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I don't like traveling. I really don't. I spend most of the time feeling uncomfortable in some way (temperature isn't right, have to use the bathroom, worried

by araneae 16y ago

I don't like traveling. I really don't. I spend most of the time feeling uncomfortable in some way (temperature isn't right, have to use the bathroom, worried about getting robbed) and it costs money! Why do people think that because they like traveling everyone else will too? And why is "go travel" considered any kind of advice? </rant>

ZoFreX 16y ago
Probably because it involves exposing yourself to other cultures, going well outside your norms in many areas, and basically getting a huge amount of perspective. It's educational in many ways and considered valuable experience. That said, I wouldn't bother if you genuinely don't enjoy it (although personally, "man up" is a common mantra on my trips...)
- araneae 16y ago
  I'm afraid I'm too confident in my masculinity, or lack thereof, to be much affected by any advice to "man up."
alextp 16y ago
Also, I only ever enjoy traveling by the second or third time I go to a place, when that horrible feeling of being lost, helpless, completely ignorant, and not belonging has subsided a bit. In most of my friends who enjoy traveling I see a certain histeria, a mixing of their expectations with reality that is really uncomfortable to be around (like hearing "this is paradise" to a landscape that is really familiar; like "checkpointing" by taking pictures of landmarks and signs and trivial activities everybody does; like calling fast-food "wonderful" because it comes in a pretty plate from a waiter who doesn't speak your language; etc).
enneff 16y ago
I respect your opinion, but I've gotta admit I chuckled at your list of discomforts. In my case, I find that feeling of uncertainty on arriving at a new country to be exhilarating. I feel so comfortable in my day-to-day life, that it's rare that I really need to think much about my environment. Whenever I travel it makes me think about my existence a bit differently; that is the real value I get from travel. Travel can be cheaper than being at home, depending on where you go and where you live. And in response to your fear of being robbed; just don't travel with much of anything and get travel insurance. The worst that can happen is that you'll end up without a passport somewhere and have to go through some bureaucratic process to get a new one.
elblanco 16y ago
>I spend most of the time feeling uncomfortable in some way (temperature isn't right, have to use the bathroom, worried about getting robbed) and it costs money! That's exactly why you should travel to learn about the world outside of your immediate cocoon.
- CamperBob 16y ago
  I worked hard to spin this cocoon. I'm fine where I'm at.
  - deleted 16y ago
    [deleted]
- araneae 16y ago
  I have to say, learning to endure holding in traveler's diarrhea really well is not one of my life goals. But to each his own.
erso 16y ago
I find travel to be much easier when you have connections to people where it is you're traveling. The company I work for has offices around the world, therefore I always have someone to help me get around an unfamiliar place. I find traveling to be a great way to expand your view of the world. Living in Bangalore for 6 weeks changed me forever.
- c3o 16y ago
  Traveling hackers should check in at one of these: http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces Instant community of like(ish)minded people, pretty much everywhere.

by araneae 16y ago

ZoFreX 16y ago

Probably because it involves exposing yourself to other cultures, going well outside your norms in many areas, and basically getting a huge amount of perspective. It's educational in many ways and considered valuable experience. That said, I wouldn't bother if you genuinely don't enjoy it (although personally, "man up" is a common mantra on my trips...)

araneae 16y ago
I'm afraid I'm too confident in my masculinity, or lack thereof, to be much affected by any advice to "man up."

alextp 16y ago

Also, I only ever enjoy traveling by the second or third time I go to a place, when that horrible feeling of being lost, helpless, completely ignorant, and not belonging has subsided a bit. In most of my friends who enjoy traveling I see a certain histeria, a mixing of their expectations with reality that is really uncomfortable to be around (like hearing "this is paradise" to a landscape that is really familiar; like "checkpointing" by taking pictures of landmarks and signs and trivial activities everybody does; like calling fast-food "wonderful" because it comes in a pretty plate from a waiter who doesn't speak your language; etc).

enneff 16y ago

I respect your opinion, but I've gotta admit I chuckled at your list of discomforts. In my case, I find that feeling of uncertainty on arriving at a new country to be exhilarating. I feel so comfortable in my day-to-day life, that it's rare that I really need to think much about my environment. Whenever I travel it makes me think about my existence a bit differently; that is the real value I get from travel. Travel can be cheaper than being at home, depending on where you go and where you live. And in response to your fear of being robbed; just don't travel with much of anything and get travel insurance. The worst that can happen is that you'll end up without a passport somewhere and have to go through some bureaucratic process to get a new one.

elblanco 16y ago

>I spend most of the time feeling uncomfortable in some way (temperature isn't right, have to use the bathroom, worried about getting robbed) and it costs money! That's exactly why you should travel to learn about the world outside of your immediate cocoon.

CamperBob 16y ago
I worked hard to spin this cocoon. I'm fine where I'm at.
- deleted 16y ago
  [deleted]
araneae 16y ago
I have to say, learning to endure holding in traveler's diarrhea really well is not one of my life goals. But to each his own.

erso 16y ago

I find travel to be much easier when you have connections to people where it is you're traveling. The company I work for has offices around the world, therefore I always have someone to help me get around an unfamiliar place. I find traveling to be a great way to expand your view of the world. Living in Bangalore for 6 weeks changed me forever.

c3o 16y ago
Traveling hackers should check in at one of these: http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces Instant community of like(ish)minded people, pretty much everywhere.