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I didn't want to travel extensively until a friend talked me into going to China with her. I absolutely loved it and was fascinated by the culture and the history. As another poster said the US has limited history, however I have traveled throughout most of the US.
My husband on the other hand has no desire to go outside US/Canada/Mexico The last couple of years he has expressed some interest going to parts of Europe.
My son absolutely does not want to go anywhere outside the US. We took him to Mexico last year and it was very challenging for him. He doesn't like change at all.
I think each person is different and no desire is better. I like to be exposed to new and different cultures and find it intriguing.
Let me turn that around for a second. How does education make you a worse person?
The more education you have (whether it's experience, formal education, or general "wisdom" you've picked up over the years) the more well rounded and complete a person you are.
Do I think I'm better than some poor SOB who has spent his entire life in a rice paddy, of course not, but I do think I have a much broader world view that in our society has some value.
Does this make you want to explore more and that something is missing?
Nothing is missing, but yes it makes me want to explore more.
When my son had to get his medical shots to study abroad in the Middle East, I remember the serious woman after going on about all the important stuff--she stopped and said, "What you are doing is very dangerous, (she paused) travel is addicting".
It is. Very addicting. I have only been to 15 countries, 50 domestic destinations, I want to explore more. I want to see and experience every National Park, I want to climb Machu Picchu, I want to go to the top of Pulpit Rock. I even want to see the small things--the fountains in Kansas City, the Wineries on Long Island, etc. It is like a drug
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Originally Posted by submart
It makes me laugh when people report that have traveled all over the world (and they are from the U.S.A.), but they haven't even traveled their own country! We live in the third biggest country in the world and there is so much to see and do.
I don't see anything bad about wanting to travel in general, as long as it isn't an addiction. It's important not to base you entire self worth on your travels. People who drop everything and travel can run into big problems (i.e. financial, relationship, career, etc.)
Life is good in moderation. If somebody travels every month and has nothing in savings, that's not healthy. However, traveling several times a year (to wherever) and you have money in the bank, for retirement, etc. is fine.
Now, if your retired and well off. . . . go ahead and travel whenever and wherever.
I find it interesting as a Canadian, I have been in more States than virtually any of my American neighbors in my condo in Florida. I've been in 41 so far, and that does not mean I landed at the airport and changed planes.
I find it interesting as a Canadian, I have been in more States than virtually any of my American neighbors in my condo in Florida. I've been in 41 so far, and that does not mean I landed at the airport and changed planes.
Good for you for exploring the U.S. I travel extensively in Canada (six provinces and 1 territory) and love it there. You've outdone me with states big time. I'm at 25. My goal is to see all of them one day.
The USA is in its infantcy compared to places like Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. ( to name a few).
Traveling to places such as these really can give one a sense of history and gives some insight on our ( most of us) origins. Once you visit some of these places you'll agree that the as wonderful as the US is.. History wise it doesn't hold a candle to some of these ancient civilizations... Romans , Greeks, Asians, Egyptions, etc.
IMHO if one hasn't experienced the architecture, culture, and customs of other people's and countries you are really missing out.
I agree that traveling to traveling the world is a great and I really want to do it very slowly over my life. I just think it's important to explore one's own country at length as well.
I've traveled the US and abroad, I love our Country it's amazing. But there is just this feeling I get to be in something so old. Like Masada in Israel or The Coliseum in Rome.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
10,202 posts, read 7,922,771 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by submart
Good for you for exploring the U.S. I travel extensively in Canada (six provinces and 1 territory) and love it there. You've outdone me with states big time. I'm at 25. My goal is to see all of them one day.
I'm pretty sure I won't see Hawaii; I have no desire. Essentially I am missing the New England states, but then I have not been in the Canadian maritimes either (been in the rest of Canada, and all three territories). It's a bucket list thing
I agree that traveling to traveling the world is a great and I really want to do it very slowly over my life. I just think it's important to explore one's own country at length as well.
My sister says: There's so much to see in this country, why would I want to cross the Atlantic or Pacific?
Well, it's like this, most people miscalculate how much work and energy that foreign travel takes, and I'm talking traveling, not touring, where tour agents lead you every step of the way. I never do tours, I'm a traveler who won't even make an advanced hotel reservation to any country I'm traveling to.
I did everything pretty much backwards, did all my foreign travel first, when younger up through my 50's, when I had more energy and patience, and at 65 now, there's no way, ho zay, I'd ever be up to any foreign travel today! Having COPD, and given the disgustingly unhealthy air to breathe in India or China, I'd be keeling over before I even left the Airport! Climb that Great Wall again, or climb around on those Greek or Roman ruins or could I even breathe today in La Paz at 12,500 feet?
The U.S. will always be here, better to explore the U.S. in your 60's/70's/80's/90's and do your foreign trips when younger. That's my advice!
Let me add my favorite travel saying: Nothing brings you closer to eternity, and: Travel makes you more wise and less happy! Last one was from Thomas Jefferson, and oh so true!
I dunno. I didn't say that education makes anyone a worse person.
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