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Date a boy who travels
The Mason Jar: a novel
A novel that teaches readers how to find healing after broken and severed relationships
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love story from the male perspective 
#1 by ss on February 17, 2014 - 9:55 pm
I’m so much like the guy in the article… do guys date girls like us 🙂
#2 by miggi on February 6, 2014 - 1:10 pm
I wish I could be with the man like in the article. But when I found him, he doesnt have the same feeling, lol. Good article, really.
#3 by Justyna on January 14, 2014 - 3:20 pm
Love it!
#4 by 'Loba on January 4, 2014 - 12:05 pm
Reblogged this on The Odd little pieces of Nothing.
#5 by Shirine Taylor on December 14, 2013 - 6:59 am
Just as others have pointed out, I am currently this girl. A 20 year old cycling around the world solo, hoping to show some lucky boy the amazing happiness and simplicity of living as a nomad.
#6 by BralessinBolivia on January 29, 2014 - 2:02 pm
Hey Shirine,
Just wondering if you’re still wearing mine and Chelsea’s clothes? xoxo
#7 by Jonas Kehrbaum on January 30, 2014 - 4:44 pm
That’s gutsy thing to do! Like it a lot 😉
#8 by midnightradiostar on December 10, 2013 - 1:11 pm
Reblogged this on When Inspiration Strikes.
#9 by britavonstad on November 25, 2013 - 9:05 am
Reblogged this on Wave of the World and commented:
Reason to date a boy/girl who travels
#10 by Anonymous on November 24, 2013 - 12:28 pm
met the exact guy, fell in love, he went away and i lost him.. 🙂
#11 by Vaishali Ahuja on November 14, 2013 - 11:51 pm
Awesome article…This so much resonated with me. And I feel I have married a perfect travel-o-guy 🙂
He is so much close to the character you have written about…JUST Loved it!
#12 by ledig_wertpapier on October 28, 2013 - 12:16 pm
Reblogged this on Ledig Wertpapier and commented:
When the Flying Dutchman send me this link and I read it while I did video call with him on Skype. Suddenly I felt like there was butterly flying in my stomach like I have fall in love with him for once again. He is not rich yeah but he had showed me something different to live a life to the fullest.
#13 by Christina on October 9, 2013 - 4:35 am
Reblogged this on Mon Terre and commented:
Date a boy who travels
#14 by Christina on October 9, 2013 - 4:34 am
i LOVED it! Yap, date a boy who travels. I’m going to reblog it. Thanks James 🙂
#15 by CrabbyChique on September 17, 2013 - 11:01 am
What do you think is teh female equivalent of this?
#16 by djmayboy on August 20, 2013 - 8:53 pm
Reblogged this on djmayboy.
#17 by D C K on June 24, 2013 - 5:05 pm
This is too funny. Maybe I could just print it out and give it to girls I meet? Has to be better than any other routine pick up (haha not that I practice any btw). Really enjoyed it though, some solid home truths – so, who wants to date me?
#18 by Michael Stephens on June 19, 2013 - 12:13 pm
I’m going to South America next week and proudly humble and thankful about it.
#19 by Bangkok accommodation on June 18, 2013 - 1:32 am
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this web site before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll
be bookmarking it and checking back often!
#20 by Bangkok holiday on June 18, 2013 - 1:20 am
Good write-up. I absolutely appreciate this site. Continue the
good work!
#21 by christinam208 on June 17, 2013 - 10:44 am
Reblogged this on cmusing and commented:
Resonates
#22 by oghidipaul on June 14, 2013 - 7:41 pm
Reblogged this on cscmajor and commented:
gypsy man
#23 by eullrich11 on May 28, 2013 - 5:21 pm
Beautifully written, brilliantly insightful. I am in love with the writer!:) I know the feeling of being the girl who has shared the love of the poverty-stricken who treat you like a queen in their home, and the urgent desire to share it with uninterested Americans! I try to live my life in all of the ways you mentioned, but thank you for reinforcing them, acknowledging them, and inspiring me and others!!
#24 by Rukshica Perera on May 28, 2013 - 3:53 am
Inspiring!! An Absolutely Beautiful Piece 🙂
#25 by Deepak Acharya on May 26, 2013 - 2:03 am
So True 🙂
#26 by permanandastra on May 24, 2013 - 12:37 pm
Reblogged this on Permanandastra and commented:
I definitely will 🙂
#27 by globelvr on May 24, 2013 - 4:11 am
wonderful!
#28 by nomadicdodo on May 24, 2013 - 2:52 am
Date a boy – or girl – who travels……… without the need to spend hours on FB every evening, telling the friends back home what they did that day, uploading photos, tweeting and blogging the night away – instead, date the one who wants to share the experience now, with new friends at the night market, sipping even a warm beer, because there is no fridge here!!
Find them not at the airport book store, but at the ferry port, bus station or train station on their way to Mumbai, Moscow or Beijing, grabbing food from the street vendor or finding stuff in the pockets of a well worn back back, before its thrown in the back with the tied up goat and the pig in the basket!
Leave your world behind you – look ahead, live now with those in front of you – travel by land and sea, take your time, see the world, don’t just pass it by (at 51,000 feet!)
#29 by jez on May 23, 2013 - 11:56 am
sounds like my last 10 yrs haha nice article 🙂
#30 by Arifur Rahman Joy on June 22, 2013 - 5:55 am
hm!!!!!!!! u r right.
#31 by Jesse Plumb on May 23, 2013 - 7:58 am
can i get a copy of this in spanish?
#32 by jrl on May 23, 2013 - 9:40 am
You can use Google translation apps for a rough cut. Then I’d find someone bilingual to iron out the edges to make it readable. Best of luck!
#33 by Anonymous on May 20, 2013 - 1:27 pm
It’s happened already! (The girl version, I mean.)
http://love-etal.tumblr.com/day/2012/10/27
#34 by Hmmm on May 20, 2013 - 12:50 pm
James, why is this entire article so suspiciously close to this?: http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/dont-date-a-girl-who-reads/
#35 by jrl on May 20, 2013 - 2:04 pm
The author of Date a Boy Who Travels can be contacted at the top of the article (see “Lainnnes” if you’d like to reach out to her).
Different templates have been passed around over the last year or so. People place their own spin on the articles based on their personal experiences.
See also “Date a Girl Who Reads” at http://littlemissdorkette.tumblr.com/post/3118512524/date-a-girl-who-reads-by-rosemarie-urquico
#36 by Janus on May 20, 2013 - 12:04 am
thanks for this article. i should start packing my things and travel the world now. LOL
#37 by David on May 19, 2013 - 11:13 pm
Date a Girl who travels, because I deserve it 🙂 That’s always been my goal!
#38 by Liberated Traveler on May 19, 2013 - 6:55 pm
I love this article. Thanks for sharing!
#39 by Arifur Rahman Joy on June 22, 2013 - 5:56 am
Mee too 🙂
#40 by Lucid Gypsy on May 19, 2013 - 2:51 pm
Thank JRL I’ll make sure to do that in my next life, meanwhile I hope I’ve passed my love of adventure and travel to my children and grandchildren.
#41 by Ms. Flâneuse on May 19, 2013 - 1:05 pm
Reblogged this on diary of a flâneuse and commented:
❤
#42 by Cheshire on May 19, 2013 - 7:34 am
Reblogged this on Tabby's corner.
#43 by shane on May 18, 2013 - 3:50 pm
Thank you for this excellant read.
#44 by Jessie on May 18, 2013 - 10:59 am
Date a boy… or a girl… who travels. Thank you for putting into words so well what I have felt, seen, and experienced…
From: A Girl Who Travels
#45 by wajinwoo on May 18, 2013 - 9:10 am
That’s why I’m going to trevel around world!
#46 by Ollie on May 18, 2013 - 8:21 am
Loved reading this, although this boy sounds like a typical trustafarian/gap yah ‘traveller’. They travel around experiencing all of the great things the world has to offer, without seeing all of its poverty and hardship, safe in the knowledge that they can always head back to their parents’ house in Gloucester. He just needs a shark’s tooth on a leather necklace to show that he is totally in tune with nature etc etc.
#47 by L on May 18, 2013 - 2:35 am
I too have a man who travels, and has taken me along on many adventures 🙂 Awesome article!
