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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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Travel
Travel is limiting the comfort of the body to gain freedom of the mind.
I mention this because it is my firm belief that travel involves experiences, not sights. Real travel is coming across people whose viewpoints are
completely different from your own, finding out that you still have much in common, that you can communicate regardless---and that you can learn a
lot. Travel is transformation---if the trip shook your ideas up, if the experience changed you, then the journey was a success.
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Bob, there are many ways to travel and travel objectives are uncountable as well. Lots of folks (me included) want to experience the wonders of
nature, the planet, the seas but do not intentionally seek out the life changing human interaction you mention and hightlight as a reason for the
journey. The very word "getaway" explains the view of many that they simple want to be alone, appreciate far off places not particularly the cultural
differences. It's not people I want to rub shoulders with, it's the land, the sea, the magic of a place full of wonders that have nothing to do with
people -- aborigines, little people, big people, interesting people, friendly people, different people --- I moved here because I was up to here with
relationships and not nearly as close as I wanted to be with the land the sea. I found what I wanted.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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The Wonders of Nature
I'm with Osprey on this one.
When I've travelled, it's been to see the Natural Attractions rather than the people and culture.
The reason that I found the Virgin Islands (U.S. and British) so attractive that I loved going back was that I was looking for great Tropical Sailing
and Diving, the food was familiar and the people spoke English.
Foreign cultures and languages have always been a chalenge to overcome or, at least, to cope with rather than an attraction.
Some of my best days sailing offshore have been sailing alone and my favorite month on the Sea of Cortez is July because most of the people have gone
and the weather/water is great.
Different Strokes.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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What? I agree somewhat, but I like the combination of the two which makes the overall experience overwhelming! Otherwise, I would just be content
watching the Travel Channel for my sight seeing pleasure.
In our foreign travels, we find that it's most enjoyable learning how to order a beer, travel via local public buses, etc. and, basically mingling
with the local population; getting lost, etc., are all part of the adventure of our travels throughout the world. We really enjoy experiencing the
different cultures around the world. It's all part of wanting to get there and do it all.
If you want to just see the sights, take a bus tour. Not for us.
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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MrBill / Osprey --------
It's a good thing for you'se guys that you enjoyed what you did.
What will be gone first? What you enjoyed or, your memory of it?
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Today I have been reflecting on Ferlenghetti's Poem, I Am Waiting. I think it captures for me some of my motivation for traveling......wander and
wonder!
I Am Waiting
By Lawrence Ferlinghetti
I am waiting for my case to come up
and I am waiting
for a rebirth of wonder
and I am waiting for someone
to really discover America
and wail
and I am waiting
for the discovery
Of a new symbolic western frontier
and I am waiting
for the American Eagle
to really spread its wings
and straighten up and fly right
and I am waiting for the Age of Anxiety
to drop dead
and I am waiting
for the war to be fought
which will make the world safe
for anarchy
and I am waiting for the final withering away
of all governments
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the second coming
And I am waiting
For a religious revival
To sweep thru the state of Arizona
And I am waiting
For the grapes of wrath to stored
And I am waiting
For them to prove
That God is really American
And I am waiting
To see God on television
Piped into church altars
If they can find
The right channel
To tune it in on
And I am waiting
for the last supper to be served again
and a strange new appetizer
and I am perpetually awaiting
a rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for my number to be called
and I am waiting
for the Salvation Army to take over
and I am waiting
for the meek to be blessed
and inherit the earth
without taxes
and I am waiting
for forests and animals
to reclaim the earth as theirs
and I am waiting
for a way to be devised
to destroy all nationalisms
without killing anybody
and I am waiting
for linnets and planets to fall like rain
and I am waiting for lovers and weepers
to lie down together again
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the great divide to be crossed
and I anxiously waiting
For the secret of eternal life to be discovered
By an obscure practitioner
and I am waiting
for the storms of life
to be over
and I am waiting to set sail for happiness
and I am waiting
for a reconstructed Mayflower
to reach America
with its picture story and TV rights
sold in advance to the natives
and I am waiting
for the lost music to sound again
in the Lost Continent
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting for the day
that maketh all things clear
and I am waiting for retribution
for what America did to Tom Sawyer
and I am waiting
for the American Boy
to take off Beauty's clothes
and get on top of her
and I am waiting
for Alice in Wonderland
to retransmit to me
her total dream of innocence
and I am waiting
for Childe Roland to come
to the final darkest tower
and I am waiting for Aphrodite
to grow live arms
at a final disarmament conference
in a new rebirth of wonder
I am waiting
to get some intimations
of immortality
by recollecting my early childhood
and I am waiting
for the green mornings to come again
for some strains of unpremeditated art
to shake my typewriter
and I am waiting to write
the great indelible poem
and I am waiting
for the last long rapture
and I am perpetually waiting
for the fleeting lovers on the Grecian Urn
to catch each other at last
and embrace
and I am awaiting
perpetually and forever
a renaissance of wonder
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Ask a better question
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Dennis - that Ask a better question was for you.
