I guess I would fit into your category.
It’s not easy to give an answer on “what it does to you”. What does marriage do to you, or the death of a friend? People respond differently and there is probably not a correct answer.
Other then your personality there is a lot of factors, like:

• Do you go alone?
• Where do you go?
• Why do you go?
• Who do you spend time with when you travel?
• ++++

Personally I find the first question very important. If you travel with someone you often create your own “world”. Your friend will always be there when you stop for a brake or wake up in the morning or when things go wrong. It will also somewhat reduce your contact with the locals.
If you are at a place you don’t feel safe at all, it will feel safer with a friend.
Maybe most important of all if you travel with a friend you have someone to share the stuff with when you go back. It’s impossible to explain to someone how it is to cross the jungle in the rainy season, but your partner will know. The people back home will never understand what you have done, and that might be a problem..

For me it looks like people that travel in groups are less affected by the traveling and it’s easier for them to get home.

So this question alone means a lot of “what it does to you”. I guess the other questions might be likely important, depending on your personality.

Some people say that travelers get more tolerant. In a way it’s true, but not always. Traveling often changes your values and mindset. After a while it can be easier to understand the locals then the people back home. Traveling alone can make this point extremely valid.


So basically you might end up restless and misplaced – but it’s worth it! I once wrote an article about this but the editor thought I was insane and he refused to print it. I guess that proves my point because he has published everything else..