Wanderlust
by boh3m3 on Dec.03, 2008, under Random Thoughts
For years now, I have been suffering from a gnawing desire to explore the planet. In my 23 years so far, the only places I’ve been to are parts of Florida, New York, California, and Alabama. By anyone’s standards, that’s a pretty neglected travel diary.
Aside from my road trip here to Los Angeles, my map has no discernible edges. The world feels huge, but out of reach. I feel like my credit card debt is the rock my Prometheus is chained to, and I’m tired of that fucking Eagle.
How much can one really know about the world through books and video? The world is not two-dimensional, but most people lose sight of that through mass media. Although the dissemination of information is a wondrous thing indeed, it’s drawbacks are almost as powerful.
The mystery, the sense of discovery is almost lost with endless travel books and articles. For most people, travel is an economic adventure, not a spiritual one. Oh how exciting, Merv! We get to avoid bills for a few days in some spot outside our bubble! I’m so excited I brought traveler’s checks!
I long to live out of a backpack, changing currencies like underwear and stacking up memories like Legos. I want to meet people in countries around the world and swap stories over local brew in local style.
In short, I want to walk the Earth and see just what the hell I’ve been missing.
So I’m putting together a plan to wipe out my debt [which is rather small], save up some travel money and get my ass the hell out of Los Angeles. I’m hoping to see all the continents, with Australia saved for last. I figure by the time I get all the others covered, maybe the Aussies will have forgotten the Vegemite Wars that never happened.
I’ll need to buy a cheap laptop that can hold lots of photos and access the internet. Probably an old ThinkPad; from what I’ve seen those can survive a nuclear holocaust.
Hopefully within the next two years I’ll have enough to throw my stuff in storage (or pay rent while I’m gone) and spend a few weeks in each area.
With any luck, I’ll be able to couch-surf my way through a few countries (though I don’t really know anyone abroad, save a few here and there), see the world and have some nifty photographs and stories to tell.
So that being said… who else feels the wanderlust?
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December 3rd, 2008 on 9:47 am
I live in Uruguay when I’m not at college and you’re always welcome to crash at my house if you’re in transit.
If you go to Latin America, chances are you’ll want to see the Andes, most of Argentina, Rio, and parts of Peru (if you bring a guide with you). You’ll want to stay out of the north unless you have a local with you. Don’t go swimming in the amazon!!
Pros: its cheap, very beautiful, and people like to party AND eat
Cons: lots of shady people (watch your wallet), winter sucks
December 3rd, 2008 on 10:38 am
I Remember seeing somewhere that you wanted to visit Ireland. hit me up for a drink if you go there!
December 3rd, 2008 on 11:19 am
Ireland and Guam are two places I really want to visit. Oh…and Barbados.
December 3rd, 2008 on 11:43 am
You could sofa-surf your way across the world! Except I’m a good hostess so I’d let you have the bed.
December 3rd, 2008 on 12:12 pm
I’ll throw out Japan for the sake of throwing it out there. Tokyo may look to have the same kind of urban sprawl as LA, but the aesthetic seems very unique (mostly though it’s crowded with several different back ally hideaways).
December 3rd, 2008 on 12:52 pm
I would love to hit the open road across Canada - just to find out about my Canadian heritage. In the summer. Where it’s only mildly cool, and not freezing cold.
December 3rd, 2008 on 2:17 pm
i have this …
http://www.vagabondish.com/8-tools-travel-long-term-live-rent-free/
as a permanent tab in my browser.
hoping i might actually grow the guts to do it someday..
December 3rd, 2008 on 2:27 pm
Thats awesome ben! Travel IS a GREAT as it sounds. Your intense desire to leave will make the trip that much better.
December 3rd, 2008 on 5:32 pm
As a single mom traveling isn’t really a possibility for me at the moment so I most definitely look forward to living vicariously through your travels.
I would love to visit Ireland as I’m over half irish, and the b.f. can’t wait to drag me to Japan and Austrailia. He also recommends looking into a Dell ToughBook rather than a ThinkPad. He says it’s really just an armor-plated-ThinkPad…
Don’t know if any of that helps but I hope you get to indulge your wanderlust and throw back a pint in a pub for me would ya?
December 3rd, 2008 on 8:14 pm
Don’t worry Ben, we’re used to having shit hung on us about the vegemite thing. We won’t be waiting at the airport with pitchforks if you’d like to visit sooner. The only people who hold grudges about that stuff are old enough for you to outrun.
A couple of weeks ago I attempted to compile a list of places I wanted to see. The list just got longer and longer until, in my frustration, I scribbled it out and wrote “Everywhere but Africa”. So yes, I guess you can say that I too feel the wanderlust or, as I call it, itchy feet. So if you’re ever looking for a travel buddy or just a bed and a beer in Sydney, let me know.