Bob H, "if we just want to see the sights, take the tour bus. Not for me" were your words.
I've never been on a tour bus. You must still be in the dark as to my feelings about travel. I would take a tour bus if I couldn't be off on my own
in some venues but it would be to "see the sights" not jawjack with travelers on the bus.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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I think your basic Baja traveler goes to Cabo San Lucas to experience the SIGHTS of Baja. No cultural experience involved there. After a week of
Cabawabo and shots of tequilla they go home and say "We've been to Baja".
Have they now?
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Bob H, "if we just want to see the sights, take the tour bus. Not for me" were your words.
I've never been on a tour bus. You must still be in the dark as to my feelings about travel. I would take a tour bus if I couldn't be off on my own
in some venues but it would be to "see the sights" not jawjack with travelers on the bus. |
I agree with that... we would use the bus for travel from point to point only. But, we would mingle with the locals at each destination to experience
the local atmosphere.
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I've taken bus tours a couple times to get the lay of the land, then return on my own to the places that interest me.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Some smarter ones come north a little and find almost unlimited access to deserted beaches where they can get lost in the experience of the freedom to
do/be/think alone or with others -- just 60 miles by the crow gets them what they couldn't find/what they might not have known about/what wasn't
advertised in their travel package.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Some smarter ones come north a little and find almost unlimited access to deserted beaches where they can get lost in the experience of the freedom to
do/be/think alone or with others -- just 60 miles by the crow gets them what they couldn't find/what they might not have known about/what wasn't
advertised in their travel package. |
Nice to hear this. So, your ARE experiencing the culture and mingling with the locals. That's great. 'That's what I'm talking about!'
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Dennis - that Ask a better question was for you.
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My question was one of those rhetorical ones that don't beg an answer.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Bob I think it's impossible to travel to new places without experiencing the local culture. But that isn't the reason I travel. I go to see places,
sometimes including building, but never just to interact with the locals. Doesn't matter if its Mexico, St Lucia or Texas.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
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People have different objectives as to why they travel. We come from different backgrounds, different degrees of sophistication, parents who maybe
exposed us to travel when we were young, or not. Different attitudes about places and people. Different people in different places. Some seek the
comfort of meeting like-minded people. Some seek solitude, rest, nature, a vision quest; an opportunity to better explore who you really are.
For me, it depends on what kind of time I have, how much I can budget for the trip and the mode of transportation. When I was younger I would quit a
job in an instant and sell, sublease or vacate my house. I would jokingly tell friends and family, "I am going on an open ended trip. I will be gone
until my money runs out or until I die." I have often said on my return, "I was unfortunate enough to run out of money before dying." My home is
inside me. I am comfortable in many different types of settings. I am a real Vagabundo!
Being a social being, I have always looked at new places and asked myself, "Could I live here?" The answer, more often than not was "Yes"., and so I
did live there. The surrounding terrain must have beauty and the people must be interesting. I always meet good people and make friends.
Other cultures are especially interesting to me. I prefer to live in fairly rural or remote places but near enough to a city with cultural activity. I
need both.
There is way too much "I" in this post. Sorry. There were times in my life where family and children were aboard. There was a greater amount of time
in my life that this wanderlust was a solitary adventure. Loneliness is a constant companion and romance is always just around the corner. There is no
smiley or frowny face icon that would be appropriate here. It is what it is.
