Just Go: De-Bunking Common Myths About Extended Travel

Perspective shot taken with friends in the Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

As an Editor at TravelPost in Seattle, I spend a good amount of time each week reading other Travel Blogs, and am amazed by the number of people who have left behind their run-of-the-mill lives to pursue extended travel and blog about it.  However, outside of my work, I think these travelers are the exception, and globe-trotting extended travel is an experience that still eludes most Americans who can't imagine leaving their homes for more than two weeks at a time.

I wrote a post recently about the plethora of benefits of traveling solo, especially as a woman.   I've been traveling on extended trips my entire adult life; from spending a year in Australia after graduation, to four months of 2009 in South America, visiting 49 countries so far.  I've been fortunate, but I am of the opinion that extended or long-term travel is a choice, and very possible if you decide to make it a priority.  In this post, I want to take a look at some of the common objections I've heard over the years whenever I've suggested "Why don't you just go travel for a while?"

I can't afford it: People are often very surprised when I tell them my travel budget for an extended trip.  First of all, the biggest expense associated with foreign travel is the 'getting to and from expense'.  By staying in a place or region for longer, you won't spend that much more, and maybe less, when compared to returning to a place on two separate occasions.  In addition, if you choose a destination such as South East Asia, you will find that you can get by on a budget of $30 a day - or less if you're really careful.  Add that to airfare and you may even find that you'll spend less traveling than you would if you stayed home.  Of course, it does help if you can minimize your ongoing expenses back home, such as moving out of your house, or renting it out while you are away.  Better yet, you could find a job working abroad (such as teaching English) that comes with an income, or at least living expenses covered.


At "The Hand of the Desert" with Pachamama Tours, Chile

 I can't get that kind of time off work:   Ok. So I do have sympathy here.  Vacation time in the US is not really conducive to extended travel. Plus, you'll need at least a month to truly call it "travel" as opposed to a "vacation", in my humble opinion.  Have you ever considered asking for unpaid leave?  This can work. After getting a promotion from my former employer, I hesitated in asking for a break before starting my new position and was pleasantly surprised when my boss gave me a six week leave.  Also, have you considered traveling when there's been a significant change in your life's circumstances? Perhaps you got laid off, you're considering a career/job change or perhaps starting a business?  Extended travel has a remarkable way of giving you a sense of clarity about life and what direction you might want to take.  Therefore, it's a great tool for enabling change - if that's your goal.  People thought me crazy, but after getting laid off last year in January, I took my severance and left on a plane to Guatemala, returning from Bolivia four months later.  I felt refreshed and ready to tackle my job search from an altered perspective, one that I believe a person can only get from extended travel.

 I met my companion on the train to Chiang Mai, and she was from Seattle!

I don't know anybody that would go with me: Then go by yourself!  I guarantee that if you decide on a destination that you've always dreamed of going, and take that leap of faith and just go, you will meet plenty of potential travel companions that may just join you on your journey once you've arrived.  If this idea is just too scary, then there are plenty of websites, such as TravelFriend, or TravelPost where you can connect with other travelers and find a buddy.  Alternatively, start your trip with an organized tour of a week or so: you'll automatically meet other travelers, and have a chance to get over any nerves about going solo.

Wait, I have kids: This can make things a little bit tougher, but with careful planning, extended travel together with your family is possible.  I am very grateful that my parents always took me on long trips around Europe when I was little, probably planting the seed for my later wanderlust. Check out my interview with Alpaca Suitcase for some inspiration: A California family who upped and traveled together for a year - proving that it can be done!

With Rex the baby kangaroo, Australia

I've never/couldn't possibly/am too old/too uptight to stay in a Hostel: First of all, if you resonate with the first objection, then staying in hostels might be the only way to make extended travel affordable for you (unless you go with a long term local rental, but then you're stuck in one place- which has pros and cons).  However, this does not mean that you're restricted to a mixed dorm room.  Hostels often have very reasonably priced single and twin rooms available.  In Asia, private rooms are more commonplace than dorms, but in South America, for the most part, you have your choice of both.  People of all ages stay in hostels, and they are truly wonderful places to meet other travelers from all over the world because of the community spaces they provide.  Some of my most memorable travel experiences have been from staying in hostels: my all-time favorite? The Happy House Hostel in Santiago, Chile.

I'd be bored/Get homesick/Don't have a passport: Sorry, can't help you here. These are reasons I simply cannot fathom.

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