Travel Burnout. *Update*

oh Frank, I can only imagine. Sorry you are feeling this way. Where are you on this trip?

I'm currently in Switzerland. I spent a few days in Reykjavik searching for the Northern Lights (no luck) and Stockholm.

I'll spend 4-6 weeks at my favorite hotel in London at the end of the trip and it's like home. I'm looking forward to it.

I've decided that once I hit 2000 straight nights in hotels--a personal milestone--I'm going to come off the road and get a place to live. I have no idea where.

Isn’t it funny how what makes us happy one day is suddenly not so awesome the next?

In the late 90s, early 00s, I went through a prolonged, ugly divorce, custody battle, moved homes, changed jobs, the works. What I LOVED was working out. Every day, without fail, I looked forward to it; my happy place for years. I kept it up for a while after life settled, then woke up one day and couldn’t even stomach the thought of hopping on the Nordic track. Boom, end of a part of my routine that had made me so happy the day before.

What makes us feel good changes depending on so many things — age, what we’ve already done, life around us. And what is great today won’t necessarily be great tomorrow.

But just remember that different things will be great tomorrow; there’s always something new to try. Or something old — I’m finding myself recently thinking that working out again might be satisfying.

So if settling down now is what’s right, embrace it. Doesn’t mean you won’t want to go back on the road someday, or travel differently. Do what makes you happy.

For your final few hundred travel days, maybe think about apartments here and there. Not so much like living in a boxy hotel room.

Good luck!

Frank II,
I've always appreciated your posts here on the forum over the years and they helped me get over my fear of travel outside the US. Because of my traveling over the last several years my mind has been enlightened and expanded in ways I never imagined. I literally thought that anywhere outside the US was "dangerous & backward", I see myself and my country much differently now and hopefully, better, because of my travels, so thank you for your willingness to share your experiences!

Thanks for the responses....what I try to do at times is look for extended stay type hotels. They usually have rooms with kitchens and laundry facilities yet the services of a hotel. I just changed my plans to head towards one in Geneva for a week. I'm blowing off three nights in Lausanne but I can visit from Geneva since it's only about 45 minutes by train.

I won't stop traveling, just shorter trips and not as often.

What I have learned living in hotels is that I don't need much. When I look for a place it won't be more than a small one bedroom. Living out of a carry on size suitcase for this long has truly made me a minimalist.

I think I would would be burned out long before the 1,660 night mark.

Do you not work? Or is travel part of your job? I can see where you (anyone) would get burned out.

For most of us, travel is our escape, allowing us to come back to our jobs with a fresh perspective.

I’m with Emma. If you’re not enjoying this, stop it.

Reframe your personal goal because honestly no one else is going to care whether you spent 2, 000 nights in a hotel or if you spent 1,665.

There are times when you realize your goal is not a goal after all but an albatross.

Thanks for letting me vent.

After Switzerland, I head to Ireland and GB, two of my favorite places, so I'm sure I'll be okay.

I think I'm just physically tired and need some good rest.

After spending many years traveling 4 nights a week on business, the "Special" in travel turned into "Mundane."
Now that I retired young, we seldom leave our medium size city for anything. We seldom even drive on an interstate highway.
And we love living a simple life.
But we do thoroughly look forward to our international travel when we get out of our routine once or twice a year. We also love traveling in our minds planning our next trip--looking for the deep discount travel bargains.

Although I love to travel and enjoy seeing how people of other cultures view the world, I’ve found that I’m done for awhile after three weeks or so. I don’t think it’s because I am tired of travel; I think it’s that I need the comfort of personal face to face connections with the people i love, my friends, family and neighbors. They fill my tank in a way that less personal connections on travel or even phone and internet connections with people I love can’t do. Perhaps it would be good for you to spend some face to face time with those who are closest to you.

Frank, travel has become your work, and not surprisingly, you find yourself longing for a vacation.

I wonder if you are missing some of the long term social relationships that must be hard to build and maintain while on the road.

