Excuse me for having a short break from my Beijing series (and upcoming Hanoi and Sapa series).
I’ve realized today that I’ve grown so much older. Not necessarily wiser but definitely older and became a little boring perhaps. I met up with four other travellers today to have dinner and a few drinks and the inevitable happened…
I got bored and I don’t know why. This is a very unfamiliar feeling for me… I’ve travelled for six months straight across eight countries in Asia before and I’ve never felt this way…
I’m always up for a nice conversation about places to see, routes and everything about travel. But I really could not understand why I got bored.
I have always been a partyphile before, hanging out with anyone and talking stuff about places I’ve been to until the wee hours of the morning. And meet up again to talk about the same sh*t the following day.
I prefer now talking to people about other stuff that I’ve seen on my travels like how other people live or about something else that matters more to me like learning something new or learning something about the person I’m talking to.
I realized that hearing something about a cave, or the slow boat ride from point A to point B or about a temple does not amaze me anymore.
I miss having “real conversations.”
I miss my conversation with Cho, the Hmong lady (I met in Sapa) who always refer to the Philippines as my village.
I miss my conversation with Michel and Kirstie (I met in Puerto Galera) about their chosen life.
I miss my conversation with my friends in Manila about almost everything under the sun.
I miss my conversation with Sumeer and Mary Ann (I met today in Luang Prabang) about how similar lives of people in India and the Philippines are.
I miss my conversation with Don about the animals that he saw in the forest of Taytay, Palawan and how he tried to catch them and make them as his pets.
I miss my conversation with Bing of El Nido about her plans to setup a shop selling pig feeds in Bucana.
I miss my conversation with Roberto and Minh (I met in Nepal) about their plans after their RTW.
Am I getting tired of travelling? Definitely not! But I’m a bit tired of sightseeing perhaps… and talking about the place that we just saw a few minutes ago…
I’ve also made the decision to travel slower and live in one place for a month instead of the usual three-day stay and hop on to the next destination kind of travel.
I really don’t know.
Sorry for ranting.
Today is an “about me blog”.
Hey Flipnomad,
I kind of understand how you feel. It happens to the best of us. When travel is still really new, it’s still exciting to talk about where and what travels you have gone on. After a while, everyone looks for something more. Deeper connections and such. Good luck to you,
Safe travels,
Leif
hey man, thanks for dropping by…maybe im just looking for something new out of this travel experience…
probably you’re just tired. maybe an invigorating body massage would do its trick flip. or maybe you just miss home so much that’s why you’re feeling that way. ang haba pa nitong backpacking trip mo flip! malayo2x pa pupuntahan mo. cheer up! kaya mo yan!
thanks doi… not really sad but just confused with this new feeling… quite surprised as well actually… thanks for the words of encouragement…
you have been doing it for a long time now, its a routine already. break it. meditate(i do not even hows that done.. =))
ayan… you’re right i need a break… travel is fun but chaotic sometimes… ill look for a meditation center later
I just don’t think we are wired to do the same thing (e.g. travelling) for a sustained amount of time. We are complex beings after all. Inasmuch as we grow bored from from being corporate slaves and get the “travelling bug”, constant travelling inversely gets on our nerves after some time. I do 3d/2n trips as well as month long business trips, it really gets old I tell ya. I guess moderation is the key.
I admire your resolve to be a nomad, but in these times, the only nomads that exist and thrive are the so-called digital nomads.
Pax!
Thanks for dropping by ramil…i guess you’re right… moderation is the key…
I know how you feel Flip. Maybe traveling slower is the key. You’ll get to make deeper connections and appreciate being in the place more.
i agree nina.. ill be moving slower and stay put in one place for at least three weeks… i think slow travel appeals to me more now…
Consider staying with locals in their homes and partaking in their daily activities instead of seeking the comfort of other travellers. Also, “Be there now”…
thanks Jodi… ive been very anxious lately maybe because I’m transitioning into an unstructured life…
thanks Jodi for reminding me about a life lesson that always forget.. “Be There Now”