December 3rd, 2008 on 8:31 pm
It must be something in the air Ben. Now granted I’ve been lucky to travel a bit in my life, but lately the wanderlust has been biting hard! It didn’t help much seeing a travel show recently on Spain and all the cool places and things to see there! Like the kick ass architecture (modernismo), the Salvador Dali museum, the picasso museum, gaul park (not sure if I’m spelling that right, probably not) and on and on and on. And who knew there was such beauty in the Czech Republic!?? Gah!
I hope you get your travel wishes Ben. Make it a priority. Life is short and travel expands the mind so much. And yeah, credit card debt sucks! :P
December 3rd, 2008 on 8:51 pm
I have a friend in Holland that participates in a program at http://www.couchsurfing.com/. People sign up to stay at other members places. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it from him.
December 3rd, 2008 on 9:50 pm
I hear New Zealand is pretty nice ;)
Haha, actually it’s is really popular with backpackers from England and Scotland. Very nice scenery in the south island, and some great tourist attractions in the north.
And the best part is if you find yourself running short of cash there are always jobs to be found, especially fruit picking, which fortunatly comes with it’s own (free) accomidation.
Where ever life leads you Ben, I hope you make the most of it. You only live once.
James
December 3rd, 2008 on 10:56 pm
I’m perfectly happy where I live (British Columbia, Canada), but I would love to visit Scotland, Wales and The Netherlands. It would be nice to see and experience the places where my ancestors existed.
December 4th, 2008 on 2:22 am
Ahh yes, the wanderlust. So many countries, so little money, so little time.
I’ve done some travel, but mostly with family. I’d like to see other countries by foot. Seeing as much as the natural scenery as possible, with a few people in between.
Of the travel I have done, the UK is a favourite with Wales scoring highly, very nice waterfalls.
Don’t forget the places in your own country too, or those nearby. Sometimes we have urges to see other countries without discovering our own first.
When you do come to Australia, although Sarah may not be waiting with a pitchfork I promise you I will be…unless I get shot or arrested or both.
December 4th, 2008 on 3:33 am
I remember the vegemite ‘fiasco’. Truth be told, a lot of Aussies don’t like that brown gunk anyway ;-)
December 4th, 2008 on 3:36 am
Someone else already mentioned the site http://www.couchsurfing.com. It is indeed a great site. I am a member and have hosted many surfers. It’s a great way to live vicariously through others adventures until you have enough money for your own. That’s what I did. I met so many interesting people! I am from Canada and I’m now in China teaching and will begin to travel the beginning of Janauary my list is as follows: Southern China 2 weeks, Thailand 1 month, India 3 weeks, Australia 3-4 months, Europe 4-5 months. I also have some advice about the old thinkpad, I had one and had planned to bring it with me, but due to a tragic accident could not. They are not as iron clad as you may believe; I flight of stairs will surely kill one. Anyways your plan is totally do-able! I really hope you follow through! As a great person once said, “I do not regret the things I’ve done, but those I did not do”. (I stole this motto from Empire Records, as I am sure the writer stole it from somewhere else) Cheers!
December 4th, 2008 on 6:03 am
YES DO WHAT J SAID COME TO WALES I AM COMPLETELY UNBIASED IN THIS MATTER
:D
December 4th, 2008 on 3:43 pm
Ahh yes, Wales also includes the wonderful Thiefree. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I believe it was the distant sound of her weekly wailing that made me feel so at home.
December 4th, 2008 on 3:51 pm
… How do you know about the weekly wailing? Did I tell you about the weekly wailing? Did… oh right, of course, you must have read my blog.
I do wail.
Weekly.
December 6th, 2008 on 9:35 am
Got the same urges man, it always sadly seems to come down to finances tho. There’s a couch here in Dublin for you if you ever decide to visit us.
December 14th, 2008 on 5:15 pm
Hej there.
I know, who likes germans anyway, right?
But we do got the better beer…well, sorta.
So, west germany, close to maryjanecountryborderarea.
Im always willing to spare a couche.
Cant promise ya that im no fortysix year old fag
but youre invited IF you could use a shower, or a bed.
OR some place to wash your clothes while smashing your head.
nice day.
and vegemite sucks monkeys!
December 15th, 2008 on 11:02 am
Haha thanks man. I hope I get a chance to consider your offer.
December 15th, 2008 on 2:28 pm
i feel the wanderlust and it drives me crazy :( there’s so much world to be seen and not enough time to see and appreciate it all. i live in Qatar (if you know where that is), so if you ever wanna come down to my side of the world, i’ll willingly give you free food and a place to sleep (: not much to do down here though. just alot of fake glamour and rich people. DEFINITELY not the real world.
i just got back from a tour of the east-ish coast, (Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Princeton and New York) today. i realized that the shitty side of travel is going back to the real world. it kinda feels like you never went. And as a 15 year old, it means you have to study your ass off for finals.
it’s pretty anti-climactic.