Homebodies
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85135)
Shingle Springs, California
October 15, 2010 12:36pm CST
So I like to travel. I grew up with parents who liked to go on driving trips, and they took us pretty much all over the US, and a little bit into Canada and Mexico also. We didn't fly because we couldn't afford it.
So I grew up and I still like to travel. I prefer to fly, mainly because sitting for long distances can hurt my back, but I'll take a road trip rather than sit home if I can't afford to fly somewhere.
When I was up in Portland two weekends ago, I was asking for directions to my Aunt's in Washington, and the guy at the rental car place had no clue, because he hadn't been up that way. So Dusk, my evil twin, thought "oh another one of those who lives near all these cool places and never goes anywhere."
That came from a conversation with somebody who grew up living not too far outside Yosemite National Park, one of the most gloriously beautiful places on earth, and had never been there, or to Sequoia National Park, or to King's Canyon National Park, or to any of the California Gold country parks, towns, monuments, etc.
I just can't fathom it. You live near all kinds of cool places, and you never get out of your house or your community to go and see any of them.
But OK, some people are just homebodies, and maybe they go bowling or dancing or do crafts at home or something, and just don't have an interest in travel and nature and so on.
So if anybody here is a homebody, can you please tell me why? And what you do like to do instead of traveling?
11 people like this
39 responses
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
15 Oct 10
Hi, Dawn, I don't have the soul of a homebody but I'm trapped home by my bad finances. I can't afford to travel much but I keep hoping that one day I will. My big dream is to acquire miraculously a lot of money and travel around the world. I hope that this will happen in my next life.
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
15 Oct 10
I remember when I was a kid I met a gal who was PROUD to have never left the city!
Rather than be embarrassed or anything I, for once, did the right thing... I looked at her and said "Oh, you poor thing, you have never seen the ocean even."
I got an evil joy when her father was transferred to ALASKA!!!
Now, I know people that live in a certain area, take Austin for example, who will travel to far places but never see the cool things around town.
They've never been to the O Henry museum, or the French Legation, or some of the other smaller places around town, tho if they went to school here they probably have been to the State capital and the LBJ Library.
That's what this guy's done maybe... lets be charitable and think so...
2 people like this
@nannacroc (4049)
•
15 Oct 10
I'm very much a homebody. I spent time doing crafts, helping my children, looking after my grandsons. Writing stories and poems, reading and faffing about on the computer. I would like to travel round the UK but haven't got the finances for that. Having said that, I like to be home.
2 people like this
@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
18 Oct 10
I never had the opportunity to travel. My father never wanted to bother to do anything so we never took family vacations and my mother constantly traveled for work so she was out of town a lot and when her position changed, she was just burnt out. Then we couldn't afford to anymore so financially it was never again a possibility.
So after years and years of conditioning that travel is just not an option, i became averse to the idea. I view travel as a negative thing. Sure, it must be fabulous to see new places and new things, but I'll probably never get over how expensive or potentially dangerous it is. So I just don't even consider it anymore.
1 person likes this
@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
18 Oct 10
I can't really afford to. The extent of my traveling is confined to visiting my mother's family and the increasingly rare trip to Disneyland. Neither is anything new or different and both are almost always on a very strict schedule and even stricter budget.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
Why not try just a short little trip near to home? Who knows, you might like it. And if you don't, just don't do it again...
@GloomCookieLex (6073)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Well, aside from the fact that gas is quite expensive and I can't drive and don't have a vehicle, I can't stand the outdoors. I have absolutely no interest in parks or trees or what have you.
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
15 Oct 10
I travel even when I cannot afford to. I just have to drop something else. Never liked shopping anyway (not matter how much money I have) so I travel quite cheaply. Many of my friends haven't really travelled a lot, but after we went to London last year I don't think there's much point for them to go anywhere. They didn't actually see anything of London except shops. Weird, weird people.
I did go the shop with used books in Camden, but apart from that I only bought some stuff for my flatmate. My usual travelling-buddy does both the shopping and the sight-seeing, so we usually split up after a while. But I'm not going to try to drag the rest of my friends on more mutual travels, I really can't be bothered with all that shopping. I want to see new things, but preferrably things that aren't for sale :-)
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Oct 10
I do like shopping, but it is definitely secondary to seeing the sights...