I would suggest you rent an apartment or house in a location with easy transportation options and just spend some time building some new ties. Volunteer in the community, get out and join some clubs, give yourself that vacation from travel.

PS. Come to the Rick Steves Travel Center in Edmonds this winter when they have their big travel weekend. I think you would enjoy meeting the people there and would have fun. The talks are interesting and the very nicest people attend. You could be one of them! I think it is at the the end of January but I don’t know the exact dates yet.

I understand that you have not actually had a home for the last few years??
If this is so, then I get it. As much as I love travelling, I’m also a homebody. I need a home, it’s my sanctuary from the world. Also as humans, we need to feel connected, part of a community. Perhaps that is what you are missing.

Since 2009 the first trip after retirement, I have been fortunate to go over every single summer, except in 2014 when I went over in mid-April, which makes 10 consecutive years of European travel, all solo minus one, I would have to look at my calendar books to see what the precise number of nights spent in Europe are.

Of these post-retirement trips, the longest was the first in 2009, sixty-seven days on the ground, which looking back should have been and could have been 70 days, making it 10 weeks exactly.

If it had not been for my grandson's high school graduation in June, and I had better show up for that occasion, my trip this year would have been 47 days instead of 42. In spite of the early return in June, it was a very good trip, more zip-zag traveling regardless of a couple set-backs.

There is no burn-out. I don't look at it that way...not an option. I am ready to go again by next May. If I could have gone early on this Oct, I would have been back to England for another week or two.

I guess you really can have too much of a good thing.

I think it's easy to get burnt out on travel. Especially living life as an expat, travel is different. It's always great to return "home" but home is still fundamentally a foreign place where you're still likely embarrass yourself a few times a day, stumble with the language, etc. The problem is, once you're an expat long enough, your home country doesn't feel like "home" either. Things change, your friends and family go on with their lives and things appear nearly unrecognizable from how they were when you left.

That said, moving abroad was the best thing I ever did and I wouldn't change it for anything. It was absolutely the right choice for us in terms of our professional careers and just the opportunities to travel we never would have had if we'd remained in the US. But it's also been a profoundly alienating experience at times and I think traveling at the rate that you are is as well.

It's also very hard to predict what will make us happy when we're traveling, especially solo, and what won't. An example: I planned/hosted a very exhausting trip with good high school friends, and we finished in Paris, staying at the flat of friends who were traveling. On purpose I extended my trip so I'd have an extra day to myself to do all the things I wanted to do that I couldn't do with my friends and their more typically tourist, pedestrian tastes. I was so longing for that extra day and night during this trip.

But once I saw my friends off at the Metro I felt adrift. A whole day and evening in Paris, on my own, what a gift, right? I'm a very independent person, I've never minded eating alone, going to a movie alone, exploring a neighborhood alone but this time felt different. I felt so profoundly alone and despondent that I just couldn't enjoy myself. After wandering the Marais for a few hours, going back to the flat much earlier than I'd planned, and going to sleep. I hated myself for it - I love Paris! - but for whatever reason I just wasn't able to enjoy myself.

It happens - I've been back to Paris since and had a lovely time but sometimes you just get tired and need to recuperate in something familiar. And sometimes we learn that the "Grass is always greener" is really a truism. Take care of yourself and I hope you get some rest and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Frank, first let me say that I am not a big poster here, but I read the posts of others almost daily, and I have enjoyed reading your posts, so I hope that you will find rest, peace, and a renewed spirit soon. At this minute, I am in a Marriott Executive lounge in Shanghai, China, feeling pretty sad. I love to travel and now that we are retired, my husband and I are always on the road to somewhere. This is my second trip to China, tO see my first grandchild, and the thought of leaving her and not seeing her much in the years ahead has me crazy with grief. I cannot do the long flights, cannot sleep on planes, and really don't have the desire to return to Asia, other than to see this precious child. Maybe it's age catching up with me. We have been here almost 3 weeks and leave in a few days, and I am feeling guilty for leaving, but I need to always get home to my "sanctuary" as one poster above described. There are so many variables on why, how, when, where we travel, but one thing I do know is that it expands our world and makes us better citizens. I hope that you will get back that desire to travel, but it is totally understandable that you need a vacation from your travels. I wish you the best and look forward to reading your posts sometime in the future.

