Why I Travel
Written by Kyle and Bessie on Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Feelin' thoughtful
So, Bessie and I tend to get a lot of How questions: "How are you going to get from A to B?", "How are you going to access your money", etc. but surprisingly, we don't get a lot of Why questions. How questions can typically be answered very objectively and very clearly, but I don't think they'll give you a very good idea of our experiences while we are traveling. Not that the Hows aren't important, but they're just not as insightful as to who we are and our motivations.Feelin' thoughtful
This post is here to give you a little sense of why we are doing this, instead of, say, buying a condo or "settling down" to start a family (which seem to be our other two options, according to an informal survey of myself). Without further ado, here are the reasons why I travel:
1. It's how I want to spend my time.
It sounds completely obvious, but I'm sometimes surprised by how many people spend their time doing things they don't want to do. Of course, I'm not saying that people should never do laundry or clean their bathroom just because they don't want to do it, but I am saying that people should be wiser with how they spend their time. The fact is that we all have a finite amount of time and we should spend it wisely while we can.
Let's pretend that when you are born, you start out with a finite amount of money that you can spend in your lifetime; you can't make money but when you run out, you're done and can't spend anymore. Now imagine how you would spend that money over a lifetime. I'm guessing you would spend your money much more wisely and only buy the things that you really wanted.
Now substitute money for time. How are you going to spend your time now? I would choose traveling. What would you choose?
2. I want to learn.
There is a lot of thought that traveling = vacation. I believe that vacation is a break from reality, where you don't have to think about anything but relaxing and having fun. Traveling, on the other hand, requires a lot of thinking, problem solving, and quite often, a lot of hard work. Via traveling, I hope to learn a lot of things: languages (Spanish), customs, bargaining skills, problem solving skills (I'm sure we will be lost more than once), relationship skills (not getting mad at each other when we are lost), and many other things that I probably can't imagine right now. I am going to be active, engaged, and open and by being this way, I will learn more than I can in a book or a classroom.
3. I want to be more.
Over the years and due to my computer programming job, I've been pigeon-holed into a "computer guy" and subject to all of the stereotypes that come along with it. Admittedly, some of the stereotype fits me, but I also think that there are many other things that I can do that people don't give me credit for. This trip will allow me to explore those other skills that I think I can do well (e.g. writing). Without the four walls of a cubicle, I feel like there is an endless horizon of opportunities to explore.
4. I'm young and able.
For some reason, people tend to put off traveling until retirement. It's not a bad idea, per se, but let's face it, the body is not the same once you reach retirement age as it is when you are, say 28. At 28, I know my body can handle a lot more and consequently, I can do a lot more things now than I will be able to do when I'm retired. I don't know if I want to cram myself in a chicken bus, then wake up the next morning and climb a volcano when I'm retired. At my age now, it seems exciting!
Also, I know that once I have kids, it is going to be really hard to do anything like this. People have, but they have way more patience than I do.
5. I want to spend time with my wife.
Yes, I know that it's corny and I've now completely lost all my street cred, but how many people get to spend a lot of quality time with their spouse? (I'm sure there are those who don't want to, but that's something else) Again, I don't want to wait until we're both retired, I want to spend time with Bessie while we are young and able. It will also build up our relationship much faster than if we were to take a conventional path. I think after dealing with each other every day for a year and dealing with all the problems that the road has to throw at us, we will be in excellent shape.
Also, I love her. Who doesn't want to spend more time with the people they love?
Comments on "Why I Travel"
This is a way better way to spend your time than working.
Also, I am not scared of your physical threats. Bessie is here to protect me.
kyle,
i know this sounds a little corny but i am proud of you. you are one of the few people i know that is willing to say he is going to do something very productive and helpful to others and actually do it. i look forward to reading of your adventures. i agree with the travelling and spending time with your loved one while you are young. My boyfriend and I live many many miles apart and we treasure every minute we have together. I think many couples take advantage of their relationships. So have a great experience.
Meg
Thanks for the kudos! We're glad that you understand what we are doing instead of thinking we are crazy (which we slightly are).
Kyle-
I just found this website from your convo with Megan on Facebook and wanted to tell you how jealous I am of your future travels! I am looking forward to reading about your exciting adventures and odd experiences along the way! I know I continually cherish all my memories of traveling abroad. There's nothing like experiencing new and different cultures! Enjoy!!
Kari
Ah, facebook, you are doing your job. I like hearing from old friends, especially cool ones :)
Hey Kyle,
I stumbled upon your nifty site and thought I'd say hi. We went to high school together way back when. This is Andy Stevenson. Congrats on your decision to travel. I made a similar choice a year and a half ago, and haven't looked back since. I backpacked 3 months in Europe and several spots in Asia. I now live and work in S. Korea, so if you find yourself in Asia, be sure to drop a line. You're always welcome to stay. zappalives@hotmail.com
Have good and safe travels,
Andy
Ah, internet, you are doing your job. We hope to get to asia if our money lasts! Good to hear from you!
Clever, Insightful and Sweeeeeeeet!
thanks, ruth. :)
Like I tell anyone who will listen.........you two are so smart. Hmmm now wait a minute....I am still young........
haa haaaa... Thanks Auntie Donna. You are young and dont you forget it!
Geez. Sorry I'm nearly 2 years late responding to this post. I am just a clueless old friend who didn't realize the awesome adventures you have been on (until you commented on FB about hulu not being available in other countries).
Our family (with 2 kids) has finally done a bit of traveling this year. We spent a couple of weeks in Europe (Germany & Spain); 10 days in Mexico; and 2 weeks in Canada. It has been phenomenal, and my real desire is to do it just like you two have. You're an inspiration. We just need to find the guts to leave everything behind and go for it!
It's not as hard as you think. You just have to do it! I think it is a little more challenging with kids, but I also think kids adapt faster than adults and they absorb everything around them. Here is a family that has been at it for a long time:
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/11/qa-with-jeanne-dee-the-nomadic-family-traveler/
There's a book we book we both really liked called "One Year Off" about a family of 5 that sold everything & went off traveling. I highly recommend it. When we were still getting ready to leave I was like, well man, if they can do it, certainly we can do it. I hope we can roam around with our future kids.
:) Happy travels!
Ok, I've just spent waaaaaaay too much time on this site instead of working, and I'm so glad I did! You guys give me the warm fuzzies. Thanks for this entry Kyle. I love it. ...And since there's nowhere to comment on your FAQ page, am I the Chicago friend who will physically harm you if you don't end up back here? You bet your a$$ I will! Don't you forget it!! :) At least now I can hold your lamps and DVDs ransom. Mwa ha ha ha. (Not that you'll care one iota about your lamps and DVDs after what you're about to go through, but a girl can dream.)
by Rachel Z at January 23, 2008 02:41 PM