Would you go back? - updated
Solo Travel
23.04.2020
Have you noticed on return from your trip abroad people ask, "Would you go back?" It is as if your response lets them gauge the extent to which you enjoyed your holiday or not. If you answer 'no', it will be considered a disaster. By replying positively on the other hand, you manage to convince the listener you loved your trip.
Street musician in Marrakesh
Those who visited New York often have a twinkle in their eye and burst with excitement, as they exclaim ‘I can't wait to go back!'. By uttering this tired phrase, they are delighted they fitted into this cool city. Just like all the others, who fitted in, before them. The naysayers usually go on to rhyme off the reasons their holiday was ruined. There could have been problems with the hotel, including poor food, it was too hot, nobody spoke English, or it was not as cheap as last year. But what about those of us who are in the middle?
Street art in Kaunas, Lithuania
The spiel I recite when asked the dreaded question goes something like 'There's no reason why I wouldn't go back, but I like to visit different places'. After all I have a burning curiosity about the world and life is short. Of course, many people return to the same destination year after year, simply because they love it. Mainly setting off with friends or family, to rest, catch some rays, sunbathe, have fun, eat and drink.. Friends visit Lanzarote religiously; they are guaranteed the sun, and, it is perfect for their needs. Others can take or leave the holiday abroad, preferring to visit places closer to home.
Social enterprise in Karachi, Pakistan
Hvitsen, Norway
Busker in Sofia, Bulgaria
There are a few countries and cities I have visited more than once, New York was not one of them! These include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland and Serbia. Not so much that I was 'dying to go back', I found myself there for a variety of reasons. Countries are big, if we do return, we can explore other parts, even in the same city.
Dance competition in Nis Banja, Serbia
There are so many misconceptions about travel. Especially the elements of independent travel, that are clearly misunderstood. Whilst I respect those who enjoy their annual fortnight in the sun and will almost definitely ‘go back’, other travel styles do not fit into the same frame of questions. Maybe it just comes down to the fact that others, are not particularly passionate about travel. Perhaps the dreaded question sums up all they need to know and since any further conversation on the topic is curtailed, it could be that others are not really interested, which is fair enough.
Do not get even me started on that other oft asked banal question, before we begin our jaunt ‘Have you been before?’. Oh yes, this will be my sixth time in Papua New Guinea! One central aspect of independent travel is that urge to visit 'new' countries. It is curiosity and the sheer thrill of stepping into unknown territory, that drives us off the beaten track. Not the quest for cheap booze and a full English breakfast.
Tagine for lunch, Marrakesh
I feel privileged to visit different countries, meet the citizens, accepting socio-economic conditions and their outcomes as I find them. Quite often masses of tourists cross borders armed with the critical eye, comparing aspects of their travel experience to the luxury of home. Many outside the developing world value high standards of cleanliness and swerve any opportunity that would lead to contact with unpleasant odour. Being obsessive about hygiene may need to be put to one side, especially when visiting the lets say, more primitive toilets, in many third world countries; often encountered at tourist sites. Not boasting the infrastructure taken for granted in far off affluent lands. Of course, you could always check into a 5-star hotel and hide behind the walls of the compound.
My local cafe in Ho Chi Minh city
I will never forget using a toilet during a rest break on a long bus journey in northern India. I remember squatting in a hut with no lock, bag handles hooked over neck, strategically trying to avoid my culottes dipping into the pool of urine swishing around my feet. At the same time, frantically pushing the door closed with the other hand, whilst a wild pig, obviously in a fetid smell frenzy, rammed its snout repeatedly into the
door. Wish I had a photo!
I am not in any way saying the way I travel is the 'right way', it is only my way. What way do you travel?
I travel due to a strong desire to feed a curiosity that could only be satiated by foreign travel. What about you?
Where was the last place you travelled to? I am not going to ask if you would go back!! But what did you like about it!
Where would you like to go (i know anywhere) when we can travel again?
Posted by katieshevlin62 05:03
I like your toilet description. I've had some weird and unpleasant toilet experiences when travelling but I can honestly say I've never had to fend off a wild pig. Probably not funny at the time but certainly a good story afterwards.
by irenevt