Tag Archives: travel thoughts

One Skill Travel Has Really Taught Me

During the summer, I went out to a bar with my new friend Nicole. I didn’t know her that well- we had only met once before. We were going to Mini Bar. Mini Bar is where all the people who want to be hip and trendy go to be hip and trendy. Not having [...]


The Four Things I Hate About Europe

I love Europe. I really do. So much so that when I stop being Nomadic Matt, I want to move to Paris (or maybe Amsterdam). I love the cafe culture, the wine, the free health care, the liberal attitude towards life, the ability to travel to so many different places cheaply- it is all great. [...]


When Can You Say You Know a Place?

People always like to debate the supposed difference between travelers and tourists. Tourists are in and out of cities quickly, taking a few pictures, and following their guidebook to overpriced restaurants. Travelers, on the other hand, tend to move slower. We see many of the same sights as tourists but get off the beaten path, [...]


The Culture Shock of Coming Home

I’ve been back in America for about a week and a half now and it’s been a weird transition. Though this is my second time coming back home, it is no less strange. When I first came home after 18 months away, I found America to be a very strange place but, more than that, [...]


My First Trip Series: On The Road

Editor’s Note: People always wonder about my first trip around the world. The look in the archives and can never find it. It’s because I hid it. All the posts from my first trip are locked away for numerous reasons. However, I am going to be periodically highlighting posts from that first trip around [...]


Why Travel Can Change the World

There always seems to be something bad in the news. If it bleeds, it leads right? Even if it doesn’t bleed, it is still there. Bad news sells. All that bad news seems dampen the world’s spirit. The economy, climate change, terrorism, nationalism, poverty, disease- the list of challenges and things to worry about seems [...]


Of Backpackers and Tourists

All along the backpacker trail you hear it. The talk. The chatter. The snarls. The attitude. That’s right. I’m talking about how backpackers feel about tourists. Backpackers view tourists as non-travelers- those who go for the pictures and the hotel but never the place. Backpackers on the other hand are true travelers- they go for [...]