#48 by Marion on May 18, 2013 - 2:02 am
I have never dated a guy who hasn’t lived abroad by his own choice for at least 6 months at a time and traveled to many countries, and that’s something I’ve just became aware of myself. Some of them were awful people. I have lived in different continents for the last 9 years after leaving my home country when I turned 21. That being said, I could not disagree more with the article. Seeing beautiful landscapes and interesting cultures will not necessarily make you a better person. Living simply for sometimes will not grant you any deep understanding of the lives of the millions who suffer in developing countries. Please. You can be an opinionated hedonist who’s been to 50 countries and a genuinely wonderful, fulfilled person who’s never traveled more than a couple hundred miles away from their hometown. My boyfriend and I have been to at least 30 countries each and we plan to explore many more together, but I don’t buy into the illusion that traveling equals a meaningful and happy life.
#49 by Shiv on May 19, 2013 - 6:46 am
Absolutely agree with you. When I set out to see the world, I had an illusion that all the travelers I met along the way would be like the boy in this article. Sadly, no. Just as in regular, static life, you meet amazing souls who teach you and help you to grow, and you meet those who are convinced that their values and world views are superior to everyone else’s. Some people seem to be traveling the world just to look down on others. It’s the hallmark of every single expat community I’ve encountered. So while I’m grateful for the chance to travel, I don’t think it spurs growth more than anything else you can do with your life.
#50 by jrl on May 19, 2013 - 9:54 am
Great thoughts, Shiv. Thank you!
#51 by Daehong Kim on May 19, 2013 - 6:40 pm
Agree more than enough!!
#52 by Rob on May 20, 2013 - 9:24 am
I disagree with you Shiv. Travel provides potential for significant personal growth. Though, travelers have to be open minded and thoughtful of their experiences during travel. One can easily learn information from a book or the internet, but emotions, beliefs, and perceptions regarding the information are much stronger and truer when experienced first hand.
Travel is like a pair of prescription glasses. It doesn’t force you to open your eyes, but if you do, you’ll have a clearer picture.
#53 by agreed on May 19, 2013 - 8:56 am
I totally agree to this comment. Travelling around the world does not not necessarily make you a better person. I’ve met egotistical cocky douche-bags looking down on other people for not being adventuresome and having tried such and such and somehow believe that travelling has made him more open minded. It assured me once again that being open minded is one’s personal choice and that simply travelling doesn’t make you one. Nonetheless, I plan on travelling in the future because that’s what I enjoy doing but I know that I will only get what I accept from those experiences.
#54 by jrl on May 19, 2013 - 9:53 am
You wrote, “It assured me once again that being open minded is one’s personal choice and that simply travelling doesn’t make you one…I know that I will only get what I accept from those experiences.”
Agreed. It’s how we respond to what we encounter that shows our character.
Good thoughts. Thank you for sharing!
#55 by joandmarkultimateadventures on May 18, 2013 - 1:36 am
This is me and my boyfriend to a t, (except maybe i showed him the world) were travelling now and the last 5 paragraphs are exactly how we imagine our life going! Great blog.
#56 by Anonymous on June 22, 2013 - 5:53 am
Thats Gr8…. (y)
#57 by Clarence on May 17, 2013 - 11:13 pm
Believe it or not but this made me teary.. I could not relate more to this post .. I presently let him go because he is presently on an adventure of his own, I don’t know when he will be back but that is ok.. the only thing to be expected in life in the unexpected.. and embracing the unknown
#58 by Emily on May 17, 2013 - 8:27 pm
I love this piece. Whether or not you have a significant other or are journeying solo, these experiences, this lifestyle, is invaluable. For those saying it’s “fantasy” land, it’s Whatever you make it. I traveled for two months in Central America and spent a total of $1500 INCLUDING air fare. And this was living and eating quite well. Currently I’m traveling America with my boyfriend, living AND working out of our 1987 VW Vanagon. And it’s cheaper than paying rent somewhere else. Live your dream!! Wheresmyofficenow.com
#59 by Martin on May 18, 2013 - 11:12 am
Hey! I was reading through the comments and noticed you said ” I traveled for two months in Central America and spent a total of $1500 INCLUDING air fare.” How in the world?? I am planning a trip to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize for June and I am looking at 1500 total for a month of what I thought was pretty thrifty haha. Any advice? Thanks!
#60 by James N Finklea II on May 17, 2013 - 4:50 pm
I’ve traveled the world and God willing, I’ll continue to do so. This site/forum is a terrific idea. Looking forward to reading more interesting posts by interesting people. 🙂
#61 by J on May 17, 2013 - 3:01 pm
I have this man! And life is full of adventures!
#62 by Wani on May 17, 2013 - 12:12 pm
Amazingly written. Would definitely love to travel more when I can afford it!!
#63 by Amac on May 17, 2013 - 9:37 am
Great read. Unbelievably true. Thank you for this
#64 by jrl on May 17, 2013 - 7:54 am
Hi everyone! We’ve read a few attacking comments from some people. Those who weren’t helpful or didn’t contribute to the discussion (and were often vicious or foul), weren’t allowed to be posted.
But on the other hand, we’ve received a few responses from people asking the right questions such as, “How do I travel when I have little money, I have a family that needs me, and I need to work full time?”
All travelers know the answer to this.
If some of you can help answer these inquirers with a few suggestions to get them started, I think you would be doing them a great service. All of us had someone in our life who pulled us aside and showed us how to _____ .
Notice this comment in particular:
#90 by aliahz22 on May 16, 2013 – 4:51 am
I envy u. How do i get started? Do i need to have plans? Im a malaysian & i dont really know anyone from my country who does this. I really do wanna travel & be like u guys. Exploring.
Thanks everyone! We’ve loved receiving all your comments and letters from across the world!
#65 by Anonymous on May 17, 2013 - 7:50 am
Fantastic blog, and the same can surely be said about woman. Reblogged on Planes, Trains & Extended Layovers http://planestrainsel.tumblr.com/
#66 by fe on August 25, 2013 - 10:45 pm
how you can start travelling? set aside money for that purpose, that’s how my husband told me; you’ve to cut off some expenses. it maybe quite hard if you’ve children…set your priorities. we started in 1992 and never stop except this year when we’re in a car accident. we go on a trip 1 or 2X a year. if you travel on your own and in good health, go now, take advantage of your youth.
age didnt stop us going with adveture trips until our knees and bad backs slowed us down. happy trip!
#67 by ennagic on May 17, 2013 - 7:23 am
One Day One Chance でリブログ& コメント:
Add your thoughts here… (optional)
#68 by budgeteurotrip on May 17, 2013 - 5:41 am
reblogged: http://budgeteurope.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/date-a-boy-who-travels/
#69 by budgeteurotrip on May 17, 2013 - 5:29 am
That’s me! 🙂 and I’m single… 😉
#70 by Guille on May 17, 2013 - 5:10 am
Finally something touching among all the stuff I read within the week. 🙂
I am a “hardcore” traveler. I have visited almost 40 countries in my life (I’m on my 30’s) and rounded the world in 2 occasions spending always about 1 year on the road. I felt much identified with the guy in your article. I believe it is being written by a real traveler.
My friends, family and colleagues support me most of the time. But very often I get scolded for not settling down, not accepting responsibilities, being immature, not having a family of my own, etc… These things manage to leave a mark in me and sometimes you have the feeling you are doing something wrong.
We can, and want, to love, live and make the most of the time we have. We have death very present in our life and that keeps us going, because one day it will all end and we just want to have things worth remembering…
In a couple of months I am leaving again!
#71 by ImNotSoSure on May 16, 2013 - 10:32 pm
This should be called “Date a person under 25”
Been there done that. I’d like a vacation.
#72 by sjoneskp10 on May 16, 2013 - 10:24 pm
Awesome post! Definitely can’t wait for this girl to come into my life to stay! Oh the adventures that are planned!
#73 by Billy on May 16, 2013 - 8:37 pm
wow I was so heart felt about this article that it almost brought me to tears. This is pretty much sums up who I am and it is extremely difficult to put into words. It’s difficult to explain to someone what it’s like to see things and experience things that most people only dream of. If you want to learn about yourself this is definitely one of the best way to do it.
#74 by Diego Forest on May 16, 2013 - 4:58 pm
This brought me to tears because it something I wish I could have said to the daughter I never had
..I am this guy
#75 by carla on May 16, 2013 - 3:59 pm
oh gosh! does this guy really exist? Send him on my way! 🙂
this is the type of fairytale my mom should have read to me when I was little!
like one said on the comments, while “mr. right that travels” does not arrive, i’ll keep looking for him during my own trips! 🙂
#76 by Rex on May 16, 2013 - 2:59 pm
you just described my life and you are exactly correct of how this happens, I truly have a tear in my I, you just put into words my life
#77 by mollyg912 on May 16, 2013 - 1:31 pm
Wow, what a great essay. And so true. Thanks for sharing!
