Date a man who treasures experience over toys, a hand-woven bracelet over a Rolex. Date the man who scoffs when he hears the words, “vacation”, “all-inclusive”, or “resort”. Date a man who travels because he’s not blinded by a single goal but enlivened by many.
You might find him in an airport or at a book store browsing the travel guides – although he “only uses them for reference.”
You’ll know it’s him because when you peek at his computer screen, his background will be a scenic splendor of rolling hills, mountains, or prayer flags. His Facebook friend count will be over-the-roof, and his wall will be plastered with the broken English ‘miss-you’ of friends he met along the way. When he travels, he makes lifelong friends in an hour. And although contact with these friends is sporadic and may be far-between, his bonds are unmessable and if he wanted, he could couch surf the world… again.
Buy him a beer. Once a traveller gets home, people rarely listen to their stories. So listen to him. Allow him to paint a picture that brings you into his world. He might talk fast and miss small details because he’s so excited to be heard. Bask in his enthusiasm. Want it for yourself.
He’ll squeak like an excited toddler when his latest issue of National Geographic arrives in the mail. Then he’ll grow quiet, engrossed, until he finishes his analysis of every photo, every adventure. In his mind, he’ll insert himself in these pictures. He’ll pass the issue on to you and grill you about your dreams and competitively ask about the craziest thing you’ve ever done. Tell him. And know that he’ll probably win. And if by chance you win, know that his next lot in life will be to out do you. But then he’ll say, “Maybe we can do it together.”
Date the man who talks of distant places and whose hands have explored the stone relics of ancient civilizations and whose mind has imagined those hands carving, chiseling, painting the wonders of the world. And when he talks, it’s as if he’s reliving it with you. You can almost hear his heart racing. You can almost feel the adrenaline ramped up by the moment. You feel it passing through his synapses, a feast to his eyes entering through those tiny oracles of experience that we call pupils, digesting rapidly through his veins, manifesting into his nervous system, transforming and altering his worldview like a reverse trauma and finally passing, but forever changing the colors of his sight. You will want this too.
Date a man who’s lived out of a backpack because he lives happily with less. A man who’s travelled has seen poverty and dined with those who live in small shanty’s with no running water, and yet welcome strangers with greater hospitality than the rich. And because he’s seen this, he’s seen how a life without luxury can mean a life fueled by relationships and family, rather than a life that fuels fancy cars and ego. He’s experienced different ways of being, respects alternative religions and he looks at the world with the eyes of a five-year-old, curious and hungry. Your dad will be happy too because he’s good with money and knows how to budget.
This man relishes home; the comfort of a duvet, the safety stirred in a mom-cooked meal, the easy conversation of childhood friends, and the immaculate glory of the flush-toilet. Although fiercely independent, he has had time to reflect on himself and his relationships. Despite his wanderlust, he knows and appreciates his ties to home. He has had a chance to miss and be missed. Because of this, he also knows a thing or two about goodbyes. He knows the overwhelming uncertainty of leaving the comforts of home, the indefinite see-you-laters at the departure gates, and yet he fearlessly goes into the unknown because he knows the feeling of return. And that the I’ve-missed-you-hug is the best type of hug in the whole world. He also knows that goodbyes are just prolonged see-you-laters and that ‘hello’ is only as far away as the nearest email box.
Don’t hold onto this man. Let this man go and go with him. If you haven’t travelled, he will open your eyes to a world beyond the news and popular perception. He will open your dreams to possibility and reality. He will calm your nerves when you’re about to miss a flight or when your rental blows a flat, because he knows the journey is the adventure. He will make light of the unsavory noises you make when you – and you will – get food poisoning. He will make you laugh through the discomfort all while dabbing your forehead with a cold cloth and nursing you with bottled water. He will make you feel like you’re home.
When you see something beautiful, he will hold your hand in silence, in awe the history of where his feet stand, and the fact that you’re with him.
He will live in every moment with you, because this is how he lives his life.
He understands that happiness is no more than a string of moments that displace neutrality, and he is determined to tie as many of these strings together as he can. He also understands your need to live for yourself and that you have a bucketlist of your own. Understand his. Understand that your goals may at some points differ, but that independence is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship when it’s mutually respected. You may lose him for a bit, but he will always come home bearing a new story and a souvenir he picked up because it reminded him of you, like it was made for you, and because he missed you. You might be compelled to do the same. Make sure that independence is on your bucketlist, and make sure it’s checked. Independence will keep your relationship fresh and exciting, and when you’re together again it will forge a bond of unbreakable trust.
He’ll propose when you’ve breached your comfort-zone, whether it be a fear like skydiving or swimming with sharks, or sitting next to the smelly person on an overcrowded bus. It won’t be with a diamond ring, but with a token from a native culture or inspired by nature, like the penguin and the pebble.
You will get married somewhere unassumed, surrounded by a select few, in a moment constructed to celebrate venturing into the unknown together again. Marry the man who’s travelled and together you will make the whole world your home. Your honeymoon will not be forgotten to a buffet dinner and all-you-can-drink beach bars, but will be remembered in the triumphant photographs at the top of Kilimanjaro and memorialized in the rewarding ache of muscles at the end of a long days hike.
When you’re ready, you will have children that have the names of the characters you met on your journeys, the foreign names of people who dug a special place in your heart if only for a few days. Perhaps you will live in another country, and your children will learn of language and customs that open their minds from the very start, leaving no room for prejudice. He will introduce them to the life of Hemingway, the journey of Santiago, and empower them to live even bigger than both of you.
Marry a man who travels and he’ll teach your children the beauty of a single stone, the history of the Incas and he will instill in them the bravery of possibility. He will explain to them that masking opportunity, there is fear. He will teach them to conquer it.
And when you’re old, you’ll sit with your grandchildren poring over your photo albums and chest of worldly treasures, while they too insert themselves into your photographs, sparked by the beauty of the world and inspired by your life in it.
