So, how much to tell? When to tell?

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

I'm going to come clean here.

I've been wrestling with posting about my various trips on this forum mainly because I'm afraid that people will either get all in my face about my choices and tell me I didn't do my trip "right" or get all weird about how I can travel as much as I do and think I'm some kind of rich bitch or something. It's unsettling, because I love to travel and I love to post in forums, but I've been holding back pretty much ever since I joined and started posting about my trips.

I just got back from a bizzare and amazing one week trip to China and Hong Kong but have held back from posting about it. Do people actually even read travelogues, or do you think they're boring? Or do you just think I'm boring? I do think that brevity is good, so maybe my previous travelogues were just way too long to be interesting? Am I just paranoid? Should I just try again?

I know I'm being whiney and insecure but I could use a little advice and direction here. The only way this forum is going to gain any momentum is if people post in it, and frankly I haven't felt very comfortable posting here because I don't know what people want and expect and like etc etc.

David · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 162

Well, I know that everybody has a story, and that is why I like forums, because I can here people's stories. There are rich people, poor people, exciting people and boring people, but each story has a message that can help you, if you listen close. Sometimes you have to read many posts before something clicks, and sometimes a single message can change your day or life. I have some good things going for me that might make others envious, as well some things that people would feel sorry for me. I figure most people are the same as me. :wink: (yet amazingly different too)

Jonathan · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 185

Interesting question Laura, and I can see where you are coming from too. Personally I like hearing about people's experiences, especially intercultural ones (well, I am a cultural anthropologist after all... :oops: ). Does every posters personality and style of expression match mine? Of course not. Do I find every post that everyone makes of interest? No, I don't. But, as David says, all have something of value to someone and, truth be told, I find most to be more rather than less interesting myself.

There's also a seperate issue that different people have different interests both in activities and in regions so will typically find posts about these items of more interest. As such someone who has little interest in Asia may not find your report as interesting as someone who does... although that's not a given either since someone may still find travl experiences interesting regardless of location. But that's all part of an active forum, right? The more topics being discussed the wider the interest base... so, at least for my $.02, go for it! :D

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

Okay, I'll get to it then...here's a teaser: my story involves salon services, power shopping, ballroom dancing, fine art, and getting blind drunk on sorghum whiskey :)

David · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 162

:lol: :lol:
Hope you'll start with the last one. :D

Jonathan · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 185

OK, you've got my interest... :lol:

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

If you have enjoyed your travels and wish to enlighten people with your experiences, than is this not the place to do it?

I spend close to 2 months out of the year travelling because it is the second thing closest to the thing I love the most(husband + cats, my family!) so what if someone calls me a rich bitch? I work my a$$ off for my $ and it's MY money! I don't spend ridiculous sums on things like designer handbags or cigarettes, so what th' hay! When I leave my tiny island-nation(Japan), I get different views on life- from different people eating different food and thinking different things. These are the priceless rewards of my travels.

Most of the writings on this forum could in the absolute least only offer to inspire future travellers. By giving them tidbits of your valuable experiences abroad can only enlighten and inspire! Go for it!
:D

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

cocodrilo wrote: If you have enjoyed your travels and wish to enlighten people with your experiences, than is this not the place to do it?

You'd think, but I'm afraid that you will just make a lot of negative comments about my trip(s). I like to stay in 5-star hotels from time to time. I like to eat in expensive restaurants from time to time. Sometimes I take package tours. Sometimes I take guided day tours. My trips are often very short. These are all aspects of travel which I have seen you comment negatively on here, to the point where I see you has having a sort of hipper-than-thou attitude about what other people choose to do.

Quote: When I leave my tiny island-nation(Japan), I get different views on life- from different people eating different food and thinking different things. These are the priceless rewards of my travels.

Mine too, but then when you comment that something I did or like to do isn't "real" I feel that my priceless rewards have been invalidated.

Quote: Most of the writings on this forum could in the absolute least only offer to inspire future travellers. By giving them tidbits of your valuable experiences abroad can only enlighten and inspire! Go for it!
:D

Thank you. I can see that I've totally misread you. That's what I wanted to clear up. It's been bothering me for a very very long time.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Hey, don't get me wrong- I occasionally stay in a 5-star hotel and sometimes a suite at some of those places! Unfortunatley, if I am travelling for 3 weeks, it would be outrageously expensive to do so. When I am in a developing country, I try to stay at a local hotel to get a real feel of the place. The deals are also amazing, and the hotels are located in the center of the old part of town, which can give you a very cool cultural view of the city.

Aer · Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 3

cocodrilo wrote: so what if someone calls me a rich bitch? I work my a$$ off for my $ and it's MY money! I don't spend ridiculous sums on things like designer handbags or cigarettes, so what th' hay! Ha ha! :D You sound like my mother :) She always says that she works for her money, she doesn't spend her money to expensive unnecessary goods, so she will spend it as she wishes and will enjoy the fruits of her labor too. Those are her words :)

Also, everyone who travels has money. Simple as that ;) It doesn't mean that someone must be rich (there are many backpackers, hitchhikers and people who work while they travel to get some income to support themselves). My mother knows someone, direct or indirect, I don't know, who during her student years travelled with a friend all around the globe. Apparently they spended their money purely on travelling (unlike most students ;)). Quite a amazing feat for students.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Aer wrote: cocodrilo wrote: so what if someone calls me a rich bitch? I work my a$$ off for my $ and it's MY money! I don't spend ridiculous sums on things like designer handbags or cigarettes, so what th' hay! Ha ha! :D You sound like my mother :) She always says that she works for her money, she doesn't spend her money to expensive unnecessary goods, so she will spend it as she wishes and will enjoy the fruits of her labor too. Those are her words :)

Also, everyone who travels has money. Simple as that ;) It doesn't mean that someone must be rich (there are many backpackers, hitchhikers and people who work while they travel to get some income to support themselves). My mother knows someone, direct or indirect, I don't know, who during her student years travelled with a friend all around the globe. Apparently they spended their money purely on travelling (unlike most students ;)). Quite a amazing feat for students.
And that person who spent all their money on travel in their student days undoubtedly has learned something about other cultures, has broadened their horizons and will have many nice memories. :D