“Why travel now?”
Shaun and I hear this question quite often and our most common response is:
“Well, why not?”
As our backpacking trip is rapidly approaching, I had to stop and think about what our motivation was. While I have been known to be stubborn in my decisions, I have to say there are valid reasons (even though you don’t really need any to travel) for our upcoming trip in March 2011.
For me, the reasons are as follows:
- College went nowhere. I am not saying that college is a worthless endeavor. I wholeheartedly believe that the experiences and knowledge gained during my time there were priceless. The situation is this – I have a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, TV, and Film. The social capital for that is quite low. If I have one piece of advice for anyone getting that degree it would be, “Do enough for your grades and network, network, network.” I unfortunately paid for my own college and had to work full time to support myself which lead to very little networking time. When I graduated, it was with a 3.5 GPA but no one to call when it came to getting work. It was even to the point where one potential employer said during an interview, “I bet your parents told you not to get that degree.”
- I want to return to school and focus on anthropology and archaeology. I am addicted to learning and scholarly endeavors. When I tell people this is what I am considering, they ask, “What are you going to do with it? Teach?” While I am not interested in racking up another couple ten grand for my masters, what better way to spend my time than going on a backpacking trip to the subject matter I am most fascinated by – Latin American Indigenous Cultures. And, for half that price, Shaun can come too (he loves ancient cultures as well). I will be getting a real world education.
- The economy is down. While this may seem counterintuitive, I feel as though I can be using my time in a more efficient manner than waiting it out. Getting a job that will lead to a career is quite tough right now. Why not build your resume by learning another language and volunteering abroad? When things start looking up again, Shaun and I will have a more impressive resume.
- I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Shaun is in this same boat too. The concept that you will wake up one day and know is not always the case with people – so goes the human condition. While I am currently trying to find my place in the photography world, I also need to consider a possible backup plan. Maybe we will find our inspiration for what we want to do while we are on our trip? A lot can happen when experiencing new activities, people, and cultures.
- We’re frustrated with the status quo. Shaun and I have always been different in our families. While I am very proud of other family members for achieving the American Dream, it is not something that we’re interested in right now. There was just a turning point for Shaun and I where owning “things” was just not as fulfilling as it used to be. There were times where I would think to myself, “Is this it? Why can I not just be happy with where I am? Millions of Americans are happy with their lives, why can’t I be?”
- Desire to volunteer. When I was in high school many moons ago, I used to have a passion for volunteering. I was an avid supporter and worker for Habitat for Humanity, Blue Santa, and Coats for Kids. While I understand the importance of helping the community, I now want to have a more global approach. People in the United States, regardless of being below the poverty line, have it so much better than others in the world.
- We live in a time of chaos and war and I would like to keep my faith in humanity. I know for a fact that many people believe the world is out to get you. Even after our shorter, previous travels I know that we all want the same thing – to laugh, love, eat and drink. I am tired of living in an atmosphere of fear that is constantly perpetuated by the media.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. – Mark Twain
The above quote really hit me the other day. I really feel as though traveling has changed my outlook on life. I am in constant growth when I am involved in the global community.
As for our trip, will I find myself?
Probably not.
Why travel now?
It will be one helluva ride.
All really great reasons to travel. I’m finding that travel isn’t so much about seeing people and places but discovering more about myself.
The fellow traveler, new friend, and career counselor in me loves this post. People are always going to have questions (pure curiosity) or flat out question (out of ignorance or in judgment) and you’ve taken time to think of real answers.
Sitting here smiling in anticipation of the day you two set off on the new adventure…I’ll always be a fan! Til then, I’ll be here to fully support the planning <3
I agree with all of them, but number 4… I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up is completely true for me! I think I knew more when I was 18 than now! In someway I hope I never grow up and then I will never need to get a job 😉
Brilliant! You are lucky that you have a partner that has the same passion for travel, adventure and a non-tradition life. What a gift! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip next year.
When we asked Kyle’s 60+ year old uncle who has a PhD, owns a company & has traveled around the world quite a few times “So you think it’s ok we’re not coming back to the States & getting ‘real’ jobs?” He told us, “meh, don’t worry about what people say – I’m still trying to figure out when I’ll be when I grow up.”
And I like your attitude – you may not “find yourselves,” but you’ll definitely find something better. If you follow your heart, you’ll be rewarded.