Find a man who travels because you deserve a life of adventure and possibility. You deserve to live light and embrace simplicity. You deserve to look at life through the eyes of youth and with your arms wide open. Because this is where you will find joy. And better, you will find joy together.
And if you can’t find him, travel. Go. Embrace it. Explore the world for yourself because dreams are the stuff reality is made from.
I will be waiting right here.
Oh, these famous last words 🙂
LOL
The person who you described is me. Peace of the mind, body and soul intertwined are much more rewarding than materialistic objects in life.
I also have married the traveled boy, 25 years and counting and my children do indeed have different names and they have a story behind them. The kids speak our native languages and we are still traveling…
Happy Trails my friend… meet you on the road…
I got so connected and inspired with the dream you were depicting on your sentences.
It’s all in you, the instinct of traveling!
I’m a traveler too (until my passport let’s me drag!) but you get lost in your work and dreams.
And now my girlfriend left me alone after 4 years!
I just know the medicine for my these days is again: Traveling!
Nature, differences, people, makes you forget what wasn’t belong to you.
That’s why I admire traveling.
Hey Ty,
Where are you traveling right now? Let’s meet up! 😉
So wonderful and inspiring. Hope to bump with you one day! See you around!
Hello, simply loved your post on travel. Can totally relate to it.
Nice. 🙂
Wow, beautiful!
Beautifully written and expressed. I hear you on all counts. Oh, and I did!
Were you serious when you asked me to marry you? 😉
beautifully written!!! I’m planning my own adventure now, some say it may be abit late in life… but I belive it’s never too late to see the world huh? 🙂 safe travels 🙂
it’s never too late, some of the best travelers you’ll find on the road are much older than you, and they’re still re-inventing and re-experiencing life all the while. you’re much younger than you think. we all are.
One of my best travel companions was in his late 80s. I understand the hesitation. But one thing I believe taking the step to travel, no matter how old you are, is that in essence you are free to live life as you please. As long as your feet can carry you, see the world, for one day when you are about to close your eyes forever, what you did and how you live will have an impact on how you feel about having to go. And to me that makes it worth while to go, see the world, meet the people, feel and breathe as intensely as I can, while I still can.
Lovely thoughts. I bet the author is a seasoned traveler.
Ramon, I think we should go on a blind date ..lol 😉 Pretty good start when we see life the same way!
Deal.
Deal 🙂 but it might be a very costly blind date, as I am Canadian and currently living in Canada at this moment…lol But I am open about the location.
I need this!!
That’s why…TRAVEL!
I found this man in midlife. Changed my perspective, took me out if my rut and truly tought me how to Live Life!
Love this! Definitely passing it on 🙂
I really liked the text and feel that many of my ex boyfriends were described in it. But what i didnt agree with is woth the marriage part, because i dont believe in it; it has nothing to do with love. It is a socially construct idea that is unnatural.. But anyway… Lovelly written!
Marriage is an institution, I agree! Just holding hands on top of the Kilimanjaro would work too 🙂
Or marriage is one more way to make great memories. We got married in Rabat, Marocko. My wife in local wedding dress, only our best friends present, wedding photos in old roman/arabic ruins and dinner at our renovated old traditional hotel.
Marriage is what you make it into. Your choice, your life.
I love your perspective on it. Very cool, Daniel.
Beautifully written. I’m so lucky to have found this man as well and it was in the most unlikely of circumstances in the most unlikely of places!!
I hope I could meet one as I love to travel too.
You will. One day you will. Just stay out.
Right here 😉
This is really well done. I feel the exact same way! Thanks for giving an eloquent voice to us travelers.
I savored every word! Every line. I thought I was reading my bio. This 75-country world explorer travels, lives happily. Like the penguin that’s mentioned, I carry my pebble in hopes of finding that rights someone to share it with. Wish me luck.
A traveling guy sounds like a dream! They aren’t all like you though. Some are nasty scumbags that go port to port looking for p#&&y.
Help!! I travelled to Peru and Bolivia for 3 months, loved every moment….alone. Met a guy at the end, invited him back to UK. It was a disaster. Be honest with your expectations, siblings x
Perfectly written!
Sounds like a dream! Beatiful!
Hey guys my fiance shares these blog with me a few minutes ago… I must say these are some awesome thoughts. We recently got engage in Argentina at the Bombonera Boca’s stadium, remind you that i am originally from colombia living in the us and that’t where i met my traveler wife…. We are getting ready to head on a as long as money last trip starting in brazil this June. We also believe that detaching from our routine realities will lead us in the true adventure that we are set to live….
i believe that i am with my long life traveling partner…
by the way: i proposed in the boca stadium because i believe marriage is like a futbol game…. The players stick together through the wins and loses and the fan never give up on their team no matter what the score is…
thanks
“The players stick together through the wins and loses and the fan never give up on their team no matter what the score is…” Wow, I like that! And congratulations to the both of you!
now read this article “Don’t date a girl who travels”
https://medium.com/better-humans/802c49b9141c
Both these articles were written in a similar fashion and have that whimsical writing style to it…..
They impose different ideas of how men and women differ…
Just thought these two texts were comical in the context of each other.
I read them both, as well. I fully identified with the girl in the other article. I posted it online, and my friends commented “Did they write this about you?!” 🙂
goosebumbs all over.
Now need to find that perfection of a man. maybe on my next adventure?
I ve just read the twin article “Dont date a girl who travel” and I think I would anyway!
This is Prince Charming Lena is describing, especially for women (like me) who travel as well.
I’m thankful for my friends posting a link to this article on Facebook. While sitting here at my desk, surrounded by walls that keep people isolated, an 8 to 5 job, my cravings of the world outside were highly awakened! Travel is in my veins, though haven’t done enough, but every opportunity I get I just TAKE it 🙂 When I post some photos online, my friends and family send comments like “where are you now?” “she’s flying again” and I love it!