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Gnome-ad
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 6-4-2007
Location: Todos Santos, BCS
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Mood: Okey-Dokey
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soulpatch expressed many of my thoughts on travel very well. I have enjoyed lonely wanderings in nature away from people, family and pets. Solitude
and the sounds of wind in the trees, waves crashing or crickets chirruping. Time to reflect on the process of my life and relationships. The
opportunity to sleep and wake at odd hours of my own body’s own making. Spending time with myself and enjoying the company. Taking stock.
Other travels involve people: my husband, children, friends. We may travel to be out in nature since Oregon is particularly blessed with beauty and
magnificent places of interest. We may travel to visit people we care about or attend events and observe and interact with new people. Our travels are
varied and I cannot think of any that I have not enjoyed. I like many cities (not all), small towns, islands, mountains, coasts, rivers, lakes,
streams, deserts, always curious to see what is down the road or around the next curve in the path.
I can be intimidated by language barriers, since I am not particularly linguistic. But I find if I relax and listen with all my senses I many times
understand the meaning without understanding every word. That is a stretch for me and I enjoy travel that broadens my horizons and gives me new
experiences. I do not particularly seek out people, but I am open to people and have had many enjoyable exchanges with locals or other travelers and
they enrich my experience.
I am in anticipation of our future travels in Baja. We have been limited to mostly paved or not too bad roads because of our vehicle, but that will
all change soon. Then we will learn to be more adventurous and get to explore more of the beauty and culture of our new home.
The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well. - Ancis
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
People have different objectives as to why they travel. We come from different backgrounds, different degrees of sophistication, parents who maybe
exposed us to travel when we were young, or not. Different attitudes about places and people. Different people in different places. Some seek the
comfort of meeting like-minded people. Some seek solitude, rest, nature, a vision quest; an opportunity to better explore who you really are.
For me, it depends on what kind of time I have, how much I can budget for the trip and the mode of transportation. When I was younger I would quit a
job in an instant and sell, sublease or vacate my house. I would jokingly tell friends and family, "I am going on an open ended trip. I will be gone
until my money runs out or until I die." I have often said on my return, "I was unfortunate enough to run out of money before dying." My home is
inside me. I am comfortable in many different types of settings. I am a real Vagabundo!
Being a social being, I have always looked at new places and asked myself, "Could I live here?" The answer, more often than not was "Yes"., and so I
did live there. The surrounding terrain must have beauty and the people must be interesting. I always meet good people and make friends.
Other cultures are especially interesting to me. I prefer to live in fairly rural or remote places but near enough to a city with cultural activity. I
need both.
There is way too much "I" in this post. Sorry. There were times in my life where family and children were aboard. There was a greater amount of time
in my life that this wanderlust was a solitary adventure. Loneliness is a constant companion and romance is always just around the corner. There is no
smiley or frowny face icon that would be appropriate here. It is what it is. |
Toneart... I agree with you 100% Great post. Thanks.
Bob H
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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amir
Senior Nomad
Posts: 559
Registered: 5-4-2007
Location: Todos Santos, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: chiropractic
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HAPPY TRAVELS, GNOME-AD
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gnome-ad
I am in anticipation of our future travels in Baja. We have been limited to mostly paved or not too bad roads because of our vehicle, but that will
all change soon. |
I see that you got your new ride. With that trike in your logo, Gnome-Ad, you'll be able to travel on many a road in Baja.
Is there room in your chariot for me to hop aboard?
[edited for spelling and grammar]
[Edited on 6-11-2007 by amir]
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Travel the unknown and anticipation of the challenges ahead of us. The people watching and and the inter-mingling of all of the locals in the town
squares by the churches get me relaxed and at ease. Easy on the Easy time as you buy a taco, a churro freshly made from the street vendor, and a beer
if they have a band also playing in the town square, just makes the night relaxing. Take it all in and watching the children running, laughing and
each time you hear the gigglin along with laughter you know why you travel. It builds a close feeling between yourself and your wife or in some
people's cases girlfriend that just makes it all worth while. Love of Life and Love for the one your with!!! Ah, to only be on the road south now
instead of getting ready for work tomorrow. Life is what it is and travel should be a part of it. Later============bajafun777
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