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How to be a Traveler, NOT a Tourist

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 4 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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Travel Far, Pack Light...

 

This is my page dedicated to the art of traveling.  It's not just a part of my life, it's who I am.  My blood is foreign to a native homeland, and is anxious when I cannot be in the midst of a travel adventure anywhere and everywhere around the world.  I love languages and people, cultures and new cities/countries.  To travel is to find the real beauty among all people and places, as it is to find peace within yourself.

"I love to travel, but hate to arrive."  -Albert Einstein 

How To Be a Traveler, NOT a Tourist... 

Just a few words, from my own personal insight...

[The American Heritage dictionary] Tourist: one who travels for pleasure; Traveler: a person who changes locations. The overall difference is not found among dictionaries and thesauruses, but among psychological and emotional aspects. To be a traveler is to step completely outside of your everyday life and into a whole new world - wherever your travels take you - with an open mind to experience culture while a tourist is one who leaves the routine of their daily lives to experience personal amusement and escape. The customs we carry with us everywhere determine who we are, but at the same time, determine what we are. One who leaves their own customs at the door when they depart for travel is a traveler, and one who takes them with is a tourist. Our customs are founded by clothing, food, language, communication skills, and all of our thoughts and actions. One should learn to leave these things behind if they want to be able to experience whole-heartedly the new people and places around them along their expeditions.

1.Fashion Yourself to Comfort BE COMFY IN YOUR CLOTHES, BUT ATTEMPT TO DRESS NOT TO SHOW OFF HOMETOWN PRIDE OR TO STAND OUT IN A HAWAIIN SHIRT
2.Picture This! TAKE TONS OF PICTURES, BUT OF PLACES YOU CAN'T FIND IN BOOKS AND ON-LINE - BUT DO NOT RELY ON JUST PICTURES
3.Come On and Take a [Free] Ride! USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
4.Accepted Everywhere You Want to Be DO NOT JUST USE YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR ALL OF YOUR PURCHASES, THE ACT OF BEING PART OF A CULTURE IS USING THEIR CURRENCY
5.Culture: It's What's For Dinner GO OUT OF YOUR CULINARY BOUNDARIES AND EAT TRADITIONAL/AUTHENTIC CUISINE - AND TRY MOM/POP PLACES AND HOLE IN THE WALL'S, TOO; ASK THE LOCALS FOR REC'S
6.Relax for a Delicate Few RELAX ON A PARK BENCH OR AT A CAFE, WHILE STILL TAKING IN THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE TOWN...
7.Cómo What?! TRY SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. STUDY COMMON PHRASES AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE LANG., BUT ALSO DON'T CARRY A TRANSLATION BOOK WITH YOU EVERYWHERE - TRY TO BLEND IN A BIT.
8.Reservation for Two? TRY STAYING AT HOSTELS OR PENSIONS, CHEAPER THAN HOTELS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU TRAVEL ALONE.

Look around; see past the horizon and into the eyes of the people you brush shoulders with.

Traveling: its destinations are infinite and always subject to change. It's about experiencing the culture, not the attractions. Learn about the world, its cultures, its people, its languages and customs, and in turn, learn about yourself.

A few great travel essays/books - MUST reads! 

Neither Here nor There: Travels in Europe

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/07/2008)
Used Price: $2.85

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/07/2008)
Used Price: $0.87

The Best American Travel Writing 2000

Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 08/07/2008)
Used Price: $0.01

The Art of Travel

Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 08/07/2008)
Used Price: $3.73

Reader Feedback 

nomadicpack

Just curious what some of the reader's favorite countries are. Please feel free to add to this...

Posted October 26, 2006

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nomadicpack

About nomadicpack

Buon giorno!  Bonjour!  ¡Hola!  Hello...

I love TRAVELING!  It's my true passion, it's what drives me in my life.  As well, I love languages and cultural studies.  I love studying social issues, visiting big cities, and sometimes just getting lost in lands unknown.  I love experiencing new adventures with new friends, as well with the old and great friends.  I love to be outside, doing anything and everything under the sun and moon. I love downhill skiing and outdoor activities accompanied by all four seasons. Life, in my opinion, is about finding your true passions and thriving off of them.  

Cheers! 

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