Travel Writers Save Face

Heidi from has written 3 comments

This is why I travel, to experience the reality myself, something which neither reading nor writing can capture. I've lived in places alone which have people throwing their hands up in the air in disbelief as to why I would visit, the opinion always being "It's dangerous, you're going to get killed." Generally these places turn out to be extremely boring and nothing like the perception from your sofa.

I would also add that Travel Journalists/Writiers and the like, from what I've seen and read, are doing a job, something mechanical which they get paid for. They haven't left a "normal" life and struck out on their own, giving them a different perspective and maybe a willingness to engage themselves more. They are writing for an audience who know what they want to read. So they provide it.

Swapping information, delivering current news, is important for society, but I sometimes feel no news is better than the misinformation most people are fed.

Page Turner from has written 99 comments

Lee says,Thank Goodness you are not bowing to any person when you write. You tell it like it is when you travel and this just may save some person's life if they read your blogg and actually believe you. Traveling is a serious business and a person needs to not romantize it or they will pay a price. It is good to have a great day but a reasonable mind set is best

Asiabill from has written 260 comments

Good Post! Andy, Your "guestimate" about the percentages of travel writers' readership and their recycled content. I also compare such travel writers well paid compensation to many others who join some organization which will finance their travels like the military, peace corps, NGOs' employees and foreign service staff. Most often they live and work in a protected environment without real exposure to the country and cultures where they are sent very much like 3 star and 5 star tourists.

Heidi , I felt the same when I arrived back in my hometown after nearly 4 years outside the USA. I felt so HIGH on LIFE about the adventures and experiences of my past years "on the road" that I wanted to share them with old friends and family. Instead of anyone in Des Moines, Iowa becoming curious or interested in such travel experiences their attitudes were apathetic like, "Can someone turn UP the volume of the TV or shut this guy up?" I realized most of my hometown friends would prefer buying new car or shopping for "toys" rather than take off traveling, living spontaneously as possible and casting away any fears of their future security. Oh well, each to their own.

AsiaBill, what you have experienced once back to your hometown is a classic. It's part of the reverse cultural shock, or whatever it is called. People back home haven't changed, but you did. The problem they aren't interested into listening your stories. I had the same problem. Now when I go back home for holidays, I seldom talk about my experiences abroad, unless I meet someone who is genuinely interested.