Frank II,

Excuse me, but I have to ask. How do you stay traveling for nearly 4 1/2 years solid? What type of work do you or did you do? Do you have a house here? Rent here? Stay with relatives when home? How do you save enough to travel nearly non stop for over 4 years? Hotels, medical, dental, transportation, sightseeing, eating, buying essentials, clothing, etc.

You can’t put out here that you spent 1,660 nights on traveling and are burned out without mentioning how this is accomplished.

Any light on any of this would be so interesting. Thank you.

Paul

@ Paul from NYC--
I was wondering the same thing!

Frank, come on. Help us understand,

The answer is simple. Stop. There. You’re welcome.

Excuse me, but I have to ask. How do you stay traveling for nearly 4 1/2 years solid? What type of work do you or did you do? Do you have a house here? Rent here? Stay with relatives when home? How do you save enough to travel nearly non stop for over 4 years? Hotels, medical, dental, transportation, sightseeing, eating, buying essentials, clothing, etc.
Any light on any of this would be so interesting. Thank you.

I'm retired, worked mostly for myself, learned to
invest at an early age , lived below my means and never went into debt. ( And no kids). I planned early retirement years ago.

I do not own or rent anything except a 5 x 5 storage unit. When at "home base"--near the storage unit, doctors, dentist etc --I stay in an extended stay hotel where they give me an unbelievable low rate. I have learned how to earn and utilize travel points. I have health insurance.

While traveling, if i can, I skip restaurants and will shop for meals. Traveling with carry on only means I don't ' have a lot of stuff. I wear basically the same outfit every day in the same colors. I don't buy souvenirs.

Frank II:
I guess other people are familiar with your posts and know why you're traveling so much - but I'm not. Are you retired? Blessed with a large trust fund? Taking your lottery winnings on the road? A 21st century Ancient Mariner, needing to tell his story at every stop?

Yes, too much candy leaves you with a yen for nourishment. Where is home? Wish we could help you more!

Hi Frank II,

Sorry I missed your last post where you say how you lived your life and can now do all this traveling.

I suggest you choose a home base, buy a house and some new clothes in different colors, find some volunteer opportunities, and connect with some people who could use your help.

Maybe even find a soulmate who could help you enjoy life!

Thanks everyone for your support.

I think I have figured out the solution. I need more "familiar" time. What I mean is being in areas I am most comfortable and staying more than just a few days. For me that's the U .S. and the U.K.

While experiencing foreign culture is a wonderful thing, constantly doing so can be a bit much especially when that culture changes every few days. we

While experiencing foreign culture is a wonderful thing, constantly doing so can be a bit much especially when that culture changes every few days.

So true! It is exhilarating and exhausting! We do well in Italy because we lived there and speak the language, but when I get to German-speaking and especially French-speaking areas, I have more trouble. I cannot imagine dealing with Central European languages! But the U.K. is a breeze, thank goodness.

We like to mix our trips with familiar, been-there-before areas and new-to-us areas to explore. The familiar places are always more relaxing since we know our way around. We just finished 7 weeks in Italy and Switzerland and were ready to come home. Our best three weeks were in two places we've visited prior and love. The other 4 weeks were new-to-us locations and required more "work" even though they were interesting and enjoyable. I also got tired of trying to cobble together meals in ill-equipped kitchens. I am a cook and after a while I need some quality digs.

Last summer we met a man who was on his 129th continuous Road Scholar tour. He too had a base in the States to get his mail, change his carry-on from summer to winter clothes and then take off again. Similar to you, his plan was to move into a sparse apartment in the States sometime within the year after a grand tour by ship.

