Over Sixty in age and traveling to India

Drews60 · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:21

I came very close to not going to India this year. I considered working another year. Then a 45 year old coworker had a massive stroke. He will be flat on his back for a very long time. That stroke made me make up my mind. I'm going to have some fun while I still can. Who knows what tomorrow brings. And I don't want to look back regretting not going as was mentioned here.

Drews60 · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by brishti

this has got to be one of my best threads EVER on IM.
when i grow up - i want to be just like you

Brishti, there is a negative side to all of this travelling. My kids inheritance is quickly dwindling!

Haylo · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drews60

My kids inheritance is quickly dwindling!

I don't have kids.

*plans world retirement tour*

Hal · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:45

I still have a way to go before 60, but I find traveling much easier as I get older. Age brings a quiet self-confidence and an appreciation of the world that you just don't have in your 20's.

camelgirl · Oct 6th, 2008, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drews60

Brishti, there is a negative side to all of this travelling. My kids inheritance is quickly dwindling!

no problem, you'll make them more independant & self-reliant if they don't think there's a windfall coming their way with your demise!

AlanJ · Oct 6th, 2008, 07:38

The kids' inheritance? Well, that's easily solved. Take them with you! Experiences like India, surely, are the REAL "inheritance". I'm 66, and still have two school-age kids; we returned three weeks ago from a two-and-a-bit week trip in which we went from Bangalore to Jaisalmer, via Mumbai and Varanasi, and then on to delhi.... all by train and bus. I admit, I was worried, because I have ALWAYS been a backpacker, and I wasn't quite sure whether, in one's late sixties, back-packing in India in August/September would be such a great idea.

Well, I have only one piece of advice to the over-60s readers of this thread: do it. So you make a bit of a fool of yourself hopping on and off buses with a backpack on your back. Who cares? So you go for three days without a shower, four without a shave, and five without a change of clothing (to be perfectly honest, I never changed my trousers or shoes during the whole trip, as I don't like to carry "spares"); so what? So you have to be lifted off your camel at the end of a one-hour ride, and you can't stand up straight for two days afterwards? Big deal (I don't walk all that straight at the best of times)!

The bottom line is that my two daughters LOVED India and are already planning to go back there as soon as they finish school. They actually want to LIVE in Jaisalmer! When they told me that, I decided that I'd done my job as regards their "inheritance"; what else am I going to leave them that would serve them better?

Over 60 and go to India? I'm hoping to do it again when I'm over 70! By then I actually might be telling the truth when I sign myself (as I did at the Omelette Man's shop in Jodhpur) as the "world's oldest backpacker".

Drews60 · Oct 6th, 2008, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by willj

Told you, won't shut up now.

Good, don't. You and AlanJ, great posts thanks everyone.

Aishah · Oct 6th, 2008, 10:00

Sama - I am one of those people who never saw the world until my late 50's. Up till then I had only travelled between NZ, Oz and Lord Howe island! I always wanted to go to Europe and UK but never got around to it - India was my first OS experience. And the only other country I have been to now, is Nepal. Hoping to go to UK in 2010 but we will see.
Hal - totally agree with your post#49.

hanoihelen · Oct 6th, 2008, 10:31

Dear Drew and all those in the 60 plus crowd,
One of the dreams of my partner and best traveling companion was to visit India. We planned to go in 2005, then 2006, something always came up. Finally, 2007 came around. The itinary was set, the visas were posted, the airline tickets purchased. Unfortunately for my partner, diagnosis of a brain tumor changed all that. Eight short weeks before departure date, he died. He was 66. He knew that travel to India would be challenging, but considered a trip to India to be a 'badge of honor'.
I am 60 and in honor of his memory will be making the trip to India in November. He loved the of adventure of travel, the wonderful experiences one gains only by doing something out of the ordinary. As long as I am physically able, I will never let my age deter me from doing something I really love. Life is short, live it.
I hope you have a fabulous trip, and remember to be an observer, never a critic.

Happy travels,
Helen

AlanJ · Oct 6th, 2008, 11:45

"....in honor of his memory will be making the trip to India in November".

Hanoihelen, I salute you. You have, indeed, honoured your partner's memory.

I found your whole thread very moving (and just a little "close to the bone", since I'm 66, and my wife's name is Helen, also!), and plan to cut-and-paste it and give it to my kids (hope you don't mind)to put in their India memorabilia scrapbooks. Maybe -- one day -- reading what you have written will have the same effect on them as it had on me, just now.

Have a wonderful trip!

Aishah · Oct 6th, 2008, 14:14

I remember reading one of your earlier posts, Helen, where you mentioned your partner had passed away. This is such a sad story and my thoughts are with you. I think it's marvellous you are still doing this trip in honour of his memory. It will be very poignant for you, but at the same time seeing sights and hearing sounds so different from where you live, might give you some personal memories too, to help ease that pain. I hope you enjoy the Camel Fair etc. and have a good journey.

Nick-H · Oct 6th, 2008, 18:40

Salutations, and sorrow, from me too.

Drews60 · Oct 7th, 2008, 00:34

Helen, thanks for your posting. Have a fantastic time in India. Keep us posted on your adventures.

robbiej · Oct 7th, 2008, 11:55

"Maybe -- one day -- reading what you have written will have the same effect on them as it had on me, just now."

AlanJ/Dad,
just read hanoihelen's post and it did indeed have an effect on me. Very sad story hanoihelen. Hope you have a wonderful trip. AlanJ/Dad, glad you took the girls to India and also glad you inspired me to go! And you will be going again I am sure.

theyyamdancer · Oct 7th, 2008, 18:36

To HanoiHelen,

I am so sorry for your loss. You are extremely brave. I hope that your trip next month in India will be healing and revealing.

