Comments on: Hitting the Travel Wall

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:43:39 +0000

In reply to Kevin. Kevin, cultural shock can certainly go both ways, but often we only think about it in terms of when we're in a new place. Understanding and knowing it exists certainly helps one identify and deal with it.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 22:19:36 +0000

I am glad you mention reverse cultural shock. I had a much harder time with that the first time I lived overseas than the original cultural shock. I think I struggled with it so much because I didn’t know it was a thing.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:24:47 +0000

Five months was my maximum limit for travel. I ended up with a career in international sales with Fedex. Combined with my genetic make-up (Dad was a pilot, Mom was a travel agent) and my own wanderlust, I’ve been able to visit 72 countries. After 8 years of international business travel, the glamor was becoming lost. A 3 week trip to South Africa, Turkey and 3 European countries left me fried. I kept wondering what was on my voicemail, what mail had arrived (this was the mid-90s, when we weren’t as connected as we are now). I knew the end had officially arrived when my Director told me to go to Hawaii to fix an issue and to take as long as I needed for the trip. I said, “Can’t I do this by phone and email?”

I still have the travel bug but I’m enjoying being married and being a Dad to our 12 year old. He’ll start travelling once he gets into high school.

I used to have a big desire to join this club:

http://www.travelerscenturyclub.org/

Now I’d still like to make 100 countries (both my parents went to well over 100 countries), but it’s not all consuming anymore. And I don’t want to go to Africa just to get 15-20 countries done in one fell swoop!

So you know, I learned of your travels in the Scranton newspaper a couple of years ago. I’ve been avidly following your voyage.

I will do whatever I can to assist you in making your travels a full-time business vocation if/when you return to the Scranton area. I live in Lackawaxen, about 45 minutes east of Scranton on the Delaware River/New York border.

I wish you both the best in your travels!
Mark

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:19:27 +0000

@Mark: That’s interesting that you started to see faces of people from home on the streets of Europe. I’d also agree that’s a sign of homesickness and wanting to be with people who have a history with you, who know you well.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:32:25 +0000

Very astute observation. It made me think of my experience travelling in Europe. After 5 months, I started encountering people with faces of people I knew from home. My version of the travelling wall was in the form of homesickness (and I was down to $32!). Thanks for helping me to remember that feeling. Travel safe,
Mark

By: Abigail King

Abigail King — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:47:52 +0000

I love the honesty of this post – and stumbled across it on just the right day (as I wrestled with emotions I wished I didn’t have.)

I’ve nominated your site for an award on my site http://www.insidethetravellab.com.

Drop by if you get the chance and pass it on,

If you want to continue the blog carnival:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that youâ€™ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

All the best on your own crazy journey, Abi

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:54:12 +0000

@Abigail: I’m glad this account of what I went through with culture shock helped with your current situation. Hope you’re able to move beyond this phase soon!

Thanks for the award!

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:32:34 +0000

@Dave & Deb: Yup, you got it. Once I could understand why my emotions were all over the place, I could focus on moving on. Doing much better now 🙂

@Leigh: You are right that travel wouldn’t be complete without culture shock. I think some people associate the term “culture shock” with the immediate reaction of arriving in a place and everything being so different than what they are used to at home. But, it’s really a longer, more complex process that takes months. And it is important for travelers and expats to understand this so that they don’t pack it up early when they first hit the discomfort.

“Travel has made me truly believe that people are good and decent.” I couldn’t have said this better – it’s one of the things that keeps us going. Each time we hit a rough spot, there’s usually some unexpected “angel” that shows up to help.

@Rosie: How could I forget you from Thanksgiving dinner last year?! You hit on a couple of important points in your comment. We are really fortunate not only to have each other on this journey, but that we can read each other so well that the one person steps up to the plate when things get tough (emotionally and physically) for the other. And, it’s so important to have someone physically there to share everything with – good and bad.

Technology also does help in reconnecting with friends and family. The day I posted this a dear friend got in touch with me on Skype just to be sure I was OK. Little things like that matter.

I’m laughing at the analogy to relationships – you’re so right! If you ever have problems remembering Don’s wife’s name, think of the Seinfeld episode when his girlfriend’s name rhymes with… Hope you guys can send us some photos of the windmill – we’re super excited about it.

@Lisa: Well said. Going through this cycle and having these feelings are natural – it’s better to acknowledge them than hide them and let them stew inside. And, it is exhausting. I needed time to recharge my batteries. Safe travels during your remaining weeks in Guatemala and good luck studying Kaqchiquel!

@Liz: Usually I can laugh off those guys, but on the wrong day don’t get me started…

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:19:59 +0000

Oh, this is a great post. Funny how the men making kissing noises and hissing “mi amor” can really set you off on a bad day!

By: Lisa Munro

Lisa Munro — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:23:39 +0000

Audrey,

The Peace Corps diagram from ten years ago looks like the one I received four years ago. Every time I come back to Guatemala, I experience the same roller coaster and it leaves me emotionally exhausted. This doesn’t make us intolerant, difficult, bitter, or angry. It means that we’re human.

Travel safe and well.

Lisa