#78 by Arifur Rahman Joy on June 22, 2013 - 5:59 am
wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#79 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 1:12 pm
My Life Definition.. hats off to the author…Awsom.. !!!
#80 by Marion Erskine on May 16, 2013 - 12:38 pm
I haven’t read something this heartfelt in ages. Never once mocking those who don’t travel, but reminding one of the endless horizons out there. Absolutely inspirational.
#81 by jrl on May 16, 2013 - 12:53 pm
Thank you for your comments, Marion. “I haven’t read something this heartfelt in ages.” If you enjoy this heartfelt literature, may we suggest you check out http://www.jamesrussell.org/themasonjar.cfm
#82 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 11:20 am
Sure I will date a guy like that, if I find one. Till then, I am on a journey myself. 🙂
#83 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 12:04 pm
I am this guy! 😉
#84 by luvbugsa on May 16, 2013 - 10:46 am
Reblogged this on LuvBugSA and commented:
Date a Boy .. Upcomming Date a Girlwho Travels …
Many thanks to Girl on a Wander for the intro to Love Story Blog !
#85 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 9:30 am
Loved it!
From the beginning to the end, it is addictive and wonderful text.
#86 by Jane Phillips on May 16, 2013 - 8:58 am
A tad wordy with a good message. But the title could be changed to “date a girl who travels” I lived 3 years out of 2 suitcases and made it around the world. As a girl, in the 80s, without a boy. So can you!
#87 by Brew on May 16, 2013 - 6:10 am
I met my girlfriend in a small island off the coast of Bali over a year ago, … still dating and traveling the world together! So in love!!!!!!
#88 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 5:49 am
‘the immaculate glory of a flush toilet’ soooo true! Thank you for this, looking forward to meeting him one day 🙂
#89 by Aliahz on May 16, 2013 - 4:27 am
This is a very moving article. I have always adored people who live their lives like this. Louis Cole, to name one. The experiences that they have by travelling around the world is what i’d kill to have. I’ve been living a rather comfy live & im still searching for the true purpose of life. Im happy on the outside but im empty on the inside. I wanna be happy with what i dont have rather than being depressed. I need to learn, i need to live an adventure, i need to overcome my fears. I need to find the purpose of my life & i need to find true happiness. This is my dream, to explore & to appreciate life. I need to get out of my comfort zone. Someone please help!
#90 by hmm idunno on May 16, 2013 - 3:16 am
Ok, so i agree with some of this article, but i also think it a bit utopian and unrealistic to every day guys like me that either can’t afford to travel abroad, or work/own their own business, and/or dont have freedom from their job. I think it sets the bar awfully high to have these expectations placed on you, and could potentially be an unhealthy habit to choose travel over a relationship. Just my opinion
#91 by Sage on May 27, 2013 - 1:39 pm
I think the point here is that a traveler understands that a job is not the most important thing. Yes, necessary to make money, but if it is going to limit you it is not the best thing for you. Find a way to save money and budget yourself as you explore the world. You might even find a way to make money while traveling. I am also struggling with this effort because i’m a student and I’ll have to pay back loans after I graduate (no help from parents). I currently work two jobs and take online summer classes and I’m having a hard time saving money because I pay all of my bills. I just try to stay positive and tell myself not to let my dreams go because I will be able to accomplish them one day. I expect to book a flight to South America within the next couple of years, where I will live and work until my heart changes direction again.
#92 by Kenric on May 16, 2013 - 2:17 am
Just wanted to say that this was a great article, or it was more like a poem. Thanks. Based on the comments there seems to be an assumption that a person who travels is not financially responsible for their future or will be unable to afford children, college and retirement. This is so not true.
#93 by Kenric on May 16, 2013 - 2:20 am
Here are some videos from my latest travels. Enjoy!
#94 by wanderingivatan on May 16, 2013 - 12:51 am
cool! 🙂 good read!
#95 by pinkfrk on May 15, 2013 - 11:01 pm
Beautifully written! Anyone who’s had an ounce of adventure in travel can nod their head and agree whole heartedly with everything you wrote.
#96 by minhduc1x on May 15, 2013 - 10:49 pm
Reblogged this on Minh-Duc's blog.
#97 by Walter on May 15, 2013 - 10:25 pm
Met my wife while hitchhiking from Greece to Turkey. It was at the end of a long and very sweaty day, I was dirty and tired. She offered me a place in a bus that she was a tour guide on. Her mother was on that bus as well. I knew right then and there I had met someone special 🙂
#98 by Rosa on May 15, 2013 - 9:42 pm
Well said. I want this!
#99 by Rasika Singhal on May 15, 2013 - 9:34 pm
Good stuff
#100 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 9:33 pm
Good stuff
#101 by Ajay Kaul on May 15, 2013 - 7:16 pm
Very true!!
#102 by alizroundtheworld on May 15, 2013 - 5:29 pm
Reblogged this on alizroundtheworld and commented:
Your blog is one of a kind. Thank you for sharing it. Have you found this boy and if so did he create all these feelings in you and get you to travel?
#103 by Ken Virzi on May 15, 2013 - 4:17 pm
Yeah, well as a traveling boy living in Turkey at the moment, let me tell you, there are not many options, girls say they want adventure but when it comes down to it they only want to talk with a boy who lives close by (but the one close by won’t give you adventure). So thanks for preaching it sista!
#104 by Haley on May 15, 2013 - 3:46 pm
I married “this” boy three years ago. This article discribes our relationship perfectly!
#105 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 3:06 pm
As a woman who has traveled a lot I find this to be slightly insulting. Women are perfectly capable of taking on their own adventures without the companionship of a man. Don’t date a man because you want a life changing adventure, get out there and make your own!
#106 by Farah on May 15, 2013 - 2:39 pm
Very well written, very inspiring… There might be a downside to this romance however. Dating a boy who always wants adventure maybe won’t always be there for his kids, if the need for journeys is stronger then the need to be there for his children’s education. Maybe this boy will find the need to take his adventures to a higher level and become a soldier and go on dangerous missions across the world where there is war.
It can be scary to date this type of boy, if he is too unpredictable :).
#107 by Davie H on May 15, 2013 - 2:32 pm
To most of the posts here which are starting to annoy me now quite a bit, the concept of travelling described has nothing to do with back-packing for a few months or a year or so. It’s about “lifestyle travelling” – check it on wikipedia, i.e. it’s a specific type of lifestyle and a specific type of travelling, you’re not a tourist, you’re more like an expat in that you live and work in different countries but switch regulary i.e. no more than between 6 months – 4 years in any given location. It’s a semi-nomadic lifestyle, you don’t go near resorts because they’re simply not interesting, that type of stuff is for tourists. Those who follow this lifestyle are really amateur anthropologists.
#108 by Joerg Bonner on May 15, 2013 - 1:55 pm
what a great read!! having a travelling girl by my side (and being a travelling boy myself) i enjoyed every word!
all the best,
joerg
#109 by Drew Dover on May 15, 2013 - 1:41 pm
Any takers? =P
Travelling is my life, the way this article makes it sound, though, is slightly misleading, travelling often gets in the way of relationships. I’m heading to work in Hakuba, Japan for six months, then on to NZ or Argentina, I will be hoping to meet someone to share it with, but wont be holding my breath, fortunately there are all the wonderful people you meet along the way!
If you find someone who wants to travel, do all you can to go with them, because as the writer said, they are the memories that last, if you share them with someone you love, doubly so!
Trek on fellow wanderers, here’s wishing you a second pair of footprints next to your own. =)
#110 by dirt on May 15, 2013 - 1:23 pm
There’s a caveat here – a travel boy will be less in the money department. this means:
no fancy dinners
no big diamond rings
no big house
How many women are ready for that?
#111 by Skylar on May 15, 2013 - 1:14 pm
I’m excited to share my stories with friends and family back home to encourage them to do something similar
#112 by Skylar on May 15, 2013 - 1:12 pm
I am on the road right now in the US. I’m backpacking around the country; doing the whole hiking, hitchhiking, rideshare and couchsurfing thing. I had a smile from ear to ear as I related to lot of examples given. Also, excitement to continue on as I can’t wait to experience more. I’m completely broke, but the happiest I’vee ever been. I CA
#113 by anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 12:47 pm
as a travel boy… this brought tears to my eyes. no joke. i’m leaving for the peace corps and my girlfriend, who has never been out of the country, will remain behind and we will go our separate ways i presume 😦
#114 by Johny on May 15, 2013 - 12:16 pm
I love to travel and have met some of the greatest friends in the world traveling. Hopefully one day I meet a guy who loves to travel as much as I do.
