What scares you about travel?

[JohnK]

I guess the only thing that scares me about travel is to stay away from genuine 3rd world countries or countries with high crime rates. I have no regrets about avoiding South America, Africa and most of Asia.

I used to love travelling but with a young family now it is not so easy. I can't afford to travel in business so we are stuck in economy and most times that means that we are down the back somewhere. When I was travelling alone and travelling Qantas I would have bulkhead or exit row preallocated thanks to status which was also the case when daughter was <2 years old. I really hate being stuck behind serial recliners.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

To quote the late, great George Carlin, 'It’s those sudden unscheduled corn field and housing development stops that seem to interrupt the flow of my day'

 

[Major]

My fears are all age related.
Climbing steps, getting up from a low seat, not being able to walk as far as I used to, trouble hearing but mainly less ( almost none ) tolerance of stupid PITA people.
My first overseas trip was in 1969 and my bucket list is almost complete. Another year and a bit till I'm 80 and rapidly losing interest in travel

 

[tgh]

Our perceptions tend to be a product of our experiences and scared is not a word that fits any part of my travel life.
I have certainly been to lots of interesting places and at times have had my antennae fully extended..
Scared.. nup… aware thoughtful prepared.. all that.

Being scared (frightened fearful et al) shows and is a recipe for challenging outcomes.
Interested folks can see it and feel it and this makes the scared individual present as a target.
A young feller appeared out of the bushes in the Buenos Aires Cemetery , asked me a question in Spanish and
presented in a threatening manner. I firmly told him to p*** off in my best strine.
He turned his heels and left showing a large knife in his back pocket….

 

[leadman]

Having just played "dodge-em" for four hours yesterday on Indian roads to travel 140km in four hours, Chennai to Tirupati, and seeing the smashed cars just left on the side of the road, I think the scare factor changes with time and travel. Years ago, I dreaded/feared these long journeys in India, China, Vietnam, etc., but now just sit back and watch the scenery.
Whether it's taking things for granted or just getting used to them, delayed flights, etc, just seem to be the norm of travelling. But there are still scary things whilst still travelling, like running into a Black spitting cobra whilst birdwatching at Sungei wetlands, Singapore. Now that was scary!!!!

 

[drron]

My fears are all age related.
Climbing steps, getting up from a low seat, not being able to walk as far as I used to, trouble hearing but mainly less ( almost none ) tolerance of stupid PITA people.
My first overseas trip was in 1969 and my bucket list is almost complete. Another year and a bit till I'm 80 and rapidly losing interest in travel

Yes actively looking at booking in 2026 which will be my 80th year but doubt I will still be travelling OS after that. Possibly still spending Christmas in Bangkok excepted,

 

[NoName]

Not being able to travel at all any more.

 

[RooFlyer]

Two times I have genuinely felt in fear of something serious.
While walking on a road in Nairobi one afternoon, near my hotel and which the hotel said was quite safe, and which had a number of people walking along it, I caught out of the corner of my eye about three young blokes ( 16/17?), running up the street, weaving between people making a beeline for me. I pressed myself against the wall and tried to fend them off, but fortunately, they didn’t have any weapons, just hands went in my various pockets etc and also fortunately, I’ve taken precaution of taking nothing of value with me. After a few moments, the locals who were close by, started telling the boys to stop it and to clear off, and they did.

Another time I had landed by myself in Accra and was in a taxi, heading to my hotel. Just after we cleared the airport precinct, the guy turned off the main road into a dark and ordinary street and stopped. I was absolutely coughping myself as he got out and walked around the car. Fortunately he was just after something in the boot, got that got back in and off we went.

 

[marki]

By definition, travel takes you outside of your comfort zone. This is especially the case when travelling to unknown places where you've never been before, as well as to "high risk" destinations.

While many people love travel, I'm fairly sure that most people would find certain aspects of it scary. For example, some people are afraid of flying. Some people are scared of getting lost in a foreign city, or of getting attacked/robbed, or of getting scammed by a taxi driver, or of getting sick, or of getting arbitrarily detailed by a corrupt foreign official, etc. etc.

I'm curious to know: Are there aspects of travelling that you find scary? If so, how do you overcome that - or do you simply choose not to travel to certain places to avoid the perceived risk of getting into a scary or uncomfortable situation entirely?

Well done Mattg and yes the scary thing is in the future we can be denied boarding for reasons which shall we say are highly ambiguous or highly spurious. Ie not a core reason why a transport company is set up. And no I am not talking about um - children Flying by themselves without supervision.

Post automatically merged: Nov 28, 2023

It is sad that you are 5 yrs alone.
I wish you mingle more with ladies of a similar age and find someone likable and also suitable companion for traveling.

Good luck.

Love the kite

 

[marki]

Like many of you, as we have grown older and wiser, think we are more responsible with our outlook on travel and are more prepared.
I never worried about anything in my 20's, now I catastrophise about almost everything (Flyfrequently offspring would be disappointed if I didn't!)

On a serious note, medical issues and subsequent care are high on my list.

