Saturday, September 20, 2008

If I don't travel, am I not me?

At the Cape of Good Hope, South AfricaJerri at the Cape of Good Hope
I haven't traveled out of the country in about two years. I just haven't had the means. Well, that's not entirely true. I never really had the means to travel, but I did it anyway. I always found a way even if I didn't have the money as long as I had the time. I'm worried that my interest in traveling is going away and that I'll never get it back.


I'm worried that I'll become one of those people who tells stories of how I traveled around the world when I was in my twenties when I am in my 60s. The feeling that I'm out of touch with the world is beginning. I don't really dream about going places like I used to.
When I see pictures of travelers on beautiful water, islands, boats, adventure I say to myself, "Hmm, that looks nice. Lucky them." Then I rationlize it and say, "Well, I've already done that. Let them have their turn." Then I freak out thinking to myself, "Wait! What if they catch up to how many countries I've been to! What if they have more fun than I did!" Lastly, I think to myself, "Well, Jerri, this is the life you've chosen for yourself. It's time to be stable and begin saving up for your retirement." Really! Who am I?




Antigua, Caribbean


29 comments:

eye bear ah said...

this post makes me sad.



and also happy because i have the electricity to read it!

Jerri said...

Makes me sad too. Glad you can see the light at the end of the tunnel...literally.

Anonymous said...

I feel you. Because all I wanna do is travel, and my list of countries that I've visited is so small. I don't even know that I count Europe as traveling, simply because it's so overtraveled. Meaning that I've not really been anywhere at all.

Hmmph.

happykatie said...

You are still you, although I get how you feel. Like totally. My nightmare is to wake up to the morning when I've lived in the States as long as I've lived out of it... and still be in the States. Sigh.

Other depressing thought of the night, I'm too old to stay in a lot of the youth hostels I used to rely on. Sigh.

But you know, you're still uber young, without a kiddo to keep you in a city and have the world just waiting for you to get your butt to see it. It'll happen. And when it does, it better show up on Flickr. Or else. :)

Jerri said...

@fayza Europe is traveling! Europe is so very cool. No such thing as overtraveled! I'm excited that you have traveled. You are worldly and fun and smart. You've lived in San Francisco and you're even kindof exotic :) You have many more places to go, but you're off to a good start :)

Jerri said...

@katie I've seen the places you've been. I'm jealous :) You most definitely can still stay in every hostel (but you will be annoyed with those immature youngsters). I can't wait til I have children just so I can take them traveling with me. I met this woman on a plane from NYC to Johannesburg who was on her way with baby to Botswana. Her hubby was African. She was amazing the stories she told. I loved her. So stop that sighing :) Next time you want to go somewhere, I'll go with :) Let me know!

Scott said...

Granted, travel costs $$. A few years back we decided to take big family trips every 2 years. This gives some time for saving and part of the fun, for me, is researching and talking to people who have been to places which I want to go to.
We went to Maui. Ok, not as exotic as Africa but we explored EVERYTHING during our time there. Getting up at 3am to drive up and see the sunrise over a volcano is awesome :)
We went to England last summer. Explored London for a few days then rented a car and drove up into Wales and up to Scotland. My 4th trip to the UK and I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Next summer...Australia! Can't wait.
So...get your passion back and start traveling :) AND write about it because we like traveling with you in spirit :)

Scott
log.traveltonic.net

PS: Travel doesn't have to be to the farthest corner of the world to be interesting. You can travel somewhere in our own country and explore new places.

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Anonymous said...

I have read most of your blog within the past 24 hours. I have to say, I am extremly envious of all of your world travel. More directly, of your travel in the carribean. I am in the begining stages of trying to plan a 16-20 day backpacking trip, and the destination I am really interested in is the carribean. Would you mind emailing me directly so that I can bounce some of my thoughts and plans off of you? I believe that you could shed some light on some of my questions and concerns. If you wouldent mind my email is mboconno@student.umass.edu.

Thanks!!!!
Matt

Anonymous said...

I love travel because it is my dream to travel around the world,When the vacation is come i always take a tour in different places.


-Sarah

Wanderlusting said...

I was thinking the same thing today actually.

It's never too late - you just (WE just) need to buckle down and be responsible. Then when that's established, albeit money, a house, a husband, work experience, then we can go off and play again. That's my plan anyway and that's what gets me through my day.

Also, when you are 60, you'll be hardcore traveling! Hell, that's what YOU DO at that age. At least, that's what I'm looking forward too..retirement will be rad!

Lastly, you'll always have the memories and the experiences that travel has brought into your life and shaped you to be the person you are. After all...everything is just a memory in the end.

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Viola said...

I really like this post!
I love travelling to and I think that even if you don't travel around that much anymore you will never lose the interest in travelling because you will always have those wonderful moments that you experienced while travelling, in your thoughts :-)

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