Whats the difference?
A tourist goes to popular destinations, shops in the same shops at each place, treats everywhere like it should have the comforts of home and be the same as what they are used to, and slams on the brakes in the middle of the interstate to get the perfect picture for the gram.
A traveler knows that there is more to an area than the hot spot that everyone goes to. A traveler knows there is something to be learned from the differences in each of the places they visit, they experience new things and understand that while they may be on vacation – they are in a real town, where people are going about their everyday lives. They aren’t actors, or cute little construction guys, or there for your amusement. A traveler blends in and leaves each place they go a little better than they found it.
Why does it matter?
It’s so much more than how your behavior affects others, but that’s important too. You aren’t doing yourself any good traveling to tourist spot after tourist spot, shopping at the same outlet malls, drinking at the same bars, and saying you’ve been somewhere.
Traveling is the one thing you can spend money on that will make you richer. It will change your life if you let it. But to truely emerse yourself in a situation or culture or place you must first understand that everywhere isn’t like home. And comparing it to home isn’t going to do you any good. Go into each experience with an open mind and try not to have any preconceived notions. Let the landscape, the people, and the food tell the story. Ask questions. Try new things. Learn from the experience. I promise you, you will never walk away feeling as if you wasted your time or money if you travel. I can not promise that if you go to Myrtle Beach for spring break and just get drunk on the beach.
Where to go?
Don’t think you have to set off on some grand European backpacking trip to be a traveler. You can start in your own backyard. The US is a giant country and each region is drastically different. There is something to be learned everywhere. You can go 20 miles down the road and experience something new, or you can set off on a roadtrip to see the country. It doesn’t matter. Pick a spot and start now.
But what about?
Yes, If you’re in Paris go see the Eiffel Tower. If you’re in New York see the Statue of Liberty. I’m not telling you to avoid these things, I’m saying don’t plan your whole trip centered around them. Use your travel to learn something new not just buy overpriced souvenirs and say oh I’ve been to wherever but only hit up the tourist spots.
How to get started?
Get out of your comfort zone. Practice at home if you need to. Sit at a bar by yourself order a meal and ask the bartender where their favorite local place to eat is. Try dinner next week at the place the bartender suggested and ask the server where the best desert in town is. Find a farmers market and ask the vendors what lead to them being at the market selling their goods. Really listen to their answers. Taste the difference in fresh eggs (spoiler alert: you’ll never feel the same about store bought again). Find out where they think the most beautiful view of the area is and go see it. When you’re at that place if you meet someone else there ask them what brought them to the spot and learn something from them.
Before you even go and say I can’t do that I’m too shy or I will feel weird. Quit giving yourself so little credit. Every single person in the Coie’s Questions community is a bad ass in their own way. That means you too! You don’t have to start talking to everyone. Start with a dinner at a bar durring off peak hours and talk to the bartender. They love talking to people and they do it all day. Have some faith in yourself and go out and find out something new.
Leave me a comment or send me an email and tell me about it.
