No wonder all these kids are stressed out. When i was in highschool the counsellor never even mentioned other options after highschool it was always post secondary. But what about travelling, working overseas, volunteering, doing an internship, learning a language abroad, or heck mabye even staying in your hometown and getting a job. To me it's about happiness. Sitting in school for another four years won't make me happy so i decided to take the "loser" path in life.