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Old 01-03-2007, 09:09 PM   #1
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Default Do you ever worry you will see it all?

I took my first real backpacking trip this past year. I had been to Europe two times prior for about a total of 20 days. I was debating where to go when my sister was visiting me.

She had been to London before and wanted to go back with me (we were flying out of Gatwick). I had already been to Madrid, Rome, Paris (really briefly) Venice, Brugges, Oslo, Bergen, Munich among others. I ended up in London and loved it, but it got me thinking that I have seen "big three" cities in Europe which are traditionally the anchors (or in some cases, the entirety of a trip) for most people.

I was worrying that I rushed through a good meal and wasn't leaving myself room for desert. I still have fairly major cities I would like to see (and see more of) Prague, Athens, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, etc but I am wondering that if I get a chance to backpack again, will I "finish" Europe? Of course there is more to the world of backpacking than Europe.

So anyway, especially for those of you that have really been around, do you ever feel that way or am I just an idiot for not realizing how lucky I am (in the case...We all are) to have been able to travel so much before I turn 25?

--Joey
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Old 01-03-2007, 09:44 PM   #2
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Trust me you will never 'finish' your travels! I truly think it's impossible to see every corner of this earth. Like take our dearest worldwidemike. He's been to so many countries but I don't think he would ever have the " been there, done that, got the tshirt" mentality. I think about the smallest country that I have been to - Fiji. Gosh i've barely cracked the surface. So seriously even if you've been to London a gazillion times, your still going to find those unique neighbourhoods .
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Old 01-03-2007, 11:12 PM   #3
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Yeah, and I also think that at different stages in your life you tend to "search" for different things. So Paris could mean something to ya now, and then something completely different when you go there for you honeymoon, and then something entirely different when you take your kids to Euro Disney. See what I mean? Take TumbleWeeds for example, I think she's rediscovering Europe through her kids' eyes right now. I bet that would be fantastic: remember a place one way, and the go back to it and rediscover it.
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Old 01-04-2007, 10:36 AM   #4
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^^^dito, all of the above.

Yes, I too know that feeling. In my experience, we get so excited in that very first trip abroad, that we try to see everything, in case we'd never have the chance to go back. And we haven't found yet the best way to discover the world according to our personnality and values.

When you'll plan your next trip, it will probably be a whole lot different. First of all, you'll understand, it doesn'thave to be the last time you'll travel ! Plus with travelpunk, there is no way you can lose the travelbug ! And you'll then know, what and how you like to travel, your pace, your personal goals for the project, etc. It'll give a different perspective on your experience abroad.

Yes you have been lucky (but aren't an idiot ! ), and you'll be lucky again !
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Old 01-04-2007, 11:06 AM   #5
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I can't even fit the concept of 'seen it all' into my brain, when it comes to traveling. There is just so much to see. Its actually overwhelming to think about everything thats out there. I know I will never see everything I want to see before I die, but I know I can keep on trying. I also know that if I die tomorrow, I have already seen a lot more than many people and I am very thankful for that opportunity and I also wouldn't have any regrets. I guess that's the biggest thing....no regrets. Traveling is different things to different people. I have one friend who has to pack a million sight-seeing activities into every single day. I am the opposite...see a few sites...wander around...soak in the atmosphere....relax and enjoy. Needless to say we do not travel with each other...ever! You should always go at your own pace, see what YOU want to see, not what a guidebook tells you to see and just have fun and enjoy life and your travels, whenever and wherever they may be. Its that simple. You will never see it all...but that's okay. Its better to know in your mind that there is always somewhere else to go and something else to see.
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Old 01-04-2007, 07:35 PM   #6
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The thing you really have to consider about the world is really 2 things: like Flo said you are continuously changing therefore your ideals and perspective will change with every trip you take. And the second, probably more important thing to consider is that the world is changing too. New people move in to old neighbourhoods, new politicians take the reins, new businesses/buildings are created and old buildings will deteriorate...unless you magically posess the power to be everywhere at once you will NEVER see it all~ it's simply impossible
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Old 01-18-2007, 09:55 PM   #7
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Default you could backpack your whole life and not see it all!!!

i've been to europe three times now and have hit alot of the major cities you've mentioned (paris, munich, rome, venice, pisa, florence, geneva, london, etc) but some of the best times i had were in the small towns such as st. goar, germany and hopfgarten, austria...the big cities are nice but sometimes i find them a bit cliche, the small towns are adorable and i think you really get a good taste of the culture!

happy travels!

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Old 01-19-2007, 09:07 AM   #8
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That is a very interesting question my friend, and I have never really thought of it until you asked it, here is my theory...

A person when standing still takes up about 1-2 sq feet, the earths land mass is 1 603 167 129 945 370 (give or take) sq ft

1 quadrillion, 603 trillion, 167 Billion, 129 million, 945 thousand, 370 Square Feet


You can never see it all...but you sure will have fun trying!!!
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Old 01-20-2007, 12:56 PM   #9
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I'm convinced that the Mayans were right, and that we're all gonna die when I'm 22.

So, my goal is to see as much as I possible can before then (only six years!).
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Old 01-20-2007, 01:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by juliagulia View Post
I'm convinced that the Mayans were right, and that we're all gonna die when I'm 22.
I'm not convinced, but it is a little disconcerting. Then again, none of us have any guarantees about tomorrow. So like you, I want to do and see as much as I can while I'm here.

