Tourists always whinge about shit like this.Just because someone uses a computer,eats at McDonalds,wears western clothes.....dosn\'t stop them being authentic.Culture and beliefs go way beyond that.They always seem to think only they should have these things. Ask them where they are from.And then just say to them \"Oh,but you have McDonalds.Are you the real deal?\" Usually shuts the whinging fucks up.
Music and Culture It is still possible for a people to "modernise" and retain its culture. For example, travel to Kenya and you will hear Swahili Rap and Hip-Hop. Some would say that their culture has been polluted because they are not playing music that heralds back to the days before colonisation, but I do not share this view, as it is a music that is of great interest to many Kenyans. However, there are instances where a choice of music does not endear me in any way. I remember hearing Bob Marley at a restaurant in the Siwa Oasis in Egypt. Perhaps, Mr Marley was popular there, but I strongly suspect not. Another instance was a group of musicians in Jaisalmer, India, playing Frère Jacques to a group of French tourists walking past them. This was a song that would have no relevance or interest at all to the local people. In both these cases, the use of music to create \"tourist bubbles\" just to overtly pander to a tourist or traveller\'s whims (and their money) is something I view with disdain, whether it be in Australia, Egypt, India or elsewhere.
I need some help from you I need to know how you managed to get your visa to Myanmar. I am planning a trip to that area and I find it difficult to get precise information. I know you must get your visa in another neighbour country for example and wait for 3 days. You mention you had to extend your visa, maybe it is different. My email is gracetandil@yahoo.com.ar Thank you. Love from Argentina. Graciela.
Myanmar visa We got our visa from an agent in the Khao San Road, Bangkok. We tried to extend our visa whilst there but the govt had recently moved the administrative capital so it was a nightmare. As a result we simply paid a fine of a few dollars a day on departure.
Tourists vs. Travelers I have to agree with Aries and Rinkas comment. Most of us just want a break/vacation from the daily grind. We all have different motivations when visiting foreign lands. Whether to search for the past or authenticity, or just to have a nice vacation/holiday, a bit of adventure, change of scenery or tick an item off the bucket list, in the end we are all just tourists. It makes me wonder if locals and indigenous people would beg to differ ...
I really loved this article, being a non authentic traveller who travels once in a while just to break the monotony of our daily existence. Barely no time to search for authenticity, just a little change of ambiance would be nice for the likes of us. I think its really great that people search for an authentic experience, and some just wanted a vacation a little different from where we currently are, but in the end are we just all tourists just the same.
Ah, the Lonely Planet, bible and bane at the same time for the traveller! I have heard so many people talk in the same way as Paula about the Lonely Planet or any guide-book for that matter and about the differences between them and mere tourists. I used to be the same, even now I sometimes catch myself saying that I only use the Lonely Planet in a certain way. But it is all untrue. Of course you can travel without the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, but why make life harder for yourself? And if you want to experience more, you use it to get to a region and go exploring and you can think you are being the genuine article! I shall now proclaim the ultimate folly for one like me: "I like the Lonely Planet!" There you have it. I also like to go off-the-beaten track, but you know, only if it is in the Lonely Planet ;) And all that tourist/traveller/backpacker nonsense, we are all tourists, end of discussion. My own conclusion is that I like to go off-the-beaten track merely because it give me more satisfaction at having achieved something that is slightly more difficult than the main tourist circuit. Purely selfish reasons thus. Possibly I also like to fool myself into thinking I am seeing authenticity along the way, then again, seeing a Swede down a bucket in Ko Phi-Phi is also pretty authentic!