I started my adventure in Sydney in October last year, being 30 just managed to get a whv before it was too late. Living my dream and loving the adventure.
This is the kinda guy l would love to meet from the woven bracelets to the stories …he’s out there somewhere…….
X
This is the absolute best written travel post that I’ve ever read. I am actually blown away. Thank you so much for posting this.
I’d like to if I ever met anyone like this. I love to travel and to go with someone who had some sense of adventure and wanted to see the details, that would be awesome.
beautiful
I have been traveling since high school and am the mom of two with one on the way…my husband is slowly understanding my love of travel. Sometimes it is hard for me to convince him that trying something new, experiencing a different culture or visiting someplace different is worthwhile, but in the end he always thanks me for “pushing” him into it. Without it he would never dare to try.
This is so incredibly written and inspiring and hope-striking. I will remember this post forever!
I have never read anything in my life that has made my heart yearn for something, physically yearn like that. That was beautiful, thank you for posting this here.
I have married one. 😀 I’m glad to say that we have held hands while exploring ancient relics, kayaked through sea caves, hiked down trails, and marveled at many wonder that this world has to offer.
This is probably one of the most beautiful posts I’ve ever read
This is great! This is how I live my life and I can feel the traveling road through your words and under your feet. Thank you!
As a traveler myself, I love this so much. Too bad I can’t find anyone to share this with. Crossing my fingers I find him along the way.
I’m happy to say I’ve been living this life and ran across some likeminded people and it’s amazing at how things can happen that normal people take for granted. I’m glad for this happiness and I plan on doing more in hopes of finding the woman of my dreams while doing this. Much love to EVERYONE…GIA!!!
Wonderful article and anyway this applies to men as well, date a woman who travels, what a way to articulate words!!!, I would love to meet this kind of guy.. i recently started travelling a lot to adventure places and i enjoy it alone as well 🙂
Awesome it is, in all the senses…
Sweet writing! At this current moment I am taking a break from packing my backpack for my trip to Cambodia… And I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for him on my flights, layovers and amidst my travels.
You’ll find me in Cambodia too 🙂
I love it! Im also a traveler.. Im happiest when I’m in new places, meeting new people. Just met an awesome traveler. He’s been moving around Asia. Just brought him to the airport, he’s going to India, then Nepal for the next few months. Sad…
Brilliant!!
At 25 I quit a real job and moved to France. For legal reasons I ended up in Firenzi, Italy. Since then, I’ve traveled around my Bday every year. For the last 5 years I’ve helped villages in Haiti, Guatemala and Peru make a more sustainable living via online communities where native products are sold. Last November, I ran the Athens marathon, and 7 days later the Istanbul Marathon from Asia to Europe.
I only share that bit of personal history because what ties my desire to live life is the encounter with the unknown, and the indiscriminate love for those who are so different from me. No one ever remembers the 18-hour flights when they have great stories to share.
Awesome write up by author. Gracias.
Bonjour! I’ve been following & reading all feedback and I found yours very interesting. How was the Marathon in Athen? It is one of my dream places. The mesmerising architecture and culture in Istanbul are still in my hearts…Gosh…where else have you been?
I came to know this wonderful article after reading “Don’t date a gi who travels”. I was so spiritually connected to both articles. I love travelling and adventures but didn’t get the opportunity until I had a turn-over point in my life just recently. Life is interesting when we are willing to step out of the comfort zone and just live life. I have learned to love and embrace life better ever since I have started to be actively involving in scuba diving, paragliding and hiking. Going to trek & hike up the Annapurna mountains in a few days alone. Many of my relatives and friends commented that it could be dangerous for a single female traveller…Well, that’s what adventure is about. ^.^ Cheers to all travellers!
Lee I did part of the annapurna trek this time last year by myself and it was amazing. Such an experience you really discover so much about yourself. You will have an amazing time. If you can try include poon hill in your trek the view is just spectacular. Don’t worry about being a girl traveling alone just keep your wits about you and you’re pretty much guaranteed to meet other travels who’ll look out for you. The Nepalese are really friendly people 🙂
keep on traveling and inspiring! 🙂
My favorite:
“Find a man who travels because you deserve a life of adventure and possibility. You deserve to live light and embrace simplicity. You deserve to look at life through the eyes of youth and with your arms wide open. Because this is where you will find joy. And better, you will find joy together.”
Some experiences simply do not translate. You have to GO to KNOW. – Kobi Yamada.
Am I the only one who, although a traveler myself, read at least half the post before realizing it wasn’t satire?
Enjoyed this piece so much, and concur with the writer completely.
The BEST people (and, yes, a guy for me) are those who with a sense of adventure and a burning desire to travel, meet, experience, taste. That is the contented life.
I have my bucket list, which is rather long, and I have fortunately ticked off quite a lot on the list. The place I want to go to the most is Antarctica – and I know I will get there, someday.
I started my travels in 1976. I have seen and done things people only dream of. I have met many people who wish they could do what I have done, my answer to them is ” the only thing to stop you is the wind and if you can walk straight into a headwind- then nothing can stop you.” This blog describe my life to a tee. It is very well written.
Thanks for bring back all the memories, I still plan on making more, really hope I die while traveling doing what I love the most- ENJOYING LIFE.
Thank you for helping me see how blessed my life is. 🙂
Fantastic piece!
This was a brilliant read… And the last line was just spectacular… I hope we run into each other someday…
An amazingly written piece! Mashallah!
Nice
I remember reading this on Thought Catalog and thinking it was brilliant! 😛
I loved it 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
I’ve had a vague idea of my ideal partner for a while – this article helped fill in many of the gaps! Now to continue embracing life and looking forward to discovering the many treasures of the world, including someone to share them with! Thanks for the article!
