What makes a traveler a traveler, compared to a tourist or vacationer. How does one become a vagabond? Is a tramp trendy or still out of fad -I mean Disney made a movie Lady and the Tramp, and that didn’t seem too bad. Either way how does one become one, hop on the nearest train, it didn’t seem like it was the high life in The Jungle ? How far around the globe or how many locations do you need to hit to become a Round the World (RTW) traveler? How far must I wander to be a wanderer? Do I need to make money online to be a digital nomad and if so how much, to live off of, sustain my travels and if so for how long and how much must I earn?
I’ve always been bad with labels or titles, never really sure if I fit into this category or that. I think that is why I liked studying social studies, I became an expert at nothing but knowledgeable about everything…in the general sense that is. But right now I’m blogging and people are reading so I guess I’m a blogger even if I’m just a hobby blogger. I can dabble in and out of that terminology I guess, I doubt someone will challenge me on pageviews, Google page rank or Alexis scores. If so I’ll just fling poo at them…problem solved, but this traveling thing I’m not sure If I got that one down.
What if I do like GotPassport and relocate, are they travelers still? To me they are but then again I’m not even sure if I’m a traveler so can I claim someone elses’ status? On my map of the world I only have a few pushpins marking where I’ve been, sure to someone who’s only vacationed at a Sandals Resort once for a honeymoon, I’m a traveler but to someone like Adam, Ayngelina, Dave, Gary, Monica, Stephanie or a host of others do I rate? My list is looking a little…little. I want to backpack through this continent or that, and I likely will, but I’m not there yet and what if I never do? What if I just hope from country to country every couple of months for a few years? Am I a traveler then or just some temporary immigrant? How do you define yourself and do you judge a little when someone who is clearly not a ‘insert title here’ but claims to be one of you? I’m sure you can say you don’t but you probably have some general idea of what makes a traveler/tourist/wanderer/vagabond/etc. even if you aren’t scoffing at someone for using the term when they clearly aren’t, you judge. Or how about judging those who are so judging about others, they aren’t a real traveler because they are so rigid and haven’t become open minded, right?
I’m a novice at all things and I don’t think I’ll ever claim to be this or that because I’ll never really embody any persona for all time and to everyone’s standards. I’m a temporary blogger who writes about varying topics like travel and beer. I’m curious about life and I’m a monkey but I’m not friggin Curious George
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Don’t forget to fling this post to others if you like what you see!
February 28th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Meh it’s all just a title but more importantly when do we go from travelers to douchbags? I want to make sure I avoid that one!
March 1st, 2011 at 3:36 pm
It all depends on the individual but, right or wrong we pass judgment on those who are associated with our group that we belong to because their actions reflect us. Some take it to far and others not far enough, I just don’t know if I’ll ever be there to begin with.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:30 pm
I’m with you! YES avoid that one!
March 1st, 2011 at 11:35 pm
I really never thought of any difference of terms, until I was talking to other people in Africa about my travels and theirs — and when I asked them about theirs, got some reply like, “no, no – you are a traveler – we are just on a 3-4 week trip.” I kinda thought the whole thing was funny and irrelevant. I do think there is a big difference between short and long term travel, but more to what you need to do as that sort of traveler, not that there is some big difference in terms that somehow connotes negatively to the more short-term traveler.
March 1st, 2011 at 11:37 pm
and a re-tweet button with your @address automatically inserted could be great for your blog — I’d love to RT your stuff more easily.
March 8th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
I guess it all boils down to one’s own opinion but that goes to prove some people do have a clear opinion on what makes a traveler.