Has traveling changed you and if so, how?
Feb 27th, 2007, 03:16 PM
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suppose it has changed me.I'm not really sure.
I've always tried to keep an open mind and have always been into diversity.
A a kid I'd daydream about trips,local and abroad. I feel it's in my blood. Most of my trips are solo. I was discussing this with a coworker today,he thinks it's so brave of me. It seems most men are usually an awe and always tell me to be careful.
I try to remain grounded but it floors me when people are in such shock about me traveling alone.
None of my friends or family share my desire to hit the road as much as I do much less have the funds. I kind of like it that way now.
I've always tried to keep an open mind and have always been into diversity.
A a kid I'd daydream about trips,local and abroad. I feel it's in my blood. Most of my trips are solo. I was discussing this with a coworker today,he thinks it's so brave of me. It seems most men are usually an awe and always tell me to be careful.
I try to remain grounded but it floors me when people are in such shock about me traveling alone.
None of my friends or family share my desire to hit the road as much as I do much less have the funds. I kind of like it that way now.
Feb 27th, 2007, 08:02 PM
#23
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has traveling changed me? Absolutely! I am more confident, more knowledgeable, more outgoing, more excited about life. I love traveling so much I quit my job, started a web site http://www.bombasticlife.com Where I review People I've met along the way (people can make an experience great or can ruin it for you), Places (hotels, restaurants, etc.) and Things (cameras, electronics, airlines, etc).
People say "Do what you love and if you love it enough you'll figure a way to make a living at it" or something like that, so I took the plunge and trying it full time.
I've moved to Kuwait so I can concentrate on the Middle East and Asia for a while (have done a lot of Europe already).
So wish me luck! check it out http://www.bombasticlife.com and maybe give me some feedback, how can I make it better!
I'm having a bombastic time and living a bombastic life!
People say "Do what you love and if you love it enough you'll figure a way to make a living at it" or something like that, so I took the plunge and trying it full time.
I've moved to Kuwait so I can concentrate on the Middle East and Asia for a while (have done a lot of Europe already).
So wish me luck! check it out http://www.bombasticlife.com and maybe give me some feedback, how can I make it better!
I'm having a bombastic time and living a bombastic life!
Feb 27th, 2007, 09:08 PM
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travel has filled my bank account, proven that people really <i>are</i> different wherever you go, ruined my palate for all but fois gras, given me a great gift for entertaining dinner guests with slide shows of vacation pictures, and taught me that one should never leave home without bed sheets, never (or is it always) wear a money belt, and the evils of white tennis shoes, bumbags and trying/not trying to wear clothing that makes you look like less of a tourist.
Oh, and that Canadians are safe and beloved wherever they go.
It's also made me much less of a smart*ss.
Oh, and that Canadians are safe and beloved wherever they go.
It's also made me much less of a smart*ss.
Feb 27th, 2007, 10:19 PM
#25
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a 49 year old woman with two children who much of her life traveled only from CT to Florida and surrounding areas. Two years ago, my girls and I went to Europe. While I love my country (US),I never realized how beautiful other countries and cultures are. We also have been to Hawaii, and are planning future trips to see more of Europe and Asia eventually too! My point being, WE LOVE TRAVELING!!! I wish we could go more often then once every year or two, but eventually when my circumstances change, we will. The travel bug has truly bitten my daughters and myself, and we spend many nights reading travel books about the different places we want to see. There is nothing more exciting then to experience how other people live, their beautiful countries, and actually have fun learning!!! I have changed in that I used to settle for going to the boring beach for vacation in the area all the time because that is what my husband was happy with, a cheap, stagnant type of vacation. And to think until I went to Europe, I was ignorant of what I was missing! Now I see that I need to make a lot of CHANGES in my life and I am not afraid to make them, nor am I afraid to travel alone (with my teenage daughters). Its really sad that there are so many people in this world who never travel outside of their area because they do not know any better.
Feb 27th, 2007, 10:32 PM
#26
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Me too, I sit at work and dream of being in Europe instead. Travelling only makes me want to do it more often. If only I had a money tree growing.
I think it broadens the mind and makes you appreciate what you have (or haven't got
)
I think it broadens the mind and makes you appreciate what you have (or haven't got
)
Feb 28th, 2007, 03:46 AM
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting answers! I attended a seminar on Friday re: Treating Victims of Torture (mental health counselor) that was led by an anthropologist who has traveled to 27 countries and a refugee from Somalia who speaks 6 languages and now serves as an interpreter at a mental health center near Atlanta. Their stories were so fscinating none of us attendees wanted to leave to go home!
Feb 28th, 2007, 07:03 PM
#28
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mar 2nd, 2007, 10:37 AM
#30
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Travel has changed my life several times.
