I read Debra’s post this morning and the fact she had to write it was pretty disappointing. I realise there will always be haters out there who find fault with what people in the community do, but even so…
I’ve written about this in the past (here and here). As Debra pointed out, I’ve got a YouTube series called My Glamorous Life, which illustrates just how boring life on the road is most of the time.
I think it’s safe to say people who have never experienced this type of travel will say something like, “Boo-bloody-hoo! You get to see the world for free and all you can do is moan!” Those that have experienced it will realise how far from glamorous it is.
If you get the opportunity to travel with work or a community program you definitely should. It is a great experience. Just don’t expect it to feel like a holiday. I have the privilege of still being in contact with Tom Kyte and when we discussed his plans for the future, one of the things he mentioned was to travel and actually see the places he’s already been to. That kind-of says it all. 🙂
After every tour I promise myself it will be the last. One day it will be, but for now…
Cheers
Tim…
I had to travel for work every 4 months back in the early 80s.
Between 1983 and 1988 I did a total of 12 around-the-world trips.
Most tours started in Australia, taking in the US, then UK, Middle East, HK or Singapore and back home.
Add to that an uncountable number of shorter trips within Australia.
I never recovered from hating every minute of it! 🙂
To the point where since 1996 I point blank refuse to fly unless it is absolutely essential.
This was the main reason why I point blank refused to join the OTN Ace team when 9 or so years ago I was invited. I made it clear why, although a lot of folks didn’t grok it (or didn’t want to).
As such I can relate only too well to Debra’s, your comments and what Tom Kyte felt. Still recall seeing him answering questions in the site at one of the local conferences a few years ago, while everyone else was having lunch or enjoying coffee breaks!
It is truly symptomatic of some sections of the “community” that comments such as the ones from Debra’s “Anonymous” person are only too common. I heard them a lot in the last 8 years. A pity, really. You folks don’t deserve that, by any stretch of the imagination.
I decided a few years ago that I was done with Travel. Work travel, that is. I will still do vacations. I don’t know how so many of you have done it for so long. I wish virtual conferences had caught on better.
LewisC