So excited for you two!!!!
Very good list, these are all really good reasons to travel. I didn’t know y’all were leave so soon (March) I don’t know why I thought y’all left in May. Congrats on haveing a degree. I admire anyone who has one. I hate school so much & have never finished & don’t know if I ever will. Its weird though because I love learning new things & watching educational shows or doing research online but I can’t stand school.
Anyway good luck w/ getting evthing ready by March its fast approaching.
Great post Erica! Definitely all good reasons too. I can’t believe that guy in reason #1 – what an A$$! I think that’s a great degree and it might just make itself really well known on the road 🙂
I liked your post, good to see! I have a very strong affiinity toward your last reason. ” we all want the same thing – to laugh, love, eat and drink.” Perfect and poignant, and as far as my travel experience has shown me, it’s also truth!
@Ayngelina: When I first started traveling it was for completely difference reasons. This time around it is so much more personal.
@Heather: You are too cute! Thank you for being there girlie. Your support means the world to me!
@Kirsty: I was definitely more of an idealist who thought they know what they were doing at 18!
@Michelle: Thank you! I am incredibly lucky that my husband doesn’t mind being whisked off to random places around the world. I’m not sure what I would have done if he had said no!
@Bessie: Reading stories like Kyle’s uncle’s really makes me feel a little better in regards to my direction in life. I know some people have found their calling. My sister LOVES being a kindergarten teacher and thank goodness because we need people with passion in those jobs!
I’ve always been known to follow my heart – for better or for worse but I like where I’m at now so it couldn’t have been that terrible!
@Jaime: We were actually supposed to leave in December but had decided it was in our best interest to push it up a few months (due to a known bonus at Shaun’s work). I have mixed feelings on my degree if you can’t tell lol. Shaun is still debating if he wants to go to college.
@Beth: Thank you! Yeah – lets just say it was the interview person for a very well known social networking site. I was quite turned off with the whole ordeal. It is fine though! It saved me from another job in Customer Service!
@David: #7 is a very important reason for me. I keep being told I’m going to get kidnapped and die of some horrible disease. Everyone I have ever met abroad has been so warm and amazing!
I can really relate to your reasons here, particularly 1, 4, 5 and 7. I was just commenting on another blog about how I didn’t even realize that the American Dream was even still out there as an idea. It just seems so far gone now. So many people struggle to make ends meet and devote themselves to companies and titles that offer them nothing in return. They don’t even realize this until they get laid off. I find it so sad. We’re very lucky in that John and I both have jobs that allow for a certain amount of mobility. I’m not sure that people in the ‘burbs are really that happy anyway. Good for you for realizing all of this and having the courage to pursue what you really love!
Right on.
Hi Erica, I can’t believe the employer said that to you during the interview. I had ran into one employer who keep correcting my pronunciation during my interview. It was horrible. I mean I might have some accent since I wasn’t born here, but it wasn’t that bad at all. Some employer can be rude!
I like your 3rd reason. Economy is down now. A lot people are taking this time to travel or do stuff they always wanted to do, such as traveling spending time with their kids or going back to school. So GO you! All these are great reasons and above all we’re just want to be happy and live our life to the fullest!
I’m hoping to find myself (a suitcase full of money so I never have to get a job again)
awesome guys!!! i’m so happy for you. have some thoughts on each point. 1- you earned that training. screw that guy- who knows how that may come into play later. 2- you know i’m giving 2 thumbs up to that 🙂 anthropologists study culture- what CAN’T you do with that? i make doc films, definitely using that degree! 3- great timing 4&5- maybe THIS is what you’ll want to be when you grow up. 6&7- beautiful reasons 🙂 why not is right- i can’t wait to read about all the amazing adventures you’re going to have!
@Andrea: I personally don’t believe that the American Dream is out there (or that it is VERY hard to attain), however, being told your entire life that in order to succeed in life you NEED to have stuff can really mess with your head!
@Sarah: I wanted to punch my interviewer in the face. I think I was passed over for the job (I’m UBER qualified for it) because they saw my Over Yonderlust blog.
@Poi: And lets hope you share the suitcase. *cough*
@Lorna: I think the thing that really hurt me is that I didn’t want to move to Cali for my degree. I know quite a few people who are successful in LA. But yeah, not for me. We’ll see what happens!
