Do you ever worry you will see it all? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**joe7f** · 01-03-2007, 09:09 PM

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

**Diorama** · 01-03-2007, 09:44 PM

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 .

**florencia9699** · 01-03-2007, 11:12 PM

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.

**Esterina** · 01-04-2007, 10:36 AM

^^^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 !

**LiveFreeorDie** · 01-04-2007, 11:06 AM

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.

**simply_angelic** · 01-04-2007, 07:35 PM

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

**tumblezweedz** · 01-05-2007, 02:44 AM

We lived for two years in Lithuania, and had as a partial job description "Learn everything you can about this place." In Vilnius we had plenty of opportunity to check things out, and took full advantage of that chance...and still after two years there were things we hadn't done. Even in the relatively small capital of a relatively small country.

The more time you spend in a place, the more you realize it has to offer - offbeat museums, unique craft workshops, art studios, music festivals, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, hidden courtyards ... - you could spend a week visiting the same city every year for the rest of your life, and still not exhaust it: only gain a greater appreciation for the place, and the people who call it home.

My high school social studies teacher had a poster in his class that read, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." I think the same is true of any great city ... and many a smaller one, too. It's all in your attitude - if you choose to become jaded, you will, but if you keep your mind open to new ideas, you can't possibly run out of inspiration.

**worldwidemike** · 01-10-2007, 08:50 PM

Nice thread, Joey. Yes, absolutely. I feel that way every time I am doing my research for a trip and realize all the things I've written down that I'd love to see or experience would take 5 times as long as I'm going to have in that country. But, as others have said, you can always go back. I've been to Italy 3 times -- and still haven't been to Sicily, or Cinque Terre -- how is that possible? How could I have skipped those places??? I HAVE to go back!

That's life. You're always making decisions. You do want to avoid forcing yourself into so hectic of a schedule that you spend your entire time in transit -- not seeing things, as Jamie was alluding to. Of course, Jamie, *I* have figured a way around that not being able to see what you want before you die. I'm simply not going to die. Seriously! I honestly plan on living forever. I'm going to keep myself in shape (there's a guy at work who's 68 and he can outwork guys in their 20s, for example), and I'm going to hang around long enough until that world of science fiction novels with their artificial organs and such exists and I keep going and going and going. I know you probably all think I'm 100% certifiable for saying this, but that is my firm held belief. I cannot fathom an end to my journey.

So, Joey, don't worry about that part of travel. Do what you want to do, see what you want to see, without worrying about what you "should" see...

worldwidemike

**omisan** · 01-10-2007, 11:04 PM

You can't see it all... so there's no reason to aspire to. While it's nice to have a checklist and have some sort of goals of getting through it, the most important time is enjoying your time with whatever you've got.

I just got back from Europe and my trip was primarily focused on Spain. There's a hell of a lot of stuff that I WANTED to see that I simplly couldn't fit in because I adapted to the slower pace, the siesta lifestyle, etc., yet I think I got a more "complete" experience of Spain because of it.

Hell, I've been to London countless times and lived there as a kid, and I still haven't even seen 3/4 of the stuff most tourists should see there.

As I've gotten older and traveled more, I think I've found my groove - which is simply figuring out the groove of where you're at and enjoying it for every little moment it provides you.

**worldwidemike** · 01-11-2007, 07:34 PM

THAT'S what will call the first Travelpunk produced travel show (following Omi around, finding parties and such):

How Omi Got His Groove Back

worldwidemike

travel101 · 01-18-2007, 09:55 PM

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!

megan
orlando, fl

**Canadian Dude** · 01-19-2007, 09:07 AM

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!!!

**juliagulia** · 01-20-2007, 12:56 PM

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!).

**lost in texas** · 01-20-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juliagulia

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!

**raoulduke** · 01-20-2007, 01:53 PM

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.

**freespiritz** · 01-20-2007, 02:52 PM

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!

**raoulduke** · 01-20-2007, 04:26 PM

..and by the time you get all that done there's bound to be parts of space you can discover.

**tumblezweedz** · 01-22-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lost in texas

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.

**Canadian Dude** · 01-25-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freespiritz

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...

**BigE** · 01-26-2007, 09:49 AM

I seriously doubt anyone will ever walk the entire world. Maybe WorldWideMike will since he wants to live forever. There is so much to see. I think seeing it all would be so boring. What gets me going is knowing that I have not seen it all and there is so much to see. My hope is that one day, fifty years from now, my shriveled up contemporary prunes will look at me and say, "there is Ethan, the good looking fellah who seen so much and is still going." That would be sweet.