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Traveler vs. Tourist

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whereisliz

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Posted: 2006-12-07 17:41:00   

I just came across this article in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/books/06walk.html?ei=5088&en=a32a1187af9c7823&ex=1323061200&adxnnl=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1165504356-aHyf9d0AgHGXnhKAIn5Kvw



It describes the journey that a writer, Will Self, recently did. He walked from Kennedy Airport into Manhattan:

"By Mr. Self’s usual standards, the walk from Kennedy to Manhattan, about 20 miles, is a mere stroll. What recommended it was that it would take him through parts of the city that most people never notice while driving in a car: an experience that Mr. Self, a student of psycho-geography, believes has imposed a “windscreen-based virtuality” on travel, cutting us off from experiencing our own topography.



“People don’t know where they are anymore, “ he said, adding: “In the post-industrial age, this is the only form of real exploration left. Anyone can go and see the Ituri pygmy, but how many people have walked all the way from the airport to the city?”



The article details the things he notices as he walks, and is expecially good at describing the mental/emotional state that this kind of exploration creates for him: "...I can say that I am ludicrously happy. I am in a state of almost absurd satori.”



I felt exhillarated reading this... it so perfectly demonstrates my own goal in visiting a place as a traveler, and how rich and rewarding this simple way of being and noticing and interacting with a place and people can be: to discover, to explore... why do so many people settle for being a mere tourist, checking off landmarks and hurrying to the next thing? I think it's mainly because they haven't been awakened to the idea that there's another way. To them I say, WAKE UP!



What do you think? In what ways to do make yourself a traveler, not a tourist? In what ways do you make your journey into an exploration and a discovery, not just a vacation?



Liz

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rangutan

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Posted: 2006-12-07 19:29:00   

Thanks Liz,

I like the above, it proves we all travel differently, most TOURISTS change position from home to a specific target as quick as posible! The real TRAVELER enjoys the journey as much as the target, that is the difference I think!

R'Rudi



P.S: I'm pleased that this is now a open subject at GLOBO for all, we did also have an internal discussion two years ago at

www.globosapiens.net/topic-travellers-and-tourists_47_1130_0000.html

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Rudolf "Rangutan" Graspointner


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whereisliz

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Posted: 2006-12-07 20:13:00   

Somehow I missed that thread... thanks for pointing it out! There's a lot of great stuff there... perhaps some of those who posted there would consider copying their posts to this open forum, to share with the whole community?



Liz

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rangutan

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Posted: 2006-12-17 03:40:00   

"Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey!" This quote by Babs Hoffman clearly describes a journey and what a traveller would say to the typical tourist!



The tourist:

- emphasis is on pre-planned points of interest and the target specially

- makes use of package deals and tour-guides (people)

- purpose of a trip is passive relaxation and luxury

- may use high-heels, taxis, cruisers, coaches, and limos

- wants shortest and quickest way to a target and back

- highlights: sun-tanning, nightlife, being seen

- tours with companions: fill the bus, the more the merrier and secure!

- A tourist's best place is home

- Says: "service please" and demands, depends on it!



The traveller:

- emphasis is on the route getting there

- makes use of backpacks and maps/travel-guides (books)

- purpose of a trip is active exploration and adventure

- may use boots, bicycles, boats, busses and 4x4s

- wants to zig-zag along the route

- highlights: lonely beaches, wildlife, scenery

- travels alone, with partner or small groups!

- A traveller's home is the world

- Says: f**k the service we believe in D.I.Y!



A traveller CAN also be a tourist too, every one is percentage-wise a traveller or a tourist on varios journeys; vice versa sometimes, taking special tours of say a city or institution, or pausing at a place to get cleaned up and relax, usually only though for a short while! The tourist hates the journey there, hates transport generally, the traveller loves the ride!



RR

[ This Message was edited by: rangutan on 2006-12-17 04:01 ]

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Rudolf "Rangutan" Graspointner


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