I once took a trip to eastern Europe (multiple locations) which took me about half way across the world from where I’m at. I think I’d have been closer to home if I went any further east or west at that point.
I went from Europe to Japan by myself. I think the biggest difference which I actually really enjoyed was that (unlike Europe) it was me who was the ‘different’ person. I didn’t fully understand the culture, language, fashion etc. It was a totally new experience and massive opportunity to live in and absorb a culture that was very unknown to me.
I’ve travelled a bit. From Australia originally. Currently living in Germany. Been here since July 2022 and planning on staying for a little while.
I’d like to offer this:
Travelling through a place vs living in a place especially when the native language is not your own is worlds different than travelling. The intense loneliness you feel is like nothing I’ve experienced. It’s worse when you’re surrounded by people at a Christmas dinner, say. Wow. I’ve had to get up and leave a few times to take some deep breaths, shed a few tears and head back in. Or I would simply just leave and go be with myself, but that took time.
On the other end, the sense accomplishment felt when you start picking up the language and are able to have small conversations is, again, like no other. The loneliness leaves and I’m left with a newer sense of myself. More confident in a deeper sense.
I’m from a small town in the mid-west part of the USA. Years ago I visited England, Austria, Germany, France and several other European countries during a summer trip. It was a wonderful experience seeing the different cultures, styles, foods, people, scenery, architecture, history etc. I feel like anytime someone has an opportunity to travel - if possible, take it. The learning, openness, and enjoyment is so worth it.
I’m from a small town in western Pennsylvania. I went to China in college and fell in love with it. I ended up living there for 3 years after grad school. One of the best periods of my life.
I was curious to see what the exact opposite side of the world from my home (Australia) is, turns out it’s the Azores islands in the Atlantic. So I haven’t been as far as I could, but I have been to the UK, France, US and Canada, so I’ve come close. I enjoyed all those places, plenty to explore and experience and only really scratched the surface of the places I visited.
Totally understandable, I feel like there’s so much more out there to see it’s overwhelming thinking about, but in a good way.
I lived most of my life in the Northeast US. My wife and I sold our house to live in a van. We’re currently in Alaska which is definitely as far from the Northeast that I’ve been. Other than Alaska, I’ve been to Mexico City which is also pretty far.
This year we will be visiting Iceland and Czechia so that will definitely be the furthest from home.
Czechia is beautiful. beautiful architecture and don’t get me started on food and beer!
I’m mostly excited about the Let it Roll music festival and the beer, but we’re staying in Prague for about a week so we will definitely be getting some good food and exploring the architecture. In the US we don’t have old buildings like Europe does!
Agreed. I lived in Germany for a year, visiting the surrounding countries and I was floored. The black gate, Zurich and the mountains, in Switzerland, Paris France. All amazing