I’m glad you’ve figured out where to find your rest and comfort zone. Let’s hope burnout is temporary and you can keep enjoying what you want to do.

We once spent 7 months in Germany when my husband was on a sabbatical. We took language lessons and could understand simple conversations. When we returned home in December I drove downtown to shop. After walking about a block I realized my head was swimming because I could understand every single conversion going on around me. I felt like i was eavesdropping and shouldn’t be. I had to sit down on State St. on bench where I cried because I was so happy to be able really understand the people around me. I can understand how long term travel is subtly wearing.

Another time we were traveling with students and only staying in basic hotels for 4 months. We walked into one hotel room in Salzburg 3/4 of the way through the trip and there was a small sofa in the room. I cried again. I hadn’t had anything but a simple chair to sit on in my working and sleeping room for 3 months. The comforts of home aren’t always found in hotels. After extended periods it can wear you down.

I hope you can be refreshed wherever you journey next, Frank, 2000 is just a number.

Trite but true : there is no place like home.

Frank. No offense, but why vent? This isn’t forced upon you. You choose to do this. You can stop anytime you like. You call the shots. So to be unhappy choosing to be traveling and then complaining or venting about you choice doesn’t make sense. Simply stop. It’s all up to you. Just like Dorothy. Click your heels three times and go home.

Frank,
Others have given you advice already (or asked questions).

I think it is totally understandable to have burnout after all the traveling you have done. We all go thru cycles in life, at each different stage often our priorities change.

There is absolutely nothing wrong whatsoever with taking a big break from travel If you miss it, you can take it up again. If not, other interests will find you.

I remember years ago, when I had major burnout from corporate priorities, I talked with someone who was a few years older than me who had retired, and I asked the person how they knew it was the right time. The answer was: It is a matter of giving yourself permission.

So, give yourself permission to take a break...or to never travel again.

After bouncing around the world for the last 10 years and trip to Asia earlier this year (gawd...those flights..LL O N G....ugh), I found myself totally exhausted and not really wanting to get back on a plane again. So, what did we do? We added a puppy to our household, and we really would not want to even think about the potential of boarding him until he is at least a year, maybe a year and a half old....even then, just maybe.

We have the memories of some fabulous trips, and when the mountains of travel catalogs arrive, I flip thru them, and I see a trip or two or three that could be interesting, but no real burning desire to take them right now.

Get some rest......several months of rest. The next act will find you, and think of all the memories you will have. Sure beats not having ever traveled and having regret. You did it while you physically could and while you wanted to do it. Now you want to do something different. That is great. You will figure it all out. Go easy on yourself.

Frank, I am glad you vented. I think it is an interesting perspective and is a cautionary tale to those of us who might dream of continual travel. Also, for those who have followed over the years your plan to do what you did, it is good to hear this part of the story.

I think those who don't want you to vent, or who tell you to just stop, are missing something.

Hi Frank,
As much as I enjoy traveling, I could not imagine traveling for as long as you have!
I'm exhausted after only being away for 3-4 weeks!

Give yourself some credit; you've accomplished a great deal thus far!
It sounds like it's time to take your life back.
Reflect on your experiences of these past 4.5 years; reconsider your life's goals and expectations, and connect/reconnect with your loved ones.

I truly appreciate all the savvy advise you've contributed to this amazing forum, and I look forward to reading more about your great adventures!

Have you considered writing a book? I'd definitely be interested in reading about your traveling memoirs!

Hang in there, rest up, and live your life without regrets!

Paul,

You’d have to explain that to me. Over 1660 nights away is excessive. If it gets to you and you’re unhappy, then stop. What am I missing? If you’re unhappy with anything you’re doing, you continue? Please, I truly don’t get what you mean.

Maybe when I reach 550 nights, ie another 200 nights from right now, and quite possible with the next two trips, I just might feel "saturated." ... a million to one chance, which I certainly would not bet on. I don't use the term "burn-out" But why stop?

