I really hear you Argo, I could have written this article verbatim. One time I was an international salesman, and did a million miles each year. Well, there was the excitement of, "will I make the sale this time?"
Everything you say; take a bunch of pictures (to prove you were there), buy a few souvenirs, complain about all the airports, take days to get over jet-lag, until moving into it again, get the most out of your ticket investment: is so right-on.
Actually, your little corner of your village is incredibly diverse, if you just go down some back alleys.
I did an ocean crossing by boat, (it was on the SS France, later sold to Norway). Then I did some travel by ship in the Mediterranean. I never did any cruises, which I think are only about over-eating rich foods.
That ocean crossing changed my life for good. What you find are "journey people". It is a whole different breed of people that ARE-HERE. In the airports of life you only find "destination people". They have to get somewhere, (in their mind). They are never fully present to meet with them. They are only loaded with all of their tickets and itineraries. When they get there, they are probably "missing in action" also. Only thinking about the return trip.
Tricia tells it like it is in her comment. Uproot your life and move there. Then you live the new experience, and not only imbibe in the tourist traps. I have always done exactly that, and am still doing it.
Clearly the most efficient way to travel around another continent is to uproot your life and move there, so you can see the world through domestic - or at least shorter- trips. 😜
That said, I know a certain someone whose opinions on travel would agree with yours 100%... With greater emphasis on the increased cost of travel, especially earning in the developing world and spending in the developed world.
If you are weird, will you please welcome me to your tribe? I used to travel with eagerness and an open agenda but I can't do that anymore. These days I find travel to be unsettling, disappointing, outrageously expensive, and, at times harrowing. I feel manipulated and pushed around by the travel industry. I do not like being a cow or a sardine.
Re; staying home, you said: "...I don’t learn anything from it, and aren’t pushed to my limits like when I’m traveling." For me, I disagree. I can learn a lot in my own small world. Even being in my town and taking advantge of the opportunities here can open doors. If I factor in a drive of an hour and a half each way, my world opens up considerably. I can meet new and interesting people everywhere. I also am fortunate to live in a corner of the world that is rich in natural beauty and has the trails to allow me to explore. No, it's not the same as exploring the museums in big cities everywhere (although, through technology I can get a glimpse of those) or visiting historic or scenic spots of interest. Staying home leaves me calm and gives me time to pursue some avocations that don't require traveling (painting, watercolor, cycling).
I hear you on the hard choice. The last time I flew was January of 2020. I have a list of places I want to see and friends I want to visit. But I have yet to pull it together to do any of them. I have. however, read some wonderful books,, created some fun art, met up with local friends and strangers. Life can be good at home or while traveling. These days I stay home.
My traveling experiences are pretty limited, but I have to agree. Staying at home (or somewhere nearby) is way more time and cost efficient for hobbies and entertainment.
I think it doesn't help that, in your case, it sounds like you're planning for multiple people which makes logistics a lot more complicated than if you were solo or a small group but splitting the tasks.
Though, why pay thousands of dollars to take pictures when you can see the photos online and cook foreign cuisine at your home!
I really hear you Argo, I could have written this article verbatim. One time I was an international salesman, and did a million miles each year. Well, there was the excitement of, "will I make the sale this time?"
Everything you say; take a bunch of pictures (to prove you were there), buy a few souvenirs, complain about all the airports, take days to get over jet-lag, until moving into it again, get the most out of your ticket investment: is so right-on.
Actually, your little corner of your village is incredibly diverse, if you just go down some back alleys.
I did an ocean crossing by boat, (it was on the SS France, later sold to Norway). Then I did some travel by ship in the Mediterranean. I never did any cruises, which I think are only about over-eating rich foods.
That ocean crossing changed my life for good. What you find are "journey people". It is a whole different breed of people that ARE-HERE. In the airports of life you only find "destination people". They have to get somewhere, (in their mind). They are never fully present to meet with them. They are only loaded with all of their tickets and itineraries. When they get there, they are probably "missing in action" also. Only thinking about the return trip.
Tricia tells it like it is in her comment. Uproot your life and move there. Then you live the new experience, and not only imbibe in the tourist traps. I have always done exactly that, and am still doing it.
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Now there are 30 comments. I could "weigh-in" in some places. It boils down to a few observations.
I traveled in business, so I was fulfilling those obligations first, and the business paid.
I also saw what was there to see in those locations, as an add-on. I had enough free time.
So my work was not preventing anything that I later had to actualize.
Was that enough of life moving through the airports, and jet-lag? (BTW I learned to beat jet-lag.)
I valued freedom most, so I always traveled alone. No group coordination.
I knew the difference of passing through and moving in, since I changed my residence country twice.
I knew that I couldn't "be them", but neither could I be "old-me" any more.
What is my curiosity level? The world is very big and a lifetime is very short.
Because of the nature of "duality", every drive "out there" is an equal drive away from here/now.
Do I want to go-there; or do I really want to leave-here? What does boredom mean to me?
No; I like that other here/now. (But I am already in it every day.)
Where is the satisfaction level, since often the best part of the trip is arriving home.
(They say air travel is the most polluting.)
Fortunately my dogs and cats keep me in a stable place. I bless them for that.
.
Clearly the most efficient way to travel around another continent is to uproot your life and move there, so you can see the world through domestic - or at least shorter- trips. 😜
That said, I know a certain someone whose opinions on travel would agree with yours 100%... With greater emphasis on the increased cost of travel, especially earning in the developing world and spending in the developed world.
Travel sucks, takes money away from local people and gives it to foreigners, and destroys the environment.
Home is better.
If you are weird, will you please welcome me to your tribe? I used to travel with eagerness and an open agenda but I can't do that anymore. These days I find travel to be unsettling, disappointing, outrageously expensive, and, at times harrowing. I feel manipulated and pushed around by the travel industry. I do not like being a cow or a sardine.
Re; staying home, you said: "...I don’t learn anything from it, and aren’t pushed to my limits like when I’m traveling." For me, I disagree. I can learn a lot in my own small world. Even being in my town and taking advantge of the opportunities here can open doors. If I factor in a drive of an hour and a half each way, my world opens up considerably. I can meet new and interesting people everywhere. I also am fortunate to live in a corner of the world that is rich in natural beauty and has the trails to allow me to explore. No, it's not the same as exploring the museums in big cities everywhere (although, through technology I can get a glimpse of those) or visiting historic or scenic spots of interest. Staying home leaves me calm and gives me time to pursue some avocations that don't require traveling (painting, watercolor, cycling).
I hear you on the hard choice. The last time I flew was January of 2020. I have a list of places I want to see and friends I want to visit. But I have yet to pull it together to do any of them. I have. however, read some wonderful books,, created some fun art, met up with local friends and strangers. Life can be good at home or while traveling. These days I stay home.
My traveling experiences are pretty limited, but I have to agree. Staying at home (or somewhere nearby) is way more time and cost efficient for hobbies and entertainment.
I think it doesn't help that, in your case, it sounds like you're planning for multiple people which makes logistics a lot more complicated than if you were solo or a small group but splitting the tasks.
Though, why pay thousands of dollars to take pictures when you can see the photos online and cook foreign cuisine at your home!