“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” Thank you, G.K. Chesterton for this over-repeated gem, but another entry in the tourist vs. traveler debate (Can it be a debate if one side is doing all the debating?)
I had intended to write one day about the absurdity of the “tourist vs. traveler” but I reduced it to two simple statements.
- I The Traveler want to feel superior to someone (You The Tourist). You are just here to have your picture taken. I am here to truly experience the culture. Me traveler. You tourist. GRUNT!
- I The Traveler am pissed that You The Tourist are here, too. You The Tourist are the one person that pushed the destination over the edge. Now, if all these darn tourists would get out of Machu Picchu so I could get a clear picture. What are all these idiots doing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
The delightful entry by Doug Mack says everything about the traveler vs. tourist debate. http://www.fivebadideas.com/2010/03/always-other-chap-notes-on-tourists.html Very seldom do I read a travel article and agree with someone in nearly every statement, but this time I do.
I never knew him, but I bet G.K. Chesterton would like to be remembered for something else.