New praise and feedback from Vagabonding readers
As of next month, Vagabonding will have been out for five years -- and emails continue to arrive from readers who've found inspiration in its pages. Here, arranged by theme, are a few outtakes from folks who've found the book useful for their life travels:
For making long-term travel a realistic goal"I read Vagabonding for the first time a few years ago and wanted to finally write and thank you for your wonderful book. I came across it during a time in my life when I was dreaming of a long-term travel adventure around the world but doubted whether or not it was a viable possibility for me. After reading your book, I was inspired and committed to stop making excuses and start making plans. The vagabonding philosophy truly resonated with me and even since returning from my travels, I have looked to your book repeatedly to be reminded of how and why 'spend less, live more' applies even after you clear customs and come home."
For making work more bearable as one plans a new journey"Thank you for writing Vagabonding. In 2006 I took a one-year sabbatical from my office job and traveled across Africa. Now I am miserably back to my desk. Your book helped to give a name (and hope) to this period of senseless work before I can get back to the road; I now know I am in 'vagabonding gestation' and feel much better."
For reaffirming the relevance of past travels"This note is long overdue. I came across your book a couple years ago and can't recall how many copies I have since given to friends. It is a wonderful book that I wish had been available when my wife and I quit our 'real' jobs (in 1990) a couple years out of college to travel for a year. ...Your thoughts on travel, the people you talk to, the stories you write make a valuable contribution to the literature of travel."
For creating a positive attitude for new travelers"My wife and I are Clinical Psychologists who for the last ten years have been teaching a University of Vermont Graduate class on intercultural psychology by bringing students to Bali, Belize and Samoa. Even though our classes are only two weeks in country, we use your book Vagabonding as part of our reading list and have found it to be straight on in conveying an attitude toward travel that we hope our students will adopt."
For focusing life goals in general"I was so sad when I finished Vagabonding that I'm just going to have to start reading it again. I've been recommending your book to everyone I know, especially those who have no intention of traveling. I've been explaining it is as a guide to moving through your world, however you chose to define it. What an inspiring outlook on travel, interacting with others, and life in general!"
For more information on Vagabonding, click here.
More feedback and praise from Vagabonding readers
Four years after it was first published, Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel continues to sell steadily and attract the attention of travelers and travel-dreamers worldwide. Here are some recent snippets of feedback from reader emails, organized by theme and utility:
For leaving behind the world of work:
"I just finished your book, and I must say what an inspiring read it was. I’m glad that you address the specifics of leaving behind the typical work life for vagabonding. I’ve been wrestling with the actual logistics of long-term travel for many months. …I loved the whole concept of the anti-sabbatical. I shared this with a friend and just as I imagined, she responded with a puzzled and concerned look. Most everyone around me will probably look at such concepts as an excuse for being lazy. After all, doesn’t everyone associate “travel” with vacation and therefore, leisure? How do you even begin helping them understand that our lives were not meant to be devoted purely to work?"
For practical travel information:
"I just wanted to say thank you for writing Vagabonding. It was introduced to me by a really good friend and I have passed it on to others who have also enjoyed reading it. It has been a great source of reference and guide."
For slowing down and not micromanaging our travels
"I absolutely loved Vagabonding. Just from reading your book, you've really helped me relax already! My whole life, I've always been go-go-go. ...As I plan my trip, I keep thinking about how much I want to pack in -- but reading your book has made me slow down and not try to plan every minute (something that's very difficult for me to do)."
For helping to focus old travel dreams:
"For a number of years now, I have been waiting for my chance to strike out on my own on what I have always called my ‘hoboing trip’; no one I know seems ever to understand my impassioned desire for a journey in freedom, so when I read your book, it was like discovering a whole new world full of like-minded people. My ‘hoboing’ is simply a personalized version of what you and others have termed vagabonding."
For inspiration to live life creatively
"I actually recommended the book to some friends of mine who aren't as interested in travel per se, as it contained a lot of great life insight. I was especially interested in the part about living your home life with the same exploratory zeal you would normally save for your travel life. Good stuff."
For encouragement:
"I'd like to say that your book Vagabonding has completely opened my eyes, and I'm very excited for the future ahead. Your ideals consist of everything I've been thinking and concluding about in my head for years, and I always wondered if I was alone in the world. It doesn't help when every single person I've ever talked to about traveling always shuts my ideas down, and now that I know about vagabonding and that many people do it then now there's nothing stopping me."
Vagabonding: The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" endorsement
[Above: Contestant Justin Pitts gives props to Vagabonding.] Last month, while I was traveling in Cuba, several readers sent me emails saying that a contestant on the syndicated game...Continue reading "Vagabonding: The "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" endorsement"
More great feedback from Vagabonding readers
It's been almost four years now since Vagabonding was first published, and I continue to be encouraged by readers who've found travel inspiration in its pages. Here are five outtakes...Continue reading "More great feedback from Vagabonding readers"
Some more great feedback about Vagabonding
It's been close to three years now since Vagabonding was first published, and I continue to be encouraged by readers who've found travel inspiration in its pages. Here are three...Continue reading "Some more great feedback about Vagabonding"
Vagabonding Ireland at 41
Last week I got an email from a Vagabonding reader named Andrea, who recently returned from a journey to Ireland. For anyone who thinks that it's not practical to begin...Continue reading "Vagabonding Ireland at 41"
Vagablogging feedback
This slot is reserved for general feedback on this weblog, as well as my Vagabonding book. You can also use this space to just say hello, should you feel the...Continue reading "Vagablogging feedback"
