The spirit of travel

Rythmic Chaos · Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:21

I have been to India once before and it was incredible, heart breaking, tragic and magnificent. I journeyed with my senior class and visited our sister schools located mostly in the South. We went from Bangalore to Mysore to Rishi Valley and ended up in Kerala. The month I spent away from the US and in the diverse, empoverished, contradictory, beautiful, and swirling heart of India made me grow in an unforgettable manner. I believe that my trip and the learning that happened on the way was selfserving and somewhat selfish. This is not to say it was "bad" or altogether negative rather that there is a strong element of escape (emotional, mental, physical) to traveling. Something tells me I could have grown the same way if I had stayed home it just seems to be easier to flee rather than face skeletons mano a mano. Don't get me wrong, I am going back to India and I do understand how witnessing first hand other people, cultures, ways of life, ect. can broaden and stretch one's opinions and horizons.
I guess my real question regards how one can balance selfish motives with respect and understanding of the culture and people whose lives one is intruding upon? I want to be a positive force in the lives which I encounter. I do not want to exploit or disrespect the people I have come to see. There seems to be a delicate balance between travel's intrusion vs. it's ability to educate/bring people together.
Well thanks for listening and IM is quite neat (this is my first time.
Ian

singsub · Jul 2nd, 2008, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rythmic Chaos

I have been to India once before and it was incredible, heart breaking, tragic and magnificent. I journeyed with my senior class and visited our sister schools located mostly in the South. We went from Bangalore to Mysore to Rishi Valley and ended up in Kerala. The month I spent away from the US and in the diverse, empoverished, contradictory, beautiful, and swirling heart of India made me grow in an unforgettable manner. I believe that my trip and the learning that happened on the way was selfserving and somewhat selfish. This is not to say it was "bad" or altogether negative rather that there is a strong element of escape (emotional, mental, physical) to traveling. Something tells me I could have grown the same way if I had stayed home it just seems to be easier to flee rather than face skeletons mano a mano. Don't get me wrong, I am going back to India and I do understand how witnessing first hand other people, cultures, ways of life, ect. can broaden and stretch one's opinions and horizons.
I guess my real question regards how one can balance selfish motives with respect and understanding of the culture and people whose lives one is intruding upon? want to be a positive force in the lives which I encounter. I do not want to exploit or disrespect the people I have come to see. There seems to be a delicate balance between travel's intrusion vs. it's ability to educate/bring people together.
Well thanks for listening and IM is quite neat (this is my first time.
Ian

extremely well written line (in bold). and i am sure you will succeed in your endevour to be a positive force in the lives of people you meet.

PeakXV · Jul 2nd, 2008, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rythmic Chaos

I guess my real question regards how one can balance selfish motives with respect and understanding of the culture and people whose lives one is intruding upon? Ian

I just consider myself an Indian when I visit India and try to mix in with the culture of it all. Certainly I do not feel above anyone or below anyone or think that I am any richer mentally or physically. If you look at it in this way your self expectations may not be as extreme nor reflections as pitying and/or guilt-felt.

Rythmic Chaos · Jul 3rd, 2008, 00:59

The sensation and idea I am trying to describe is one of hightened awareness not guilt. Many holiday travelers whether they recognize it or not are in some way exploiting the lands that they journey to (for own peace of mind or most obviously by using the people or places for own physical comfort). I tend to think this usury is unavoidable but how to minimize it to the best of our ability?

grikoo · Jul 3rd, 2008, 01:35

Interesting idea you've put forth.....

I'm only curious......Why you differentiate between places you travel and places you live?

If you can answer that question, I think you'll see why Peak's answer makes so much sense.

PeakXV · Jul 3rd, 2008, 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rythmic Chaos

The sensation and idea I am trying to describe is one of hightened awareness not guilt. Many holiday travelers whether they recognize it or not are in some way exploiting the lands that they journey to (for own peace of mind or most obviously by using the people or places for own physical comfort). I tend to think this usury is unavoidable but how to minimize it to the best of our ability?