Consumerism and Community I do believe that consumerism does detract from spirituality, but it is not necessarily a destructive factor. The definition of rampant consumerism is relative, for people in "modern" societies, it is the lastest smart phone, plasma TV or newest car. However, rest assured that consumerism exists in other parts of the world, though the objects of that desire may be more modest by our standards. The wish is certainly there to obtain more, but the means is not. Break the communication barrier and these same people are keen to also possess goods which can make life easier and more pleasurable. Agree with Ralf re a sense of community, it still exists in "modern" societies. Just take a look at the incredible response of fellow Australians to help strangers impacted by the floods in Queensland earlier this year. This community support is also practiced in "traditional" societies, but not exclusively so. What has been termed as "social capital" is absent in both "modern" and "traditional" societies across the world, and other factors such as education and parenting have far more impact on this sense of community than economic development or wealth.
Civilization as Evolution I see civilization as more of an evolution. We are curious beings. Our curiosity makes us learn, hence leads us the truth, knowledge and self-development. We've eaten the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, so there is no turning back. We can't stay in the primitive state and keep evolving. We can only learn from the past - to live in harmony with nature and not destroy it to satisfy our need for luxury and material possessions more often in excess. We can use science and technology to live an eco-friendly "sustainable" way of life. We need to "think" globally for the betterment of the human race and our planet instead of only thinking oneself and servicing self-interest. My motto: Learn to CARE and make a POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION to the larger COMMUNITY. Care and love for our planet and all of its inhabitants.
Interesting topic I am wondering if thinking our culture pollutes another one doesn't imply a perhaps subconscience view of the superiority of our culture towards the other. Even those who talk negatively about this contamination clearly think that the recieving culture is incapable of resisting our own 'great' culture.
As for community feelings, there is plenty of that even in western countries. Go to the country side and you will find it still alive and well, or go to certain streets in cities and you will find a certain 'my neighbourhood' feeling might exist amongs those that live there. I don't see the need to go back to a pastoral past where people lived a subsistence life and the average life expectancy was 40 years lower then it is now, to seek a mythical community feeling.
Cultural contamination or more positive exchange, will happen sooner or later even in the most remote communities, it always has and always will. Most likely even the Saraguro peoples were contaminated by another culture a long time ago. Their dress suggest at least a hint of Spanish influence, and if they are all Catholic (since you didn't mention their religion I don't know) it would show a clear cultural contamination in bygone days. Before the Spanish I am guessing their would have been a local contamination by perhaps the Inca's from Peru and so the story goes on. So why make such a big deal of it now?
As I said an interesting topic, and as always well written.
Shimla Manali Tour Packages Hi I am a big reader, would really appreciate an invite. Your blog is very nice and I really enjoy the style and content. THanks
Great blog I echo Shane\'s comment - such thought-provoking writing is rarely seen on this site or anywhere else for that matter. Well-written and interesting. I look forward to the next instalment!
As is usual, your blogs provide a thought-provoking read replete with astute analysis. Will await the concluding part of your research and observations with anticipation.
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http://www.indiapackages.com/ Ya ha such a great information about Rajasthan culture and best cloths . Rajasthani women is showing rajasthan culture till now they are great women b,c they are covered up and down they never for get her culture thanks for sharing
thats........rajasthani the lenga,kurti or chunari is very beutyfull combination of rajasthani dress.
thanks for uploding that foto.
i proude of rajasthani culture.
DINESH KATANIYA KHANGTA
sorry about the robbery Its always advisable to check out for safety guidelines before travelling to any destination, otherwise it was so unfortunate that you took things for granted, petty crime is inevitable allover the world - this same scenario may happen in your country of origin.
About the non-hospitable people, i am surprised, for decades, i am hearing it for the first time. Anyhow, it could have been psychological - the loss of your valuables.
Otherwise the pictures you featured can really tell that Uganda is still a gold mine! next time contact a local tour operator for a memorable experience!
Thanks
deo muhumuza (www.ecouganda.com)
Memoirs of Batumi The article is great, I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it is nothing like that now. Everything has changed in Batumi drastically since then. I am sure anyone who visited Georgia years ago will have another shock of how different it is now. Everyone's Welcome :)
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You inspired a forum topic. :)
Check this out! http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/30247-1.html