Phenomenal piece man. I really enjoyed reading this, I thank you for it.
Wow. I am crying. Thank you for this
I got tears too
Same here!! I started crying in my hostel room, here in Ecuador. I have five days left of this four month trip before I go back home to Canada. It’s bittersweet. I miss and appreciate home… But at the same time, my backpack is my home. The strangers are my friends. Other travellers are my love. This post was perfect.
I’ve traveled and I’ve married twice. There’s only one of those choices I want to do over and over and it should be clear which one. Temporarily grounded for now, but fine tuning the plans I’m making is what keeps me sane. What I’ve learned while in my current situation is that wasting my time on dating sites looking for some “just right” person is a fool’s errand. I know now that the women I will meet in my future travels will be my true kindred spirits. Freedom is the key and the deepest love is that which has no jealousy nor desire for ownership. You either get it or you don’t.
In life, you fall in love many times. However, if there is someone with whom I could spend time here and there on our twin adventures around the world, falling in love anew each time we run into each other again, I’ll know I’ve found the woman for me. And if not, well – I indulged the love that never dies: travel.
See you in my travels.
Very well put, my friend
very well said. I couldn’t agree more. As soon as I finish my last year in school I’ll be packing my bags again and book my tickets.
I agree with the writing as I do travel a lot myself. It is beautifully written and tenderly convincing of one is longing for love, “I will be waiting right here” sums it up all. This is also a dating post in disguise, and I am sure you have read Neil Strauss book based on another post, I will keep your secret intact 😉
You’ve read Neil Strauss’ book? Nice 🙂 But what post by me do you mean? 😉
Wow, you are right. So true. I am lucky to have a traveler as a husband 🙂
well…
I gotta go!
thank you for this… like seriously.
Well said! loved your article. A small suggestion: it’s “conquer” instead of concur that better fits your context.
Thanks for your article. It was very interesting to read, however, when you started to write about marriage it became unreasonable in my mind. Travelling and marriage just don’t go together.
I think they are different periods of life. The ‘travelling’ part is where you’re free, you’re really free of bondages. You have fun. However, then one day, when you’re travelling, you may fall for someone so badly, that you give up that lifestyle. Then, to my mind, you’re not a traveller anymore. You settle, you stay with that person. Because you want to. Why do people travel in the first place? Because they’re SEARCHING. Searching for something or someone that is reason enough for them to stay somewhere. You notice, that after all, you do need someone, and if someone needs you, it is one of the greatest things in the world. It makes you happy. But I think the man you’re describing may settle, but he would never marry. Marriage is the opposite of travelling. It binds you, forever, and it is a structural conservative thing you do to be ‘officially’ together with one person till you die. A real traveller wouldn’t do that. He may be with his girl. But he wouldn’t sign some document to declare that love. More realistically, he will love you with all that he is, until the moment comes that the time of parting has come.
What do you think?
Disagree. As a traveller myself, I know I will find “the one”, and I know we will have children. And I know that the whole family will travel like backpackers. The confusion lies in your perception of what marriage is. It doesn’t have to be a bungalow with two cars, a fence, and a dog. Travellers are the way the are, and a ceremony with a ring won’t make them give up their passion for travel. They’ll go together. I see it every day on the road, and it’s wonderful.
“Find a man who travels because you deserve a life of adventure and possibility.
And if you can’t find him, travel. Go. Explore the world for yourself because dreams are the stuff reality is made from.”
Oh, 1000% sure!!! I’m on my way doing this!!! 😉
I hope I could find that man someday, who loves traveling as I do 🙂
Wow, this is an amazing piece of writing.
A very beautiful read. It gives me hope that one day I might meet someone like this to share my life with!
Dude, so true. I rarely read others blogs but this piece of mind was worth it 🙂
so are you single? ha! 😉
Awesome. That was me all right! Lived it, loved it. Would not change a thing.
Marriage, children, career, divorce, child support, unemployment….man, it can change fast. Maybe I can find that boy again one day…..inside myself.
I am myself an enraged traveller 😉 I would not change one word you have written…Thanks 🙂
Beautifully written. I have not travelled as widely but plan to. This is exactly the type of person I want to be and life I want to offer mine. My children will have the benefit our experience, mine and my worldly wife.
There is indeed a female version of this article and I think the female version came first. The original link seems to be broken but you can read it here: http://jonesreportla.com/date-a-girl-who-travels/
It’s also a beautiful piece. Enjoy!
I find this article interesting and really appreciate the optimism, encouragement and positive energy. However, like all humans, not all men that travel are the same. I have dated one before and the reason of the break up was because he was afraid to commit and wanted to travel the world. I myself want to travel the world and I think this article should apply to men and women both. Unlike the other article here: “Don’t date women who travel.”
Wowza. This is absolutely the most amazing thing I have ever read, reminds me of someone very near to my heart.
Having being privileged in taking that first step and ending up taking four and a half years to get back “home”, and then after the family had grown up, travelled around the world again , much of it overland.
My favourite saying now is
“We are all different”
“So lets celebrate our differences and add them all together”.
Max, “the overland travellers goes around the. corner to see who there is to meet around the next corner”
I absolutely love your article about dating a girl who travels as well as “date a man who travels”…It’s awe inspiring to find like people who love and appreciate other people and their different cultures. Those who are open minded and courageous enough to take the big leap into the unknown of our Planet alone to explore and bring back the most awesome memories and share with loved ones!!!
If you are blessed enough to find your girl or guy who loves to travel and marry her/him you’re in for the sweet treat of a lifetime filled with adventures and true love
Follow your heart’s desire and peace out thank you so much for your beautiful writing C ;p
I am searching for you boy!:)
Great Read! Makes you want to say bon voyage, see you online.
I kinda like the “Don’t date a girl who travels” more, since I’m a traveling guy and deal with her side of things more so..
