What Type of Traveler are You?

Last Sunday, like every Sunday, my cousin and I sat pretending to watch football while our husbands actually did. I love these days because my cousin and I spend the entire game talking about writing, books, traveling, anything that moves us. We are so much alike in our views, likes and dislikes that the conversation doesn’t stop for the entirety of the game(s).

Our constant chatter of course drives our husbands crazy and in retaliation they tease us. Usually by telling us we should leave to go on a walk, to get coffee or to go “craft something”. I know this may sound mean but somehow we just always laugh, smile and keep talking. We know they are teasing because every Sunday they beg us to come with them and against our better judgment, we do. Inevitably they pick on us. We must like the abuse and they must enjoy our incessant chitchat.

Anyhow, sometimes when we are talking I realize things about myself or other people that I never gave much thought to. On our last “football day” we were talking about a friend of hers who had traveled to a place that most people would cringe at. As an avid traveler, I of course was interested. It came to my attention that there are definitely different kinds of travelers.  Here’s my theory:

The Explorer– Generally plopping themselves in the middle of a city and really get into the nooks and crannies of the culture. They relish in a town’s sights, food, wine and local entertainment.

Park Guell in Madrid. Thank you Antoni Gaudi, we explored all you had to offer.

The Beach Bum– These are the travelers that desire nothing more than to sprawl out on a beautiful white sand beach with a mojito and not be disturbed again till the trip is over.

Being a beach bum even at night in Hawaii

The Uncomfortable Traveler– Those who yearn for situations and cultures that make them feel entirely out of their element. They strive to test their senses, fears and ability to navigate a place that would most likely push other travelers over the edge.

Obviously I’m uncomfortable with birds, but Venice was easy!

Caving in Costa Rica with bats and huge spiders!

The Posh Pants– These travelers select an exceedingly cultural place and stay at the nearest Ritz Carlton, drink the finest local wines and meals. Not likely to veer too far off the main drag.

In the lap of luxury, first stop for our honeymoon. London.

The Jumper– This is the traveler that likes to take whatever amount of time they have for vacation/holiday and split it up between as many different sights and cultures as possible. They don’t always acquire an authentic feel for a place but definitely get to see the illustrious sites.

Ireland was one out of six countries we visited in that five weeks. JUMPER

The Intellectual/Historian– They appreciate all of the great historical marvels, see every artifact and celebrated painting. They find bliss in seeing where it all began; where great inventors, writers, and artists lived and worked.  They usually know more about the places they are visiting than its inhabitants.

I went an hour and a half outside of Prague to a place where no one spoke English to see this “Bone Church” Every square inch is covered with human bones made into art (bodies were from a plague that swept the town) CREEPY!

Adrenaline Junkie– Travels to places solely to seek out their most extreme sport/terrain. They are more concerned with the land and its offerings of stimulation than culture or sightseeing.

Went skydiving over “The Remarkables” in New Zealand. This is the picture I took after, from the restaurant we survived to eat at!

Honestly, I could probably come up with twenty other kinds of travelers. At some point probably all of us travelers have fit into one or all of these categories. Maybe that makes us the Chameleon traveler, trying to fit into different circumstances as they come.

What type of traveler are you?

Please feel free to share any stories or pictures that make you the traveler you are!

Enjoy and thank you for stopping by!