#115 by AG. on May 15, 2013 - 11:34 am
your story transcends borders and makes a connection wid ppl all across the globe..being a girl in 20’s, single, and this undying thirst for travel plus lookin for some1 down the road almost gave me goosebumps while gng through ur story and left a pleasant smile on my face..i feel all the bloggers who have shared or commented have somewhere similar experiences, emotions running underneath…its simply amazing 🙂
#116 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 11:17 am
This is so gap yah!!
#117 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 11:07 am
where are the ladies who believe in this!!!? I would like to meet them!
#118 by taper420 on May 15, 2013 - 11:02 am
I have an amazing summer “planned”… looking for the right girl to share it with… who’s in?
#119 by Lucas on May 15, 2013 - 10:41 am
Date a girl who doesn’t travel and she will spell conquer like concur…
#120 by Sarah on May 15, 2013 - 10:31 am
Makes me want to drop everything and immediately go traveling.
#121 by Exotic Slipcovers (@ExoticSlipcover) on May 15, 2013 - 10:27 am
Such an inspiring article and very well written.
#122 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 10:26 am
This is such a great article and so true. I loved it!!!
#123 by Steve (@Backpackersteve) on May 15, 2013 - 10:16 am
What a great read – so well written, so to the point!
Love while traveling is a difficult kind of thing, especially when you’re traveling solo for such a long time. The truth is: it’s hard to find somebody how has this point of view and the patience.
I simply try to enjoy every moment I get with someone I really like and once I’ve found this girl you’re talking about I probably marry her immediately 😉
#124 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 10:00 am
I want a girlfriend like this!
My only complaint regarding this article is that it definitely plays into a Western, Orientalist fantasy of traveling through a world that belongs, to some extent, to you. In the future, I think it would be more respectful to not to romanticize systemic poverty for the sole purposes of a Western man’s learning experience.
#125 by Jaime on May 15, 2013 - 9:53 am
I’m a 26 years old lawyer working in a Law Firm, or at least I pretend to be one. The fact is that this article almost makes me cry, because once upon a time I was a “boy that who travels” and now I’m sitting in an office with the view of another office, but one year ago I was taking a breakfast watching Moais in the Eastern Island.
I’m really thankful with the author of this article because this “young woman” had helped me to open my eyes and remember that the wisdom is learned on the roads that you travel and not in the dollars that you kept in your bank account.
#126 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 9:42 am
I have nothing against travels but I really enjoy staying home.
Am I a piece of shit ?
#127 by Robert Schrader (@leavyrdailyhell) on May 15, 2013 - 9:41 am
This is so fucking excellent – I wish the person who just dumped me could read it, without me having to share it with him. Thanks a lot for writing it!
#128 by Bryce on May 16, 2013 - 9:55 pm
Robert, Keep your head up man. Anybody who is ignorant enough to dumb you is not right for you and does not deserve you. You’re truly amazing (and that’s coming from a straight guy!)!! P.S. I have lots of awesome Minnesotans that you should meet 🙂 ❤
#129 by Milla on May 15, 2013 - 9:37 am
I already love someone like this 🙂 Do not want to stop 🙂
#130 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 9:36 am
I already love one like this 🙂
#131 by Carla C. on May 15, 2013 - 9:24 am
Life stood still while I read this post, and I was able to imagine a life not my own. I was completely, 100% engrossed in your thoughts and words. You are a beautifully, talented writer – Don’t ever stop.
#132 by Julia on May 15, 2013 - 9:00 am
Love this sarticle and it so reminds me of my favourite well-known quote by Mark Twain:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
#133 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 8:27 am
Was a great read and has been my life for over 15 years, funny I am still travelling and right now on a 5 month trip around the alps
#134 by plarrythess on May 15, 2013 - 8:17 am
Reblogged this on scribbles and commented:
date a traveler.. i love this blof!
#135 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 8:13 am
that got my heart racing and my stomach jumping. thank you.
#136 by Mel Adler on May 15, 2013 - 7:51 am
Reblogged this on carpe diem in SA and commented:
…or date a girl who travels!
#137 by Narayanan Subramanian on May 15, 2013 - 7:33 am
Haha!! It’s true to a certain extent but also untrue in certain aspects pertaining to me!! 😀
#138 by anuja dulal on May 15, 2013 - 6:44 am
Even the imagination makes my heart excited. …this article totally spoke my heart ♡♡♡
#139 by Bobbi Lee Hitchon on May 15, 2013 - 6:07 am
Found my traveling boy and I can say that this is great advice you give!
#140 by smithraj1 on May 15, 2013 - 5:52 am
great budddydydy
#141 by anamika on May 15, 2013 - 5:37 am
Reblogged this on memories and commented:
For, the love for travelling!
#142 by dania on May 15, 2013 - 5:31 am
its amazing how every story relates, i met my soul mate the same way and hes the best God ever made
#143 by Samantha Jenkins on May 15, 2013 - 5:13 am
Reblogged this on Samantha Jenkins and commented:
Amazingly true
#144 by Victoria on May 15, 2013 - 4:44 am
This is such a beautiful post and reminds me so much of how my life is beginning to change. I’ve always loved travel and have met some of the most amazing people, I met my boyfriend on a Erasmus year in Spain and now we’re planning a trip together. I can relate so much to this post, thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
#145 by gemmafottles on May 15, 2013 - 4:35 am
I love this post, only more so if the roles were reversed or even portrayed as the same…
A tiny bit archaic ”Your dad will be happy because he’s good with money”, and ”And know that he’ll probably win. And if by chance you win…” As a girl who travels a lot, my dad will be relieved if I settle down at all, and I would be the one doing the winning.
#146 by jammyungab on May 15, 2013 - 4:11 am
Men, date a lady who travels too. They are also as interesting as men who travel.
I’ve met my potential boyfriend through travelling. And we both travel solo, and we met at the right place at the right time. 🙂
#147 by crusader on May 15, 2013 - 3:12 am
Nice article! Wonderful reflection of a traveler.
#148 by georgeonthego on May 15, 2013 - 2:41 am
Truth is that like a girl who travels, like me, we don’t want to settle down, we don’t want to be kept in one place, relationships like that are often not meant to be. Give me the boy that can tame me, but never stop me wandering.
#149 by Sorin on May 15, 2013 - 2:06 am
“..that have the names of the characters you met on your journeys,” – actually just found a name for my future possible baby girl while travelling in South Africa. I really found myself in your article!
#150 by Aus Globetrotter on May 15, 2013 - 2:02 am
Incredibly great read! hats of to Liannnes for that one
#151 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 12:34 am
‘conquer’
#152 by benoso12 on May 15, 2013 - 12:28 am
I like it a lot. Travellers are definitely ‘attractive’ for a lot of reasons, though dealing with the ephemeral nature of such interactions (unless it gets so serious that life plans are changed as a result) can be difficult.
P.S. Check my delectably-written SE Asia travel blog and you’ll definitely wanna date me. 😉
http://www.benbailsout.wordpress.com
#153 by Tommy on May 15, 2013 - 12:20 am
I really enjoyed the shameless authenticity of this piece, devoid of cliches and from the eyes of only a fellow traveler who’s experienced these things themselves. Reading it has been like revisiting 90% of the first few conversations with my now girlfriend 🙂
#154 by Chip on May 15, 2013 - 12:10 am
Life is rarely as black and white as this, some prefer homebodies or paper-chasers. But I agree, adventurers are more fun, even with their vices
#155 by Desha on May 14, 2013 - 11:55 pm
I wanna marry the boy who wrote this.
#156 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 11:54 pm
wow
#157 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 10:58 pm
I just heard Kanye West say that this is one of the greatest articles of all time! of all time!
#158 by Max Mendoza on May 15, 2013 - 3:22 am
True story. Much thanks for the vivid & inspiring story. It’s good to see your side as a female on this & also to balance it with a mutual desire as a guy for a girl.
As they say “like attracts like 100% of the time.”
#159 by Jayshini Naidu on May 14, 2013 - 10:54 pm
I love this. This brought tears to my eyes as it perfectly describes the guy I am dating. It is very much him and I am glad I found him among all those travellers. Thank you for this amazing article.
#160 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 10:19 pm
WOW! Totally True.
