Dromomania

A dromomaniac is a person who has a compulsive urge to travel. It certainly rings a bell close to home.

It is a cool new word for me, picked up whilst listening to Michael Palin´s “Around the World in 80 Days”. As I try to finalise routings through the African continent I have been listening to quite a lot of his stuff, most notably on his Sahara adventures, looking for both ideas and insights.

This former Monty Python has certainly enjoyed some extensive travel around the planet in the last 20 years.

Whilst envious of his adventures and the comparative comfort that he enjoys (deluxe safari adventures throughout Africa, private jeeps, hot air ballooning, direct flights to the South Pole, swanky Pullman coaches on the Orient Express, etc.) the thought of being accompanied by a complete film crew who endeavour to capture every moment on the road must be appalling.

I really like Palin´s adventurous streak and he hasn´t lost his sense of humour – he has become a bit like everyone´s favourite uncle.