We look forward to welcoming you to that small apartment in the States and realize it takes just as much planning, both mentally and logistically, to re-enter a relatively sedentary life as it does to take a trip. I hope Switzerland, Ireland and England give you the processing time and space you need.

These are both yours:

“I've spent the last 1,660 nights in hotels and honestly, the walls are closing in. I never thought it was possible.”

“When at "home base"--near the storage unit, doctors, dentist etc --I stay in an extended stay hotel...”

So, The walls are closing in yet, if you go “home”, it’s identical to being “away”. Now that is an interesting dilemma.

I have always been the type of person who gets antsy staying in the same place too long or doing the same thing. I need challenges; I need change. I'm not a big time planner. I usually only have hotel reservations when I go somewhere new or I will get tickets to something in advance only if necessary.

Long term travel is far different than short term travel. Even if you travel for two months a year and then go home for ten, it's not long term travel. I've heard from many people who want to do what I'm doing because they base the idea on their short term trips.

Here are some things I learned:

1) Be realistic about what you are physically capable of. I'm 61. In my mind i'm 30. Every now and then the body reminds me of the truth. Give yourself rest periods. Let your mind and body rejuvenate. Pace yourself. Travel slower. Take your time.

2) Don't make too many plans in concrete. Be willing to change destinations, hotels, travel goods, etc. I do this all the time.

3) Occasionally, treat yourself better than usual--a nicer hotel, a really good meal, etc.

4) Go home occasionally. I go "home" every three months to refill prescriptions, see the doctors and dentist, see friends. It's not really going home since I'm in a hotel. I am getting bored of the area and now spend little time there. But traveling through the U.S. is easier and more familiar to me than most foreign destinations.

5) Take something(s) with you that will make your travel life more enjoyable. For me it's an immersion heater and cup. I like a hot drink first thing in the morning and sometimes in the evening.

6) Do what interests you. Just because a guidebook's author likes something or people on this forum insist you do something only do what you want. It's your time and your money.

7) Don't be afraid to ask your hotel for extra's if you need/want them: more towels, a fan if it's warm, ice if you need a cold drink. Don't worry how you will be seen. You are a paying customer. ( Of course, be polite.)

8) Find things that rejuvenate you. For me it's getting on a train or a plane. It's the excitement

of going somewhere new. And on a train I get to look at the scenery. I believe the journey is as important as the destination.

9) Pack light. I'm not talking about trying to join the under 5 kg crowd. Just realize the basics, especially toiletries, can be found almost anywhere. Be flexible with soap and shampoo. If what your hotel offers isn't too offensive to you, use it. I carry a bar of fragrance free soap to use when what the hotel has is too fragrant or will make my hair smell like a tossed salad.

10) Learn a few words in the local language. . However, nowadays, especially in much of Europe, if you go to places that get FOREIGN tourists you will find people who speak some English. Don't assume. Be polite and first ask if they do.

By the way, I'm not going to stop traveling. I have a planned trip to Sicily and Southern Italy that I am looking forward to.

To Paul (NYC), going to the hotel near the storage unit is like going home. I used to live in the area and have stayed at the hotel for long periods.

When traveling in the U.S. it's like being home. It's my culture, my way of doing things. I like staying in extended stay hotel because it gives me things more like a home than a hotel such as a fully equipped kitchen in my room and a laundry room. I can go about similar daily routines that I would do if I was home with the added benefit of new adventures.

I try to find these type of hotels in Europe whete I can go to recharge. Tomorrow I head to one in Geneva for six nights.

Frank II,

I can understand your feelings of "burnout" as I've found that after two months, I feel the same. At that point, I lose interest in sight seeing and just want to get back home for a rest and to process all that I've experienced.

The type of travel you're doing is somewhat different than most of us here would be able to do because of money, job or other commitments. I expect that long term travel will be somewhat of a "work in progress" and you'll need to adapt it to your situation at the time. If you've found a place that you enjoy such as London, returning there for a breather and to regroup to plan the next part of your journey would be a good idea.