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Oct 10
Some people are really up on what you can buy where, and how much cheaper you can get it there and so on...
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
15 Oct 10
I kind of understand doing both, but not going somewhere you've never been before and then not seeing any of the sights.
Some part of my family (and probably lots of other Norwegians) think that holiday abroad means the ferry to Germany or Denmark, and that it is about what they've seen of the world outside Norway. Possibly in addition to taking a vacation to somewhere in Southern Europe to one of the places that are packed with other Northern Europeans (and drunk Brits and sunburnt Germans). Of course, this are the ones that complain the most about how horrible everything's here ...
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
15 Oct 10
I am a homebody to a certain point...but travel too! I have been all over and won't miss an opportunity to go! We have some awesome things close to us that when I talk to people they don't even know they exist! I don't understand it either...my bosses are that way. To them it's a waste of money! Go figure..if I had there money I sure as heck wouldn't be staying in this small town! There's a whole big wonderful world outside of here!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Oct 10
so what do they do with their money then? hoard it? lol
@celticeagle (159105)
• Boise, Idaho
17 Oct 10
I am a home body because I can't afford to travel. I had planned twice now to go out traveling and meet some of the people I have met online. I had planned to make alot of money online in the Winter and then travel in the Spring and Summer. But each year when the SAD comes along I fail to make the money and can't go.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
16 Oct 10
Hey dawny or is it dusky? I've never really travelled a whole
lot. I mean I've been to a few different states, by car mostly
and haven't travelled on a nice long "road trip" in years.
I've been to Canada about 6 times and loved it! The only
plave I fly to is Florida to see my mom. But I've gotten
to see the Monuments in Washington, D.C. and other famous
places, especially in NYS and NYC which is my "home state".
I've been to New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, which are all
beautiful States with incredible landscapes and plenty to see.
Of course I've been to New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Maryland, Massachussetts (where I went to College
briefly). So I have seen a small area of the US, but nothing
much past that~
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
(waves watch in front of Opal's eyes) California California California... :D
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
16 Oct 10
Hi Dawn,
I love to travel and my work makes me to go places. But at times I may be very much inclined to be at home. But then again staying at one place for a long time urges me to pack my bag again either going for a drive with friends or work calls.
So I guess pretty much balanced between the two extremes
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
And where have you traveled that you really liked?
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
18 Oct 10
Really liked ...well.. there was this place called Ganpatipule. It has a very secluded Beach in remote Maharashtra; a state in India.
The place, the weather, the neat and clean roads, the sea the roar of the sea, the calm and tranquility all urged me to stay there permanently. The place was Beautiful!!! The Hotel in which I stayed was a family run Hotel, and the proprietor was very friendly.
The place boasts of a small but very important temple of Lord Ganpati-- an icing on the cake I shall call it.
I had been to Cagayan de oro in the Philippines last year and the experience was amazing there too! There are places not- so famous but if one happens to land in there I believe it etches into memory for a long time.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
21 Oct 10
I confess! I'm also a homebody. But it's not for lack of wanting, but more for the lack of funds!
I live in one of the most beautiful part of the continent and there are a few places worth going out to. So I try, once in a while, if the budget permits. But most days I just stay home. There are quite a few things I could make myself entertained by just staying at home, or at least within my local area.
I live in one of the most beautiful part of the continent and there are a few places worth going out to. So I try, once in a while, if the budget permits. But most days I just stay home. There are quite a few things I could make myself entertained by just staying at home, or at least within my local area.@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Oct 10
Dear Paul McCartney, please send my friend some travel funds. Thanks...
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
19 Oct 10
I didn't think there was an alternative to travelling???? My Mom and I just returned from a trip to CO/SD/TX and we're already planning a trip back to CA early next year. I've been to 49 states; I'm just missing Alaska. But I have to save up some money because I plan to stay several months to make sure I see it all. I've also travelled some in Canada and Mexico... I want to spend more time in Canada, but Mexico is going to have to wait.
