Comments on: Why Go Round-The-World?

By: Kazzie

Kazzie — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:57:20 +0000

I started planning to go round the world when I was 15, I’m now 48 and I still haven’t managed it! Now I realise it won’t happen, at least in the way I originally imagined it. My health while not exactly bad isn’t like it used to be and I don’t think I’d be able to cope with long term travel to off-beat places. Should have done while I could.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:43:19 +0000

As a self confessed vagabond I think my motivation lies in my continued disassociation from the values of developed society. The search for meaning in my own life encourages me to travel to the sites which might just have escaped the spectre of globalisation, just looking for the chance to see the past before it disappears. I guess the catch 22 is that globalisation not only increases the speed with with these cultures disappear but also increases the speed & ease with which we can travel to see them. The freedom we are granted as backpackers ultimately entails the freedom to change the very places we travel to see, as our own travel impacts upon the unchanged and authentic cultures we travel to see.

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:01:48 +0000

I have always wanted to travel but I have never been motivated enough to just go and do it. Reading blogs like yours helps though, it is great to get this kind of insight into other poeoples reasons for going and into their experiences.

Cheers Erin

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:31:49 +0000

I see where you’re coming from when you write, “as travelers we are not merely observers, but active participants”. I think that gets to the crux of the argument I was trying to articulate above. The fact that we are aware of the dilemma itself is encouraging; at least we’re engaging the notion instead of ignoring it or hoping it would go away. Thanks for the very insightful comment; I feel another blog post coming on — and thanks for your kind words, too. That kind of feedback means a lot to us.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:56:02 +0000

Another great post. Your patience for writing a good article is inspiring and you touched on one of the most important aspects of being a guest in another country. Your reference to “class tourism” is essentially the question of whether in our curiosity we are actually orientalizing another culture. I constantly struggle with this issue when traveling and hope that by being aware of the dilemma itself, I am more able to interrogate not only my surroundings by my own impact on them. After all, as travelers we are not merely observers, but active participants in the lives of the people and cultures we come into contact with.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:03:32 +0000

Agreed, Jason. Your motivations are similar to Kathryn and me—travel is an education, no doubt. It just happens to be the most engaging and thought-provoking way of gaining one, in my opinion.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:22:32 +0000

It seems that more and more people are seeking outdoor adventure, travel to more obscure places and most importantly memorable experiences that bring us joy. Traveling around the world, of course, is one of the more extreme choices. Aracely and I are choosing to travel the world to experience the unknown, which is other cultures, landscapes, languages and communities. If we don’t expose ourselves to varying environments and situations I believe we contribute less intelligently in developing a better community.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:23:08 +0000

Hi John, really appreciate your commenting. Your post has got me thinking (and hoping) that there conservation, development and capitalism can co-exist and be sustainable, as it appears that it might be the only way forward. I imagine that it will be incumbent upon us as travelers and world citizens to ensure that it does. Wow, I just sounded very naive and idealistic, but I honestly think it’s the only way forward. Perhaps we are in trouble? Oh, and while I agree with you that too many areas, ie Anjuna Beach and Koh Phangan are unsustainably overrun with beer-swilling backpackers, I do like to get my party on. In a responsible manner, of course.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:12:45 +0000

Jen, that makes perfect sense. And I agree with you. It used to be that living unconventionally used to be a bold statement against ‘conformists’—think hippies, etc. But now I’m beginning to think that slowly, as unconventional living is considered by more and more, it insinuates something deeper. A sea change, if you will. It’ll get to the point that it will be difficult for ‘conventional’ people to simply pass off alternative lifestyles as ‘just being weird’ or trying to seek attention. I think that although the change might seem glacial, it is coming!

By: John Bardos

John Bardos — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:14:37 +0000

Another great post!

I think most people are beginning to understand the value of long-term travel. Certainly, there has been an explosion of interest in escaping the rat race in the last decade.

The problem is that most people don’t have your values of conservation and sustainable development.

For many world travel is about getting stoned at full moon parties, drinking cheap beer every night and partying with new people all the time.

It is disappointing to see the rapid commercialization around the world as countries cater to the increasing numbers of travelers.

I wish your philosophy of travel was the norm and not the exception.

By: Jen Laceda

Jen Laceda — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:43:15 +0000

My reason for long-term travel and future plans to RTW is – I’ve gone tired of other people telling me how to live my life. By other people, I mean, “well-meaning” family members / relatives, financial advisors, the government, etc. who tells me that to properly raise a 2.1 family, you’d have to have a house, car, investment accounts, RRSP’s, RESP’s, life insurance, etc. what if we want to spend a whole chunk of money travelling long-term? Most people think it’s indulgent, selfish, and makes no financial sense! While some people would drop $11,000 on 3 thermal Pella windows for their house with white picket fences (oh yeah, I know these people) and think it’s a good investment, I’d rather spend that $11,000 travelling through China and Tibet! Does that make sense?