International travel is a high priority in my life. My parents have always been big travelers, and I got it from them. I have been to so many amazing places, and I feel VERY fortunate about that (Australia, India, Vietnam, and many more places. Also, most international travel I have done alone.)

Here are the reasons I love it! Exciting, fascinating, you only live once, I am interested by all cultures, liberating (especially traveling alone), I crave adventure, I love "getting away" from it all, to me--the farther away the better," and travel opens me up to limitless experiences and opportunities, curiosity, it puts my life in perspective/lets me view the world with a more open-mind, fun, learning about myself, meeting new people, and making new friends....

I saw pictures of Africa online, but did not realize the dirt in Africa has a very distinct smell until I was there. I never liked mangos before I tasted a fresh one just picked from a tree in the rainforest after a swim in a waterfall....

I respect that not everyone likes to travel as I do. To each their own. The world would be a boring place if everyone liked the same things.

As for the $, if you plan well, it is amazing how relatively inexpensive you can travel. There are all sorts of travel vouchers, airline miles, and AMAZING deals if you go off season or book not so far in advance. I get travel specials emailed to me from Gateway Travel. Like anything, if you are motivated to travel, you will make it happen. And, if not, you won't.

I only get a few weeks/year off from work. I want to spend holidays w/my family, who don't live in the area. Then, things always come up (weddings, short beach weekends, etc.) that require taking 1-2 days off at a time. So, after just living life the way I want to (i.e. spending time w/family that isn't in the area) I don't have much time to travel otherwise, and don't like spending ~24 hours of that time on a plane/in an airport.

Anonymous wrote:A coworker once told me they'd rather use the money to buy tangible things than to travel. So very sad.

Like food, clothing and shelter?

Anonymous wrote:16:33 I am with you too, I just don't understand people like that and they also wouldn't understand much about my experiences. It's fine with me, not everyone is meant to be friends...

It's elitist snobbery. Your way is NOT the only way to experience the world. Just because someone chooses not to travel, it does not make them a knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing, close minded bumpkin.

Anonymous wrote:People saying it's expensive doesn't know what they're talking about!

Are you insane? It is expensive. Traveling anywhere when you don't have much extra money is expensive. I would love to travel more, but between money and time, we just can't do it. I know what I'm talking about, because I know how much money I have.

Anonymous wrote:17:47---I have seen the Eiffel Tower *and* Big Ben. In person. Im sorry but I just can't relate to those who have only seen pictures.

I wish I had just seen Stonehenge in pictures. There is no place to hide when it hails.

Anonymous wrote:For all of you who are saying that it's not that expensive to travel abroad, answer me this: How much money do you make?

Seriously!
And another question, how many people are in your family/travel group? Like another poster pointed out, many foreign hotel rooms are smaller and you need several rooms to accomdate a family. My family is 2 adults and 4 kids. My dream vacation is to Rome. Anyone want to suggest some "not that expensive" ways for me to take my family to Italy?

That being said, we have been out of the country. Just not necessarily all of us at once as a big family trip...and not necessarily to the exact places we want. When we have an opportunity (for example, visiting a friend or family member who is living abroad) we take advantage!

I've been to way more countries than states and yet I think that not being able to "relate" to someone who hasn't seen as much of the world as you is just naive and close-minded. There are people who have different experiences than you, and are worth getting to know because they can teach you something new. It takes all kinds. Just because you backpacked around Europe doesn't necessarily make you more worldly. I admit, though, that I did judge GWB who didn't get a passport until he was like 50, but that's because he was supposed to be the leader of the free world and had no self-awareness when dealing with foreign dignitaries.

17:47---I have seen the Eiffel Tower *and* Big Ben. In person. Im sorry but I just can't relate to those who have only seen pictures.

Anonymous wrote:16:33 I am with you too, I just don't understand people like that and they also wouldn't understand much about my experiences. It's fine with me, not everyone is meant to be friends...

"People like that" ?? Besides being implicitly classist, it's silly to think that the occasional travel makes you unrelatable to the general population. I'm sure your daily life is just the same as most folks.

16:33 I am with you too, I just don't understand people like that and they also wouldn't understand much about my experiences. It's fine with me, not everyone is meant to be friends...

Anonymous wrote:A coworker once told me they'd rather use the money to buy tangible things than to travel. So very sad.

I agree with your coworker.

It is pretty expensive to travel abroad and most people don't have the money. Simple. People in the DC area probably travel overseas more than the general population because they make more money.

For all of you who are saying that it's not that expensive to travel abroad, answer me this: How much money do you make?

I'm not asking because I'm anti travel or america-centric. I've been abroad several times and wished that I'd gone more before I have kids. Now we can't afford it, and even if we could I'd rather wait until they were old enough to enjoy AND remember the experience.

Anonymous wrote:I will not be friends with people who haven't left the USA. I grew up outside the USA and it's hard to deal with people.

And yet here you are, completely closed minded.