Are we "bores" with our travel stories? (page 4 of 16)

We’re bores to the envious, storytellers to the curious.

Now *that’s* a nice line—no fluff, short, sharp, and well put!

Hello,

I’d say there’s a risk of coming across as "a bit much," which is why I hardly ever bring it up on my own anymore. If someone asks, after a few sentences summarizing my experiences, I suggest they check out our website...

So, I make up for it here on VF, telling myself that this is where people are interested in travel—and maybe in my experiences and tips too!!!

Personally, after a trip, I was so "open" to discovering the world and all that... but once I'm back, it's depression... Family and friends only half-listen to my stories, even though they ask thousands of questions...

Or maybe it just "looks good" to know a "traveler"... I don’t really know, but it’s true that (aside from people who travel too) the boredom sets in fast!

What to do? Stay silent forever!!!! Or stay in touch with the people I shared moments with—new (international) friendships form... and for me, that’s the only way to keep exchanging!

If they’ve never traveled themselves, it’s certain our stories will always feel distant to them. The only way is not to get into the nitty-gritty details, but to talk about the same feelings everyone shares—just in different contexts: fear, loneliness, surprise, etc...

What to do... share or not... inspire or make someone dream, so that the person who has never traveled, who is stuck in bed, can for a moment forget their worries just by the strength of our fingers running across a keyboard... it’s ultimately a small price to pay (we bore people cheaply in some countries...) if we can bring a bit of dreams to a few people.

And then there’s the evolution... when you first start traveling and come back, you have this thirst to share, to tell "your adventures" to involve others, and I find nothing more normal than that. Later, as you go on, you start thinking it’s childish, so you write less and make room for fresher voices, new perspectives on different destinations, or even new insights on places you’ve already experienced.

Strangely, the "bores" are often the ones who’ve been around this forum for a long time. After reading them so much, it gets tiring—the style stays the same, and the impressions repeat in their travel journals. I see some of my traveler friends still writing but not getting the same "success" as before. Sometimes it’s better to stop, or—what incredible luck—to leave behind a "mark" on a country that becomes almost mythical once you won’t return. Patrick would (once again) be "dying" of laughter if he saw how much we elevate his writings and views on VF...

In the end, it all leaves us still talking about travel on this forum... and that’s probably the most important thing for many new travelers, and even the veterans...

Are our travel stories a snooze-fest?

On one hand, it’s totally normal to want to share and tell others about what we’ve experienced. On the other, for some people, it *can* be boring—especially when told out loud! So, for those who don’t travel much, I’ve stopped sharing as much. If they’re interested, they can come read here instead.

I started writing a travel journal for myself, to remember and not forget all those amazing moments. Since I travel solo most of the time, writing is also a way to share, and I love doing it. I keep those travel notebooks safe and sound... When VF came along, the "travel journals" forum was still pretty empty back then... I thought, why not transcribe a piece here and there? They were a hit, so I kept going. Now I post them on VF after every trip. Revisiting the memories while writing them helps with the post-travel blues, while waiting for the next adventure. Of course, the little comments from readers stroke my ego—I’m only human, and yeah, it feels good. No need to get a big head about it, though 😏. If my stories can make some people laugh, that’s awesome! 😏 If others find them boring, they can just stop reading...

Alan, I think I’m one of your traveler friends who still writes. Maybe I don’t have the same success as before? That’s because you’ve read them all 😏. Should I stop? Oh no, Didi Sandrine would be so sad. 😉

Yes, you’re one of my fellow traveler friends ....... 🙂 and no, you’re not boring—especially since your latest travel journal already has 2,475 reads, which makes you one of the exceptions to the so-called "rule" .... As for me, my last journal only has 1,361 reads and dates back to late 2009, which, on the other hand, makes me think I was right to stop writing ...... 😉

In the end, it all comes down to always talking about travel on this forum..... and that's probably what matters most for many new travelers, and even seasoned ones.....

....well yeah.... even if we don't (or no longer) write travel stories, we can still take part in this forum.....

...gotta admit, though, for "older" travelers, what else are we gonna talk about on our umpteenth trip to Thailand (pretty common example..)?

Is there a new McDonald's at Siam Square?... meh...

...gotta admit, for "older" travelers, what are we gonna say about our umpteenth trip to Thailand (a pretty common example..)? There’s a new McDonald’s at Siam Square?... *sigh*...

I titled my last travel journal "Shanti India... Xth time". Gotta say, India is like more than 10 countries in one—so different from north to south and east to west—that it’s something new every time...

P.S: Thanks, Alan! 🙂

Like many, I don’t share much when I get back—it doesn’t really resonate with them, or it bores them, or it just reminds them of last week’s Arte documentary and "what’s for dinner tonight?"

A few gifts for loved ones, some funny souvenirs, and that’s about it.

I write a little here, but I think it’s mostly for myself in the end. And writing is an interesting process—sorting things out, putting them in order, storytelling. I try to do it well so that if I read it later, I’ll still enjoy it.

Photos? Sometimes I post them online and send the link to interested friends, and then we chat if they’ve noticed something odd or striking.

But deep down, the enthusiasm of a traveler/tourist/wanderer—yeah, it gets old fast for others. Better to wait for them to ask.

This discussion is really interesting, and I’d love to get my hands on that book—just to keep laughing^^ because I totally agree with those passages... I don’t claim to be a "traveler," and I think those who can tell great travel stories are natural storytellers who could spin even a mundane, sedentary life into something vivid. Unfortunately, a lot of travel tales are kind of dull because it’s not the events themselves that matter, but how you perceive them—and many people don’t know how to observe, only compare...