#161 by c2sees2 on May 14, 2013 - 9:41 pm
Can appreciate the author’s theme but can’t help but wonder, rather than wait to find/date a boy who travels, why not BE a girl (or boy) who travels?
#162 by Ali on May 14, 2013 - 9:19 pm
Love it. I believe it can be interchangeable. Date a GIRL who travels 🙂
#163 by mike ahuja on May 14, 2013 - 9:18 pm
very interesting read for sure….i dunno if i agree yet though
#164 by 여행벽 (@edgy_mph) on May 14, 2013 - 9:13 pm
Nice piece!!!
#165 by kylfth on May 14, 2013 - 8:33 pm
Reblogged this on "The world as I see it, is a remarkable place" and commented:
I have fallen in love with whoever this boy will be. Thank you for giving me an idea of who I (more or less) want to spend my life with. :’)
#166 by Olivia Clarke on May 14, 2013 - 8:05 pm
This is wonderful. 🙂
#167 by carlotta on May 14, 2013 - 7:23 pm
This is beautiful! Beautifully written, romantic and so true. I shed a tear…. This could apply to a girl who travels too. I see myself in the boy.
#168 by endlessframe on May 14, 2013 - 7:09 pm
Im a boy who travels!
#169 by Davie H on May 14, 2013 - 6:33 pm
Nice one mate! A bit overly romanticised but that’s basically it right there in a nutshell.. Very few girls have met are genuinely up for that to be honest… but agreed, I see no other way (lifestyle travelling to the end)
#170 by ~K~ on May 14, 2013 - 6:25 pm
Love this. And you could add: it’s never too late to start.
#171 by Greg on May 14, 2013 - 5:54 pm
Hey here is my number 021……. Ahah ! True story ! Thx for the add !
#172 by Maria on May 14, 2013 - 5:44 pm
Just the perfect word in such a difficult time in my life…I want to be the girl who travels in this story!
#173 by PotLook on May 14, 2013 - 4:34 pm
I met this man in Ubud, Bali last year. I married him in LA this year. At the end of the month I’m marrying him again in the UK surrounded by my family and friends.
A beautiful piece which has triggered many happy memories for me. Thank you!
#174 by cometsandrain on May 14, 2013 - 4:10 pm
Reblogged this on Pocketful of pebbles and commented:
Thiss.
#175 by flyinggypset on May 14, 2013 - 3:59 pm
Reblogged this on Flying Gypset and commented:
Absolutely love this.. it goes the same for girls! I’ve never been into certain ‘types’ but these qualities are something the future Mr. Natalie Holbrook will have to have! Awesome write up.
#176 by allieeastlick on May 14, 2013 - 3:44 pm
Reblogged this on So There Was This One Time: and commented:
This is a truly amazing article. I can relate to it in more ways than one. The life described here cannot be understood until one has experienced it. Getting out of the habitual humdrum of everyday life with a little zeal with make a lasting impression in your soul. Enjoy!
#177 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 2:47 pm
And as for the men who can’t afford to travel..?
#178 by Pedro Maceratta on May 14, 2013 - 2:40 pm
I just want to say Thanks.
Thanks to put in words all those feelings of a traveler when is back home and realize that life is not enough to live and see all the wonders of this beautiful planet.
Regards from Chile.. today 😉
#179 by Yen Ping Chng on May 14, 2013 - 2:00 pm
Reblogged this on Red Ribbons and commented:
Refreshing and Insightful
#180 by 7eather on May 14, 2013 - 12:56 pm
Wow, this makes me remember my time in Thailand, feeding a baby elephant in the jungle, overlooking the Andaman Sea. Waking up each morning and taking a breath-taking short walk to our breakfast bungalow where mangosteens covered the earth beneath our feet. The Thai people would greet us with such big smiles and were so giving! “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
#181 by clare on May 14, 2013 - 12:26 pm
Reblogged this on how old is your soul and commented:
spot on! but not so easy to find I think haha
#182 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 11:56 am
Hehe I found my husband on the distant trip but he finally appeared a homeboy
#183 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 11:44 am
This has some good points, but really sets a lot of girls up for disappointment. This is highly romanticised and devoid of any real commitment. Lets come back to reality, way less than 1% of people who want to do this really can…
#184 by ホアン レ ガン ハ on May 14, 2013 - 11:01 am
Reblogged this on Ngan Ha's blog and commented:
I want to date a boy who travels! And since I’m a girl who travels too, does anyone want to date me? 😉
#185 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 10:35 am
Beautifully written….the brush work of a great artist. Thanks.
#186 by SurovSki on May 14, 2013 - 10:24 am
Where are you boy???
#187 by Lainnnes (@Lainnnes) on May 14, 2013 - 10:22 am
Thanks so much for sharing my article, James! Wow, I’m so overwhelmed by the response and deeply touched by all the kind words. Writing this article was a blast and in truth, “the boy who travels” is a wonderful, wonderful person. Which reminds me: travel, travel, travel, even if it’s only for two weeks a year. Pinch those pennies to do it because the memories you can make, not to mention the people you meet, will change you at your very core. It changed me.
Thanks again for sharing!
#188 by jrl on May 14, 2013 - 10:58 am
You’re welcome, Lainnnes. Many people have found encouragement by it. Keep writing. You’re great!
#189 by jai on May 14, 2013 - 1:14 pm
so whn r we travelling
#190 by AMOTHER on May 14, 2013 - 10:14 am
Yes – date the man who travels and travel yourself but MARRY the man who’s feet are firmly on the ground as a wife and children need a man who will help to provide security and and a home to share. A longterm relationship will not last happily like this once children come into the picture. There will always be one person who wants to stay home and provide what they need the most.
#191 by Lui on May 14, 2013 - 9:36 am
Reblogged this on Black Hole and commented:
Great read…and also goes for girls. 😉
#192 by Suhandi Wijaya on May 14, 2013 - 9:24 am
Very me!
#193 by Lucie on May 14, 2013 - 9:20 am
True to all the worldly nomads, male and female alike. Nicely written!
‘Don’t hold onto this boy. Let this boy go and go with him.’ I understand that, so, so much.
#194 by Jordan Urbanovich on May 14, 2013 - 9:05 am
Seriously, girls. Come talk to us more, too.
#195 by Josh on May 14, 2013 - 8:16 am
Reblogged this on After Grog Blog and commented:
Awesome article I stumbled upon today, I suggest everyone give this a thorough read.
#196 by navabungbu on May 14, 2013 - 7:45 am
Very beautiful reading! Thank you.
#197 by http://nevergivemyselfup.blogspot.com/ on May 14, 2013 - 7:30 am
I more than agree! But as you said: if you don’t know the guy YET, do exactly the same thing, that you want him to do, on your own. And he will magicaly appear. 🙂
#198 by pompeyduchess on May 14, 2013 - 7:21 am
Great post. Exactly the kind of man I’m looking for. Now where can I find him??!
#199 by Gloria Bonifazi on May 14, 2013 - 7:14 am
My love story!
I love you for having written this. And I wish you all the happiness in the world, not that you need any wishes. People like you him and travel friends have a natural drive to happiness. ❤
🙂 made my day.
#200 by swiec on May 14, 2013 - 6:19 am
Reblogged this on extreme sports blog.
#201 by Shehab Samaha on May 14, 2013 - 5:46 am
brilliant , I love this. I promise you it will be the first thing I would make my future girlfriend read.
Thanks a lot for writing this, it makes my spark grows bigger and bigger 😀
#202 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 5:23 am
that was seriously a great read.
#203 by Lean Sanchez on May 14, 2013 - 4:45 am
Reblogged this on The Adventure by Lean Sanchez.
#204 by Maria Zilver on May 14, 2013 - 4:36 am
Great! My husband and I used to travel too. He was once a mountain climber and I love trekking too. We did it in our own time before meeting and dating and getting married. Now with two children we love travelling as well. This world is too beautiful not to be explored. Find your own adventures! Keep up your good work, guys..
#205 by Angeline on May 14, 2013 - 4:06 am
Nice!
#206 by Doris Aniunoh on May 14, 2013 - 3:32 am
Beautiful piece! Awesome read!! I should totally find me a boy who travels,or better still travel myself!
#207 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 3:15 am
Fully agree ! Hey that’s me too ! And found that’s a lot like us reading this text, the only issue with travelers is that we move all the time, so hard to keep relations,,, but we definetly are the Best !,, ha ha ha !,,
#208 by Alap Parikh on May 14, 2013 - 2:15 am
Is this inspired by ‘Date a girl who reads’? I feel that is the first one of this lovely little group of stories that I came across. I wonder whether that was the first of the trend or not. I really do love these pieces!
