Tourist or Traveler?
While I was traveling in South East Asia I was constantly reflecting on the whole "backpacker" idea. I decided therefore to research a bit and interviewed some of my fellow backpacker mates and ask them a couple of questions.
I share with you their thoughts.
Are you a Tourist or a Traveler?
"Traveling for me is living without any duties, following my needs. Eat when I am hungry, sleep when I want it, just following whatever I need to do. It helps you settle your mind, your inner balance, be satisfied with yourself. I enjoy that it is so easy to interact with peopled have intense and inspired conversations. Yes, I wouldn't say I would consider myself as a tourist, but then again, visiting a foreign country we are all tourists... So we are tourists."
"I am getting a job in April so this is the only time to travel abroad. But yes, I would consider myself a tourist. Wait. That's a difficult question!"
Hopefully people consider me as a traveller. I like to be away from home to gain new experiences and to challenge myself by going out of my comfort zone. I am interested in other cultures and I try to understand them. Not just the people from the country I visit, but also the travelers I meet there. By exploring the less-travelled areas next to the touristic highlights, I try to see the 'real' country, which isn't adapted to the needs of tourists.
"Traveling for me is living without any duties, following my needs. Eat when I am hungry, sleep when I want it, just following whatever I need to do. It helps you settle your mind, your inner balance, be satisfied with yourself. I enjoy that it is so easy to interact with peopled have intense and inspired conversations. Yes, I wouldn't say I would consider myself as a tourist, but then again, visiting a foreign country we are all tourists... So we are tourists."