First, when I was 10-years old, we spent 6 weeks in Paris while my dad worked. Talk about eye-opening...in my case more like palate-opening! I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the city, the language and the tastes. It made me know that when I grew up I wanted MORE of whatever it is that Paris has!
The second time was in my thirties when I worked for a British company. I got to travel to Europe - and there is nothing like working in a country to get a feel for what's it's really like. But the most fun was being in contact with people who lived all over the world...from London to Singapore to Sydney. I LOVED talking to them on a daily basis!
My best experience was sitting in the Munich airport after a business trip all by myself. I was working on my computer, sipping a beer and eating a hot pretzel when I had a sudden thought. Not many people and espeically not many women get to experience that type of freedom.
Now that I am married, my husband and I and our 4 year old are trying to start exploring the world. My daughter is going on her first trip outside the country next month to Jamaica. After that, who knows!
First, when I was 10-years old, we spent 6 weeks in Paris while my dad worked. Talk about eye-opening...in my case more like palate-opening! I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the city, the language and the tastes. It made me know that when I grew up I wanted MORE of whatever it is that Paris has!
The second time was in my thirties when I worked for a British company. I got to travel to Europe - and there is nothing like working in a country to get a feel for what's it's really like. But the most fun was being in contact with people who lived all over the world...from London to Singapore to Sydney. I LOVED talking to them on a daily basis!
My best experience was sitting in the Munich airport after a business trip all by myself. I was working on my computer, sipping a beer and eating a hot pretzel when I had a sudden thought. Not many people and espeically not many women get to experience that type of freedom.
Now that I am married, my husband and I and our 4 year old are trying to start exploring the world. My daughter is going on her first trip outside the country next month to Jamaica. After that, who knows!
Mar 2nd, 2007, 10:49 AM
#31
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've traveled all of my life so it's more like travel created me than changed me. I find I'm a bit more understanding than lots of people. I know that in most cases things aren't better or worse, just different. Most people know in their heads that all those people and places and things exist, but I know it in my heart. They really do exist.
Mar 5th, 2007, 04:01 PM
#33
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This was one of the topics on the initial Fodors startup page of "What's New in the Forum?" So I was drawn here to the Europe board by this provocative question.
I like the 5 lbs heavier answer, Ira. If you are a Brit, you're probably also many pounds lighter as well. So see, it all works out. At least that's how it goes for me.
WorktoWander, there had to be a smart*ss response in there somewhere! You produced an outstanding one.
To answer that question accurately, there would have to be a non-traveling you and then a comparison made between the non-traveler and the traveling you. Hey, I like that idea. The non-traveling me could stay home and work several jobs so the travel me could roam the world.
Mark Twain had some thoughts on the topic: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Ironically I know one person whose travels changed him greatly and he became a "rarely travels" traveler who is very appreciative of and content with the simplicities of home.
Personally, my life long quest is to answer that question but I have yet to acquire sufficient data for a definitive answer. So I keep traveling and look for changes.
I like the 5 lbs heavier answer, Ira. If you are a Brit, you're probably also many pounds lighter as well. So see, it all works out. At least that's how it goes for me.
WorktoWander, there had to be a smart*ss response in there somewhere! You produced an outstanding one.
To answer that question accurately, there would have to be a non-traveling you and then a comparison made between the non-traveler and the traveling you. Hey, I like that idea. The non-traveling me could stay home and work several jobs so the travel me could roam the world.
Mark Twain had some thoughts on the topic: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Ironically I know one person whose travels changed him greatly and he became a "rarely travels" traveler who is very appreciative of and content with the simplicities of home.
Personally, my life long quest is to answer that question but I have yet to acquire sufficient data for a definitive answer. So I keep traveling and look for changes.
Mar 5th, 2007, 04:37 PM
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since I love the research part of a trip as much as I love the trip itself, it's given me a much better knowledge and appreciation of world history. I've loved every country and culture that I've been privileged to visit, and DH and I have even down-sized our lifestyle so that we may travel more.
And next week, we're taking our 2 eldest grandsons on their first trip abroad to begin our goal of broadening the visions of our grandchildren, to help make them citizens of the world instead of merely citizens of Florida or the U.S.
Has traveling changed us? Oh yes, and given us energy and excitement to keep going!
And next week, we're taking our 2 eldest grandsons on their first trip abroad to begin our goal of broadening the visions of our grandchildren, to help make them citizens of the world instead of merely citizens of Florida or the U.S.
Has traveling changed us? Oh yes, and given us energy and excitement to keep going!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kristin
Europe
86
May 24th, 2002 07:24 PM
