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Re tourists, my view is simple. I hate them. Now, let's remember that just because you're away from home you're not automatically a tourist. You could be a traveler, a wanderer, an explorer, or a tourist. My scorn is reserved exclusively for the final group. Travelers are those simply looking to get from Point A to Point B with a minimum of stops. Business travelers, those heading directly to visit loved ones, and commuters all fall into this category. They may make airports hell, but they don't cause problems on the road, in the parks, at you favorite restaurant. A wanderer is somebody without an itinerary but a desire to find enjoyment and learning in their travels. I'm a wanderer. Wanderers may be problematic on the roads: I speed, Winnebagos are traveling road blocks. But when you encounter us we're friendly and respectful. Special and unique experiences are our goals. We'll try new things and go long ways to enjoy them. Explorers are like wanderers with an itinerary. Many vacations are explorations. If you decide your family will be better for seeing the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Pacific Ocean, Bent's Old Fort (the pride of La Junta, CO) and you make it happen, you're an explorer. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) Yes, they can also be a pain in transit. But their willingness to expand their world makes up for that. Then there are tourists...these are folks who want to have the amenities and experiences of home but not at home. If you're in Mexico, the tourists are the ones you see going into the Taco Bell rather than a little local taqueria. They're the folks that wander around food markets saying things like "I can't believe the meat is not refrigerated!" They ask "can I pay in dollars" even though they're 3,000 mile away in Italy. In America they the folks who bypass the nearby national park to visit a shopping mall. They fail to appreciate the way the locals earn their living, enjoy themselves, or express themselves. They fail to see the beauty is scenery so dramatically different than they see at home. If you want the amenities and experiences of home, stay home. Don't get in the way of us on the road with legitimate purposes. Care to disagree? |
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