I read a review about Antarctica by a guy who seemed obsessed with eating penguins. His blog entries carried an undertone of misogyny about female travelers. His hunter behavior in that environment repulsed me. Is my disdain related to him as a person or the feeling that he went to Antarctica to check off the box, to claim he had traveled to all seven continents without regard of the privilege it is to travel to a continent so rich in resources and pivotal to our climate sustainability?
I’m envious of people who can live without regrets, without I-should-haves. Traveling helps me to live more mindfully in the present but the past seems to travel with me no matter where I go.
I think that one of the most embarrassing things about travelling when one really tries to open their mind to the beauty/horror/nature of their surroundings and can't help but observe other travellers being downright obnoxious, is the realisation that you appear the same to any local/native and, most likely, to the very people you laugh at/scorn/try to avoid. Like all embarrassing things though, if you can remove your ego from it, it's hilarious. Silly travellers are funny and serious ones are hilarious. Respect for the land/people who are hosting you is vital, and the rest is folly. Gotta love it.
I'm lucky and privileged to live in a part of the world that is a tourist trap and I see this literally every day, multiple times a day. Huge numbers of tourists disgorging from their Ubers, phones immediately in front of their faces to record every part of their experience (presumably to share on their various social medias) before they've even given their actual eyes/brains time to register what they're looking at. Every second person doing the exact same pose on the exact same bridge, blocking the road for residents trying to get home from work or pick their kids up from school. The noise. The litter. The air b&bs and short term lets hugely inflating the cost of housing and pricing locals out of the area. It's honestly driving us out of our home and simultaneously putting me off travel, I would hate to be that person for someone else's beloved city. But there are things I want to see and experience in other parts of the world! And I know some communities and businesses rely on tourism (this isn't true in my area sadly). So I don't know how to square that circle.
Ye it’s a tricky one. I live in a still very rural part of Britain but it gets tourism which I always dislike. That’s mostly an initial reaction in my case I think. I also love travelling so I get it’s a tricky one. I guess I just try not to be obnoxious and I certainly don’t feel the need to share my experiences with anyone who isn’t with me. That’s why I am writing this series after having done the travelling, as I never posted or sent - or even really took photos or updates, just kept a diary. I always find it makes a positive difference (as a tourist and a local) when tourists interact in an interested and friendly way with locals. As a local, it makes me like having them around and as a tourist, I get a much richer experience. I hope you get to enjoy some travel yourself, without feeling bad for being a visitor.
I read a review about Antarctica by a guy who seemed obsessed with eating penguins. His blog entries carried an undertone of misogyny about female travelers. His hunter behavior in that environment repulsed me. Is my disdain related to him as a person or the feeling that he went to Antarctica to check off the box, to claim he had traveled to all seven continents without regard of the privilege it is to travel to a continent so rich in resources and pivotal to our climate sustainability?
I am gagging thinking about anyone eating a penguin!
I’m envious of people who can live without regrets, without I-should-haves. Traveling helps me to live more mindfully in the present but the past seems to travel with me no matter where I go.
This is so insightful. Yes.
I think that one of the most embarrassing things about travelling when one really tries to open their mind to the beauty/horror/nature of their surroundings and can't help but observe other travellers being downright obnoxious, is the realisation that you appear the same to any local/native and, most likely, to the very people you laugh at/scorn/try to avoid. Like all embarrassing things though, if you can remove your ego from it, it's hilarious. Silly travellers are funny and serious ones are hilarious. Respect for the land/people who are hosting you is vital, and the rest is folly. Gotta love it.
So true and well put.
I'm lucky and privileged to live in a part of the world that is a tourist trap and I see this literally every day, multiple times a day. Huge numbers of tourists disgorging from their Ubers, phones immediately in front of their faces to record every part of their experience (presumably to share on their various social medias) before they've even given their actual eyes/brains time to register what they're looking at. Every second person doing the exact same pose on the exact same bridge, blocking the road for residents trying to get home from work or pick their kids up from school. The noise. The litter. The air b&bs and short term lets hugely inflating the cost of housing and pricing locals out of the area. It's honestly driving us out of our home and simultaneously putting me off travel, I would hate to be that person for someone else's beloved city. But there are things I want to see and experience in other parts of the world! And I know some communities and businesses rely on tourism (this isn't true in my area sadly). So I don't know how to square that circle.
I love how you describe it, Amy. I know what you mean about squaring the circle.
Ye it’s a tricky one. I live in a still very rural part of Britain but it gets tourism which I always dislike. That’s mostly an initial reaction in my case I think. I also love travelling so I get it’s a tricky one. I guess I just try not to be obnoxious and I certainly don’t feel the need to share my experiences with anyone who isn’t with me. That’s why I am writing this series after having done the travelling, as I never posted or sent - or even really took photos or updates, just kept a diary. I always find it makes a positive difference (as a tourist and a local) when tourists interact in an interested and friendly way with locals. As a local, it makes me like having them around and as a tourist, I get a much richer experience. I hope you get to enjoy some travel yourself, without feeling bad for being a visitor.
Hi Diana! Beautiful writing, as usual!
Nice to see you here! Missed you in San Miguel last week.