1 person likes this
@iesuki (30)
•
20 Oct 10
i am a homebody, but i like travel very much, i finish my two self trip these 2 years.
i feel comfortable while i am home, no need to makeup, no need to social....and the most important thing is to save money for my next trip. some nights on the trip, i will think of home, because didn't any sense of belonging of that room, but i enjoy my travel.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
20 Oct 10
So it's possible to be both! What two trips did you take?
@iesuki (30)
•
21 Oct 10
the first trip in last year was an exciting trip to me, the first time i go by myself alone, everything to me was fresh. and i found that there are so many kind people over the world, so we no need to worry so much.
and the second trip go with my sister, we also have fun in this trip, we travle to so many nature reserves in Tibet, such a nice place, and we have a little Mountain Sickness, but just find.
travel, i can see more and feel more, i really love it.
@mariacecilia13 (490)
• Philippines
16 Oct 10
I am a homebody. I don't like going out. I prefer to stay at home and read or use the internet. Maybe it's because of low self steem that I developed this kind of hobby. When I'm at home, I usually stay inside my room and read my favorite books. I do go out with friends once in a while, but I'd still prefer to stay at home than go out.
But if my friends would invite me on a nature trip, that's a different story! I'll surely join them!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
Some people are that way, but it's not bad to occasionally do something that's outside of your comfort zone.
@unclejules88 (12)
• China
16 Oct 10
It's not good for you to stay at home for a long time, go out to breathe in the fresh air and do exercise. It's good for your heath.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Oct 10
I personally have never figured out how people sometimes can live so close to something but never go see it as well. Personally I Love to Travel and would rather do that sometimes like you than stay at home. To explore new places and things really helps show you there is other life out there, and not everyone is like you as well. Before I married my husband he had never been outside of Washington State or Oregon, and now he can say he has been all over. I never understand a homebody either and really feel they are Big time missing out for sure.
1 person likes this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
22 Jan 11
My husband is a homebody...but he is aware of places in the city we live at but not the all the 'fun' places to be at. I like to travel...go around...and have fun. But we tend to get stuck at home because hubby doesn't like to...and it's no fun if I go alone with my friends all the time. Since I don't go out much in this city, I'm the one who isn't aware of the places. But before I was married, we travelled a lot as family.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Jan 11
At least you have friends to go out with. It would be even worse if you didn't.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
16 Oct 10
Yes I can see not going to the popular places right in your front yard. If you are not interested in them , one stays home.I think you are born curious or not. others may Can't get out. They fear the unknown so they stay close to home.Me? I like a long car trip but most of the time these days I prefer to stay home. With the internet and cable t.v.'s travel channels you can travel and remain at home all at the same time.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Sadly there are many who ate not interested in travel.To some they feel about travel the way I feel about science . It exists but not for me. I could care less, lol!
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
Yes, but seeing Mt. Rainier on a TV screen is not the same as standing there looking up at it with the wind in your face and the fall foliage in full, living color! Still, seeing things on TV and in books is much better than nothing!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45506)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Oct 10
Sometimes, we just don't like to be away from our stuff.
1 person likes this
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Given a car ride versus the house, I pick car ride any day of the week. We almost always go on car rides during the weekend. Usually they are just day drives, but that is fine with me. I too have often heard people that have lived in this area there entire life, and they have never been out of the actual town. That is a shock to me. I understand if you can't afford to go traveling, however, these are people that drive extremely fancy and expensive cars, but yet they have never been 1 hour away from the town they grew up in. A lot of people tell me they have never been up the Smokey Mountains which we live about 2 hours away from. I guess it is just what they prefer to do. I sometimes wish I could stay in the house and be a "homebody", however, I get crabby if I don't get out of the house and go for a car ride (a pretty long car ride). This past weekend we went up to Arkansas, just to see the Ozarks.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
We went up over the Sierra Nevada and had dinner in Lake Tahoe. I can't imagine staying in the house for too long either1
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
18 Oct 10
By nature I'm not a homebody and I too grew up travelling quite a bit (although I must admit that the vast majority of my adventures have been east of the Mississippi river). However, in the past several years we've pretty much became homebodies because of the fact that we can't afford to travel. Even with that, though, we do find things around here to discover that we've never done in the past.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Oct 10
Born and raised in Los Angeles, and there are still lots of places down there that I've never been!
