My toilet paper has puppies on it…does this mean that South Africans do not like puppies?

I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Now get your head of the gutter and think about it. That’s what tourism basically is. Places around the globe claiming they are the greatest in the world and people should come and have a look…have a long look…buy this plastic replica. It’s the only point in your life where you feel obligated to stare at something until it is permanently etched into your brain because people say it’s great. Why not stare at something you think you should stare at? I am repeatedly delighted to see a goat outside my door. I stare at goats, but not in an unhealthy sort of way. Pick your poison and stare away…enjoy and let it soak in. Put the camera away quickly as a world behind the lens makes it feel almost fake.

In the case of viewing people, in most cases, both sides are doing the staring. I think the people of Namibia are more fascinated with white people than you are of them. This makes for a lot of fun on both sides as you might catch them staring…you look away…they keep staring…they will win the staring contest.

A couple of my own personal experiences: The Eiffel Tower…it’s pretty at night…I’m not waiting in that line to go to the top…is there a crepe stand nearby that has Nutella? New York City…wow, that’s a lot of buildings…more buildings…more buildings…$6 for a beer?…ooh, pizza. Mona Lisa…where is the Mona Lisa?…culture through osmosis…I’m here…is that it?…next please. Costa Rican volcanoes…um…pass.

I’m not sure what the point of this post was, but that’s ok.

What is it about vacations that makes people want to wear clothes that make them look completely insane? Psychologically it makes sense, you’re entering a short-term “life” that is unlike your every day and why not take it one step further by wearing, for all intensive purposes, a costume to match that ‘new’ you. I probably love Halloween more than anyone around, but vacation is about relaxing, not dressing up. It’s vacation, wear your favorite t-shirt instead of that floral print. Bust out the old gym shoes you mow the grass with every Saturday. This is who you are and it’s that person that should be on vacation? Bringing yourself means that you have the opportunity to impact that life you ‘escaped’ back home. Maybe you discover something new you want to try, a possible career change or cultures you want to know more about. Vegas is not the only place that can tout, “what happens there, stays there…” I personally hate that saying. Instead, try bringing it back home as it may improve your daily life. Let me get back on track here. Clothes. Clothes, despite what you think, can really change who you are. Power suits aren’t a joke. Yes, that shirt does make you look fat and you know it. Honestly though, it’s still just you and that’s good. Be yourself on your vacations and you just might find you get a lot more out of them.

p.s. I wear t-shirts a lot. Khaki outfits make sense when on safari as they are muted colors that help avoid attracting insects and animals. Banana hammocks are not cool no matter what country you are from. Just some more thoughts.

I’m starting a light-hearted series on the dos’ and don’ts of tourism as I see it. I’m not going to start this evening, but wanted to warm it up just by saying that I’m definitely not an expert on not being a tourist. I spend my time living and working in a country that I’ll soon be leaving and knew so from the beginning. I’ve regretfully not really made the effort to learn the local language and know only a handful of people outside of work. I’m still fascinated by the daily life of people in Opuwo and the sight of a cross-eyed goat still makes me chuckle. I take pictures of the out of ordinary that only a westerner would appreciate and a Namibian ignore. It’s fun though and I’d like to pass on some thoughts and ideas. Hopefully I’ll remind some of you of times when you were in similar situations and enlighten others who have yet to enjoy them. This should be fun.