In any case, if you haven’t yet read ‘Date a girl who reads’, it’s on my blog at http://alapparikh.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/date-a-girl-who-reads/ (although not written by me). It was too good to not put up for more people to read and associate with!
#209 by ahartami on May 14, 2013 - 12:01 am
Reblogged this on April's Journal and commented:
Totally I agree… and God, I wanna married to a TRAVELER 🙂
#210 by Anonymous on May 13, 2013 - 11:32 pm
Put me in tears….just had this conversation with a gilfriend yesterday. Now how do I tell my husband….
#211 by Anonymous on May 13, 2013 - 11:23 pm
Definitely I would sign for this.
#212 by Patrick on May 13, 2013 - 11:08 pm
Beautiful wordsmith, and beautiful philosophy on life. I lived abroad for a couple years, spend any extra money on travel, and this article gave me the itch to get back abroad again. Thanks for the inspiration!
#213 by dshibuya on May 13, 2013 - 9:03 pm
Reblogged this on Wanderlust: A Hobbit's Tale and commented:
From the wonderful Deborah Rowe. Yes, my dream man will travel the world with me. ❤
#214 by Dan on May 13, 2013 - 7:39 pm
Great read! well done!
#215 by Anonymous on May 13, 2013 - 5:05 pm
I just read a piece of my life … I did find HIM by travelling, he found me back by travelling and this is how we reach each-other. he is still travelling around the world now and I’m waiting for him again.
#216 by Laurice on May 14, 2013 - 5:15 am
You’ve described my future husband… Thank you! Now… Off to travel this world to find him! 😉
#217 by ladysandra on May 14, 2013 - 5:12 am
Reblogged this on ladysandra and commented:
This is true. It also works for girls that travels. Travel people. Oh how my heart is beating when I just think about the adventures of traveling! To travel is really one of the best things in life….
#218 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 3:46 am
Great!!! One of the best articles I’ve read!
#219 by X on May 14, 2013 - 3:44 am
Well it’s kind of ironic to say date a boy who travels, then let go. I mean sure its fun to meet people who travel, but you have to see and feel is as either a short or open relationship when you know they will be going away. Or better to say maybe date someone who is well travelled, or date someone who travels if you travel also, but it’s hard to keep relationships together when you are a long period away. I know a friend who struggles with this just touring for his job.
#220 by Tatevik on May 14, 2013 - 3:06 am
Purely amazing. Thank you.
#221 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 2:52 am
As a ‘woman who travels’ I can tell….. it is not easy to date us, for more than a month!!!!!!!! 😀
#222 by James on May 14, 2013 - 12:55 am
The nicest boy I have ever met has never left the Scottish Borders. He loves life and life loves him. He is a carer for his mother with Alzheimer’s, a musician, a walker of the rolling border hills, a painter. And is beautiful. Date a boy who loves life. You don’t have to travel the world and spend your money on planes to Australia to love life.
#223 by Anonymous on May 13, 2013 - 7:40 pm
I can tell you now, most people (girls and boys) who spend a lifetime travelling are usually running away from something and are dead scared of commitment.
#224 by Javi on May 13, 2013 - 1:08 pm
Lot of people should read this, specially in my country, Spain, where you are supposed to study, get marry, have kids, die. I’ve been travelling around the world since i was 19. I just turned 29 two days ago and im still travelling 🙂
#225 by nereaworldwalker on May 13, 2013 - 1:38 am
You could say exactly the same about us girls who travel 🙂 Loved it
#226 by Anonymous on May 12, 2013 - 8:57 pm
We must have meet as your brilliant blog described me to a tee. well done.
Graeme
Trackpackers.com
#227 by Alice on May 12, 2013 - 8:26 pm
I love this. I met my man travelling alone in Vietnam. He is from Australia and I’m from the uk. We spent three months apart before I went to visit him and other traveller friends in aus. The last two months have been the hardest apart but it’s less than three weeks until I meet him again in Thailand. We have one month travelling Asia together before I embark on my next adventure, 12 months in aus with him by myside. Travelling to Vietnam was my first backpacking adventure. I loved every minute and made some great friends. I met my travelling boy and can’t wait to discover more of the world with him. I just wish I’d done it sooner in life. Follow where your feet want to guide you and you never know you might end up following your heart!
#228 by Anonymous on May 12, 2013 - 8:04 pm
Beautifully written!
I’m a (female) traveler myself and yes, all this is true but you also gotta realize that most of my fellow male travelers have a hard time committing to long term monogamous relationships 😉
@love it, it’s really not that hard to earn money while you are traveling. There are tons of jobs you can do by just bringing your laptop (and having Skype installed). Here are some examples of people I have personally met and how they make a living from on the road : web designer/developer, copy writer, language teacher, business consultant, musician, SEO expert, social media manager, online store owner, fashion designer, dance studio owner (yep, she’s running it remotely), virtual assistant, writer, lawyer, etc.
If you really want to go travel, just do it!
#229 by aliahz22 on May 16, 2013 - 4:51 am
I envy u. How do i get started? Do i need to have plans? Im a malaysian & i dont really know anyone from my country who does this. I really do wanna travel & be like u guys. Exploring.
#230 by jrl on June 3, 2013 - 5:34 pm
Hi Aliah, I haven’t forgotten your post. This article below might be beneficial to you.
All the best,
JRL
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sc-trav-0430-vagabonding-travel-short-20130430,0,1229139.story?fb_action_ids=10151553791351740&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%2210151553791351740%22%3A166332283528683%7D&action_type_map=%7B%2210151553791351740%22%3A%22og.recommends%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%2210151553791351740%22%3A%22s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like%22%7D
#231 by Jake Schuster on May 12, 2013 - 7:50 pm
Beautiful article. I’m sending it to my girlfriend now. Everyone gets scared of temporary (6mo) physical separations, bu this article even advocates for them. Really good stuff! I wrote something similar for my blog, what do you all think? Cheers! http://welltraveledwellness.com/a-word-on-dating-foreigners/
#232 by jrl on May 13, 2013 - 12:20 am
“The Polish girl whose parents invited me to dinner two weeks after I met her. The Swiss woman who cried when I insisted that she didn’t have to bring me chocolates and clean my entire apartment every time I saw her. A new adventure every time, it seemed!”
Those are the beautiful memories, aren’t they.
#233 by Jake Schuster on May 13, 2013 - 12:24 am
Absolutely unforgettable treasures in the memory bank, jrl!! Thanks for reading, and please do share+comment if you enjoyed. I’m just getting started!! 🙂 cheers
#234 by Steve on May 12, 2013 - 11:52 am
beautifully written!
#235 by Hayley on May 11, 2013 - 8:38 pm
A great read! I wrote a similar post on girls! http://lifeasabutterfly.com/2013/01/04/date-a-girl-that-travels/ here’s hoping I find one of these men! Ha ha
Hayley
#236 by jrl on May 12, 2013 - 3:23 am
You wrote a wonderful little article, Hayley, at lifeasabutterfly. Thank you for contributing!
#237 by Hayley on May 11, 2013 - 8:36 pm
Reblogged this on Life as a Butterfly and commented:
A great post offering a good follow on from my previous post http://lifeasabutterfly.com/2013/01/04/date-a-girl-that-travels/
#238 by dcallen2 on May 11, 2013 - 5:27 pm
I couldn’t agree more. So well written and such great advice. I’m traveling with mine.
#239 by Melinda on May 11, 2013 - 3:21 pm
Wowsers I’m in tears. Just beautiful. Sounds like me especially the bit about talking about travels and it brightening his face and makes him excited to tell the story. Where is my travelled man?
#240 by Amy on May 11, 2013 - 2:15 pm
This is fantastic.. But why can’t it be also about a girl..? This is exactly my life and I am female..
#241 by Mike Hrostoski on May 11, 2013 - 1:51 pm
Wow. This is beautiful. I’ve been location independent for 14 months and I resonate with so much of what you wrote. Bravo.
#242 by laurkana on May 11, 2013 - 12:05 pm
Reblogged this on Eat. Sleep. Travel..
#243 by Anonymous on May 11, 2013 - 11:13 am
I did find a boy who travels and married him (in Sri Lankan hill country). Now we have two boys of our own. We still travel and he writes about travelling every day. http://www.thetravelword.com Our journeys continue but you should know there have been some difficult times adjusting to the new demands of being a parent. Our shared desires for adventure have been frustrated somewhat by practical and financial constraints. Finding peace and beauty in the day to day of family life has been a challenge. But less ‘freedom’ has been compensated by immense love for and from our kids. The possibilities still abound! Our kids have experienced several continents and many dear friendships across cultures.
