Am I giving it all up??

Never to old, young, rich, poor ... there is never an excuse! Your not giving up anything, your gaining a world which sadly most will never see. In the end you will be grateful ! Reply to this

I quit my job and sold the few things i owned and on August, 2nd 2005, i left. The trip soon began to become "my life". And beyond all the stunning landscapes, the unvaluable human experience, the things i've learned, the exhausting trips that made me stronger, beyond everything if i had to sum it up i'd say "i changed the definition of two words: time and life". And once you've crossed that invisible line, you can't go back anymore. And this is worth everything.

Since a few months i'm back in Italy to collect some "heavy" Euro even if i managed to work here and there (sometimes only in exchange of food and lodging). And you can't imagine the strange feeling coming back. Seems like i was living (somewhere) while home the movie was paused. Getting back in your old life is very easy if you'd ever change your mind.

But i didn't. Just waiting to fill my pocket again before getting on another train.

So, DO IT and, if it happens, do it again! Reply to this

I'm 40, i didn't left my stuff anywhere ... as i don't own anything that cannot fit in my backpack. 😊
What I'm not giving up is this kind of life. 😊 Reply to this

We're just in the processing of decluttering!!! At first I was a little overwhelmed by what I was getting rid off or putting in the car boot or ebay pile. But then the more I thought about it the more I realised I'd never used the stuff I was getting rid of or for most of it I didn't even realise I had it. We are slowly getting there and hopefully the house will be on the market end of this month. We have been busy planning out the start of our trip (South America, starting Buenos Aires) and checking out places of 'must see' and accommodation. Seems like there is a huge choice of camp sites at $1 per night each!!! We're packing alight weight tent etc. CAN'T WAIT NOW and am counting down the days till jan!!!! Reply to this

No campsites stew.........were will you be going on your trip monaco.......sipping pimms...........lol Reply to this

Hey SWancadeau do you have to come back...........id love just to keep going😊 Reply to this

I think that the reality is - once a traveler, always a traveler. We never really come back ... Reply to this

Stew - once you've been on the road for a while, you'll laugh at how irrelevant and insignificant your concerns back home were. Like - what to do about the house, the car, professional employment... You quickly realize how materialistic your homelife is, how unimportant personal possessions are - in fact you may never want to return to professional employment. I can't speak for Chris Columbus - but I can guarantee you that you won't regret throwing it in!! Reply to this

Stewfox, don't forget that the best part of travelling will be meeting the locals and hearing of other travellers tales. Don't get locked away in a hotel for the whole of your trip. Yes we are doing camp sites and hostels for the cheapness of it but also for the experience and opportunity to go places which aren't full of tourists on holiday. I think we probablly want different experiences out of our trips!! Reply to this

happy to know that no one thinks to 'go back' forever!... and, Cosimo, you touched the point: stopping to restart and going back to departure point are two different things.

Only I mean that once you get the travel bug, there is no way back. Or better, there is but that will mean not being happy. Weall agree that we don't have to go back. But I also think it's correct to advise of this being a risk. The travel bug is the best 'sickness' one can get, but it just never goes away. I am happy about it, but I feel correct to advise about the risks those who want to 'give it all up' !!! That is: have it clear that this lifestyle will hardly allow you to buy a Porsche Carrera 4... ever!! Reply to this