When a trip starts with chauvinism and begins to escalate into the typical town by town travel diary, seeing just the highlights, unexpected kindness brings down my tourist wall. In simple terms, this man gave me one of his fresh baked breads, after I asked about taking his photo. It was a small gesture that I initally refused, but he insisted.
I could not stop thinking about this man's gesture for a week after. I could not stop talking about him to my mom for 24 hours. I have looked at this photo fondly and followed the lines on this face at least three times.
No, I am not obsessed. Just touched.
I needed that nudge of hospitality. Turkey is a wonderful country with very friendly people, but everyone I interact with is in the tourist industry, so they are working and kindness if apart of their job. Some do it better than others, and certainly, some make it clear the importance of money in their life. Those are the people that I get tired of, and they are tired themselves of tourists.
I come and go. I have the freedom to travel extensively. Most countries will allow me to enter without a pre-arranged visa. Save a few countries that are unsafe or in "bad relations" with us, the world is an open door.
I have taken full advantage of this privelige and I have travelled extensively. I understand tourist traps, can bargin with the best and know when someone's intentions are not truly good. I also do not expect each place and each person to welcome me open-armed, realistically, locals see hudrends of people like me everyday, and it is a lot to ask of the travel industry to be altruistic constantly. I do have a happy medium where you do your job well and I try to ask too much.
My costing chart:
Directions: free with a smile.
Travel advice: free and you can tell me about your brother's sister-in-law's travel agency that can help me. I am not promising I will use them.
Showing me the way: I feel greatly indebted and thank you at least two times.
Arranging a Trip (from a travel agency): Thank you!
Arranging a Trip (not from a travel agency): Thank you! As long as you were clear what the price is and you don't burden me with guilt over my first world status. Yes, I know (insert developing country here) is a very poor country.
Driving me there: Can I buy you a drink?
Letting me stay with you: Can I make your dinner? Pending I feel safe about staying with a stranger.
Taking time to discuss politics and vent about the US: Priceless.
Each trip doesn't need to be a welcome home party, but when I get little piece of unexpected kindness, I makes me stop and reflect.
To the man in this picture, thank you. He will never read this and he doesns't speak English. He made a nice trip into a wonderful trip.
Comments