[nomadicdude]

At some point does going to so many countries make traveling pointless?

I'm close to getting to 100 (currently above 90 and traveling for the rest of the year) and I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand it's insane I even got to this level. It has been a dream for a while and I never expected to get to 100 so early in my life (30's).

On the other hand I feel like maybe traveling has lost it's appeal. I don't know if that is from traveling so much or if I've just come to realize that humans are all the same so I don't get surprised even if I go to a place like Cuba or Iraq.

Also, I've noticed this other problem that I'm running out of countries to go to. I prefer to travel by land going from country A to B to C and so on and I've basically run out of trips I can make to new countries except for West Africa and islands in the Indian Ocean.

So at some point is too many countries over doing it and counterproductive?

[pitt]

You are missing the whole point of travelling.

The goal is not to travel to as many countries you can but to travel to countries that you are really interested in and then spend a good amount of time in those countries.

If my goal was to travel to more than 100 countries then I probably wouldn't enjoy most of my trips. I am interested in going to countries where I am attracted to the local women and countries that I like the culture (or know that I will like it).

[Switch]

I think that 100 is a reasonable number. Of course it's better to spend a lot of time in each country, but if you have the opportunity to knock out a bunch in a couple of months I don't see the problem, just to say you've been there in social situations. For example you probably wouldn't want to stay in Antigua and Barbuda, which has a population of 86,000, but could you go there for 3 days while in the Caribbean and add another country to your list? Yeah. There's probably about 150-160 countries that have over a million people and aren't a French or British colony.

BUt yeah I wouldn't make it your goal to visit as many as possible. Stay for a long period in countries you really like and then just stop by for a few days in small, irrelevant countries to add another to your list.

[polymath]

Most everything has diminishing returns.

You have probably gained a lot of insight about human nature and the meaning of culture through your travels.

If they don't fulfill you anymore, do something else for a while. Don't force it; it's supposed to be fun, or at least interesting.

[RichieP]

100 is just a number, only significant because we use base-10, lol. I don't think there are 100 countries I'd want to visit... maybe 50-70 I guess. For me it's quality of experience that matters.

How much of an adventure are you having?

Also, "new place" or "new experience" doesn't necessarily have to mean "new country". There's sometimes more variation within a country, than between countries. Small-town USA vs Vegas; Canada vs USA, for example.

For me, it's about which cool places are most likely to be an awesome adventure... the quality of the experience. Really immersing in one new exotic place for 6 months might be more profound than rushing through and ticking 10 countries off your hit-list. If you believe that travelling is about following your heart, then let it take you where it takes you man!

[azulsombra]

Personally I have been to around 30 countries and would only be interested in hitting about 20 more. Then going back and hitting the top 10 that I have visited for the rest of my life.

I dont need the bragging rights of reaching 120+ countries or seeing tajikistan and the central african republic just for the sake of travel. I would rather get to know 7-10 countries intimately and work on language skills, local culture. As an example ive been to Argentina a few times and still have many parts of that particular country I would like to see.

[pitt]

(05-29-2014 07:53 PM)azulsombra Wrote:  

Personally I have been to around 30 countries and would only be interested in hitting about 20 more. Then going back and hitting the top 10 that I have visited for the rest of my life.

I dont need the bragging rights of reaching 120+ countries or seeing tajikistan and the central african republic just for the sake of travel. I would rather get to know 7-10 countries intimately and work on language skills, local culture. As an example ive been to Argentina a few times and still have many parts of that particular country I would like to see.

Just wondering

What was your experience like in Argentina? Are the women there really hard as everybody say they are?

[azulsombra]

(05-29-2014 08:05 PM)pitt Wrote:  

(05-29-2014 07:53 PM)azulsombra Wrote:  

Personally I have been to around 30 countries and would only be interested in hitting about 20 more. Then going back and hitting the top 10 that I have visited for the rest of my life.

I dont need the bragging rights of reaching 120+ countries or seeing tajikistan and the central african republic just for the sake of travel. I would rather get to know 7-10 countries intimately and work on language skills, local culture. As an example ive been to Argentina a few times and still have many parts of that particular country I would like to see.

Just wondering

What was your experience like in Argentina? Are the women there really hard as everybody say they are?