This is all so correct what you write. I’ve travelled around the World with my backpack (1985-1990) and relate to every word. Now, I’m sedentary for living but superactive in doing, and my children are learning these skills of simplicity, trust in others and freedome of mind.
Such an interesting read,There are points which can be so relating.
This was amazingly written…I mean my heart raced the entire time. My love of travel grows in leaps and bounds from having read this. GEEZ!! The day I meet the man who is equally as or even more excited to explore like this…#countingdown
I have just found the male version of myself. I have just fallen in love with this traveling boy! I hope to find you out there!
Awesome article! I also read the one about the girl traveler. So I think some of the single people should get together/exchange info and see what happens. Maybe some beautiful traveling partnerships 🙂
I enjoyed this read so much. I’ve only started traveling in 2012. Stayed in hostels and churches for the most part. Marrying a man who travels? If it is meant to be, it will find a way. I’ll be heading to my home country, Philippines, with my Swedish guy friend in tow, in 2015. I hope he will love my country and it’s people.
Happy trails to you!
Lovely! Oooh I know one day I’ll meet my man.❤️ Hopeful it’ll be soon ! Who knows I’ll bump into him during my upcoming travels. 😉
Why cannot I find a boy like this ?
So we’ll written and helped me appreciate why I have been focussed on independent travel for so many years.
Currently in Indonesia heading for the Philippines with an open schedule.
Hahaa, yeah great last words. But somewhat counter productive, considering that would make you a woman who travels, and a similar article about “don’t date a girl who travels” would suggest you would never find a man.
I really enjoyed this post. I can’t wait to teach my son about the cultures and experiences waiting for him in the world. He’s almost 3, but he already has a passport with a few stamps in it and Global Entry to speed us along on our journeys together… and, eventually, on his own, with friends, and his future spouse. Thanks for writing so eloquently! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Can I advertise myself here? Maybe my destiny is here, not out there. Haha!
The best fact among the facts that you have cited that I like a lot is this: “Date a boy who’s lived out of a backpack because he lives happily with less.”
I’ve been travelling for the last 14 years, and live in hope of finding such a charmer. Oh – and Lena, if you can, please steer him to Switzerland. My postcode is 1782 :0) :0)
It described me in a much different way but these are true. Passing it on cause one needs to reaf it if he/she likes to know me better. 🙂
I am thee most untrusting person who keeps all emothions to my self but feck me this hit me hard! SO HARD! Whoever wrote that i have the upmost respect for. Personally think now ive just finished reading that, that it has already set into motion a massive life change! Thank you so much!
Yours truely untrusting bottler of emotions haha 🙂
Very well said! And refreshing to read.
I recently came across the article “Don’t date a girl who travels” and I wrote up my own response to this subject:
http://bamboobutterfly.com/dont-date-a-girl-who-travels-marry-her
People tend to have false assumptions about travelers and travelers sometimes have assumptions ( which sometimes stem from big egos) about people who can’t or don’t want to travel as much.
The bottom line is we are all human, can all be interesting, and all have things to teach one another. Keep on traveling! 🙂
Beautifully written!
I hope to find this traveller guy who will turn my world upside down 😀
Nice one, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love your articles, and I can’t wait to really travel! But bad things always happen the day before I leave. I always have to cancel my plans. I keep chasing the chances to travel (I don’t wait for them; I chase them. hehe) but the problem is, it just can’t happen. I’m only 21 but I feel so old and bored.
This article is soooo nice and inspiring. I have been single all my life and never got the chance to travel yet. Times are hard where I am at and as much as I would like to travel, I can’t. I’m turning 26 this year and I am planning on saving money so I can travel hopefully next year. But just to nearby countries. I hope someday I will be able to live the life of a real traveler and find someone who will enjoy traveling as much as he loves being with me.
Damn! I can feel it
lovely article 🙂
I have a thing for guys with blonde hair and oh..that vanilla skin just does magic to me….Am from Uganda, yes the originally dark chocolate/ebony type. Inspired by this article, am so hitting the road to somewhere in Aruba Island to probably meet a blond boy on holiday who might be travelling or exploring the world and if that wont work, am in on the next Octoberfest in Munich or another big event. Lovely blog!!!
OH my God ! I want to go back traveling !!
Aprille ..
Ma story is exactly the same as yours:) will pray for both of us:) God bless us
And the Last line stole the show 🙂
Couldn’t agree more with the writer….. Having a bestie who travels a lot, I cannot but nod all along! 🙂
Brought a tear to my eye 😉 Thank you for this truly beautiful article !
“Once a traveller gets home, people rarely listen to their stories.” True! Well written piece of advice.
lucky i had mine already , my husband love to travel before we met and until now 🙂
A friend sent me this article some days ago. I thought “Of course you should, what’s the news?”. And although some things might be a little too much, the general picture is very, very true. I already have two very special things my UFW (unknown future wife) will receive to our wedding, which is already sorted out as well 🙂 It was very nice to read that some women (and also men of course) know what is important when it comes to the bottom line. Thank you for making me look a little more focused on small backpacks on the road now 🙂
Love this, goes into my soul
Loved it. Amazing thing which I find while I was reading this article is the level of correlation of the person described with me, like hand-woven bracelet or desktop background. Really inspired by the beauty of the copiousness of the description or in simple words, as I said already, loved it. 🙂
This is beautiful. Still searching for someone to be a part of my life journeys. 🙂
I don’t have to trade my Rolex for hand-woven bracelet. Yes, I still get excited whenever my monthly issue of the National Geographic comes…..even though I have been getting them for the last 30+ years. I sailed the Aegean sea, the Mediterranean and the Bay in Cuba. I slowed down a bit as I got older but the lust to travel never left my heart! It’s in my veins!
I thoroughly enjoyed this article. It embodies everything I do and believe; however, as far as dating is concerned, I’ve found that women (most) want someone who is going to be around all the time. I can always count on losing a girlfriend when I take off on an adventure.
