What Adventure?
A few years ago I
was visiting my friends Patty and Joe in Switzerland. Joe and I were
having lunch at an outdoor café when
a group of tourists approached us. One of them asked, “We heard you
speaking English. Do you know where we could find something good to
eat around here?”
Joe pointed out a
couple of restaurants close to where we were sitting and suggested
the food at all of them was quite good. The person replied, “We
looked at all of them but all they have is weird stuff. Isn't there
any place around here that has real food?”
Joe and I just
stared at them in disbelief. What was this person doing here? Joe was
embarrassed for even talking to them. I was embarrassed because they
seemed to be from the U.S. He quickly suggested a place that had
bland “American” food and wished them a good day.
The person's parting
remark was, “Well, next time we'll go to Disneyland where everybody
is polite and they serve good food.” To which Joe replied, “I'm
sure everyone will be happier if you do.”
“What are these
people doing here?” we asked ourselves. Why would they spend so
much time and money to go someplace where they didn't want to sample
the local food and culture? Sure, we all want a little comfort now
and then when we travel, but these people were obviously trying to
avoid it completely. Maybe they just wanted to take colorful photos
to impress their friends back home. Regrettably that's all they would
be taking home.
Adventure travel is
listening. That's why I can never understand the people who travel
with their music players plugged into their heads. What's the point?
If they want to hear the same old music and the same old rhythms why
not just stay home? Hearing the wind through the canyons or the
crackling of rocks at sunrise is the reason for traveling, not seeing
bright colored cliffs while listening to punk, funk, or new age.
Nature is it's own best sound track. Sure, I hear songs while I ride.
If the music is appropriate the mind will fill it in.
A generation ago it
was, “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out!” Now I think it should be
Disconnect,
Get A Life, Make It Real!
Make my day, tell a friend about this blog!
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