Wow, what a great post and exposé/explanation of what you guys have seen as nomads in the past 6 years. I also like how you wrote the positives in an earlier post, then this one. I look forward to your views on Peru, Claire. Saludos.
I think it really is important, Claire. Especially as a world traveler who Has seen so much. As a citizen of the world, and with a voice, you can tell how things really are.
This is speaking the truth Claire of the reality we are living in. I haven't traveled as much as you but have seen examples myself or through my reading or programme watching. I remember visiting the Great Barrier Reef in 2010 and it was such a memorable experience to see the coral reef. My friend was there a couple of months ago and said it's dying at a terrible rate. But the travel companies don't inform tourists, it's business as usual. The plastic water bottles issue is really upsetting too.
I’ve seen only a fraction of what there is to report on, write about even less, and am unsure how my writing contributes to awareness and change. But staying silent altogether seems wrong.
I have just returned from 12 months of backpacking in South America - Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Paraguay. The problem with trash is devastating. It is hard to understand why people who live in such beautiful places with such amazing history and culture, and so much to be proud of would just throw trash out their windows. But, of course, I realize it happens in the US too. We have always had more people who clean up other people's trash. But honestly, I think the US is becoming trashier. I see it everywhere now.
If you are taking a bus from Lima to Cusco, I would suggest not looking out the windows. The trash is bad.
I was surprised at how not crowded Machu Picchu was. This was at the beginning of April. Perhaps the Peruvian have gotten that one figured out.
There are so many places off the beaten path in Perú. And I think we tried to go to them all. Although we met other tourist in those places, none of them were gringos and no one spoke English. I'd love it if everyone went to these places but they won't. It was just too hard. And I got tired of everything being hard.
Just one more comment. Yes, Google Maps is often wrong. I've found this out the hard way in Mexico and realized that we should have followed the hand written sign instead of Google Maps. We have let technology take over our lives.
Ok, one more comment. I loved Comuna 13. Sorry, I'm not a paid subscriber so I wasn't able to read your whole take on it. We went twice, taking two different friends who visited us while we were in Medellín. Each tour was a little different and we learned a little more. It would have been super easy to skip the tour the second time, but I thought learning about the area was really important. Actually the second time we went it was during the flower festival and the tourist area was so crowded, that went up the elevators and walked out of the crowds to nearby bar that overlooked the area. Besides the history, I liked the personal stories that the tour guides told. And I liked supporting the guides themselves. But besides the tour, I did like the carnival atmosphere of the tourist area. It was fun. And people there seemed to be having fun.
I wish I had solutions for these problems. I try to do the best I can.
Thank you for your insights on Peru and your other comments.
I was interested in learning about the history of Comuna 13–I just felt the experience as it was presented ( with dance performances and snacks) was made for tourists; it wasn’t like visiting an authentic neighborhood. Then again: the authentic neighborhood would have been far too violent to visit. I was unhappy with myself, unsure what I had come to bear witness to.
Your observations are disturbing, of course, reflecting global inequality and unrelenting abuses people and Mother Nature. It's useful to be reminded of the global impact of a culture of greed and environmental disdain can lead to. But one need not travel outside of the U.S. to such distant locations to witness much of what you describe.
Thank you for compiling this list, for admitting the part we travelers play in all of it, and for thoughtfully considering what we can do better. In my own nomadic life (officially one year in as of July 4 🎉), I have witnessed/experienced all of these, but you have summarized them especially well. I look forward to deeper dives on any of these subjects, as well as tales from the island. 💜
Thank you, Sherry! And apologies for my tardy reply. Island life comes with slow WiFi, a small complaint, and slow everything, a huge plus. I can recommend Holbox 100%. It’s a tourist place but still laid back and the beautiful beaches are endless.
Thank you—very powerful. Travel opens eyes and makes me more aware of my own imprint on our struggling planet. I am trying to be more conscious of the choices I make.
A great newsletter, Claire....even if painful to read
Thank you, Thaisa. I prefer writing positive letters, writing toward the light. But I also feel the need to be realistic.
A fair assessment.
Unfortunately so. (And probably nothing you never noticed before...)
This was such a great write-up, Claire. And it tracks with sooooo many of our experiences. The weather one is especially terrifying.
Thanks, Michael. It's terrifying indeed. I hope my noticing will lead to more than awareness alone.
