How long should I stay in a country?

Here is a good question. How long should a traveller stay in a country? The answer would be: as long as he or she can without being sent to jail or deported. That would be the ideal answer. However, given the fact that we are living in a capitalist world, money plays a huge part as well.

A traveller wants to experience the language, the people, the culture. Zooming in and out of a country doesn't really do much, unless you really hate that place. Most first time travellers complete their trips in a month or two. The most experienced travellers never finish their trip until they die. Those are two extremes. Most people fit somewhere in between.

I once met a forty year old traveller once in Scotland. He had just finished travelling in Southeast Asia and Africa. He was just on his way back to his native country, Holland, to attend a wedding. I asked him, "How much time did you spend in the two regions?" "Eight years." he answered, "And I'll be heading back there as soon as my brother's wedding is over." That was the most hardcore traveller I have ever met. You are probably wondering how he survived that many years on the road. Well, he worked in different places (cash in hand), hitch-hiked, camped, and maade friends along the way who would give him a place to stay.

There is a different answer for everyone. The eagerness to travel, resources, and time obviously play a role in the decision, but the experience will be more rewarding the longer you stay in a place. I'm sure most travellers would agree with me on that one.

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