≡ Menu

I’ve Traveled As Long As Some Travelers Have Been Alive

I’ve always kind of thought of myself as a young traveler. Not anymore.

Support VBJ’s writing on this blog:

I was sitting in a Rotterdam dorm room — Europe is too expensive to get a private room on a journalist’s chit — talking to a couple of British girls about the usual shit you talk to people in dorm rooms about. They were young and rightfully seemed a little proud that they got jobs and saved up enough money to travel when all their other friends were languishing away in “uni.”

I mentioned that I began traveling young as well, that I began in 1999, in fact.

Usually, when I say things like this in dorm rooms I get ohhs and ahhhs. These girls looked at me kind of mortified, as if I’d just said something grotesque.

In a mere moment it became clear why.

“Uh…when were you born?” I stammered.

1997.

For the first time ever I realized that I am not a young person anymore.

Filed under: Perpetual Travel, Travel Diary

About the Author:

I am the founder and editor of Vagabond Journey. I’ve been traveling the world since 1999, through 91 countries. I am the author of the book, Ghost Cities of China and have written for The Guardian, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Diplomat, the South China Morning Post, and other publications. has written 3699 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

Support VBJ’s writing on this blog:

VBJ is currently in: New York City

2 comments… add one

Leave a Comment

  • Omar Ruiz-Diaz September 15, 2017, 11:37 pm

    Jaja, same shit happening with me all the time. Fuck them. I have born in 1964 and still carry on. ” It is not rejection itself that people fear, it is the possible consequences of rejection. Preparing to accept those consequences and viewing rejection as a learning experience that will bring you closer to success, will not only help you to conquer the fear of rejection, but help you to appreciate rejection itself. ”

    – BO BENNETT

    Link Reply
    • VagabondJourney September 17, 2017, 8:50 pm

      Excellent. Where are you now?

      Link Reply