Seems to me that there are more girls out there who fit this description (myself included) than guys! I couldn’t find the male equivalent of myself, so I ended up marrying a guy who hadn’t traveled much, but he’s a good sport and lets me drag him all over the world, with only a small backpack, doing things he never even dreamed of doing. We’re having a blast! Thanks for writing a wonderful article that brings back many memories and reminds me that there are so many more to make.
I got a goosebumps while reading this… an epic piece! thanks for sharing 🙂
Traveling around the world you meet the best of mankind. I’m sure wen I return to the edge of the earth(alaska) after my travels I’m as excited as a young child to tell my friends about the crazy bus rides, riot gear, animal rides, hikes and all other sorts of unknown most people will never get to experience. Well written.
Absolutely loved this verse; it sets off a series of emotions that only the traveler can truly understand.
“He has had a chance to miss and be missed. Because of this, he also knows a thing or two about goodbyes. He knows the overwhelming uncertainty of leaving the comforts of home, the indefinite see-you-laters at the departure gates, and yet he fearlessly goes into the unknown because he knows the feeling of return”
This sentiment obviously resonates with many.. people say that travelling is like the new universal religion! I’m going to balance this argument with the following. Yes travelling is fantastic, finding yourself in completely new worlds, communicating with people from these strange worlds, bla d bla..
This is what it boils down to and the motivation for most travelers today IMO
“for one day when you are about to close your eyes forever, what you did and how you live will have an impact on how you feel about having to go”
If this is what you fancy, fire away.. keep going til your feet fall off! For me personally, I have sat in work, looking at my computer at pictures on facebook of friends on the beach in Oz, shooting M16s in Vietnam, hiking up the Machu Pakislava Picchu, while it’s dark freezing, raining sideways out my window and thought to myself.. pretty much the argument being made by Lena here.
But I stayed where I was, because I value my career (which limits where I can go even if I’d like to go). Also, I love my family, so I like to be close to them and some day hopefully have a family of my own. This is the big choice IMO.
You can argue against it if you like, but there has to be a cost for this amazing lifestyle and for me, the trade-off is reducing the chances of settling down and raising a family the same way you were raised yourself. Not at all trying to rain on the parade, just food for though and balance to the argument. I hope that when my time comes, I will feel that I have made a positive contribution to this world.
So, i was just on the road for 2+ years, where is this boy? I guess I will have to get back on the road… :p
Or for all you slightly less biased & less extreme-to-either-side-of-the-spectrum females….date an entrepreneur – for he can do it all.
The first post ever that moved me somewhere deep inside. Its like someone just took all the values I have always lived by and just penned them down!
You got me at the “he knows the value of each stone” part.. all my friends thought it was stupid but i know the right girl will always see the magic behind it!
Great !
All truth. I needed this to share with the one who let me go, and perhaps, the one I will see again. Thank you.
I think my next stop at the airport I will seat with binoculars and at the edge of my seat as I find this particular gentleman 🙂 🙂
I have traveled to many places, I have enriched my soul with beautiful experiences, flavors and smells but I still have not found him, somedays I think he only exists in my imagination (sigh)… still looking… still with the eyes closed and the soul open, regardless of the risks of having an exposed soul. Still waiting with a smile 😀
This is the answer to a “calling to travel again” that I’ve been hearing inside me. I’m glad I found this page, and I look forward to reading your other blog posts. Keep it up, Ramon! – Tinbai 🙂
i’ve been dating such guys for ages. it’s kinda tiring though. i’d say i’d like to be with someone who is not so obesessed with traveling 🙁
Amazing read. I can completely understand this. I say if you can’t run wild with me, then let me go. My soul hungers for travel, hungers for the unknown, hungers for places I have yet to see, and people I have yet to meet. I pick up the National Geographic magazines and place myself in every photo. I want to climb those mountains. I want to surf in those water. I want to be in the cage underwater with sharks in my face. I wish everybody had the desires to explore this world and look at it in awe and wonder, and have undying curiosity. My hands have touched the Mayan ruins and my mind was fueled with thoughts of what that civilizations was like. I pictured the sacrifices that happened on those temples. I have been to the top of mountains, I have watched the sunrise at the Grand Canyon, I have been to places that I didn’t want to return from. You always think “if only I had a little more time here.” My paths have crossed with numerous strangers from around the world who are now friends. Friends who crave the adventures just as much I do. Friends who understand the hunger of exploration. Friends who understand wanting to be completely immersed into another culture. People like us, all we want is somebody to run wild with us. Somebody to share the adventures with. However, we are so independent that we never fear taking on adventures alone. …
Wow! What a lovely lovely piece! I am crying. I have read it 3x over and still crying. You described my husband almost to a T! We have been together 24 years and have traveled across the world a few times together.
We have held hands and wept in silence at some of the most awe inspiring sightS, he has taken care of me when I had dysentery! We came home from our travels and had 2 kids and named them after 2 of the countries we visited.
I pray for every travel bitten women out there that you meet this man. Your life will never be dull, the people you meet will bless you and you will be a blessing as well!
Thanks so much for the great read.
Waoo, you & ur hubby are so lucky 🙂
Congratulations in advance in completing ur 25th yr. Its a long time of travel & love.
Excellent piece of writing 🙂
I found one 🙂
i found one, we found each other in nepal, im from malaysia, he’ french canadian from quebec canada, together since 1o years ago, we ‘ve been everywhere together since then, more than 25 countries so far.
This is the guy I am looking for my entire life.
Thank you. from the bottom of my heart <3
I just feel like crying after this!!! I have no words for the awesomeness of this article!