I've slowed down my travel in the last few years and now stay in each destination longer, and just tailor my touring to what I feel like each day. If I want to just sit in the hotel and watch TV for a day, that's what I do.

I took my third post-retirement Europe trip at 61 that lasted over 7 weeks. That was in the summer of 2011. Thinking back that trip could have been extended to 8 weeks covering England, Austria, France and Germany.

Probably everyone has their limits. Traveling for work more than about 25 percent of the time over an extended period gets old.

I'm hoping post retirement, I can regularly travel 50 percent of the time but I know it's good to have somewhere to hang your hat, take off your shoes and just relax occasionally.

When it rains it pours......I woke up yesterday with some pain in one foot. It hurts when I walk. Classic symptoms of plantar fasciitis. (I've had it before.)

I"ll rest it a few days, do some stretching, and if it's not better when I go to Ireland next week, I'll go see someone. And I don't mean someone who serves Guinness.

I have been reading this thread with great interest. I did not see you as “venting” (which to me includes complaints or anger) but merely as expressing a feeling. And where else except in this community of travaholics would you share that particular feeling?

I loved what Maggie had to say, in particular, as well as others. I see your quandary just as a point in life, not as a question about how to “vacation”, which is what most of us are doing.

I can’t imagine the person (no names, but not you) who thinks life is so simple that every day or even every year is perfect. For myself, I choose to keep a home base - and like that choice. But that doesn’t mean every week is great. I could easily have a really hard month or two fixing things at my old house and get down about my abilities in that area. Some might say, “Well, just sell it!” And that may or may not be the right answer. Sometimes it is and sometimes we just soldier on till things get better.

Our lives continually change as we age. Sometimes we realize that change gradually and sometimes we just get thrown a curveball that changes things suddenly. If the time comes for you to change the way you live, you will realize gradually (with this perhaps as a beginning point) - or something (like a health issue) will tell you suddenly. Meanwhile you just figure out the best coping techniques. And in the meantime, expressing your feelings is great, as well as giving us insight into a way of living some of us THINK we would like. :)

Hope the plantar fasciitis gets better quickly!

Oh Frank...
I hope your foot pain resolves quickly.
Take it easy.

Travelmom- lovely response 😀

Hi Frank II! As you once told me “it is ok to take a day off now and then” while on vacation. Maybe you just need to have an “off” trip where you just relax and take it easy. In the past, after four or five weeks of traveling, I have been ready to head home. On my last trip of seven weeks, which ended in London, the weather was so nice that I was ready to stay for another couple of weeks! That last week I was just doing whatever, whenever, and I found that very relaxing. Of course I have been to London before and plan on returning regularly so I did not feel like I was missing anything important by taking it easy – you know, like having lunch with you at the Café in the Crypt! It sounds like you should come to Alaska during winter – the cold weather, snow, and lack of daylight, and closed tourist sights might be a nice change for you!

Alaska might be the plan next winter. I just went back to Iceland a second time to see the Northern Lights--the first time the weather didn't cooperate--and had no luck again. (The weather again didn't cooperate.) Next time, I'll try somewhere different.

For now, I've changed plans and I'm staying six nights at an apartment type hotel in Geneva to relax. There is a good size supermarket around the corner and a free laundry room in the hotel.

When I return to the US, I will spend nearly three months traveling slowly to a few places in the country. By staying in extended stay hotels--with kitchen and laundry facilities--it will feel more like home. I think that will help recharge my batteries. Then I'll be ready to go again.

Dear Frank II --

First of all, I do so enjoy your posts and advice.

Second - I'm sorry that your foot's bothering you. I have a friend with that same issue. I know from listening to her that the pain is real. I hope you feel better soon.

Third - I think your idea of embracing the familiar - whether it's US or UK and then taking shorter trips sounds ideal. I'll never travel as much as you, but I've done more travel than I ever would have dreamed. I am always glad to return to my own bed, but then after a couple of weeks to recover I'm thinking toward another adventure. I love my home, right? But I love seeing what else there is to see.

