I believe that there is a distinct difference between a traveler and a tourist. Iyer says "We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate" (Iyer, pg 1, 2015). As a traveler they tend to get lost in the culture. As a tourist they tend to pick out spots they want to see and that is all they do. They do not go out and explore because they often do not know the terrain. Like we said in class a traveler could adapt to the culture and make a bed out of anything. The tourist needs to have a bed ready for them because they are too afraid to go figure out whats actually out there. The traveler does often lose them self in the culture and the views of the world while the tourist does get lost in the beauty of certain things they do not see everything that deals with where they go and tour.
In the first section of Twain's piece he seems excited to travel. "I never had been away from home, and that word 'travel' had a seductive charm for me" (Twain, pg. 1-2). Travelers always seem to have that excited feeling when they go to a new place. They are eager to learn about a new culture and a new piece of land. Just like Twain was because he had never been away from home. Some tourists seem to drag their feet when they are going on a trip. I can speak of that from experience. I went to Gettysburg a while back and was not excited about it at all. I wanted to stay home. I did not know anything about the place other than it was a big war zone. Now looking back at the experience I can appreciate everything I saw there. It was truly an amazing place to be. I feel like tourists do not understand that sometimes and do not appreciate where they are actually at while the travelers certainly do.
In the beginning of Steve's' video he says that he encourages people to become "temporary locals." I feel like the tourists do not do that. The tourists see what they want to see and get out. The travelers can get lost in the culture and stay for a while. Sometimes they see something they like and stay for a longer period that they expected. Those are some of the differences I see between the traveler and tourist. I am sure there are many more as well.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI think you have provided valuable insight to the topic of traveler vs. tourist. It is a very broad topic to indulge, with arguably no correct answer. I can definitely agree with your comment when it comes to an individual summering him or herself into the culture. This is also something I have noted. Overall, I think your use of sources and compilation of your thoughts come together and make some great points!
-Brody
Micheal, great job using a quote from the source article. I really liked how you talked about the differences between tourist and travelers using the topic of culture. Tourists, as you stated are not very good at adapting to the culture of the area. They plan their routes and tend not to venture off their plans. Travelers however tend to emerge themselves withing the surrounding areas and make use of all the exciting events going on around them. I truly believe that the adventures that a traveler has are much more exciting than those of a tourist.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteI love how you incorporate Iyer's quote right in the beginning. I believe this is the best definition yet. I think that is the biggest difference between these very broad topics. As Brody mentioned these topics are very broad and have no right or wrong direction, however I defiantly like the route you are taking. Besides reflection of you, I think culture is the next biggest distinction between tourism and traveling.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your distinction between being a tourist and a traveler. I couldn’t agree more that travelers are always excited to go to new places to learn a new culture or to explore a new area. Like you said, tourists do not always appreciate what a place can offer them, and sometimes overlook the beauty of some places.
I like how you discussed how exciting traveling can be and what it has to offer. I feel like travelers really get a chance to appreciate the places they are visiting. Tourism is really fun as well because people can see so many historic places and appreciate so many amazing things. Travelers get the opportunity to help out the culture as well. For example, when Steves helped out other countries by traveling and demonstrating the importance to faith he has with God. I really liked the quotes you used and how spot on they were!
ReplyDeleteMike - thanks in particular for sharing your Gettysburg story. I have done that many a time, reluctant to begin a trip and then ecstatic that I actually went...
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