#244 by jrl on May 12, 2013 - 3:33 am
Dear “Someone”,
I admire you for making your family a priority. I know your children will learn a lot from traveling globally. May I recommend an enjoyable book for you? “Love Does” by Bob Goff. He took his children on global trips and writes about the positive effects and changes he has witnessed in their lives.
Thanks for stopping by!
#245 by Anja on May 11, 2013 - 8:56 am
This is beyond incredible. I can’t even begin to explain just how incredible.
#246 by Pat R on May 11, 2013 - 6:41 am
Always love reading the work of a writer who paints so masterfully with words. Keep it up!
#247 by Bryce on May 11, 2013 - 5:27 am
After traveling to 50+ countries and working in a dozen of them on 5 continents, but still loving every time I come home to Minnesota, reading this article resonated with me so much that I got the chills and shed a few tears! Thank you so much; it literally describes all that I’ve wanted to say to the American girls that I’ve dated in the past! ~Bryce Bohne
P.S. Below is my video of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro… Guess I’ll have to return someday to propose! 😉
#248 by Bryce on May 11, 2013 - 5:30 am
P.S.S. And a movie from Morocco since you’ve apparently been there too. (I’ve been to El Jadida and spent 3 years teaching in Casablanca.
Casablanca: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZsMo0fAe7o
Mt. Kilimanjaro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvF3PXZ3uzg
#249 by Lucie on May 14, 2013 - 9:14 am
I share a very similar sentiment for the dating scene here. What I really wanted to say though was, I love the videos!! You remind me of one of my best friends, traveling with him is always an adventure entirely on its own 🙂
#250 by Kenric on May 16, 2013 - 2:34 am
Great Kilimanjaro video. I really enjoyed it.
#251 by love it on May 11, 2013 - 3:54 am
I have 2 family members that travel a lot. I do have to say that it’s true that you need the means to travel, and earlier on in his life it would not have been possible without parents who could help him foot the bill (although he did work to pay for some himself). Later on in life he actually worked teaching english, and got an actual ‘real job’ teaching language and photography at a university in one country. So while you can be cynical about how this ‘traveling boy’ pays for these things (“where does he work” comments etc), It’s definitely possible. That skepticism and fear of being left behind in my chosen profession (software industry) is what held me back from traveling. And hey- it paid off for me…my career flourished and now I have a nice sized house, an expensive car, big screen tv and a lot of other luxuries… My cousin has experiences and friends from all over the world. A welcome place to stay in several countries. I definitely think that (at least until I started a family) his path made his life far more richer than mine. And now that I DO have a family I envy him even more because it’s much harder to travel- and pretty much impossible to do it in that ‘go where the wind takes you’ kind of way.
I absolutely appreciate the things I have; I worked hard for them and didn’t buy them just because they were “things” or for ego. I bought those things because I enjoy using them, and they fit my hobbies. But I do also realize that the pursuit of certain goals was at the expense of others, and I do feel some regret about that (even more so for letting fear be one of those factors). So while I do think it’s not always as easy as it sounds to be someone who travels in this way; it’s not as hard as some people make it out to be..and I really do love this post! 🙂
#252 by jrl on May 11, 2013 - 4:46 am
Dear “Love It”,
I congratulate you on the life you have lived, and if the opportunities present themselves to travel in the future, I wish you all the best. If you have not read The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss, I highly recommend it.
In my limited experience, it seems to me (generally speaking) that the vocational roads I take in life are not better than others; just different. Beauties are found in everything, everywhere, depending on what we dwell on. If I live abroad, I miss the journey at home. If I am home, I miss the journey abroad. But I still live, learn, and make choices no matter where I am in the world.
Based on what you shared here, if you traveled one day, and journaled your inner thoughts before, during, and after your experiences, and were comfortable with transparency, I suspect your writings would make an excellent memoir.
Thank you for your post. I really enjoyed reading it.
#253 by love it on May 11, 2013 - 5:40 am
Thanks for the reply. I should say that I have traveled before and do continue to travel, but not nearly to the extent of the family members I mentioned. And especially these days it’s more like a short ‘vacation’ and not truly in/becoming a member of other communities. That’s the part I wish I would have pursued more when I was younger.
But I agree, I’m not disappointed at all with my life, and it’s better to look toward the future than lament the past, so I will look at our travel options in the future and maybe take your advice on journaling. Thanks!
#254 by rachelminnlee on May 14, 2013 - 2:58 am
I really like this article and interestingly was forwarded the female version of it just a few weeks ago. Traveling comes in many forms, I enjoy the long form of living in a place for a week or more, traveling solo, and now i also enjoy traveling with locals and letting locals plan the trip for me, no longer planning out many details. There’s nothing wrong with a rushed trip with kids or just to see the touristic views, or a trip where you have the luxury, the money and the time to travel deeply.
I want to have a family too, one day and I envision myself being able to tell them about the places I’ve been =) and want to go =). I think it’s great to be the ‘conscientious’ one and work hard, I do feel that I need to do that sometimes, there’s the part about work-life balance.
I’m glad that the author’s thoughts and writings have inspired us to think further =) By the way, I recommend reading Pico Iyer’s Falling off the Map, a book I’ve just completed and liked very much!
#255 by Joao Leitao TRAVEL on May 11, 2013 - 3:26 am
WOW very nice article. definitely people who travel will have a “little” bit more to tell… a bit more the size of the World… greetings from MOROCCO!
#256 by jrl on May 11, 2013 - 4:50 am
Welcome from Morocco! I spent a summer studying in El Jadida. I miss the tajine from the souk!
All the best.
#257 by Itamar " Quebre Ossos" Marani on May 11, 2013 - 2:46 am
First off awesome article!
As a “boy who’s traveled” I felt like women should date a boy who’s traveled for one more great reason; A boy who’s traveled has probably had the privilege of experiencing some incredible relationships with amazing women throughout his journeys and because of this he has grown tremendously and knows how to appreciate women in a finer sense then most.
I know I have. 🙂
#258 by Anonymous on May 11, 2013 - 2:15 am
There is a fine line between the boy described in this article and a hobo or a tramp. The key to life is balance in health, family, love and money. There is room in life for both luxury and simplicity. I can find joy in hiking to the top of a mountain, traveling to run a marathon and cooking for myself – all with a minimalist mindset. I also enjoy receiving a professional massage, staying in a resort hotel or being served quality food in a fine restaurant. Luxury does not automatically make you an egomaniac or a bad person. My favorite line in this article: “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.”
#259 by HEYA on May 11, 2013 - 5:06 pm
This is the only thing which makes sense here.
#260 by Steve (Not-Dumb- As-Shit) on May 15, 2013 - 1:49 pm
oh my goodness, we have a genius in the house, its been a pleasure to met you (and everyone else that commented below).
#261 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 4:03 pm
Good one! 😉 I totally agree with you anonymous!
#262 by Realist on May 15, 2013 - 10:22 am
This is the only comment which is based in reality. Traveling is expensive. Is this “guy” a trust fund baby? Where does he get his income from? Is he saving money for retirement? Does he want children? Will they come along as well? I can go on. This piece is written in fantasy land.
#263 by Hi on May 15, 2013 - 4:15 pm
If you think that traveling is expensive, you’re doing it wrong. There is no need to stay in a $100+ hotel each night or pay for guided tours. You can actually get by on living under $30/day [ignoring plane tickets]. Which, over the course of three months is a little under three thousand dollars. Not ‘trust fund’ money by any stretch of the imagination and lets you see all the amazing sights you’ve ever wanted to see. This also presumes that people traveling are not working at all; usually you can get outdoor day labor (picking fruit in eastern australia, helping on a vinard in france) which will pay a decent wage ($10-20+/hour) , which can help keep on the traveling lifestyle active.
This is also written for more enlightened males/females that are not married by age 22. Child bearing is more and more being pushed into your 30’s (especially for men dating younger women).
#264 by Kenric on May 16, 2013 - 2:14 am
It’s only a fantasy to you. I take 6 vacations a year, last year I went to Africa, Antarctica, Prague and Taiwan. I own a business and can easily travel and still get work done. I use the internet to stay connected to my businesses. I know many guys who travel even more than I do. So it is being done by many as we speak.
