Nov 03
When I chose the name “Amateur Traveler” for the podcast that I create each week I had in mind the word “Amateur” in its most classic definition which means to do something for the love of doing it rather than for pay. I have never been opposed to being paid to travel or to write or talk about travel but even now as that happens more regularly I don’t want to forget what I want this site to be about. So it seemed time for me to define what it means to me to be an Amateur Traveler.
As an Amateur Traveler it is my desire and goal to:
- Never lose my sense of wonder and adventure when I am traveling
- Never complain that we don’t do things that way at home, that’s part of the point of traveling
- Never whine, because in the grand scheme of things if I can afford to travel, what have I got to complain about?
- Pack light because sometimes the best part of vacation is what we leave behind
- Treat the airport security people with kindness because I am getting on the plane and they are not
- Get to the airport early, but not just to have a less stressful experience but because airports are wonderful portals to other places
- Learn constantly, because that is the real joy of travel
- Try the local dish, because I might find that I like crickets with guacamole (not so much really)
- Understand that different is not always better or worse but sometimes just different
- Treat others with respect… especially when I think they are wrong
- Try and speak at least a few words of the local language because it shows respect
- Smile as I botch the local language because humility is not a bad thing to learn either
- Take pictures but remember sometimes to look up from the viewfinder to see the scene around me
- Talk to the cab drivers, waiters, maids, clerks and the people at the front desk because they all know something I don’t
- Observe, appreciate, connect, and if possible contribute to the local community
Now that you know my manifesto I would like to hear:
What am I missing?
What is your manifesto?
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Coming soon:
Legal Nomads
Says:November 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
Great list, Chris. I agree with all of them. I’d add, as a corollary to your “learn constantly” bulletpoint, that it’s always good to read up on the history of a place before you get there – even if it means reading about it on the bus to your destination. It adds a rich layer of appreciation to know how a particular country has grown within (or sometimes outside!) its borders and what went on in the years before you arrived.
-Jodi
Stephanie
Says:November 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
These are all great, i wrote a travel manifesto for my website as well: http://twenty-somethingtravel.com/about/
chris2x
Says:November 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I did not see a way to comment on yours Stephanie. I agree you don’t have to speak a foreign language. But I do think it makes it more fun.
cynthiab
Says:November 4th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Great list. I can vouch for number 6 “Get to the airport early”. We had mishaps in San Francisco and Rome. I wish I would have asked locals what the worst scenario is for traffic in their city and planned for that scenario.