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10 Signs You Have Been Bitten by the Travel Bug

Have You Been Bitten By the Travel Bug?

 

The famous travel quote by Michael Palin says:

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote. And I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life”

I have always liked this quote, probably because I have always loved traveling.

That desire to explore the unknown, to visit the places you’ve read about or seen on social media… To learn about new cultures, taste new food… Yes, I have the travel bug! 🙂

10 Signs You’ve Caught the Travel Bug

1. You Don’t Understand Why Others Save Money for Material Things

saving for your travel bug

When you save money it’s for traveling.

You probably, like me, believe experiences are much more valuable than possessions. And what better way to experience new things than by traveling somewhere?

Also Read: 10 Reasons to Travel the World and How to Save Money While Traveling

2. You Have a Love-Hate Relationship with Airports

bitten by the travel bug
Flight delayed? This is how you could get compensation – caught the travel bug

The airport has become the place where you say goodbye to loved ones but it’s also the place where new adventures begin…

The travel bug may take you away from people you care about, to chase after new adventures. But most of the time you will find that well worth it.

3. You Have Long Stopped Counting the Number of Times You Slept at Airports

Once the travel bug bites spealing at airports becomes acceptable
Picture by OakleyOriginals – Once the travel bug bites

A long layover? A delayed flight?

If you have been bitten by the travel bug you have probably spent A LOT of time at airports!

Also Read: Things to Do During a Layover

4. You Have Taken This Picture Many Times

travel bug meaning

I LOVE window seats and yes, I therefore often take a picture of the view while traveling to my next destination.

There is something magical about flying above the clouds. And about looking at the world from up above. It makes me feel small and it makes my problems seem insignificant.

5. You Love Your Passport Because of All the Cool Stamps It Has

Collecting passport stamps - I have the travel bug

Do you ever go through your passport, and look at all the stamps you have collected to reminisce past trips?

Or go through other people’s passports to hear the stories behind all their stamps? I can listen to those stories for hours!

6. You Have a Box Filled With Currency From Around the World

signs you have caught the travel bug

If you are anything like me you always save some money from the countries you have visited.

By now I have a big box with coins and bills from all over the world. Which, again, is a great way to reminisce past trips on a rainy day.

7. You Are Constantly Daydreaming of Where You Can Go Next

Daydreaming because you are bitten by the travel bug
Perfect for daydreaming: on the beach while watching the sunset… (picture taken in Sri Lanka)

When you hear someone talking about traveling or see some Instagram pictures of idyllic destinations your travel bug is easily triggered and you are off dreaming about your next travel destination.

Also Read: Where to Travel to Next – Travel Inspiration From Instagram

8. Your Bucket List Never Seems to Get Shorter

map with a travel quote

There is always a new destination to add to your bucket list.

So instead of getting shorter, it seems like your bucket list is only ever getting longer!

Also Read: Incredible Bucket List Destinations For a Once in a Lifetime Trip

9. You Love Being Immersed in Different Cultures

Volunteering at a slum school in India
While I was in India I spent some time volunteering at a local school in one of the slums

A large part of the excitement of traveling is in exploring new cultures.

Learning about how other people live, what their culture is like and how that differs from yours is one of the most valuable parts of traveling.

Also Read: What is the Difference Between Vacation and Traveling?

10. WhatsApp Is Your Default Form of Communication

signs you have caught the travel bug - Whatsapp

If you have been bitten by the travel bug you probably have friends all over the world.

And the best way to communicate with friends on the other side of the world is via WhatsApp. So by now, you are probably very familiar with this app!

What Does ‘Travel Bug’ Mean?

Simply put: people bitten by the travel bug have a passion for travel and like to visit new places.

Or, more formally, according to the Macmillan Dictionary:

Travel bug meaning:

A strong desire to travel across the world

It’s that urge to explore new places, experience different cultures, and seek adventure around the globe. Essentially, once the “travel bug” bites, the craving for travel sticks with you – leading to a lifelong passion for discovering the world.

Did you catch the travel bug yet?

Also Read:

 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

– Mark Twain

 

Author: Sanne Wesselman
A traveler, digital nomad, and entrepreneur. I spend most of my time living and working abroad and visiting destinations all over the world. I created Spend Life Traveling to share "the good, the bad and the ugly" of traveling and living abroad. Visit the About Me page for more info.

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