Wow, what a great post and exposé/explanation of what you guys have seen as nomads in the past 6 years. I also like how you wrote the positives in an earlier post, then this one. I look forward to your views on Peru, Claire. Saludos.
Thank you, Jeanine! I always hesitate to share my darker views and experiences, but I feel it’s important, too.
I think it really is important, Claire. Especially as a world traveler who Has seen so much. As a citizen of the world, and with a voice, you can tell how things really are.
This is speaking the truth Claire of the reality we are living in. I haven't traveled as much as you but have seen examples myself or through my reading or programme watching. I remember visiting the Great Barrier Reef in 2010 and it was such a memorable experience to see the coral reef. My friend was there a couple of months ago and said it's dying at a terrible rate. But the travel companies don't inform tourists, it's business as usual. The plastic water bottles issue is really upsetting too.
I’ve seen only a fraction of what there is to report on, write about even less, and am unsure how my writing contributes to awareness and change. But staying silent altogether seems wrong.
So much to think about.
I have just returned from 12 months of backpacking in South America - Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Paraguay. The problem with trash is devastating. It is hard to understand why people who live in such beautiful places with such amazing history and culture, and so much to be proud of would just throw trash out their windows. But, of course, I realize it happens in the US too. We have always had more people who clean up other people's trash. But honestly, I think the US is becoming trashier. I see it everywhere now.
If you are taking a bus from Lima to Cusco, I would suggest not looking out the windows. The trash is bad.
I was surprised at how not crowded Machu Picchu was. This was at the beginning of April. Perhaps the Peruvian have gotten that one figured out.
There are so many places off the beaten path in Perú. And I think we tried to go to them all. Although we met other tourist in those places, none of them were gringos and no one spoke English. I'd love it if everyone went to these places but they won't. It was just too hard. And I got tired of everything being hard.
Just one more comment. Yes, Google Maps is often wrong. I've found this out the hard way in Mexico and realized that we should have followed the hand written sign instead of Google Maps. We have let technology take over our lives.
Ok, one more comment. I loved Comuna 13. Sorry, I'm not a paid subscriber so I wasn't able to read your whole take on it. We went twice, taking two different friends who visited us while we were in Medellín. Each tour was a little different and we learned a little more. It would have been super easy to skip the tour the second time, but I thought learning about the area was really important. Actually the second time we went it was during the flower festival and the tourist area was so crowded, that went up the elevators and walked out of the crowds to nearby bar that overlooked the area. Besides the history, I liked the personal stories that the tour guides told. And I liked supporting the guides themselves. But besides the tour, I did like the carnival atmosphere of the tourist area. It was fun. And people there seemed to be having fun.
I wish I had solutions for these problems. I try to do the best I can.
Thank you for your insights on Peru and your other comments.
I was interested in learning about the history of Comuna 13–I just felt the experience as it was presented ( with dance performances and snacks) was made for tourists; it wasn’t like visiting an authentic neighborhood. Then again: the authentic neighborhood would have been far too violent to visit. I was unhappy with myself, unsure what I had come to bear witness to.
Great reminders of how to move through the world. Thanks!
Your observations are disturbing, of course, reflecting global inequality and unrelenting abuses people and Mother Nature. It's useful to be reminded of the global impact of a culture of greed and environmental disdain can lead to. But one need not travel outside of the U.S. to such distant locations to witness much of what you describe.
You are probably right. But I am not a U.S. citizen. So to observe the problems in the U.S. I would still need to travel.
Thank you for compiling this list, for admitting the part we travelers play in all of it, and for thoughtfully considering what we can do better. In my own nomadic life (officially one year in as of July 4 🎉), I have witnessed/experienced all of these, but you have summarized them especially well. I look forward to deeper dives on any of these subjects, as well as tales from the island. 💜
Thank you, Sherry! And apologies for my tardy reply. Island life comes with slow WiFi, a small complaint, and slow everything, a huge plus. I can recommend Holbox 100%. It’s a tourist place but still laid back and the beautiful beaches are endless.
Thank you—very powerful. Travel opens eyes and makes me more aware of my own imprint on our struggling planet. I am trying to be more conscious of the choices I make.
Thanks, Maria! Change begins with attention and awareness. I’m glad traveling awakens this in you as well.