You know you've got the vagabond fever bad when...

[Applette]

Blah! Here's my moan for the day....I think I've come down with a bad case post-trip vagabond fever which is turning into pre-sometime-in-the-future-trip syndrome.

For the past 4 months, every time I walk into a store or market, I automatically gravitate towards any item which could remotely serve a practical purpose while backpacking. Example: go to the store for groceries, end up in the housewares section checking out micro fiber towels and wondering how quickly they would dry during monsoon season in SE Asia, forgetting completely that I should really be picking up fruit and vegetables for my next meal! Nothing like reminding myself constantly that my next trip is likely several months away.

Rant over, thank you for listening. 

Anyone else here have vagabond fever related compulsive habits?

[narfette]

I usually stop myself from buying things because I tell myself I won't have enough room in my pack.

Then I remember I have a closet.

And still don't buy anything 

[Greg]

I do the exact same thing Applette, my eye is always open for something....it seems like everything gets filtered through my travel mindset now. I can't pass by a bookstore without taking a wander down the travel aisle.

The same thing when sizing up material things....all my friends are picking up big plasma TVs now, and every time I see something like that I think wow...I could have lived on the road for a LONG TIME for that same amount of money.

For good or bad, its definitely infectious!

[Alex]

I am laughing out loud after reading your post and recognizing myself in the same situations. While I am trying hard NOT to become obsessed about my hopefully-soon-RTW trip, the reality is that is harder and harder to stop the mind demons from taking over. When I go out to dinner now, and I sign on the dotted line, I make the comment that this meal is likely costing me 2-3 days abroad. I used to shop big designer names, dropping thousands of dollars for a dress which I maybe wore once or twice. Now, those times are totally over. You won't catch me in a Dior or Fendi store if you pay me ! Now, my internal steering wheel takes me to Patagonia, Erehwon, REI, etc. I just bought my first wind jacket a week ago and I don't think an item of clothing has made me so happy in a very long time. (see e.g. http://alexzenith.com/2009/03/22/patagonia-jacket/).

But the most ridiculous thought I have been having lately is secretly (and fearfully) wishing to get laid off. While I would rather leave on my own terms, I fantasize about getting a severance package exactly when I am ready to embark on my trip around the world. Not just yet, but soon. I try not to dwell on the thought ("be careful what you wish for, it may become true"), but it is harder and harder ... because the itch to take off is getting harder and harder to control !

[Anthony]

Oh, wow, Alex I can relate, probably for a different reason though. The last time I left a job, I got really excited at the possibilities. I had a decent chunk of change put away (like 2 grand, a LOT of money for me) and I was seriously looking at extended travel for the first time in my life. Fast forward about a year and a half, I've lost most of my money (my dad [stepdad] lost one of his legs due to a pulmonary disease and is on social security now, I stepped up to help out at home) and I'm trying real hard to save money again. I've fallen into bad spending habits because I lost site of the reason I had tucked away so much money in the first place. It's kinda self-fulfilling and sad. I used to pinch pennies wherever I could, not being frugal just mindful of what that money means to me. Now I find myself wanting to get fired, just to get that kick in butt I need to get motivated again. It's like I don't realize that I could just quit, and achieve the same liberating effect, without the negative emotions that would accompany an involuntary termination.

Anywho....

I do this a lot, and I haven't even actually traveled. That's probably why it happens so much. I don't have much (read as any) gear right now, and I'm always eying things up while I'm at pretty much any store. I don't usually buy anything, but I have started picking up some basic stuff like a swiss army knife and some clothes that I bought specifically for travel, like a jacket that looks awful to me, but is comfortable, light, and seems like a good fit for travel. I get lost in daydreams all the time, just thinking about getting on the move. A nice by product of this mentality has been breaking me out of my "shy guy" mold. I'm still a far cry form a social butterfly, but I genuinely enjoy engaging people in conversation far more then the me of 5 years ago. I revel in just learning about people, who they are and what they do, where they're from (even if it's 2 towns over from me )

[Alex]

Anthony, I am sorry to hear about the dashed dreams, but I would certainly agree that you did the right thing by stepping up to help out at home. Traveling and vagabonding around the world is nice, but being there for your family is required and, in the end, rewarding in one form or another. I sure hope your plans were only postponed and it is only a matter of time before you can stash another few grand and follow your "wandering gypsy" dreams.

For me, what seems to work, actually for the first time in life, is this LOA stuff (Law of Attraction, The Secret). I do have some hesitations about the entire "Ask and you will be given" thing, but since I decided that I will go on a RTW trip in the near future, and have pictured myself traveling, day dreaming et al, things have started to work out ... sometimes miraculously. For example, one thing that is keeping from saving money is an attrociously expensive lease for my apartment. This morning, after wishing all of last week for a miracle to get out of this lease, it appears my landlord found someone even more insane than me willing to take over ... and move in tomorrow. With the money I will save by moving out and living with a friend for a few months, I can probably finance a good amount of time abroad. With a lot of faith, a little bit of luck and unwielding resilience, everything will work out.

Keep your toes on the ground, and reach for the stars :-)

[Anthony]

Anthony, I am sorry to hear about the dashed dreams, but I would certainly agree that you did the right thing by stepping up to help out at home.

Thanks for the condolence, but I assure you these plans are anything but dashed. They are just on suspension until I can get a hold of my finances again.

I'm glad to hear that things are progressing forward for you. Good luck, and let us know where you end up. Oh and take pictures, lots of pictures