Male,age 38, self employed.No it's not a classified.It is
that I am fed up working for 20 years with no serious
vacation at all and decided to give it up and go for a one
or more year round the world trip.But is it wise at this
age to do so? Wouldn't every fellow backpacker lough at a
middle aged bald headed man trying to discover the world?
And what about returning? All of my friends have families
and kids.They keep saying me,are you nuts?Settle down you
old crazy.
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Your friends may simply be jealous. Believe me, they'll
be talking about you when your gone and they will want to
hear everything when you return. But they are right, you
lose something by doing something like this. Having
a home and family is nice, I quess. But if you don't
have that why not go? But there is always a tradeoff in
everything you do. Don't you think your friends have missed
wonderful and unique opportunities because they "settled"?
Don't worry about being too old - your wisdom will get you
thru. I'm 42 (and bald) and about to take off for a 6 month
trip, and have taken a few other long trips, mostly in Asia.
If you go to Asia you will not feel too old, since many
travelers (even with backpacks) are "middle-aged". In the
more developed countries (Europe, Australia or New Zealand)
you may feel old since travelers/backpackers tend to be
young.
GO!!!! Enjoy yourself. You will NOT regret traveling!
Jim Rogers did the same thing when he was about your
age--but he did it on a bike (aka motorcycle). You'll have
to endure some gawdawfl propaganda for Wall Street
capitalism, but the stories he has about the road are great.
Title: "Investment Biker."
I'm way past 38, and am planning my first roundy-rounder.
Never too old!!
if you don't. I'm 45 and go for a backpack type holiday
every year. I've never had enough money to go round the
world. Look for me in Central Am. every year starting Dec.
15 till the middle of Jan. It will be Peru this year.
You are not enlisting in some secret group with grooming and dress codes. You will have the advantages of maturity and probably a more comfortable financial situation than those who have to watch every cent. My experience has been that most local laughter is directed at men with long hair and women in what are considered men's clothing. Go and be mellow.
The previous posts seem to say it all...I just needed to
added my encouragement. GO!
Happy trails!
Go for it, George, and don't look back. You will always
regret it and wonder 'what might have been' if you don't go
for it now.
You don't seem to have a lot of strings attached or else you
would not be in a position to consider such a trip. If that
is the case, then follow your dream. You can always pick
back up where you left off in the world of work.
I doubt that other backpackers will laugh at you. I would
bet that they will admire you for taking the plunge. Many
that you meet will become good friends.
What you need to thinks about is your comfort zone- I am 45
and what I did (i am seld empl.) is to take a month off a
year, 6 weeks on a good year. This way you see the world and
don;t fuck up at home or do the same to the bussines
Who ever lay on their death bed and said "Gosh, I wish I'd
spent more time in an office" ?
You'll regret what you DON'T do. Try it, you might just
find yourself still backpacking and very happy at 65...
I knew a woman in her fifties who travelled around for 6 months and had a great time. I think 38 is about as perfect as you could get. It's time to change your life as you head into (I think) the best time of your life - the 40's. I did, and I'll never regret it. And, you can settle down later. I did that too. Later you'll find it funny that you worried about your age at 38.
You gotta go! You're getting thumbs up from all directions.
Just keep a diary and tell us all about it when you get
back.
Hey, George, I'm exactly twice your age, as is my wife,
and we still do our world travel bit as we have done
since 1970. Take a tip and do while you can. As the old
adage goes, use it or lose it! Good luck and happy
travelling.
42 nd just returned from 18 mths round the world - do it like me you will wnt to keep on traveling - the word is too big for your lifetime.
42 nd just returned from 18 mths round the world - do it like me you will wnt to keep on traveling - the word is too big for your lifetime.
Don't think about it just do it. The chance never comes
back. If you ask anyone who knows you what to do believe me
they will all have an answer -- did they ever or would they
ever have your guts!!?? No way. If it feels good to you
don't even ask them 'cause it's not them any of this will
effect.
Being 10 years older than you we, G & J,know you are at the
perfect age to do it.
P.S. We are currently looking at leaving our Canada (where
taxes are killing all of us) and relocating to an island.
We're 49 and 50 respectively and I don't care what my
friends and family are going to think -- when I shovel snow
they sure as heck aren't concerned. DO IT and enjoy. Let
us all know how things are going. We'll be checking to see
where you are and what's new in your mind and heart.