Have Cool, Will Travel

There are many reasons why people don’t travel.  There are just as many reasons, if not more, why people do travel.  I have a wide variety of friends at home and abroad who all have different lives and different reasons for what they do.  Some of the people I know don’t travel.  Never have, never will (probably).  This is utterly confusing to me.  Why not travel?  It’s awesome!

I suppose a lot of this has to do with how we are raised.  Growing up I was taught to keep an open mind to anything, to try new things, to make new friends wherever I go (it took me a long time to figure that one out), and go on adventures.  It seems like my jet-setting parents have been everywhere in the world.  There are not many places they haven’t been to.  My brother is not far behind; he has already lived in three different states, the Marshall Islands, Switzerland, and Turkey.  Pretty incredible.  I’m trying to catch up quick.  I think China was a good start.

Some of my friends are completely closed off to the idea of traveling, of seeing the world.  Are they a product of their environment, of their upbringing?  Were their parents not interested in exploring the world and passed it along?  Or are they just too insular to consider leaving their safety zone?  I’m sure it’s not that black and white and I don’t mean to sound so severe when talking about my friends, but I think making the distinction gets my point across a little better.

For a short period of time I was traveling by myself.  Going it solo.  And I have to say, I loved it.  Do what I want, when I want.  No schedule, no negotiations on what to see or what to eat.  Just go wherever my whim takes me.  Don’t get me wrong, traveling with others is great too.  Having a buddy to share in your adventures is fantastic.  But there are some advantages to exploring on your own.  Some of my friends were perplexed by my decision to travel by myself.  Most of the conversations went like this:

Them: So where are you going?

Me: I’m going to [wherever].

Them: That’s cool, who are you going with?

Me: No one, just me.

Them: Seriously?  That’s weird.  You’re crazy.  Why would you want to go by yourself?

Me: If I wait around for someone to come with me, I’ll never get anywhere.  So I’m just going.  Do you want to come with me?

Them: No, [insert random stupid excuse here].

Me: Alright, I guess I’m going by myself then.  I’ll upload the pictures when I get back*.

After I while I started to get really amused by these conversations.  I was going off to see the world, to experience something new and exciting and possibly a little scary.  They were staying home, doing the 9 to 5 and all that jazz.  Boring.

I have to apologize for my proselytizing.  I feel like this whole post is coming off as me sounding like a self-righteous dick with the travel version of a holier-than-thou attitude.  I hate that.  In fact, I was originally planning on writing about something completely different (my bar adventure last night).  But this just came out.  Inspiration is a funny thing but I try to act on my inspirations as often as possible.

Must … get back … on … track.

OK.  Here we go.  I see my friends who aren’t interested in traveling as having an unfortunate disposition.  But I think that’s really because I have an opposing disposition.  I love to travel, so it must the prime directive.  You don’t like to travel?  But it’s great.  You must have a short circuit or something.  You’re crazy.

It is definitely not like that.  To travel or not to travel is a conscious choice that people make for their own, personal reasons.  Some people enjoy the 9 to 5.  The job security.  The paycheck.  That’s their choice.  It’s not on my shoulders to change their minds and get them out to see the world.  Though I am always willing to rant about the advantages of traveling and give encouragement to anyone willing to listen.

So what was the point I’m trying to make?  I can’t remember.  Pull up!  Pull up!  Hmm…. oh yeah.  So for me traveling is the best.  Learning a new language, eating the totally bizarre and delicious local food, and absorbing a foreign culture and its customs.  These are some of my favorite things to do.  Some people choose not to travel.  Some people don’t see any point in going off to a different country where you don’t speak the language, don’t know your way around, and struggle just to order some food or find a place to sleep.

It’s understandable.  Traveling is not all glam and glitz.  It’s not always perfect and a lot of the time it’s not very easy.  But I love it.  The trials and tribulations of traveling provide a great opportunity for you to learn so much about yourself.  And along the way you get to see some really great stuff, make some new friends, and live a life a little less ordinary.

Do you love to travel or do you hate it?  Do you know people that are or were complete sticks in the mud about getting out to see the world?  What are some ways to get these people motivated?

*Unless my camera gets stolen in a pub in Barcelona.  Bastards.

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