I got laid on each trip and easier than most countries in latinamerica. But I am a tall black guy who speaks fluent Spanish and i've also done well with Argies in the states.
YMMV.

[Chaos]

I agree. It seems you are totally missing the point of traveling.
Stop and think what you are doing? It seems like you are playing the numbers game?
Be honest with yourself. Why you are doing it? The fact that you are bringing this up sounds like you are not following your passion. You are doubting what you are doing. If it's not interesting anymore, it doesn't give you goosebumps, if you are not excited then stop,stop,stop. Do you need to prove to someone that you have been to 100+ countries? Are you seeking validation?

I have been traveling quite a bit myself and I recognize the feeling of when traveling becomes boring. Then, take a break. Go home and visit your family and friends and drop into your former life. The lust and appetite for traveling will return faster than expected.

I have been to 52-53 countries myself. I could have visited more than 100 countries if I've wanted to. But I've kept going back to the same countries which I enjoy a lot and therefore I've spent longer time in them.

I still like to explore new countries. I still haven't visited America or Africa. I'm still hungry to explore.
My dream is to do a roadtrip around all Africa.

How much time do you spend in one country?

[Espresso]

OP

Sounds like you are simply burnt out on travel. Take a break from it and your appetite will come back strong whether you want it to or not. And on the off chance it doesn't, that's fine too. Not too much point travelling if it's become laborious rather than exhilarating.

I've travelled a fair amount in the past but haven't left Canada in like a year and a half and it's driving me nuts.

[travolta]

"At some point does going to so many countries make traveling pointless?"

Yes.

Last year I was traveling a lot. I hit a bunch of countries in Europe and spent about a week in each country. I didn't learn any languages, banged ugly and average girls, and barely learned anything about the culture. I took a bunch of pictures, ate great food (which was awesome, and is the only good thing I see about going to a shit load of countries), and wasted a lot of money on flights and airbnb (better to book short term apartments, which isn't always plausible if you're only spending 1 week in a city). It got old really fast.

These days I prefer to spend at least a few weeks to several months in 1 place. I get a much better feel for the country. I have enough time to pick up some of the local language, make friends, figure out the women so I can actually bang hot locals and not just the easiest girls who will fuck me within my 3 days stay. Staying in 1 place for more than a week gives you the opportunity to get a proper feel for the place.. something you simply won't get if you're constantly on the move.

Someone I know has been to a bunch of countries, probably somewhere close to 100 by now. He hasn't spent more than 1 week in a major city. He talks as if he understands these countries well, but he really doesn't know much. At this point it's just funny for me to listen to.

OP, why don't you just chill out and enjoy a place for more than a few days? You'll get a much deeper and fulfilling experience. Your current traveling numbers are already impressive to most. If you tell people your current number you'll get enough validation from your peers. Life isn't about who gets the most eprops on Facebook. Why not revisit some countries that you rushed through and get a proper feel for the place?

That's my $0.02 anyway. Everybody has their own style.

[libertad1312]

Same as with girls: At one point the numbers game gets boring and it is not satisfying anymore.
It is a cool story to tell to have been to 100 countries or to have banged 30 girls in 30 days and the process might be huge fun for a while. But why keep on going if you dont enjoy the journey anymore?

This happens to many long-term travelers. Sometimes it is better to stay a place for some time and really get to know to another culture, instead of just rushing from town to town and waterfall to waterfall. Or just take a break and go home. Your family will be more than happy and it wont be long until you miss the road again.

[big poppa]

I can list 65 countries I have an interest in visiting.

I do agree that you need to spend at least 3 weeks to a couple months so that you can get a good feel for the place.

Why don't you just stick to re-visiting your favourite 5-10 countries for a while

[nomadicdude]

OP here. To clarify this burn out is recent and self-inflicted. I traveled long term a couple years ago and was at around 80 countries when I returned to the US. Since then I only hit up maybe 6-7 countries over a 2-3 year period. Recently I went back to traveling long term.

This may sound stupid, but I felt like I had to get the 100 number out of the way so that I could enjoy long term traveling. So I am traveling quickly as fuck through Eastern Europe. Literally spending 2-3 nights in each city then training it to the next place, for the sole purpose of getting to 100. I really have little interest in E. Europe so I don't feel that guilty about speeding through.