You’ve reminded me of a part of myself I’d almost completely forgotten about but given me clarity over a few things too. Travelling can and does change a person (for all the right reasons I would hope) but it seems to be the case of everyone else dealing with those changes that they’ve noticed in the person when you come home for any particular length of time that can be difficult to deal with. From my experiences and where I’ve been in the world it’s definitely opened my eyes. You’re not wrong in any of what you’ve written about here. Not a lot of people ever ask me about travelling so I never talk about it but it’s for me and I’d do it all again in a heartbeat so …thanks man! : )
I´m a girl who travels, I want a boy who travels…
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Why is it that female astronauts are the most happy ones then?
Because they weigh absolutely nothing in space.
LOL….omg This is one Ramon…I am cracked up…hahaha
This is just absolutely beautiful. I know how most of it feels, and I absolutely cherish all of it.
Romantic and profound. You must have married your travelling prince and are an avid traveler yourself. I am deeply moved by this article. Dream big and travel far. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Ramon! I loved how you put things up in your article, it made me travelled already 🙂 ! I am one of those guys, mostly travelling short time so far (2 months here, 2 months there) and living in Morocco at the moment but I’ll be on my way for a much longer trip, shasing the dream, in a very short moment ! I know the road will be full of incredible encounters and I’d be glad to share a moment with you if life makes me cross on your path! Enjoy life and continue writing.
im in , I love this site , it describes me very much ,although im at home right now I ve been a traveler since I was a kid (with my parents) and on my own after it, I ll intend to keep going this year 2014 probably through southnto Oz on 2015 ,chao amigos and see u soonamerica and may go
Thank you. This resonates in my soul. Travellers – real travellers, not the resort people – are a different breed. We think different, see different, love different. “Back home”, people don’t understand us, how we could possibly live for months or years out of a backpack, or how we find thrills in putting ourselves in danger, or how we find it so easy to make friends with strangers.
Not all backpacking guys (or girls) are the way you describe, but the ones that are, are priceless. The whole article had me nodding in agreement, substituting “him” with “her”. I even broke into an ugly cry when you wrote about the indefinite see-you-laters at departure gates. The friends and lovers we meet travelling stick with us like a new part of the body.
Thank you so much for this hope-inspiring accurate description of what loving a backpacker can feel like. I hope to give those feelings to another person. I’m the “him” in your story.
Very well put. Thank you!
Beautifully written! I’m counting down the days until my next adventure. I’d love to meet this guy, but my journey will be amazing solo or shared. 🙂
Wow.. just read these article after ignoring it in a few days… oke.. i’ll travel along to thailand in the next two weeks.. wish me luck for finding one of the traveling man. Hehe
this is an amazing written. i wish i would find this kind of guy one day because i do love travel!
This is the most amazing piece of writing i have read in a very long time….
and i wish i manage to find and date a boy who travels!
Beautifully written, but unfortunately for many of us the men that claim that they travel are often just looking to settle down themselves, or find it hard to believe that there are women that travel out there too – they seem to all have read the post “don’t date a girl who travels”- https://medium.com/better-humans/802c49b9141c
I can’t say that it bothers me anymore. I am the girl who travels and I have been since I was a kid. Many are those tho tried to calm my travel nerve or thought I would get over it. Many are those who tell me “eventually you will find where to settle down”. Except that just shows they haven’t understood a thing…
And now I travel on my own and love it. The men who travel are rare, the men who REALLY travel even more so…
idea of settling down in a city or a specific place is just plain scary.. it never made sense really.. Why settle when there is the whole world .. why keep repeating the same patterns in life when you can go and learn and experience more and more … ?
So around 1 hour ago, a guy who I love but we have never really met still decided to leave me. He wasn’t like what your article said. In fact, he’s totally opposite from what you have mentioned in the whole content. And for the past few months I had been trying to tell him it’s good to travel…but honestly there were many things that he couldn’t accept nor understand why would I want to travel. Maybe time proved that we are just not suitable for each other and it’s time to stop trying to fit yourself into somewhere you don’t even belong to.
I’m happy that I found something to make me move on. Thank you.
And I hope that I could find someone, the guy who would like to travel around the world with me, as backpackers. 🙂
I am this guy. Traveling gives me the feeling of freedom. When you hike in some far off distant land with the sunlight energizing your face, you are surrounded by blue skies and majestic snow-capped mountains. The winds howl at you & all of your senses are overwhelmed. When everything around you deafens you the world begins to slow down. Your mind becomes clear. You embrace the challenge and the solitude that comes with it. The soul becomes free and at that point, you know who you are. I love seeing the world because you can be yourself.
When I talk to women about traveling and the subject comes up with where I have been in the world (34 countries across 6 continents and counting!), all that I hear is dead silence and never a question about it. Perhaps I am talking to the wrong women…
You must talk to the wrong girl…LOL.. I experience myself the same dead silence in most case with men. Some gets intimidate by vivid traveller. There are all kind of travellers out there. It is pretty easy to call ourself a traveller but what we often forget is to talk with travelers’ who have similar taste than ours. There is a huge amount of travellers out there that are close minded and still call themselves travellers so it’s about to talk to the RIGHT traveller for you. I personally talk with so much passion when while talking about anything related to travel that I start thinking …”I must scare them’….I had two long terms relationships (11 & 3 years) that had to end mostly because of my travelling. My ex partners decided to make it an issue, where I did not see it as an issue. Personally I saw it as an asset as I am really appreciative of everything we have home and for it’s comfort (like a toilet that flush) sand what is truly important in life, human connection and exchange. The reality was that my ex partners were not able to compromise for me while I was compromising for their favorite hobby and passion. They never try to understand why would I go out there and put myself in countries and location that are sometime dangerous places, why I would want to go to poor places, why I love to help indigenous and impoverish kids to get an education in remote places while it cost me thousands of dollar every year from my own pocket, how I also book myself a luxury vacation while I can travel with backpack and sleep in hostel and foreigners….WHY DO I call myself a traveler…because traveling make me feel alive and it is in my blood. I am who I am because of travelling. I get something in return and in all kind and various ways while travelling. If we would not gain anything from it we would just not travel right. So I decided it was time for me to stop compromising who I am and what I love for people that would not compromise for one particular aspect of my personality and be concern about my happiness. Since then, I found my authentic self and feel free to be who I am and travel without anyone making me feel like a weirdo that is not content with he ordinary life at home. Usually while travelling we meet nice and different passionate traveller like us and sometime very different than us, but who still call themselves a ‘Traveller’ People that do not question you about your favorite places you ‘ve been are not really interest to really know you and what you are about and come from,trust me. If they were interest they would listen to you and questioned you. They would also respect your passion and will string along in your next crazy travel destination. Good luck!