I hope that you are able to recharge yourself and find a new system of staying/traveling that works best for you. :-)

Hi Frank II -- Your post and further thoughts have engendered some really thoughtful, kind reactions. I hope you can see that many of us out here sympathize with you even if we've never logged THAT many days traveling. I hope your foot gets to feeling better and you get to feeling more relaxed, whether this week in the apart'hotel in Geneva, or when you head to Ireland and England (and hopefully all of the above). I'm glad you came here to "vent." As much kind and thoughtful and expert advice as you've given here over the years, you deserve that back in spades!

I thought it might be time for an update.

I rearranged my trip for some longer stays and dropped a couple of planned stops.

I returned to London a week earlier than I had planned and used points to stay for free at a hotel in Stratford before moving on to my reguar digs in Earls Court. I'm there now and feel a lot more rested and relaxed.

The good news is my foot problem was not plantar fasciitis and went away in a few days.

The bad news is my first night back "home" in Earls Court I sliced off a small piece of my right index finger with a razor that I forgot was in a small bag I left at the hotel. Unfortunately, the protective cover had fallen off. This gave me my first experience with the NHS. I now understand why people make fun/complain about it.

I went to a walk in clinic near my hotel but the nurse had left for the day. They directed me to a local hospital. I took the bus to the hospital. I was still bleeding.

I filled out the paperwork. And waited. And waited. And waited. Two and a half hours later I was finally called.

Without even looking at it, the person seeing me--I don't know what he was--said there was nothing they could do. He said he would change the bandage but it would probably fall off the next day.

I asked if I should change the bandage. He said if I wanted to.

What about the bleeding which had stopped. "It will probably start again."

How about the pain? "You cut off a chunk of skin, it's going to hurt."

And then he asked where I was from and wanted to talk about his recent trip to New York.

I saw him less than five minutes and was told I could go. I'm not sure if I am going to get a bill or not. The bandage he put on was similar to what my hotel gave me. it was a waste of my time.

I stopped at Boots to pick up some bandages and they were more helpful than this guy at the hospital.

Those razors are dangerous!!!

You need a beard.

You're the second one on here in as many weeks who's done himself an injury with a razor.

careful, now careful

Oh, Frank, that hurts so much! I once reached over to move my husband's bath bag on the hotel sink and it BIT me. Same thing, bled like hell, hurt worse, and nothing to do for it but bandage it. I had 2 or 3 parallel cuts on my finger.

As a finance person and someone with older parents who used to love to travel, my advice would be to put down some roots in a place you want to live in the US. While living in hotels can be nice, there is something to be said for having a place of one's own to come home to. Have you thought about buying a small condo somewhere and then renting it out when you are traveling?At least to have a base to come home to and where you have your medical needs and doctor/dentist etc, especially as you grow older and unfortunately old age takes over.

As much as I love to travel, it's nice to come home to my own place.

Frank,
I think you are receiving lots of messages (not meaning the ones on this Forum)...in different ways.....telling you it is time for a break....time to come home (or establish home). Don't wait to get hit by a bus!!

Sorry about your finger.......ouchhhhh!!!

Take a break, a break long enough that MIGHT cause you to "miss" travel, and then you can decide (at that time) how often and how long of trips you might want...or if you even ever want to travel again. Travel is fulfilling, but so is staying put sometimes. A reason/season/time for everything.

Find home in whatever form/shape/place.

Godspeed to you!

Ouch! I understand your searing throbbing pain. After a too close encounter with a kitchen mandolin and a trip to Urgent Care I now travel everywhere with a cellulose gauze product they used to stop the bleeding on my three former finger ends. The commercial version is usually called BloodSTOP and you cut the pieces into whatever size you need, a small square for your finger tip, a bigger piece for Dave’s facial razor cut. I’m glad you are nicely recovering in familiar territory. Take care.

Frank that experience sounds positively Italian! At least the transaction was in your native tongue. Heal fast.

Ouch!!! Sorry to hear about your finger.