Great topic @Mattg

I have to concur! Many years ago found out while overseas about a horrible Orthopedic issue in my hip which had been serving me well until then. They call it avascular necrosis. Could not walk afterwards! So getting an mri was required. I also found it hard and stupid of me buying a one way ticket as was not sure precisely of my return date. As such no insurance coverage!!!! Arrrgghhh! It stung both ways.
Now I make a beeline for the mm wave scanner for fear of having to walk in socks in the most dirtiest area of the airport.

 

[marki]

Thank you for your kindness latawiec.
I have a small group of friends but everyone is still very busy with their family and have no interest in travelling.
I am trying to make new friends to start a new stage of my life but it's hard as we age.

Again I concur !!

 

[TomVexille]

Currently, the cost

 

[Flyfrequently]

I have to concur! Many years ago found out while overseas about a horrible Orthopedic issue in my hip which had been serving me well until then. They call it avascular necrosis. Could not walk afterwards! So getting an mri was required. I also found it hard and stupid of me buying a one way ticket as was not sure precisely of my return date. As such no insurance coverage!!!! Arrrgghhh! It stung both ways.
Now I make a beeline for the mm wave scanner for fear of having to walk in socks in the most dirtiest area of the airport.

AVN is no picnic here at home, let alone on holiday @marki

 

[marki]

AVN is no picnic here at home, let alone e on holiday @marki

I have cleaned a few airport floors with my pristinely clean socks oh and yes I tend to agree with you here - I am appreciative of any add on - 4 bad memory. The more I don’t remember the better for sure! And obviously we share the same experiences (no doubt)? it looks like familiarity with the subject matter caught your attention.

 

[latawiec]

Well done Mattg and yes the scary thing is in the future we can be denied boarding for reasons which shall we say are highly ambiguous or highly spurious. Ie not a core reason why a transport company is set up. And no I am not talking about um - children Flying by themselves without supervision.

Post automatically merged: Nov 28, 2023

Love the kite

Thanks Marki,

So you know that the "latawiec" means the "kite".

 

[latawiec]

Yes actively looking at booking in 2026 which will be my 80th year but doubt I will still be travelling OS after that. Possibly still spending Christmas in Bangkok excepted,

Don't preempt or rush with such decision.
Wish you a good health and keep active.

I had already 3 encounters with cancer, fought them by being active and from Nov 2021 I am clear.
Physical activity helps recovery and retaining good health. Now walking 3 km almost daily is keeping me in a good shape.

Wish you also be positive and be in a good health.

 

[latawiec]

I have to concur! Many years ago found out while overseas about a horrible Orthopedic issue in my hip which had been serving me well until then. They call it avascular necrosis. Could not walk afterwards! So getting an mri was required. I also found it hard and stupid of me buying a one way ticket as was not sure precisely of my return date. As such no insurance coverage!!!! Arrrgghhh! It stung both ways.
Now I make a beeline for the mm wave scanner for fear of having to walk in socks in the most dirtiest area of the airport.

Marki,
It is sad to have such health problem.

I am not intending to be intrusive, but like to inform that there are available treatments for this health problem and one of the treatments is a hip replacement that might allow you to walk again.

When at age 63 I had biopsy result with an aggressive cancer, I and my wife were shocked. I immediately decided to fight it back... It twice reoccurred, but now after 10 yrs I am completely in the clear.
Wish you also a lot of power to fight back your problem.

 

[latawiec]

My fears are all age related.
Climbing steps, getting up from a low seat, not being able to walk as far as I used to, trouble hearing but mainly less ( almost none ) tolerance of stupid PITA people.
My first overseas trip was in 1969 and my bucket list is almost complete. Another year and a bit till I'm 80 and rapidly losing interest in travel

It is pity to hear that you are rapidly losing interest in travel

You shouldn't give up easily and try to keep fit, and eventually change your preferences and way to travel. Even if you your bucket is almost complete, you should change your preferences or reasons for traveling, and cruising on some selective ships may give you some new satisfaction and pleasure.

On my last cruise in June this year from Tilbury to Svalbard, well above the northern polar circle, were a lot of older peoples and even some in a wheelchair.

I have been surprised of their enthusiasm to see and experience new places!
So being at 80th it is not any cut off for traveling.
Please, be positive as life could be beautiful if we keep our mind positive. Enjoy you life!

 

[marki]

Marki,
It is sad to have such health problem.

I am not intending to be intrusive, but like to inform that there are available treatments for this health problem and one of the treatments is a hip replacement that might allow you to walk again.

When at age 63 I had biopsy result with an aggressive cancer, I and my wife were shocked. I immediately decided to fight it back... It twice reoccurred, but now after 10 yrs I am completely in the clear.
Wish you also a lot of power to fight back your problem.

Thank you all is well my hip replacement happened several years ago. So that is why I love the mmWAVE scanners at the airport!! I am also over joyed that your saga with cancer has been dealt with to your satisfaction!

Disappointed about Melbourne airport domestic Qantas T4 have no mm - WAVE technology just the metal detectors. ! My socks are awful

 

[marki]

Thanks Marki,

So you know that the "latawiec" means the "kite".

Lol yes I did love the kite