The second essay reminded me of the news reports about protestors in Barcelona spraying tourists with water guns.
You're right about the snobbery of having visited (relatively) inaccessible places. But even among such locations, only the popular spots (i.e., the ones which get spotlighted on social media) attract the majority of tourists. Like the trekking routes promoted by the trekking companies, for instance. Perhaps there will be no shortage of beauty if travellers begin to take the trouble to look beyond the trending options.
An important and fun read. I could relate to most of it, especially having lived in Chicago, observed American consumption, attended JLF Boulder, and trekked in Uttarakhand :)
Earlier this year the TTE in a bullet train in Japan instructed us to use earphones when me and my wife tried watching a show together on speakers . And it was not like there was anybody sitting in the seats before or after us . The train was, I would say , 30% occupied. Learnt a lesson in Japanese etiquette that day .
Japan and India are both very densely populated countries. In one, the coping mechanism was chaos, disrespect and disorder. In the other, it is extreme politeness and regard for the other.
Upon checking a few years back, I realized that the long haul flights that we took far outstripped our carbon footprint elsewhere. Reduced ac, lights, car use made a scratch on our carbon footprint, not quite a dent.
Since I do enjoy travelling 2 or 3 times a year, I have not been able to figure out how to be suitably abstemious. I live and will die with this guilt.
Also, have stopped going to out of the way destinations, especially in India where regulations are so lax, because I can't reconcile going there myself and then complaining "oh, we are destroying the Himalayas with over tourism". Again, I conundrum that I have not been able to solve.
Wonderful. I love travel writings. An observation, are you almost a foot taller than your son or is that in illusion?
I'm 6'5" tall, and he is 5'10".
Almost a head separates us.
The second essay reminded me of the news reports about protestors in Barcelona spraying tourists with water guns.
You're right about the snobbery of having visited (relatively) inaccessible places. But even among such locations, only the popular spots (i.e., the ones which get spotlighted on social media) attract the majority of tourists. Like the trekking routes promoted by the trekking companies, for instance. Perhaps there will be no shortage of beauty if travellers begin to take the trouble to look beyond the trending options.
An important and fun read. I could relate to most of it, especially having lived in Chicago, observed American consumption, attended JLF Boulder, and trekked in Uttarakhand :)
Looking forward to more!
Earlier this year the TTE in a bullet train in Japan instructed us to use earphones when me and my wife tried watching a show together on speakers . And it was not like there was anybody sitting in the seats before or after us . The train was, I would say , 30% occupied. Learnt a lesson in Japanese etiquette that day .
Japan and India are both very densely populated countries. In one, the coping mechanism was chaos, disrespect and disorder. In the other, it is extreme politeness and regard for the other.
I can't wait for more Sir!! Thank you.
Upon checking a few years back, I realized that the long haul flights that we took far outstripped our carbon footprint elsewhere. Reduced ac, lights, car use made a scratch on our carbon footprint, not quite a dent.
Since I do enjoy travelling 2 or 3 times a year, I have not been able to figure out how to be suitably abstemious. I live and will die with this guilt.
Also, have stopped going to out of the way destinations, especially in India where regulations are so lax, because I can't reconcile going there myself and then complaining "oh, we are destroying the Himalayas with over tourism". Again, I conundrum that I have not been able to solve.
Good read. Thank you.