Hi,
I am fascinated by everything to do with travelling, even
though, due mainly to work and financial constraints, I
don't get as many opportunities to travel as I'd like. So,
when I do travel, I try to be as economical as possible,
staying in cheap hotels/hostels, going 2nd class, making
picnics ... you know the general scene.
However, it's a few years since I've been on the road, and
I'm now 35. I know that by a lot of people's standards,
that's still pretty young but I'm worried that I'll feel out
of place in the more budget orientated places (hostels,
restaurants etc). Last time I travelled around Europe (4
years ago) I already noticed that the majority of my fellow
travellers were at least 5 years younger than me and I
suppose I'll feel the age gap even more this time round,
especially as I'll be on my own. As well as that, reading
the Thorn Tree seems to confirm my impression that most
budget travellers are in their early or mid twenties.
So, I'd really appreciate hearing from other woman of about
my age - how likely am I to meet other thirty-somethings,
will I feel "left out", and, last but definately not least,
what are the chances of a holiday romance with a man my own
age?!?
(By the way, I'm planning on visiting the Middle East)
[There are 22 posts - the latest was added on Thu 13 May, 6:51]
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Somehow I found your post, and while I am not a woman, I am a 43 y/o male budget traveller and have similar concerns about being amongst the younger budget travellers. In general I have found most people (regardless of age) to be very friendly and open-minded when treated similarly. I've traveled many times on my own, in budget accomodations, and have always managed to have a great time.
I travelled in the middle east last year as a single 30 year
old woman and did meet lots of younger people but also
hooked up with some my own age. I think the average age in
the ME is a bit older than the european circuit. I also
found people of every age to be friendly and good to travel
with on the whole. Hope you have a good time and meet some
like-minded people!
I am a 34 year old woman - taking off for a solo year long
trip. I understand your concerns too. I like younger
people & I can have as much fun as the next person but, I
find I get to a point where I just need some space! Europe
is the numero uno destination for the under 25 crowd.
I think it's because it is a generally safe
destination for westerners (drinking water, language,
etc.). It seems that the farther afield you go, the older
the crowd gets. Also, more expensive destinations
tend not to attract the youngest kids.
During my trip to the Middle East last year, I saw lots of
younger travellers in Israel - you know the kibbutz factor -
but, practically none in Jordan. I would hazard a guess
that Egypt & Israel are pretty heavily trafficked but, that
any other ME country is not as much (e.g. Syria, Lebanon,
etc.)
I'm going to be 31 when I leave for my year long trip, and have had similar concerns, but it sounds like there are more and more people making this kind of trip in their thirties as welll (at least that's what I hope!). It's nice to see a post like this though, so at least I know that although we may not be in the majority, at least we're out there! Good luck with your trip, and maybe I'll see you in a hostel somewhere....
As a 63 year old female, i find more young people in hostels , guest houses etc. but there are enough people of mixed ages to mix with that I have never felt out of place.
I'm a 58 yr old male and I travel via small pack, budget hotels, and old busses. Most travelers my age are doing the cruise ship
or 5-star package tour thing, but I can't buy that style. I've encountered younger travelers who ended up being co-travelers and
we've had a great time. It's all a matter of attitude, I think, and being able to keep your age away from your mouth. It seems
that the much younger travelers admire us older vagabonds for the courage to leave our comfor zone. I just wish I'd been wise
enough to travel earlier in life.
I know how you feel though - I'm 30 and have noticed the
amount of younger travellers in the budget places. I guess
many people by the time they hit their 30s are settling
down, getting married and raising kids. But, I'm sure you
will meet some like minded people of a similar age range.
As others have mentioned, the average age will be higher in
the ME than in Europe!
Good on you...in my experience the quality of interactions
has depended on the wisdom of a person (which of course
doesn't equate to age). My first three weeks on my last
trip were spent with (I'm 23) ages 27, 30, 39, 50, 55, and
63. Those were also the highlight in terms of being around
simply great people...enjoy your trip!
I can relate to most of these posts. I love to travel. I
find most of my friends are agast at the fact I go alone.
I haven't much money so I stay in hostels and avoid the
first class crowd. I love being close to the real people.
Age is irrelivant. It is the state of mind that counts.
it is a relief to see that there are indeed some people past
their twenties reading this site. I (f/in 40ies) would like
to hear from people m/f who basically gave up their 9-5
cosy, secure lifestyle. Living as an expat. at the door step
of the M.E. I know that if I gave up my career there is no
chance to get it back. Is the question whether I want it
back? No, this is not really the question. The question is
that if you have no financial means to support you, how will
you manage to go on. So it is not a career one needs, but
rather the conviction to be able to provide for oneself for
another 30/40/... years.
I used to travel regularly when I was a student. Sorry to
say, even if it sounds arrogant, but I do not want to sleep
in sheets used by a number of people before me, I do mind
the company of cockroaches and I like a daily shower. So in
the end it seems that I am caught between those frequenting
this site and the others travelling in 4-5 star hotels. Is
there anybody feeling similarly? Does anybody have good
advise on how to make things work? I do not need to read
anything like 'you can't have it both ways', rather some
constructive advise, possibly based on experience.
As to the remarks about age, although I agree that in
principle physical age does not matter, I would say that
communicating with people beyond superficial niceties
requires some maturity, education - formal and informal (you
may shout - but this is what I believe to be a fact) and
this comes with age (and of course I also agree that some
people never grow up- nor want to). Certainly on the road
the common discovery of people and places will link people
of different ages- and backgrounds, but there must be more
to be worthwhile exploring and communicating than the
excitement of the new. Of course it may depend on the
motivation for the travel. Is it as we read on this site
that one week spent in even a small country, or 14 days in 3
central american countries will make you discover country
and people? I honestly more than doubt it.
