tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497220891386919340.post2804761031886406091..comments2024-01-25T00:27:26.716+08:00Comments on A Curmudgeon Abroad : The purity of tourismKaminogehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07925637671913689331noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497220891386919340.post-4449047294670946422013-08-11T06:44:46.700+08:002013-08-11T06:44:46.700+08:00"other traveler I don't think I've me..."other traveler I don't think I've mentioned before, but I'm sure you're familiar with the type - they're the ones who travel to less-developed lands and become upset when they discover the locals are driving cars, watching satellite TV and using air conditioners and refrigerators in their homes. Their once-idyllic, poverty-stricken lives have become more comfortable as their standards of living have increased, but this bothers certain travelers like our Australian friend Julie (as she identified herself on her profile), who seem to have been hoping to witness poverty and shortened lifespans. So they go on and on about how Western influences are "ruining" traditional societies, and look for poorer countries to get their voyeuristic thrills (and always with the comforting thought that home in their OECD country is just a plane ride away)"<br /><br />I will say as a Canadian (of Chinese descent) who has never been to Asia yet (and I'm past 50 :)), there is the tendency to romanticize Asia. I wasn't particularily interested in trying any Italian food when I was in Denmark, but we ended up out of desperation after looking around for real Danish food at a reasonable price. (You have to understand my partner is of German descent, raised on German cooking and baking in Canada. So we do have some interest in traditional dishes.) It didn't spoil our trip, but made it puzzling for us to even understand what Danish food was all about...beyond just herring, some breads, etc.<br /><br />Whenever I read about the travel experience of accommodation by Westerners with a hill tribe family, etc....I cringe. I know they need the money, but when reading where the family ends up sleeping...I dunno: Do I need the memory of poverty of my own family with 6 children in Ontario in 1 bedroom apartment before my father found our first (dilapidated) house after so much money? <br /><br />I'd rather have a pleasant meal and leave the family in privacy. Jeanhttp://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497220891386919340.post-21683075333902288042013-08-03T22:38:57.398+08:002013-08-03T22:38:57.398+08:00I should also point out that so far I haven't ...I should also point out that so far I haven't gotten that "look" yet here in Shanghai. Probably because there are just so many expats in this city. That, and the fact that they're no doubt here to make money, and not to experience an exotic China fantasy life. Kaminogehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07925637671913689331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497220891386919340.post-70482974003028558542013-08-03T17:15:29.881+08:002013-08-03T17:15:29.881+08:00I use to see it a lot in Tokyo, and I always found...I use to see it a lot in Tokyo, and I always found it odd, because in such a huge, cosmopolitan city, wouldn't you expect to see a lot of expats? If someone wants that "special experience", why don't they move into the countryside? <br /><br />Kaminogehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07925637671913689331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2497220891386919340.post-43267229872868094302013-08-01T22:26:59.452+08:002013-08-01T22:26:59.452+08:00hi Jim. i've see that stare before. it's...hi Jim. i've see that stare before. it's just like you said - your existence ruins the fantasy that what the other guy is doing, is unique and "special." Michael Turton and i have discussed this at length. Thailand is known for this problem, what with all the farangs who now live there with a Thai wife, and think it's unique.MJ Kleinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16859263977094071677noreply@blogger.com