#265 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 4:48 pm
Totally agree with you…..Not everyone can afford to have his own business and travel whenever they feel like it….How can you travel so much and afford to pay rent back home? This makes sensef or kids who are done University by age 22 and have a couple of years to spare just to travel…I love the idea, but sounds like Utopia to me.
#266 by Anonymous on May 17, 2013 - 12:58 am
Traveling is nowhere near as expensive as you paint it out to be, depending of course on how you do it. I’ve been traveling 6 months a year for the last 8 years, whilst paying my way through school, and no I don’t make a ton of money when I’m home working the other 6 months.
By the way, you are aware that you can work and travel at the same time I assume?
Seeing this as a piece of fantasy is merely overstating the obstacles and allowing them to act as such great barriers that hinder any raw experience in the name of security and safety
#267 by Joshua on May 11, 2013 - 12:29 am
Well, I guess I am screwed…
Film producer here, haven’t traveled much. I have had certain friends of mine tell me I am boring.
#268 by Anonymous on May 10, 2013 - 10:49 pm
good description about my life ;o) …good work bro! -> keep it up
#269 by Marcus L. Williams on May 10, 2013 - 10:30 pm
Awesome. I really enjoyed the read.
#270 by Anonymous on May 10, 2013 - 4:51 pm
Just watch out and make sure the travel boy wants a girlfriend and not another experience.
#271 by Anja on May 11, 2013 - 8:58 am
Haha it’s the worst!
#272 by Shawn on May 10, 2013 - 3:00 pm
Excellent piece! I hope to dust off my backpack sometime soon!
#273 by Anonymous on May 10, 2013 - 11:49 am
What if I speak of my home and workplace like distant places?
#274 by Pepper on May 10, 2013 - 9:33 am
where does he work? ive got no time. or either money.
#275 by Chris on May 13, 2013 - 6:37 pm
Save money and make the time needed, its all about priorities.
#276 by Darek on May 10, 2013 - 6:32 am
That’s me and I’m single.. helloooo?
#277 by AnnaMaria on May 10, 2013 - 4:27 am
How amazing is this? Certainly an inspiration for all of us out there who have lost faith 😉 Great read!
#278 by Bryce on May 11, 2013 - 5:39 am
Don’t lose faith 😉
#279 by JoKE on May 15, 2013 - 1:24 pm
I just got done with traveling the world a few days ago. I am back home for a few days – recharging 😉 This was a GREAT read, I agree, AnnaMaria! I like your picture btw
#280 by Anonymous on May 10, 2013 - 3:34 am
Why should a woman have to experience these things through a man? Shouldn’t she just go travel herself? This implies that women are not capable of having the exact same experiences and feelings (which I as a woman have had).
#281 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 3:45 am
We totally agree. Feel free to contact the writer and ask her motives for writing certain paragraphs. You can click on her name in the title within the blog. Thank you for commenting!
#282 by laura on May 14, 2013 - 2:56 am
She certainly doesn’t have to. I’ve been to many places around the world, including several places where many scoffed at the idea that I wanted to go to. I traveled alone and had a lot of the experiences that are listed here for man.
This article could apply to women, too, not just men.
#283 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 2:10 pm
First of all, the intro to this article states quite clearly this applies to girls as well. Secondly, the author is simply trying to illustrate, rather beautifully, what is an extremely difficult thing to describe about a personality type. She is not saying women cant do this on their own. She is trying to promote the value she sees in men who look at world differently and with a sense of adventure in order to (i imagine) create a very strong comparison to the money/career focused suit. She is trying to say that these types of guys have a lot to offer and you should be excited by the prospect of being with one despite the inherent unknowns.
#284 by Katy on May 9, 2013 - 9:50 pm
IN. CREDIBLE. Every single word of this relates to me & how I met my man.
AND he is a magician… I literally just feel like i’ve read my life story!!! thanks so much xxx
#285 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:03 am
You’re so welcome, Katy. Feel free to submit your love story to us!
#286 by Chloe on May 9, 2013 - 8:11 pm
Absolutely loved this article!! I found my travel boy in a flat share in London. I’m French and he’s a kiwi. We’ve done quite a bit of travel together but I guess that now we wouldn’t say no to some “-all inclusive-” trip every now and then ahah
#287 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:03 am
Awesome! Feel free to submit your love story to us!
#288 by Anonymous on May 4, 2013 - 6:19 am
Those girls are rare actually.
#289 by jrl on May 4, 2013 - 6:39 am
True. Hopefully, in this life, we’ll only need to find one. Check out a couple articles under “Single Life” which you might find interesting. Thanks for writing!
#290 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 12:11 pm
I’m one of those girls, a girl who travels…. and the same can be said for us. I love this!!!
#291 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 1:15 pm
I’m one of those girls too! Not SO rare!
#292 by Jason on May 4, 2013 - 2:36 am
Unless he is a musician like I was who had a girlfriend in every country…LOL
#293 by jrl on May 4, 2013 - 6:40 am
Sounds like you have some fascinating love stories! Send them to us. We might edit a bit here and there and get your final permission to post, but we’d love to read them! Thanks for writing!
#294 by Anonymous on May 4, 2013 - 1:57 am
You dont find him only in bookstores and airports… Take your time to look for them, you might have one around. Great read.
#295 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:05 am
Thanks for stopping in and commenting! If you have a good story or positive thoughts, feel free to send it to us!
#296 by Stian Fredric Boberg on May 3, 2013 - 10:45 pm
love this, i miss australia 😛
#297 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:05 am
Haha! Australia is on my list. If you have some good stories, send them our way!
#298 by Wesal Khalid on April 29, 2013 - 3:44 pm
a very well written piece.. and a great read! 🙂
#299 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:06 am
Isn’t it beautiful? I wish we could take credit for writing it. If you come across more stories you love, please let us know!
#300 by avenixtravelblog on April 29, 2013 - 1:59 am
nice entry! 🙂
‘4 practical reasons to travel now’ by me: http://avenixtravelblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/04/4-practical-reasons-to-travel-now/
#301 by jrl on April 28, 2013 - 7:01 am
Thanks for commenting, everyone. These types of articles and stories are what we’re looking to share with others. Feel free to send articles or stories (you come across or write) to editor@williamandkeats.com
#302 by Katie on April 27, 2013 - 3:27 pm
Hey stranger how do you know me so well? Oh wait I know the thread between all the commenters…it all makes sense. 😉
#303 by Hugh HipsdontLie Roberts on April 27, 2013 - 12:15 pm
incredible and so true. good stuff.
#304 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:07 am
Thank you! If you have any great stories or thoughts, do send them our way!
#305 by zebulunm on April 27, 2013 - 10:00 am
good stuff man! Good stuff!
#306 by jrl on May 10, 2013 - 2:07 am
Thank you! If you have any great stories or thoughts, do send them our way!
#307 by JOhnny on May 14, 2013 - 3:13 am
With a smile like that Kim, they’ll be queuing up!
#308 by Kim Hillebrand on April 27, 2013 - 6:03 am
This is so good! Guess I need to start hanging out in airports and bookstores travel sections, because that’s exactly the man I want to marry….someone just like me;)
#309 by Anonymous on May 14, 2013 - 12:49 am
Good point…. thanks
#310 by Johnny FD on May 15, 2013 - 12:01 am
I tell you what Kim Hillebrand, come out to Thailand and I’ll buy you a coconut. =)
#311 by juliana on May 15, 2013 - 12:24 pm
Me too!
I already hang out in bookstores, but everybody seems so close. I need to learn a different approach ….
#312 by Piyush on May 16, 2013 - 3:29 am
Bookstores are good,…you wont need a different …approach…..you would need a different place all together….yep…
#313 by Anonymous on May 15, 2013 - 1:43 pm
No you’re supposed to travel. Not just go to the book store!
#314 by Nasratullah Nasrat on May 16, 2013 - 1:37 am
I am the travel man. regards
#315 by Anonymous on May 16, 2013 - 1:42 am
Shouldn’t you already be hanging around in airports and bookstores then?
#316 by Alexander on May 16, 2013 - 3:03 am
he/she is right, you want to find a traveler, go travelling they are plenty with so many different background and stories and trips.
I wish to find my soul-mate along my traveling
#317 by randalljohnston on May 16, 2013 - 11:16 pm
You’re a cutie! =) I’m bouncing around C. & S. America for the next several months…if you’re in the region, drop me a message! =)
#318 by Erik Poels on May 17, 2013 - 6:37 am
Why not hang out in the hostel of your own city? Once in a while…