A ’round the world trip in 29 days? Blasphemy, I hear long term travelers shouting from the rooftops after reading Maryann Haggerty’s Washington Post article, Around the World in Four Easy Lessons.
Before we rush to judgment on the idea, lets remember some of the universal reasons why RTW trips are so appealing, regardless of their length.
- Freedom – The ability to look at a world map and turn dream destinations into your personal reality.
- Adventure – Touching down in more new and exotic countries during your RTW trip than in the last 5 years’ worth of vacations put together.
- Against the Status Quo – For many working Americans, a two-week vacation is a rare event, let alone asking for a month or more away from the office.
- Bragging Rights – Let’s admit it, being able to say you took a trip “around the world” is likely to draw envy from just about anyone.
Maryann and her husband don’t pretend that their 8-country itinerary will allow them opportunities to delve into local cultures. Instead, she says they’re “city people” who wanted to “see the skyscrapers of Hong Kong and the masterpieces of the Prado.” I can’t blame them, as both experiences were highlights on my recently concluded trip around the world.
The more you travel, the easier it is to get wrapped up in the holier-than-thou idea that your approach is the right approach, for everyone. Instead, challenge yourself to look for the ties that bind us vagabonds and world travelers together.
You can read posts from Maryann’s trip at her blog, Around the World in 29 Days.
I think you captured all the main reasons for a R-T-W trip. I keep getting frustrated when others backpackers say, “oh, well you didn't rough it enough, you didn't go to the most remote places in the world, you didn't travel long enough, you didn't stay long enough, you didn't camp enough, etc.” Backpacking, or traveling for an individual is however THEY want to do it. Why must we judge and and always try to one up someone else? I guess it's just human nature. I think we all should do what we want. And if seeing cities and sky scrapers is your thing, than more power to you!
@two backpackers…ditto…exactly what I wanted to say…I may not have spent as long on the road as other RTW'ers but the end result is exactly the same- I traveled around the world (and not many people can say that!)
The couple seem to be looking at the budget backpacking group as black and white which is never a good thing to do. They make assumptions that if they stay in $10/night hostels the water will be cold or that many backpackers only bring 2 changes of clothing.
I interpreted this article as them making excuses not to travel one specific way so that they could travel in their own unique way which is hardly unique. All told I did not not find this article interesting or helpful.
But how do you really feel? :)
By the way, I like the updated look at http://www.locationlessliving.com
Exactly, and whether people admit it or not, the travel experience changes the longer your gone. Adrenaline wears off – you can only be wow'd by so many monuments and amazing sights before it starts to become normal.
I think there is a lot of merit to 6 month trips, though I'm still a proponent of more time in fewer places.
But how do you really feel? :)
By the way, I like the updated look at http://www.locationlessliving.com
Exactly, and whether people admit it or not, the travel experience changes the longer your gone. Adrenaline wears off – you can only be wow'd by so many monuments and amazing sights before it starts to become normal.
I think there is a lot of merit to 6 month trips, though I'm still a proponent of more time in fewer places.