(no subject)

[randomness]

A couple of nights ago persis observed that when I write about going to places it's not with a feeling of that I've been there, done that, cross that off the list. Instead it's clear in my posts that I have every intention of going back.

I had a conversation with a guy from San Diego at Iguazu Falls during which I mentioned I was checking things out for next time. "You're coming back here?" he asked. He told me he generally didn't go back to places after he'd visited them.

While there are places I find don't like, I do try to give them a chance later. They just drop farther down the priority list. And when I have bad experiences I try not to repeat them. It's true though that the idea of a "once in a lifetime trip" is alien to me. If I like a place, why wouldn't I plan to go back? Travel is easy nowadays, and getting easier every year.

It does depend on what your motivation for going places is.

Comments

[irielle.livejournal.com]

When I talked about limits in terms of time versus money, I wasn't arguing against visiting places more than once. I was just trying to come up with a reason why Americans tend to feel that way. I am one of those Americans generally going on one or two trips a year, and if it's two then one of them is to visit family generally in a place I wouldn't visit if they weren't living there. So every time I choose to re-visit someplace I love like England, then I do so giving up a chance to visit someplace new instead. I try to balance that by trying to visit a new town when I'm over there, or one time I made a day trip via Eurostar to Paris. Kindof a sneak peek at a place where I'd like to spend more time someday.

You have a good point about the list of books filled with places you must see before you die. My idea of a good trip though is to spend plenty of time somewhere rather than checking off places and sights from some list.

I think I experienced something similar when I first heard people talk about never reading a book more than once. I think I would have really missed out if I'd been like that. Old favorites can be so comforting, and the same book can be different at different points in your life. Jane Eyre at 9 years old was not same as at 40. There are some people who can't read a book more than once and some who can't be bothered to visit someplace more than once. I don't want to judge them just because it's different than the way I am. It's certainly a more adventurous viewpoint in terms of the travel at least.

You mentioned making decisions in your life which enabled you to travel more. Actually those weren't the words you used, but that's what I understood. Would you feel comfortable sharing more of your thoughts on that? I think it would be inspiring.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

When I talked about limits in terms of time versus money, I wasn't arguing against visiting places more than once. I was just trying to come up with a reason why Americans tend to feel that way.

Oh, I didn't think you were!

I think I experienced something similar when I first heard people talk about never reading a book more than once.

Yeah, that's also not me, although I will say there are many more books than places I'm not particularly interested in revisiting.

Would you feel comfortable sharing more of your thoughts on that? I think it would be inspiring.

I don't know if "inspiring" is the word I'd use. "Complicated", perhaps. Or "tradeoffs". But I'll be glad to put something together in email and send it to you personally.