I was walking yesterday when a stray bullet flew by right in front of my face, so close I could hear the hiss before it went through the wall next to me... it was definitely a reminder for me of how quickly life could be over. Regardless of where we are, I think lots of us have experiences that remind us to make the best of the time we have- we just have to stay motivated!

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Old 01-22-2007, 11:44 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by lost in texas View Post
I'm not convinced, but it is a little disconcerting. Then again, none of us have any guarantees about tomorrow. So like you, I want to do and see as much as I can while I'm here.

I was walking yesterday when a stray bullet flew by right in front of my face, so close I could hear the hiss before it went through the wall next to me... it was definitely a reminder for me of how quickly life could be over. Regardless of where we are, I think lots of us have experiences that remind us to make the best of the time we have- we just have to stay motivated!

Would you please be careful out there! We'd like you to have more than 6 more years.

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Old 01-20-2007, 01:53 PM   #12
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This is interesting. As a traveller isn't it your goal to see it all?

Assuming it is somehow possible I'd imagine myself being incredibly fufilled if I achieved that, not worried that there was nothing else to see.
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Old 01-20-2007, 02:52 PM   #13
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I personally don't think I'll ever be done with it all. There's always a new place to go to, and even when I'm returning to the same area, there are so many different ways to experience the same place. I love visiting a country both as a passer-through and also as a resident. It's so different living in a place as opposed to just traveling through it, and both have their amazing moments.

I definitely agree with getting different things out of a place at different stages in life too. So true.

And then, if I ever get through the 1 quadrillion, 603 trillion, 167 Billion, 129 million, 945 thousand, 370 Square Feet (is that just dry land?), I need to make use of that diving license and see what's under the ocean too!
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Old 01-20-2007, 04:26 PM   #14
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..and by the time you get all that done there's bound to be parts of space you can discover.
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Old 01-25-2007, 09:36 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freespiritz View Post
I personally don't think I'll ever be done with it all. There's always a new place to go to, and even when I'm returning to the same area, there are so many different ways to experience the same place. I love visiting a country both as a passer-through and also as a resident. It's so different living in a place as opposed to just traveling through it, and both have their amazing moments.

I definitely agree with getting different things out of a place at different stages in life too. So true.

And then, if I ever get through the 1 quadrillion, 603 trillion, 167 Billion, 129 million, 945 thousand, 370 Square Feet (is that just dry land?), I need to make use of that diving license and see what's under the ocean too!
Yup , just dry land...
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Old 03-05-2007, 01:26 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joe7f View Post
So anyway, especially for those of you that have really been around, do you ever feel that way or am I just an idiot for not realizing how lucky I am (in the case...We all are) to have been able to travel so much before I turn 25?

--Joey
yeah Dude, i know exactly how you feel.

I too only did major cities when I backpacked in 2005, and I was wondering if this summer I should go back and "finish Europe" or see another part of the world...

Actually when I was 23 and in Rome, sitting in the massive ruins of the Roman baths, having a smoke and soaking it all in... I decided that I would see the entire world before I was 30.

Seems a little less likely now =)

But anyway... Europe, and espcially Spain, is always going to be a blast.
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FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
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Old 04-19-2010, 01:45 PM   #17
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In the spirit of my reminicing of the 'old days' on the board, i stumbled upon this gem of a message...

I do sometimes think of my pledge during my first trip (when i was 22 OMG i was young) to see the world before I was 30.

And seriously... I've kept pretty true to it! I mean I haven't seen the whole world yet, but damn I've been to many many places since then! I guess those vows we make to ourselves really do guide our lives eh...
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Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

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Old 04-19-2010, 07:43 PM   #18
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When I reread this thread (thanks Jason for the bump) it feels like a different person started wrote it. But at the same time I am feeling that I need to venture past Europe but yet I am going back in May (eyjafjokololchocolatevolcano permitting).

I figure this may be the last trip for a while for a year or two.

--Joe
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Old 04-19-2010, 08:56 PM   #19
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I am returning to Europe for a fifth time this May (also Chocolate Lava Volcano Brownie permitting). I feel like maybe I should branch out as well, there are 6 other continents after all. But Europe, in particular Central Europe, keeps me coming back.

Like the others have said, you can go to a place over and over and see something different each time. Krakow is a good example of a place I've been to many times. The first time I visited I was 18 and quite shy. I got my longish hair cut off at a salon near the train station. Seriously it was like cutting off my old self. It symbolized a whole new me. Then last year I visited with someone very special to me and I for the first time felt how romantic the city is.

Also when you visit a certain city, if you meet up with a person or a group of people you click with, he/she/they will be synonymous with your thoughts on said city. If you go again, you can meet some new people and have a completely new take on the city.

I haven't made some grand vow to myself that I'm going to see the whole world, but I have vowed to myself that as far as I know, I only have one life to live so I'm gonna spend it doing what I wanna do. So if I want to visit Timbuktu I am certainly going to find a way!
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Old 04-20-2010, 05:41 AM   #20
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At the moment I have an opposit problem in that I feel I haven't seen enough! Although I agree that there is always more more to see no matter how many times you have been there. I have been to Berlin a couple of times and it has been intense I did some serious wandering and I still feel like I have not experienced everything there is yet alone the rest of Germany.
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