On Being a Tourist

Definition of tourist : a person who travels for pleasure

Nowadays, it seems, no one wants to be thought a tourist. I mean, I get it; the camera toting, fanny pack wearing, loud American cliche is unflattering. Who wants to be lumped in with that crowd? Sadly, I'm sure we've all been that person at least once or twice in our travels. I know I have.

Let's face it, no matter what we wear or what we say people in other countries will know we're not a local. That's ok. What we can do is be polite, learn a few key phrases and be respectful of the local culture.

If we want to experience the joys of travel we have to be willing to put ourselves out there. To at times blunder or offend, however inadvertent, in order to learn.

I'm a tourist. I enjoy traveling to places away from my home for the pleasure and experience. I don't always get it right but I know that the only way to see and experience this big, wide world of ours is to get out there and do it.

Happy New Year and Happy travels!