Different Ways to Travel
There are as many different ways to travel as there are types of people. What is important is that you do it. For some people, the all-inclusive is the way to go. All-inclusives seem to suit those who have children, those who want to be entertained and fed, or those who simply want to put their wallet away and lay on the beach and relax, knowing everything will be provided for them. I understand, in today’s world, when people are working 60+ hours a week, have families to deal with and only get a week or two vacation each year this may sound like heaven. The Riviera Maya understands the appeal of that and up and down this coast you will find one All-Inclusive Resort after another, each outbidding the next with a deal you can’t refuse. The downside to these resorts is that you won’t get the real feel for the area. You literally could be at any resort, anywhere in the world, as they will all feel much the same. If respite is what you need above all else though, at least,in theory, you will find that, just be prepared to rub a lot of elbows in the swim-up bars and buffet lines.
I have absolutely nothing against these places, as a matter of fact, we have visited a few locally when we just wanted to get away, relax, have a change of scenery and be totally waited on and pampered! That said, we prefer a more engaging approach to travel. I want to eat where locals eat, sit at a locals’ bar and get a taste of something new and exciting. We prefer to travel and stay at smaller mom-and-pop-owned properties or even rent a home or condo. We have often hired local drivers, not necessarily tour guides, to take us around and show us what they love about their hometown. We like to get suggestions from locals as to where to go and what to eat. And given that mom-and-pop-owned businesses often struggle to compete with large corporations, it’s also nice to help these places survive.
Most North Americans are limited in their travel by the number of vacation weeks we earn on average each year, as well as school schedules for those with children. Many countries allot their workers much more time off and this is valuable when you want to travel. To truly experience an area, its people, foods, environment and culture, you need time. As I get older, I am more and more aware that time is the greatest gift we have and those who can control their time are the truly wealthy. It is wonderful that more and more people can work remotely and have a little more control over where and how they spend it.
I have often wondered if it is by design that our society limits our personal time then finds ways to manufacture mass entertainment. I’m not one to believe in conspiracy theories, but it is easier to control people in this manner. When people truly take the time to travel, meet people from all over the world, get other perspectives, they are less likely to be manipulated by fear of “the other.”
Traveling on a level that really gets you into the culture does two things. One, it makes you realize how vast the tapestry of this world is, how colorful, and different all the different areas are. And second, it shows us how basically alike we all are! Many in the US are led to believe there are two sides to everything – good vs bad, right vs left, Republican vs Democrat, believers vs non-believers. Once you start to travel you realize there are many more hues of grey in the world than black and white. There are many more opinions, thoughts, beliefs and experiences to learn about. Your way of thinking will broaden as you start to truly listen and learn. And amazingly, though you will find much that makes you different, you’ll find so much more you share - love for family, stress of providing for loved ones, desires to leave the world a better place.
The beauty of this is you are never too old to dive in and experience new and different places, people, foods and things. It may be a little scary at first. There is, after all, a sense of comfort staying inside the walls of your resort or cruise ship. But remember, outside those walls are ordinary people, who have the same needs and desires as you. And just like you, they have a profound love for their home, people and culture and are excited to share those things with you. Don’t let fear rule you! Don’t leave you brains at the border, use common sense when you are out and about. Be aware of your surroundings, but by all means, find a small café, sit down and take the time to chat with the owner or the waiter. It will be the best souvenir you ever take home! In my opinion, travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you truly richer!
Having said this, we would enjoy hearing about some of your personal experiences and memories from when you stepped out of your comfort zone while traveling. Please share them below.
And to encourage you to do so, I will share one of my favorite memories:
We were traveling in Southern Italy, we spoke no Italian and knew very minimal Spanish at the time. We decided to travel by bus, so we were at a small bus stop in a tiny town on the Amalfi coast. We had bags in tow and I was sitting on the bench, admiring the view in front of me. A sweet, older woman, all dressed in black with a scarf around her head, sat next to me and smiled. I smiled back. Then the lady began to talk to me, complete with hand gestures. I heard a few words I recognized – esposo, muerto – and, since she was wearing black, put two and two together and concluded the woman had lost her husband. I decided she just needed to talk so I smiled and nodded and let her continue. Then she motioned to me, and I think she was saying “and you?” wanting to know my story. I smiled and said “sorry, I don’t speak Italian.” Tt this she roared. She grabbed my head in both her hands and kissed my entire face, while laughing and smiling and hugging me. It was the purest expression of appreciation I had ever experience, and for that moment I knew I had made that woman’s day. I wonder if she has repeated that story as many times as I have. I might add, at that moment, I fell in love with Southern Italy! Random acts of kindness with strangers can have that affect.