Is travel a change from our daily routine? A search for
future memories to which we can hold on until we have the
next opportunity to pack our bags? So really escapism? There
certainly are more options and may be I just ask for to
much.
I am contemplataing taking a year off to visit the Middle East but am at a loss for how to plan such a trip . . . money, traveling, documentation, etc. I am a 38/F, who would probably go the least expensive route -- where to start? I'd like to visit Israel, Egypt and Jordan -- perhaps go on to Greece -- but no other Arab countries, as I hear they dont allow visitors with evidence of a visit to Israel.
How does one get started planning the escape of a lifetime????
I'm 45 and have been backpacking in the 3rd world since 1976.
Always looking for travel companions. Trouble is the younger
ones have are less likely to want to rough it. Other than
that and the fact that they tend to be so very conservative
these days, age itself isn't a problem. Its what's in your
soul.
Your question read my mind during my preparations for a solo venture to SE Asia next month. I feel much better now.
At 62 and female, I travel all over the world on my own -
white water rafting in Oz last year; tall ship sailing in
Fiji the year before, rough camping safaris in Africa
regularly. Making friends of all ages depends on what's
going on in your head, not on your age. If you're relaxed,
take inevitable setbacks in your stride and are obviously
enjoying yourself and having fun, then people find
communication easy. I love travelling alone, because I
don't want to have to fit in with anyone else's itinerary;
but I've never been lonely because most travelling people
are friendly.
Why have you got such a big problem with your age? Some
people become middle-aged when they hit 20, others are
ravers in their 60s. It's more a matter of knowing yourself
and the sort of people you're comfortable with. Age is just
a number on your birth certificate (unless this is a
biological clock issue). Chill out a bit, leave your hang-
ups at home and you'll be fine.
i'm almost 40, female, last year did a solo trip, stayed in
those places. I have nothing to add to what everyone else
said about the age thing. They're all right. Don't worry
about it. Just one thing worried me about your post,
whenyou said "what are the chances of a romance..." Please
don't go off thinking you're going to get into a romance.
That's a set up for feeling lonely and being vulnerable to
bad man situations. i haven't been to the middle east but i
have encountered Muslim men in Malaysia, Singapore and
Indonesia (not to mention home in the US). Sorry if it's
racist but i've had the most hassles from Muslim men. i had
numerous ones starting with me all this talk about how
they're so religious, they pray five times a day, they'r
going to be a virgin when they get married and then they're
the first ones to be grabbing your ass. They seem to think
that if they screw around with a foreign woman somehow it
doesn't "count". Please go and enjoy your trip and whatever
happens happens. Don't feel there's something wrong if you
don't have a romance. Anyway, why should love have an age?
Maybe you'll end up with someone much older or younger in
the long run. Sorry to sound like someone's mother. Have
fun!!
Despite our differences in age, we all have one thing in
common........our love of different cultures, diversity in
people and a yearning to explore this lovely planet. There
is no age boundary here...
.. to all of you who wrote in and reassured me about my
travels: I can honestly say you've made me feel a whole lot
better!I can see there are (yes really!) people on the road
a lot older than me and much less hung-up about it than I
am! Just a point to post 16, I'm not going on holiday with
the express purpose of finding a man, but it would be nice,
wouldn't it? I too have heard that Muslim n∞men (especially
Arabs) are bad news: like youI don't mean this in a racist
way but it does seem to be the general consensus from women
travellers, both on this page and elsewhere!
Thanks again and keep writing!
Having lived in the Middle East as a single female for 8
years, I would like to recommend visiting some of the not so
obvious places.
The United Arab Emirates is a terrific place to visit as it
combines all of the Middle East's charms with the facilities
travellers need and look for.
There are hotels to suit most budgets,also amazing shopping
facilities. Access to clean, nice beaches, wonderful
opportunities for water sports ( diving is quite cheap)along
with the cultural aspects of dune driving, sand sking, wadi
bashing etc...
It's a very clean, friendly and safe place to begin any
travelss in this area.
Oman is also a wonderful place to visit.
If anyone would like more specific details please don't
hesitate to e-mail and I'd be glad to help.
Go, go, go.
Age is not in the body it's in the mind. Good times happen
with people who are on the same wavelength not the same age
group.
The great thing about people who read and add to this
message board is the common bond that's so evident -
everyone loves the spirit of travelling and experiencing
the world in all its diversity. With this approach to
life, age is totally irrelevant. Like so many others
who've responded, I'm an 'older' backpacker (now 55) and
I've been travelling for years. These days I much prefer
to go solo because I find I meet so many more great people
of all ages - locals as well as other travellers. You'll
definitely meet people if you're willing to talk, share
experiences, and just 'go with the flow'. A bit of grey
hair doesn't change the way anyone thinks or feels - with
jeans, boots and backpack I still feel 25 (glad I'm not
though - 55 is heaps better!) Good luck - go for it.
i am now 43 and the the last fifteen years i have been
taking trips alone. just for the sake of travelling, seeing,
smelling, hearing and tasting places. and meeting people.
atually, i have found it gets easier when you are a little
older: you get less unwelcome attention from men. not that i
am against meeting men, but you know what i mean. on my last
trip through asia i took up with a japanese man who happens
to be 16 years younger than me. so what? we travelled on,
in different directions, and now, a year later, he has made
it to europe and is here with me, for the moment. so its not
going to be forever, so what!? what is? living, not only
travelling, should keep us open for experiences: there
should be no 'i'm too old'. on the other hand, i admit, i do
like creature comforts these days, hot showers and the
like... no problem. the next chance i get, i'll be off
again...
and good luck to all you brave ladies out there!!!!