Number 4 and 5 ring very true for me. I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I know it’s not the the status quo American dream path. I’ve been down that road and it doesn’t do get me that excited.
@Nick: Well, at least you know what you DON’T want? It is a start!
Why not is my favorite reason? Get out. See. Enjoy. Massive world out there. Sooooo much to see and do.
@Michael: For some reason “Why not?” has caused more drama than I care to admit in my family. 😛 Had to come up with creative reasons.
It took us years to figure out what we wanted to do when we grew up. For our entire twenties and into our thirties we worked in the Film Business. You are right, it is slowing down a lot. We changed careers to travel bloggers just in time:). Now that we are approaching 40, we have finally figured out what we want to do when we grow up (still feeling like little kids) Travel expanded our horizons. Dave always said that he wishes he thought of travel in our early 20’s we would have figured it all out by then. But then again, we are very happy where we are right now. I think everyone should travel, it changes your life. It doesn’t have to be forever, just one big trip to open up new possibilities.
Great list of reasons. It is always best to pursue your passions and where your heart is pulling you as this is the right road. Too many people get caught up doing what they feel they “have’ to, what society, or their parents tell them to do. You’ll learn so much about yourself and the world that you’ll be able to work out much easier what it is you really want to do. You’re on a great path.
I hear you on the family thing. My family is great about it, and as my other siblings travel just as much we all understand one another. Craig’s family not quite so much. We definitely feel like the big bad sheep there.
Personally, I think the best reason to travel is to learn.
I think there’s a fallacy that most of America shares, and that’s that everyone else is happy. I just don’t believe it. Seems like the kind of urban myth that keeps people doing their jobs and not rocking the boat. Well keep on rocking Erica and Shaun!
@Dave and Deb: If I can make travel blogging work as a viable source of income I would be the happiest person on the face of the planet. I really wanted to make the film thing work – I had been looking forward to working in the film industry my entire life – REALLY. My mom was in the director’s guild and I grew up around it so it was disheartening that it hasn’t worked out. Not that I’m THAT sad. It made me travel. 🙂
@Caz: Doing things that my heart desires has made one parent happy and the other alienated. :X It is definitely an interesting phenomenon to be around. Hopefully we can figure out where we are headed at some point. I’ve never had so many paths open to me before.
@Devin: Totally with you there.
@Keith: After these past few years I definitely don’t think most people are happy. Things have become increasingly more difficult among other things. I’m just tired of working 50 hours a week to keep my head above water. I want nothing of that! You keep traveling as well! We need your thoughts and eloquent writing as inspiration!
Of all the coolest people I know of various ages, none of them know what they want to be when they grow up 🙂 Hold on to your dreams and ignore everybody. Yay.
Powerful reasons all of them, and there is one more: things are cheaper today! I Also traveled for a year hoping to skip the crisis, but it apparently will last for quite a while, so go and enjoy life!
ALL excellent reasons! Love it!
@Margo: Apparently it is quite the conundrum! 😛
@Fede: Things ARE cheaper! I don’t think we’re going to be gone long enough to avoid any economic issue, but you’re right, why stick around and be miserable?
@D: Thank you!
Love it. What a great read. My family has been extremely supportive of my desires to spend my life right now on the road, and I’m reminded of what my sister said when she told me to do it while I can because life doesn’t always afford those opportunities.
@Spencer: My dad is very supportive of my travels but I confuse the hell out of my mom’s side. Your sister sounds amazing!
You need to LIVE LIFE NOW because you never know if you’ll be here next week, or next year. As regards to #1, it’s all about Life Experience. You can have a degree in anything you want but a degree isn’t experience, it’s purely book knowledge.
Remember, the “American Dream” isn’t for everyone. It’s a set of rules/traditions that people follow sometimes in order to please others. Go against the grain and follow your dreams…
@Ryan: It took us a good 10 years to realize that we weren’t into the American Dream. We’re tryin’ and shooting for the stars!
I travelled for a lot of those reasons as well. Now that I’m actually out here though its become so much more. Learning about history I’d never known of and the joy of making more friends than I can count on my fingers and toes. I’m learning so much about myself and I’ve never been happier.
@Chris: I’m totally becoming a history geek during our travels.