It’s good to hear that you’re feeling more rested, and that your foot pain has resolved! 😉

Thanks for the update!

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🍂🦃

Frank II, a late reply. Perhaps you need to have a purpose to the travel. Write a book. You must have a ton of stories to share.

I found the pharmacists in Italy much more helpful than the doctors in my experiences! So sorry about your injury! 🤕

What an interesting person you are! Your choices wouldn't work for me because I must have dogs.

With that said, I love to travel and you have been living my fantasy.

Thanks for sharing a bit of your world.

So sorry to hear about the finger!!!

The last time we were in London, I found some amazing over the counter ibuprofen that they had. It's stronger than what's sold OTC here in the States, and it's fast acting. I can't swear to that last part, but I've rarely fallen in love with anything like their ibuprofen. I think it's called ibuprofen lysine.

If you're still in pain tomorrow and have no better options, I'd recommend that one. Take two. With food or milk. As long as you're not allergic to ibuprofen, of course.

Feel better!!

I agree with Emma and others, if you're not enjoying it, just stop, right now. Get on the next flight home, wherever that may be, even if you don't have a permanent abode anymore, settle down in a town where you have lots of friends and/or family. Unless you travel for work, travel isn't supposed to be work. If it's become a drudgery, you're not doing it right. Just because you CAN take a 2 1/2 month trip doesn't mean you SHOULD. Maybe for one, once-in-a-lifetime trip, but not when you've already been traveling as much as you already have. Travel can be isolating.

I've gotten burned out on travel before. I wasn't traveling for pleasure, it was work, but I was taking long enough trips that i'd have a weekend between work overseas that allowed me to do sightseeing. At first it was great, I got to spend time in Nara and Nikko in Japan, Paris in Europe, etc. But then on my very last international trip in that job, I found myself in Strasbourg with three days all to myself. The first day and a half, I was enjoying myself, but then I got thinking how much my wife would like it, and then I realized how tired I was of seeing all these great places without her.

I've also gotten burned out on certain favorite destinations. I was going to New York all the time in my mid 20s through early 30s (my brother lived there at the time), having a blast, but then I went there about three years ago and realized I'm kinda over the place. I did enjoy watching my (then) 8 year old daughter discover it for the first time, though. And Miami, it's always been kind of a second home because it's where my mother grew up and where she met my dad (at University of Miami) and we spent a lot of time with my grandparents there as a kid. Went back in 2017, had a good time, but was kind of over it. In that same trip I realized I'm over Disney parks too. And it's not that I'm losing my love of travel in general, had a ball in DC this summer, loved Grand Canyon trip 2 summers ago, and the trip to Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston the summer before that.

On the finger, a few years ago I dropped an old tube-type TV on my finger, the edge on the bottom of the base tore the pad part of the tip of my finger clean off, hurt like nobody's business, looked ugly for a while, but the NHS doctor was right, nothing to do but bandage it and let it heal.

I'm back at my favorite hotel in London and realized staying here is as much as home as anywhere else. I've extended my stay three weeks more than planned.

Now to figure out where I want to go when I get back to the States. That's the big question.

Good to hear, Frank. You must be feeling better! There is a lot of truth to the peace and serenity of Colorado’s mountains!

Frank, you know what Doctor Johnson said about London.

You mentioned Alaska for the winter. I recommend Fairbanks for the best aurora viewing chances. I spent 6 winters up there years ago, and we saw it a lot. Try to stay someplace north of town, outside the bright lights.

This place has one-bedroom suites for under $100 a night in December and onward.

https://www.fountainheadhotels.com/wedgewood-resort.html

You would need a rental car, but they provide free plug-ins for your block heater and battery blanket.

Frank,
If you’re looking for a place in the good ol U.S.OF A, go to the national parks in Utah in the spring( if you haven’t been). So gorgeous and so different from the European landscape. My husband and I hiked all of them, plantar fasciitis be damned! I hope you see the Northern Lights in Alaska, I have that on my bucket list!