This is the dilemma I face when traveling, and, to be honest, in life in general.
On one hand, I’m not nearly the partier I used to be. Often, I prefer to read, write or spend time with friends at home, or watch a movie and/or guilty-pleasure television. Many times when I grab a beer, I feel tired and groggy, and end up going home early.
As well, going out is a huge expense, one of the reason it is so difficult for many people to travel on a small budget.
And, finally, drinking and going out late ups the danger factor quite a bit – you are much more likely to be a victim of crime anywhere if you are out late, or don’t have all your wits about you.
But on the other hand, there are many things I gain from going out. It seems, especially when abroad, that it is the main way of getting to know people and having a group of friends.
Also, while a truly incredible night out happens maybe 20% of the time, I do love a good party. You know, the kind that involves good vibes, lots of energy, funny stuff happening and so on. This past Saturday was one such night, another was my first night of this summer going salsa dancing. Such fun nights are why I keep going out, even though I know the majority I will get tired early and head home, feeling lame and old.
And finally, there’s an aspect of a place that can only be felt through its nightlife. I want, of course, to get a complete picture.
But I’m tired right now. I don’t want to feel obliged to go out and “have fun,” just because I am traveling. Because I am traveling, I think, I should follow how my body feels. But regardless (maybe due to that small part of me that is still 14-years-old and cares about what others think) I worry that I’m not going out enough and getting to know people fast enough. I need to keep reminding myself is that the reason I travel is to be more honest with myself.
Anyways, I maybe should not be writing right now. I discovered today that I have an allergy to something in the salad I made, and while my breathing became constricted, a dutch girl in my guesthouse tossed me some strong medicine. The good news was that the allergic reaction disappeared almost instantly. The bad news is, I should have followed her advice to not drink any alcohol tonight. I drank one beer at the bar, and immediately I found myself yawing and falling asleep almost uncontrollably. Since I’m so dopey, I’m sure my words are a little garbled and I apologize for that.
Anyways, some friends walked my exhausted butt home around 10pm. I went to my room, feeling lame and guilty that I’m not the fun-loving person that I like to imagine myself being.
But you know what? I’m going to enjoy this sleep immensely, and I’m going to wake up feeling great and ready to enjoy another day in this wondeful town.
Comments 3
Being a drinker myself (sometimes heavy), and having wasted lots of money and time on the stuff, I recommend not drinking. Go out for the party, when it seems like a good idea, but don’t drink. If the party is not fun without alcohol, it probably is not much of party and you should go home.
Maybe some day I will start to follow my own advice.
Bob L
Posted 18 Jul 2009 at 8:37 am ¶I agree with Bob. I also enjoy drinking and getting real drunk in the proper circumstances. But these circumstances tend to be far and few between.
Though when they are about to happen, you can feel it. There is energy in the air and the conversation and laughs flow like waterfalls. Then I drink.
But most often . . . like at expat bars and places like this . . . where everyone just sits around all sterile trying to force out the small talk, I use to get the impression that I could have more fun if I drank. Then I drank, and realized that my circumstances were still not much fun. I don’t have this feeling anymore, a room of boring small talk is still a room of boring small talk, no matter how drunk the people are.
So, I suppose I now reserve my drinking for when I am around people that I enjoy being around with or without beer.
Have fun, though.
Walk Slow,
Wade
Posted 21 Jul 2009 at 6:37 am ¶Hey guys,
thanks for the advice..
bob, i too never follow my own advice!
wade, you are totally right. get a bunch of travelers together, and 80% of the time it can be really boring, which leads to more drinking. Usually this never actually helps!
Posted 25 Jul 2009 at 11:30 am ¶I’ve gotten more attuned to when there will be fun or not. I call this my “FUNdar.” If the fundar is not telling me that it will be a great night, i often just go home to bed.
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