Thanks Sarah for your opinion that revives this old topic... Even if it "bores" some 😉, here’s my latest travel journal about "my Cuban walk... http://voyageforum.com/forum/balade_cubaine_en_six_etapes_D5811852/

What’s great about travel websites and the internet is that no one’s forced to "endure" the story... one click, you check it out, read it, or skim through while looking at the photos. If it interests you, you keep going; if it’s boring, one click and you’re out!

Hey Jean,

Will you check out my live notes from Southern Africa (VF’s "travel journals" section) and tell me if it’s a snooze-fest? (There are no photos—it’s gonna be tough for you! ;)). Because not only do travelers bore us with their stories, but they also plug their stuff in serious discussions! 🏴‍☠️

Hey Jean,

Will you click on my live notes from Southern Africa (VF's "travel journals" section) and tell me if it's boring (there are no photos, it's gonna be tough for you!😉). Because not only do travelers bore us with their stories, but they also advertise in the main discussions!🏴‍☠️

Good point with your humorous wink 😉 — you’re also promoting your own story by suggesting people read it! We write for ourselves, but we really appreciate it when our stories are read... that’s the whole point of putting them online, isn’t it? Don’t worry, your interesting Southern Africa story (I just read it) is never boring: when the text is well-written with plenty of lived moments and anecdotes, it’s impossible not to enjoy it. You avoid falling into the trap of overly descriptive, exhaustive travelogue-style writing with all the addresses and prices! Without photos, you get back to the essence of writing and a true travel narrative. And in the end, that might be the risk of being boring... because personally, I sometimes struggle to enjoy reading on a computer screen. For me, reading is still tied to a good old book with paper pages. Here’s a great debate topic or theme to suggest—or even two: Is a story more powerful with just text or with text and photos? When it comes to showcasing a text-based story: paper or screen?

I’m gonna plug my own too 😉 http://voyageforum.com/forum/retour_au_coeur_cambodge_D5866415/ Because to me, a travel story is only as good as the comments and reactions it gets from others. Sure, I do it mostly for my own enjoyment—it’s a sweet therapy after coming back too soon... Photos are a bonus. My writing isn’t sharp enough to go without them; they help, they’re a support. Paper or screen? Both, captain. I print out the stories that interest me 😉

Will you click on my live notes from Southern Africa

I’m not Jean, but I clicked...😉 Started reading and will keep going, even though I prefer paper too—your writing makes it worth it... I prefer a story without photos. A travel tale with no images, to leave room for the imagination.

hello,

I’m also chiming in here, thinking back to the many slide-show evenings of my childhood and teenage years...

Personally, I often find people who talk about their travels "boring," except for those who have a real storytelling talent—and that’s something innate that few people have, starting with me! I’m talking about those who go on and on and spare you no details...

Blogs have plenty of advantages:

- Telling the story of your trip, first for yourself, because memory isn’t always reliable and is often selective. Plus, it lets you relive the flow of your journey with photos to back it up.

- Much easier to browse than slides or a photo album where the captions are forgotten... which means you have no idea what it’s about anymore.

- Simple to create—sometimes a bit hard to keep up with in the long run, but anyone can make one.

- Keeping loved ones updated when you’re far away: they can check it out whenever they want, and if they’re interested. That way, at least you’re sure you’re not "bothering" them.

Of course, it’s always nice when someone tells you they like it, but I don’t see any egocentrism in that. When you "do" something and do your best at it, you’re always happy to get a compliment!

Personally, I check out the blogs of people who’ve taken a similar route to mine—it helps me prepare, especially for practical info and campsites. After that, everyone travels their own way and has different tastes. We don’t necessarily go to the same places, etc...

Like books, some blogs can be, for me, dull or uninteresting, and in that case, I do the same thing as with a book I find tedious: I drop it!

Best,

I started reading. I’ll keep going, even though I also prefer reading on paper, because your writing makes me want to...

Good news! 🙂 And at least you don’t risk boring anyone (I can’t picture you plucking your eyebrows while reading ).

Sorry Jem’ for rambling—it’s the fever talking.

To your new questions, I’ll answer with a few of my own: - You prefer reading on paper but look at photos on screens: what about those so-called "coffee-table books" with gorgeous images—do you look at those, or do you prefer the brightness of a screen? - Are paper books kind of like our security blankets? When we’re long-term camping, reading on a tablet is a real comfort. My partner, who’s usually tech-resistant, even got into it this year and loves it. Me? I’m still clinging to my security blankets.

Are paper books a bit like our security blankets?

That’s exactly it, Voyou. On one hand, there’s the practicality, speed, and comfort; on the other, the tactile sensation, the smell of the page, and the joy of lending your security blanket to those you love (or giving it away ).

Is a story more powerful with just text or with text and photos? Regarding how to highlight a text story: paper or screen?

Opinions can vary widely, depending on one’s own sensitivity to images and words, and how they’re expressed.

Personally, I need images (just like kids 😉) to lighten and bring the story to life, to add something extra—a splash of color, a certain perspective. Images don’t stifle imagination; everyone interprets them in their own way... They help you connect with the author, learn a little more, and project yourself into the story more easily.

A travel story on a computer, no matter how well-written, tends to discourage me pretty quickly if it’s too long and lacks images... Some still manage to grab my interest or spark my imagination, but for different reasons. (Alan’s texts don’t need images, but I’d struggle without photos in Parvat’s stories.) What usually draws me to read them is that I already "know" the person writing a bit, because I’ve interacted with them before. It’s not about wanting or needing to read yet another travel story... For that, nothing beats a book—one I’ve chosen and can read or flip through at my own pace, comfortably settled on my couch, without the "coldness" of a screen...

Of course, just like words, photos need to be "chosen"—they shouldn’t detract from the story but complement it.