I used to travel a lot. If you are a new reader, you probably didn't know that. You were probably wondering why this blog is called Travel Spot. You may have thought it was because I do a lot of foot travel. Well, that is true; I do, but I used to actually go to other countries, backpack on back and hiking boots (or flip flops) at the ready.
It's been been almost two years since I have been out of the country. That is a sad state of affairs.
I have friends that travel sometimes. They stay in 5 star hotels and do package tours and all-inclusive vacations. I am not saying that this is a bad thing; it's just not my style. Okay, sure, I like to put on a fluffy robe and lounge on a king sized white pillow top bed just as much as the rest of them. However, I also like to go to countries and experience them the local way. I like to ride the bus with the chickens and stay in the rattan hut with the mosquito nets. I like to find my own way. For me that is part of the fun.
When I went to the Himalayas to hike to Everest Base Camp, the fun part was slogging up the mountains (no, really!) with my pack on my back, making my own way up the mountain, without help. When I got to the next place to lay my head, I felt pride and a sense of adventure because I had done it myself. There were times when Mr. Lovely and I were all alone, without another soul around, and we could admire the majestic mountains and the endless peaks without a bunch of fellow tour members. That's how I like it. It may be more work to get there on my own, but in the end, it is totally worth it.
I have stayed in a wide variety of accommodations. Sure, sometimes the low end route is pretty crappy. In India, I stayed in a mold infested room with mosquitoes keeping me awake all night, and it was not something I would like to repeat. I see no reason to subject myself to that! But I do like to experience some of the local flavor. Why go to Mexico if you are going to stay in an American hotel and eat American food? You may as well go to Newport Beach or Fort Lauderdale for that.
I realize that everyone travels their own way. But what do you do when you are of one camp and your travel buddy is of another? A friend and I are trying to plan a vacation and she is one of the 5-star-hotel package-tour all-inclusive people. I want to get down and dirty, eat what the locals are eating, how they are eating it and I want to do what the locals do. This is difficult, as I don't want to spend $200+ for a hotel in a country where people make ten dollars a day. She wants to stay in a place with fluffy robes and pillow top mattresses. She wants to be guided; I want to find my own way.
We are at an impasse. I ask you for help. What do you think we should do?
What camp are you in? Live it up? or Live like a local?
It's been been almost two years since I have been out of the country. That is a sad state of affairs.
I have friends that travel sometimes. They stay in 5 star hotels and do package tours and all-inclusive vacations. I am not saying that this is a bad thing; it's just not my style. Okay, sure, I like to put on a fluffy robe and lounge on a king sized white pillow top bed just as much as the rest of them. However, I also like to go to countries and experience them the local way. I like to ride the bus with the chickens and stay in the rattan hut with the mosquito nets. I like to find my own way. For me that is part of the fun.
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| Albania |
When I went to the Himalayas to hike to Everest Base Camp, the fun part was slogging up the mountains (no, really!) with my pack on my back, making my own way up the mountain, without help. When I got to the next place to lay my head, I felt pride and a sense of adventure because I had done it myself. There were times when Mr. Lovely and I were all alone, without another soul around, and we could admire the majestic mountains and the endless peaks without a bunch of fellow tour members. That's how I like it. It may be more work to get there on my own, but in the end, it is totally worth it.
 |
| Nepal |
I have stayed in a wide variety of accommodations. Sure, sometimes the low end route is pretty crappy. In India, I stayed in a mold infested room with mosquitoes keeping me awake all night, and it was not something I would like to repeat. I see no reason to subject myself to that! But I do like to experience some of the local flavor. Why go to Mexico if you are going to stay in an American hotel and eat American food? You may as well go to Newport Beach or Fort Lauderdale for that.
 |
| India |
I realize that everyone travels their own way. But what do you do when you are of one camp and your travel buddy is of another? A friend and I are trying to plan a vacation and she is one of the 5-star-hotel package-tour all-inclusive people. I want to get down and dirty, eat what the locals are eating, how they are eating it and I want to do what the locals do. This is difficult, as I don't want to spend $200+ for a hotel in a country where people make ten dollars a day. She wants to stay in a place with fluffy robes and pillow top mattresses. She wants to be guided; I want to find my own way.
We are at an impasse. I ask you for help. What do you think we should do?
What camp are you in? Live it up? or Live like a local?
