The Romance and Reality of Traveling
Everything’s ready. Your ticket’s booked, your suitcase is packed and you’re ready to go. You’re set to be the star of your own American in Paris or bask in The Beach’s exotic locale. You’re hungry for pasta in the Eternal City and keen to live out the adventures of Vicky and Cristina in Barcelona. You’re ready for the romance of travelling.
But what happens when an ugly apartment block ruins the Parisian skyline or you find more McDonald’s than quaint cafes? What happens when your idea of a place clashes with its reality?
When Mild is Spicy and Now is Later
You’ve been there. Your eyes run almost as fast as your nose. Your tongue sticks out Gene Simmons style begging for water like you’ve been rescued from the desert. At some point you may begin to rock back and forth or curl into a ball. You might not realize how you look at the time, but your buddies will be sure to imitate it for years to come once you’re back home. Sometime after the burning (and sobbing) has subsided you laugh, or try to laugh, at yourself and remember you can’t handle the spicy curry in India.
Welcome to looking like an idiot.
Too Old for Hostels?
Travel is the great equalizer between ages. Maybe you can’t teach old dog new tricks, but you can teach it to pick a point on a map and go there. Just think how many people use retirement as their starting point for travel. Travelling is open to people of all age because it’s only as comfortable or hectic as you make it. You can find travellers in strollers or in wheelchairs.
So if you’re never too old to travel, is it possible that you can ever be too old for hostels?
You’re Still A Tourist
You’re Not a Local Unless You Are
How long does it take to really get to know a place? How long before you can confidentially say you’ve “been there”? Does a layover in an airport count as having visited a place? Does it take an overnight stay? A week? A month?