Wow, I feel like you described my husband 🙂 I will never have the power to tell him to stay home, because for him “home” is the whole world. His face, when arriving to a new place, is priceless…
I cannot wait to start living my life of adventure. And I cannot wait to find someone who I can pursue these adventures with. But, for now, I’m just gonna keep working hard (I have only two more years before my own adventures begin!) and stay patient, knowing that the man of my dreams is roaming around out there, living out the stories I will hear about when I meet him.
thumbs up ! thats the attitude !! 🙂
don’t date, marry. I was a boy who traveled and now I’m engaged to the girl who travels.
http://kamphey.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/im-engaged-to-the-girl-who-travels/
Hi Andrew,
I loved your text, as I felt a lot of love by the respect and trust each other seem to have. Love do not mean to stop the other to do what it has to do. Marriage does not mean prison, possession and ownership. Love means allowing, supporting and helping the other to do what it feel it needs to be done for their own happiness and self development. I agree about not dating forever, at least, and marry if it feels it is the right person. Long life to your relationship. Cheers.SP
Already started the journey by how beautiful it was described… it’s like collecting all the pieces of you until you are whole again. So nice, so comforting.
Every sentence has been felt before writing. Very well composed & inscribed here.
This article exactly reflects myself. I just love traveling alone coz no other are able to match my wanderlust frequency. I am too waiting to meet the girl of my life with whom i can visit each place as mentioned in my bible “1000 places to visit before you die”.
I have been traveling for last 6 years and loving every inch of it. Love to meet you guys here. you are an inspiration for many to teach them real truth about life is hand made / weaven bracelet not a Rolex (too much of fake).
And well said, Marriage is just a bond for society, true bonding is between hearts & frequency 🙂
Live to Love
Rohan
Lovely, this is where I would like to restart a new life…meet a traveler…then travel the world with purpose.
I am never bored when I am with a guy like this. And trust me, if you step out of your comfort zone you will see these guys !!!
That is me in progress ! ahaha I absolultely loved seeing that what I do is not normal but being normal is weird anyways .. 🙂 😀 Living from a backpack .. all i truely need is in there 🙂
I love this! “Independence will keep your relationship fresh and exciting, and when you’re together again it will forge a bond of unbreakable trust.” Outstanding! Thank you! 🙂
Such a beautiful post, thank you very much. I would love to marry a boy who travel, may that dream of mine come true one day..:)
Thank you for this! Made me to decide something very important!
This is beautiful. Inspire fcd me to. Go out there and travel. I just wish more countries would allow Filipinos to enter without visa. 🙂
I am a traveller girl. 8 years and counting. It is a way of life 🙂
It’s MY LIFE TOO !!
It’s a life very few have passion for. I’m Lucky and too happy I’m one of them.
I keep travelling – Wildlife, nature Walks (No treks too tired for it) , Scuba diving, Rafting, Mountains, OR just culture travelling.
Enjoy every bit and minute of it. But the Pity many a time Land up doing it alone. No regrets as long as I am fit and enjoy it
#TOUCHED
Beautifully written.. Love it 🙂
Very well written!
I’m not familiar with the author but she seems to know a lot about me. LOL… But really, this is the most beautifully written post I’ve ever read.
Wow, wow, and wow! I’m sitting here on a ferry in the Cook Strait, going from the North Island of New Zealand to the South. This made me tear up with happiness as I read it! I felt as though this was written for me. Traveling has been a huge part of my life and has helped shape me into the person I am today. I’m currently 2 and a 1/2 months in on what I hope to be a year long trip around part of the world.
The author of this post couldn’t be anymore spot on! It is all about the journey… the people you meet, the sights along the way, the challenges you face, and the memories you will keep forever!
Many thanks for this blog, it has made me smile even brighter today! I too look forward to the lady that will one day join me on a magical journey to another land, and perhaps for life!
Keep Smiling!
Thanks for sharing an optimistic piece! I am an adventure junkie but have not met men who travel and want to commit or settle down. Lena’s writing redirected my search of what I am and my love.
And if you can’t find him, travel. Go. Embrace it. Explore the world for yourself because dreams are the stuff reality is made from.
I really love this article so i write my own insight 🙂
nice post.
I wanna meet that boy someday 🙂
Hi there,
all I can say is just “wow”!!!!!!!!! That article touched me, I almost started to cry- but at the same time I had to smile, because I just realized: The guy, you described, is just the one, I´m looking for:D:D
I´ve been traveling ever since, I´ve seen many places in Europe, and I´ve been in the US several times (fell in love with South and New England), but my greatest adventure were three month in Chile. I´m still living on the memories of that adventure and I´m dreaming of traveling through South America again, someday (next year, perhaps:D)…but there are so many places in the world, I would like to see. …
Anyhow, I really thank you with all my heart for writing this article. Can´t even say, which line/ sentence finally caught me…They are all so great and so true!!
Thank you for giving me the motivation to keep up my dream^^
Keep on writing such beautiful articles!!
Greetings.
Bonnie
That could be me – and I’m a girl 🙂
wonderful words!!! and so true…!