Remember that Pink is the new Black and Sixty is the new Thirty, or something like that.

I am looking forward to reading your trip reports...have a wonderful journey, first of many.

Oct 6th, 2008, 10:00	#53
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	Sama - I am one of those people who never saw the world until my late 50's. Up till then I had only travelled between NZ, Oz and Lord Howe island! I always wanted to go to Europe and UK but never got around to it - India was my first OS experience. And the only other country I have been to now, is Nepal. Hoping to go to UK in 2010 but we will see. Hal - totally agree with your post#49. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

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Oct 6th, 2008, 06:21	#46
Drews60 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Norman Oklahoma USA Posts: 159	I came very close to not going to India this year. I considered working another year. Then a 45 year old coworker had a massive stroke. He will be flat on his back for a very long time. That stroke made me make up my mind. I'm going to have some fun while I still can. Who knows what tomorrow brings. And I don't want to look back regretting not going as was mentioned here.

Oct 6th, 2008, 06:45	#49
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	I still have a way to go before 60, but I find traveling much easier as I get older. Age brings a quiet self-confidence and an appreciation of the world that you just don't have in your 20's.

Oct 6th, 2008, 07:38	#51
AlanJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 107	The kids' inheritance? Well, that's easily solved. Take them with you! Experiences like India, surely, are the REAL "inheritance". I'm 66, and still have two school-age kids; we returned three weeks ago from a two-and-a-bit week trip in which we went from Bangalore to Jaisalmer, via Mumbai and Varanasi, and then on to delhi.... all by train and bus. I admit, I was worried, because I have ALWAYS been a backpacker, and I wasn't quite sure whether, in one's late sixties, back-packing in India in August/September would be such a great idea. Well, I have only one piece of advice to the over-60s readers of this thread: do it. So you make a bit of a fool of yourself hopping on and off buses with a backpack on your back. Who cares? So you go for three days without a shower, four without a shave, and five without a change of clothing (to be perfectly honest, I never changed my trousers or shoes during the whole trip, as I don't like to carry "spares"); so what? So you have to be lifted off your camel at the end of a one-hour ride, and you can't stand up straight for two days afterwards? Big deal (I don't walk all that straight at the best of times)! The bottom line is that my two daughters LOVED India and are already planning to go back there as soon as they finish school. They actually want to LIVE in Jaisalmer! When they told me that, I decided that I'd done my job as regards their "inheritance"; what else am I going to leave them that would serve them better? Over 60 and go to India? I'm hoping to do it again when I'm over 70! By then I actually might be telling the truth when I sign myself (as I did at the Omelette Man's shop in Jodhpur) as the "world's oldest backpacker".

Oct 6th, 2008, 10:31	#54
hanoihelen Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 10	Dear Drew and all those in the 60 plus crowd, One of the dreams of my partner and best traveling companion was to visit India. We planned to go in 2005, then 2006, something always came up. Finally, 2007 came around. The itinary was set, the visas were posted, the airline tickets purchased. Unfortunately for my partner, diagnosis of a brain tumor changed all that. Eight short weeks before departure date, he died. He was 66. He knew that travel to India would be challenging, but considered a trip to India to be a 'badge of honor'. I am 60 and in honor of his memory will be making the trip to India in November. He loved the of adventure of travel, the wonderful experiences one gains only by doing something out of the ordinary. As long as I am physically able, I will never let my age deter me from doing something I really love. Life is short, live it. I hope you have a fabulous trip, and remember to be an observer, never a critic. Happy travels, Helen

Oct 6th, 2008, 11:45	#55
AlanJ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 107	"....in honor of his memory will be making the trip to India in November". Hanoihelen, I salute you. You have, indeed, honoured your partner's memory. I found your whole thread very moving (and just a little "close to the bone", since I'm 66, and my wife's name is Helen, also!), and plan to cut-and-paste it and give it to my kids (hope you don't mind)to put in their India memorabilia scrapbooks. Maybe -- one day -- reading what you have written will have the same effect on them as it had on me, just now. Have a wonderful trip!

Oct 6th, 2008, 14:14	#56
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 7,624	I remember reading one of your earlier posts, Helen, where you mentioned your partner had passed away. This is such a sad story and my thoughts are with you. I think it's marvellous you are still doing this trip in honour of his memory. It will be very poignant for you, but at the same time seeing sights and hearing sounds so different from where you live, might give you some personal memories too, to help ease that pain. I hope you enjoy the Camel Fair etc. and have a good journey.

Oct 6th, 2008, 18:40	#57
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,211	Salutations, and sorrow, from me too.

Oct 7th, 2008, 00:34	#58
Drews60 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Norman Oklahoma USA Posts: 159	Helen, thanks for your posting. Have a fantastic time in India. Keep us posted on your adventures.

Oct 7th, 2008, 11:55	#59
robbiej Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 67	"Maybe -- one day -- reading what you have written will have the same effect on them as it had on me, just now." AlanJ/Dad, just read hanoihelen's post and it did indeed have an effect on me. Very sad story hanoihelen. Hope you have a wonderful trip. AlanJ/Dad, glad you took the girls to India and also glad you inspired me to go! And you will be going again I am sure.

Oct 7th, 2008, 18:36	#60
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,426	To HanoiHelen, I am so sorry for your loss. You are extremely brave. I hope that your trip next month in India will be healing and revealing. Remember that Pink is the new Black and Sixty is the new Thirty, or something like that. I am looking forward to reading your trip reports...have a wonderful journey, first of many.