Well - I think you have to speak for yourself on this rather profound topic. Just because we visit other peoples in other countries - share a laugh or break bread with or support their business - does not imply we are necessarily exploiting them in anyway..... the average tourist/visitor is more likely to enrich native/indigenous lives through the 'industries created for' - rather than use them for any 'physical comfort'(of which I really don't know in what context to take this).

<from one who sees the glass half full>

grikoo · Jul 3rd, 2008, 01:49

I agree. The 'usury' the OP talks about is really no different than any other transaction occuring in your own country. If you treat people in India with the same respect you would at home, then what's the issue?

Unless of course you treat people at home poorly.

I think it's a mistake to view the world as anything but a singular entity- humanity. The people in India are just as much your neighbors as are those in your own country. If you see impoverished people in India and want to help them, do so no differently than if you were to see the same in your own country. That's the only reasonable test of your intentions.

If you turn out to be more (or less) likely to do something good (or bad) to one group instead of the other, then you might want to reconsider your view of things.

Just the fact that you're able to recognize that exploitation is a possibility, and something to be avoided, reassures me that you're not likely to do anything too heinous.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:21	#1
Rythmic Chaos Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: California/Washington Posts: 17	The spirit of travel I have been to India once before and it was incredible, heart breaking, tragic and magnificent. I journeyed with my senior class and visited our sister schools located mostly in the South. We went from Bangalore to Mysore to Rishi Valley and ended up in Kerala. The month I spent away from the US and in the diverse, empoverished, contradictory, beautiful, and swirling heart of India made me grow in an unforgettable manner. I believe that my trip and the learning that happened on the way was selfserving and somewhat selfish. This is not to say it was "bad" or altogether negative rather that there is a strong element of escape (emotional, mental, physical) to traveling. Something tells me I could have grown the same way if I had stayed home it just seems to be easier to flee rather than face skeletons mano a mano. Don't get me wrong, I am going back to India and I do understand how witnessing first hand other people, cultures, ways of life, ect. can broaden and stretch one's opinions and horizons. I guess my real question regards how one can balance selfish motives with respect and understanding of the culture and people whose lives one is intruding upon? I want to be a positive force in the lives which I encounter. I do not want to exploit or disrespect the people I have come to see. There seems to be a delicate balance between travel's intrusion vs. it's ability to educate/bring people together. Well thanks for listening and IM is quite neat (this is my first time. Ian

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Jul 3rd, 2008, 00:59	#4
Rythmic Chaos Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: California/Washington Posts: 17	The sensation and idea I am trying to describe is one of hightened awareness not guilt. Many holiday travelers whether they recognize it or not are in some way exploiting the lands that they journey to (for own peace of mind or most obviously by using the people or places for own physical comfort). I tend to think this usury is unavoidable but how to minimize it to the best of our ability?

Jul 3rd, 2008, 01:35	#5
grikoo Disclaimer- He who knows not what he speaks of Join Date: May 2008 Location: Here Posts: 463	Interesting idea you've put forth..... I'm only curious......Why you differentiate between places you travel and places you live? If you can answer that question, I think you'll see why Peak's answer makes so much sense.

Jul 3rd, 2008, 01:49	#7
grikoo Disclaimer- He who knows not what he speaks of Join Date: May 2008 Location: Here Posts: 463	I agree. The 'usury' the OP talks about is really no different than any other transaction occuring in your own country. If you treat people in India with the same respect you would at home, then what's the issue? Unless of course you treat people at home poorly. I think it's a mistake to view the world as anything but a singular entity- humanity. The people in India are just as much your neighbors as are those in your own country. If you see impoverished people in India and want to help them, do so no differently than if you were to see the same in your own country. That's the only reasonable test of your intentions. If you turn out to be more (or less) likely to do something good (or bad) to one group instead of the other, then you might want to reconsider your view of things. Just the fact that you're able to recognize that exploitation is a possibility, and something to be avoided, reassures me that you're not likely to do anything too heinous.

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