Once I've cleared 100 I'm going to SE Asia and renting an apt and just chilling for months banging chicks and boozing. I'll also probably do the same in Brazil and Colombia after going through Africa. So this whole thing is just to get the 100 number out of the way otherwise it would have made it harder for me to enjoy just killing lots of time in one place I liked (if that makes any sense whatsoever).

[Chaos]

Nomadicdude, are you serious or are you trolling?
It doesn't make sense.

I've never ever heard a guy complain so much about so little.

[TigerMandingo]

(05-30-2014 10:09 AM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

OP here. To clarify this burn out is recent and self-inflicted. I traveled long term a couple years ago and was at around 80 countries when I returned to the US. Since then I only hit up maybe 6-7 countries over a 2-3 year period. Recently I went back to traveling long term.

This may sound stupid, but I felt like I had to get the 100 number out of the way so that I could enjoy long term traveling. So I am traveling quickly as fuck through Eastern Europe. Literally spending 2-3 nights in each city then training it to the next place, for the sole purpose of getting to 100. I really have little interest in E. Europe so I don't feel that guilty about speeding through.

Once I've cleared 100 I'm going to SE Asia and renting an apt and just chilling for months banging chicks and boozing. I'll also probably do the same in Brazil and Colombia after going through Africa. So this whole thing is just to get the 100 number out of the way otherwise it would have made it harder for me to enjoy just killing lots of time in one place I liked (if that makes any sense whatsoever).

It doesnt. But I appreciate your traveling spirit.

[tiggaling]

Sometimes it is good to blaze through certain countries to see if you want to go back. Some countries, I visited first for a week, then went back to a few times. Some I thought I would like, and didn't like at all! Some countries are small, but worth visiting, so perhaps 2-3 days is warranted!

[nomadicdude]

Not trolling, I'm just fucked up mentally. Hitting my 94th country today. Six more to go. Going to hit this shit in June. Northern Iraq will be my 100th country. Just killed Hungry, chicks are nice here but somewhat butafaces.

[Chaos]

^ Northern Iraq? As far as I know Iraqi Kurdistan is not a official country?

[buja]

(06-01-2014 05:10 AM)Chaos Wrote:  

^ Northern Iraq? As far as I know Iraqi Kurdistan is not a official country?

There are several places that I consider countries or independent states even though the Feds or the UN don´t...I couldn´t care less what they think.

[JJ Roberts]

I have been to around 100 too.

I dont think its a case of "racking up numbers" when it comes to travelling. Its about exploring the planet. If you get tired of it, take a rest and stay in one place. The wanderlust will return.

It always does with me anyway.

[nomadicdude]

Northern Iraq is officially a part of the Republic of Iraq so that counts as a country. I don't think I'll be going there for my 100th. Now thinking of North Korea or Bhutan. Just the flight from Dubai to Erbil in Iraq costs over $300 and then apparently it is expensive there and so it doesn't sound like a great idea. Going on a tour of North Korea or Bhutan will be expensive but I think it makes more sense.

[travolta]

(06-01-2014 04:48 AM)nomadicdude Wrote:  

Not trolling, I'm just fucked up mentally. Hitting my 94th country today. Six more to go. Going to hit this shit in June. Northern Iraq will be my 100th country. Just killed Hungry, chicks are nice here but somewhat butafaces.

How would you know how Hungarian chicks really are if you only spent 2 days in the country? There might be clubs and neighborhoods that you don't know of where all the hot girls go. Bangkok, for example.. by walking around for a day or 2 you'd think that most girls are ugly, but there are some very hot women if you know where to go.

[nomadicdude]

Well, I saw a NaughtyNomad entry about the hottest girls in Eastern Europe based on a survey he conducted and Hungry was in the bottom quarter. I cannot completely judge it since I only spent a few days there but that seemed pretty accurate to me. Girls just didn't have great features but then again who knows, I don't really like pale skin chicks. I'm in Croatia now and expected it to be a lot better than Hungry and its been pretty disappointing. Serbia better kill it. But yeah whatever don't listen to me.