I am probably somewhere in the middle. I don't do 5-star type places because I can't justify spending that kind of money on a hotel room - especially since I tend to barely spend any time in my room. I prefer to rent an apartment if that is an option. That way I can save money by making breakfast at home, and I can experience things like farmers markets. And it feels like a more authentic experience. For me, as long as it is clean and safe, that is all I really care about! I am super picky when I travel for work, though. I feel like since I am away from my home, I should get to stay in a little nicer place.
ReplyDeleteI think you should be the guide! How's that for a compromise?!
ReplyDeleteI prefer nice accomodations and a variety of local stuff and touristy stuff. If I am going to Mexico it is for the beach, same with Jamaiaca and the Bahamas. Not so much the local stuff. I'm going to Europe it would be more local/wandering.
ReplyDeleteLike Lisa, I'm probably somewhere in the middle. It depends on what I want out of the trip -- and as I'm often traveling to do research I want to at least be relatively certain that I can keep my laptop secure and not have to share a bathroom with 8 people in the late teens/early 20s at a youth hostel any more. Is there any way that you and your friend could compromise and do the expensive, inclusive, touristy thing for part of the time and the more local experience for the other part of your trip?
ReplyDeleteOh that's tough. Maybe half and half? I am not a huge fan of roughing it, but I agree that sometimes that is the best way to see a country for "real". Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI probably fall somewhere in-between you and your friend. I cannot afford 5-star accomodations, so have never considered staying in such. And, while I want to feel like the locals, I'd rather feel like the middle-class locals, not the poorest people on the street, if that makes sense. Sweets and I have recently had a similar debate. He has visions of our family going on 2-week camping trips out west when Gavin is a little older. While I like camping, I do not envision spending 14 of my precious vacations days to go camping. We were definitely at an impasse for a few days, until I came up with the following suggestion: Let's plan that 14-day western excursion with up to 5 days of camping and another 5 days in a cabin or cottage or something that offers a bed and running water. Sweets agreed that that vacation would make us both happy. Maybe you and your friend can find a comparable balance - a little something for you and a little something for your friend?
ReplyDeleteI am kind of in the middle but my picky husband tends to lean more towards the 'luxury' side. I put luxury in quotations because we don't ACTUALLY stay in super luxurious accommodations because we can't afford them, but we also don't stay in dingy places either. I also have NO problem roughing it in Canada or the States (wilderness camping, hiking etc) but feel a bit more wary about it in foreign countries, especially under developed countries where safety could be an issue. ALSO, I don't function well on little sleep so would not enjoy my vacation nearly as much if I was having crappy sleeps in dingy places. So ya, somewhere in the middle I guess :) I do like to try and do local things and eat local food when I'm traveling though!
ReplyDeleteI'm very much like you. I enjoy a guided tour and luxury hotel every once in awhile but part of the fun is exploring and figuring things out! I love to wander. That's the best time to find the coolest places. It's tough when your travel buddy wants something different than you. Maybe you can compromise by doing her style for the first half and your style for the second half. Or maybe you can agree to stay at different places each night and meet up each day to sight see. You can also take turns choosing where you'll eat.
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough one. I'm somewhere in between. Although I haven't been near as many places as you, I do like to experience the local life.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find a middle ground and that you can enjoy the trip. Maybe a few days of each style of traveling?
I hear you - I prefer to live like the locals, but be comfortably safe - sometimes that means staying in a nicer place. I feel guilty being obviously extravagant in a poorer country. Would it be possible to meet halfway? If not, you may have to nix your travel plans. :(
ReplyDeleteI love the Albania picture! I prefer to live like the locals. That was what we did in the Bahamas and it was amazing. We didn't wear a watch or use electronics for the week. I could use another one of those trips!
ReplyDeleteHm... I definitely fall somewhere in the middle but probably closer to the luxury side. I don't like roughing it, especially while on vacation. I want a relaxing experience! So I tend to do more touristy things when I go on my cruises because that's just what I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with others - go halfsies. Half of the vacation filled with what your traveling companion wants and half of the vacation filled with what you want. I think that's a fair compromise!
How about finding something in the middle. Either moderately priced hotels or nice hostels where there is some adventure, but the accommodations are still comfortable enough for your friend.
ReplyDeleteOh that's tough. Maybe half and half? I am not a huge fan of roughing it, but I agree that sometimes that is the best way to see a country for "real". Good luck For you!
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