Comments on: Losing the Wonder of Travel

By: Ricky

Ricky — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:03:45 +0000

Like you’ve already said and recognized, the “wonder” is only one part of it, though I personally see awe and wonder as describing the same thing, so you lost me on that. In fact, the definition of “awe” contains “wonder”: “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.”

Moving on, I don’t think this feeling is static. If you stopped traveling a bit and then started back you may regain that feeling. And it doesn’t even have to be new places. There’s some places I’ve been that I’m ITCHING to go back to because they were that amazing. For me, that is enough. Even if you cover every inch of this world before you die there will always be good reasons to travel.

Hell, there’s so much in one’s own backdoor that most are oblivious to. We travel for new experiences, meeting new people, and seeing beautiful things. I guarantee something new exists within a 5 mile radius of you and you never even knew it.

By: Annie

Annie — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 21:02:49 +0000

It’s been said, but I agree, a rest might be what you need. That being said I get what you’re trying to convey – any “job” becomes a job if you do it long enough 🙂 Taking the bad with the good and keeping a positive view of things is all we can strive for.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:31:13 +0000

In reply to Kevin Post. wow! travel to learn languages! how long do you need to pick up a new language when you are traveling ?

By: Kevin Post

Kevin Post — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:48:28 +0000

Get out of your comfort zone. I think that you are too comfortable when you travel. I have been traveling to learn languages, rock-climb and do some mountaineering for the past five years and I have never been bored doing these things. I am always out of my comfort zone because I am either trying to communicate with people in their language, trying to scale peaks in remote locations, or climb are more challenging rock face which has the potential to be risky.

Go back to the states for a few weeks, recharge, realize how good you have it and then find ways to get out of your comfort zone.

By: Gjermund Glesnes

Gjermund Glesnes — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:20:11 +0000

After two years as a staff reporter in a travel section – and lots of backpacking before that – I get that feeling too.
And you know what? I don’t really mind. Sometimes it even gives me fun that I never would have appreciated before. Like when overhearing someone say: “Oh my, over a 140 years old, that’s ancient!” at a lighthouse on Door Peninsila, WI.
And I still get blown away, by Machu Picchu, by the Italian mountain village Pietrapertosa, or by unforseen magic like the old fisherman on the Amalfi Coast, who almost stumbled in my viewfinder before laying down to sleep in one of the boats I was photographing.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:53:49 +0000

In reply to Dan. Ahhh the first meeting questions. I should wear a shirt that says where I'm from, what I do, where I've been, how long I've been traveling, and lastly, my name!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 03 May 2011 22:54:12 +0000

In reply to NomadicMatt. I know that feeling about meeting so many people! After a while I came to know them as disposable friends, the people that you genuinely connect with yet realise you may never see again. Not in a harsh way, there just isn't enough mindshare to stay connected with everyone you meet! They can last a day, weeks, or even last months. I would go through cycles of meeting new people all the time and then either stay in one place for a bit or go off on a tangent with someone for a while. It can be hard work meeting new people all the time and going through the inevitable first meeting questions every day!

By: Lisa Lubin

Lisa Lubin — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:05:59 +0000

Great post Matt. Very honest and real. And one I totally relate to.

I traveled first for 15 months straight, but kept it interesting with variety…different jobs, volunteering, long stays, etc. Then I came back to the US and recharged a bit, but still living out of a bag and staying with various friends and family. Then I left the US again for 6 months and traveled with less different activities/breaks and definitely started to feel that ‘burn out’ feeling – just the exhaustion of what you mentioned–always moving, always meet new people and talking, talking, moving, moving. It’s truly exhilarating and exhausting at the same time.

The last thing I wanted to do was totally burn out so I returned home and have planted some roots back in Chicago for now. But, you’re right, I too am a traveler and know now, that I can leave anytime for months at a time and be fine. It feels easier than ever and the break and ‘re-charge’ will definitely do you good. 🙂
How’s it going in NYC? It’s a pretty amazing place….might be hard to leave!
LL

By: James Craven

James Craven — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:54:27 +0000

Pencil one in for the future, but be ready for it to change everything in your life…wander on!
JSC

By: haidang

haidang — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:18:21 +0000

you will realize that no matter where you are in the world, it’s the people who will make it or break it. maybe settle down and find an significant other and then travel with that person everywhere again. it will be a new experience. trust.