Comments on: Is Full-Time Travel an Act of Withdrawal?

By: Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 22:34:39 +0000

In reply to Andrea.

Thank you, Andrea!
Years on from writing this post, I still think travel (at least for me) is an act of engagement rather than withdrawal, but everybody has their own reasons…and none are right or wrong.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 14:20:54 +0000

I just wanted to say thanks for this post! I’m thinking of embarking on my own long-term travel trip (have not yet), but have been wrestling with this question (whether traveling is a means of escape or greater engagement) and really loved your perspective on this one.

By: Fab

Fab — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:57:44 +0000

The last consideration:

Maybe that now you are fed up with this kind of life and you’d like something more stable!!

That would be ok in any case because you have won a meaningful challenge and you’ll have all the time to make up another challenge or simply living happily without any particular challenge!!

All the best!

Fab

By: Fab

Fab — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 06:44:04 +0000

Hi Nora,

you have taken me aback for the second time!!

Unbelievable!!

This is another “Lectio Magistralis”!!

The part of this article which I’ve particularly appreciated is:

“And although in a conventional retirement I shouldn’t have to work while traveling, I would imagine that scaling back life to the basics after decades of keeping up with the Joneses would be a real challenge.”

You were a CFP and you coud have a pretty comfortable life with a good match ( that was easily within your reach!! ) but you preferred the road less traveled and you guessed it!!

Bravo!!

Ciao! Fab

PS “The Road less Traveled”:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

~Robert Frost

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:35:09 +0000

@Steven – Thanks for the comment, and the sage advice.
My father spent his whole working life dreaming of seeing Europe. When he turned 65 he finally started taking a few trips – his first overseas trips ever – and although his mind and character would still love to keep on exploring Europe, his back won’t let him any more. He didn’t get nearly as much travel in as he would have liked before he had to stop.

I was much less worried about losing the DESIRE to travel, and more worried about the ABILITY to do the things I want to do on the road – which aren’t always even easy for my 35 year old body! Ha ha.

So….where to first for you?

By: steven

steven — Mon, 14 May 2012 22:29:08 +0000

I really enjoy reading your writing. I’m not going to dispute why you travel, only comment on your “65” position. I’m 56, just retired and have a one way ticket to Spain. I don’t know why you think that your desire to travel will wane. It won’t. I travelled for three months a year about 20 years. The babies are 20 and 22 now and I’m ready to roll. Yes, my body moves slower, is slower to heal, but my desire burns brightly. I have what no age will ever curb, curiosity. Maybe I’ll see you on the road.
Take care and keep writing the interesting pieces. You sound…young! (that’s a compliment!)

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:31:34 +0000

@Geoff – Thanks for stopping by! I think travel can take on my different forms (as is evidenced by the oh-so-varied daily grinds described by writers of my week-in-the-life series), and what we choose to experience and learn from out travels also varies. But in just about all cases – as with most life experience – wisdom comes.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:55:33 +0000

Nora,
Saw an article about you in Raleigh News & Observer today. I am a frequent global business and vacation traveler, for the last 30 years. Just to add, i have learned, we are all a recipe of human, cultural and cognitive insights and capabilities. How can one improve their cultural and cognitive understanding without travel? It would not be easy! Remember Marcel Proust’s quote: “wisdom is gained on a journey no one can take for us or spare us” Happy Trails!

By: Richard DuLac

Richard DuLac — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:02:18 +0000

Hi!, – it has been exciting more than exhausting!. I am still in the paperwork/legal shuffle of getting rid of my “stick house” which I probably will never buy another home again.
It taught me that I am not a stick home, white picket fence guy!. I love traveling and now that Im 46 years old and have done the married and divorce thing, miltary career, Chicago/NY/NJ corporate life I learned a important lesson.
Do what makes you happy! you contribute more to the world that way!.
I have had to postpone my trip for the month due to the weather and sellling off of all my stick house stuff.. but I am making progress and cant wait to hit the road. comment ya soon!..
Rick

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 23:41:11 +0000

@Richard – What a great trip you have planned! Bravo! Are you exhausted from the process of selling everything, or energized by what’s to come?
What an adventure. Drop me a line if you want to submit a week-in-the-life entry to this site once you’re on the road!