[kirstendirksen]

Travel is another point I've pondered a lot since I started our website. I used to fly a lot. In most aspects of my life, I can be a pennypincher, but it was the one area that I felt like the experience was worth whatever pricetag. Then I started reading about the carbon emissions of flying (and the emissions of kerosene jet fuel) and I started re-evaluating. So I started to pick my trips more carefully and to try to fly less and stay longer if I could.

While at first it was an environmental consideration, now I'm realizing I'm actually happier without all the moving around. My husband calls it my family's "pack-and-go" mentality. I'm not saying everyone would be happier this way- as I definitely had my share of years exploring the world/my country a bit-, but for now, I like staying in one place a bit more. And the curious thing is, I doubt I would have discovered that if I hadn't thought about carbon footprint stuff. I mean, the "pack-and-go" mentality is a part of my family culture: I live in Spain, my sister lives in Sydney, another sibling lives in the South, another in Seattle, my parents in San Francisco, another is married to a Canadian... it's tough to avoid, but possible to cut down a bit I suppose.

And now that my income is drastically reduced from what it used to be, flying really isn't an option like it used to be either. So I am grateful that I don't feel the need to move about like I used to. Though, that's not to say, I don't fly. I live abroad so every year we take one trip home. And that in itself is more than the majority of people. So all I can say is I've reduced my moving about, just a bit, and am happier for it. For now.

[mcantor]

I think that our needs naturally change and shift over time. When you did your travelling, you probably found it quite fulfilling (I could be wrong). Maybe you would never have gotten to this point, which you find even more fulfilling, without doing the travelling first!

Also, for what it's worth, when I referred to travelling, I had more short vacation-like trips in mind, as opposed to extended relocations or migrations for years at a time. I would never argue that such bite-sized travels could let someone sample variety in the way that a long-term immersion would, but it would still be a real learning experience.

Interesting point about the carbon emissions... I never really thought about what a technological indulgence air travel is. I suppose that when my social circle splintered and moved all over the place, I felt entitled to see everyone as often as possible, but maybe conquering the distance costs more than just the price of a few plane tickets.