I love to travel, but I hate standing out as a tourist when exploring new places. I hate having to look at maps or ask where something is. I would rather wander lost in a city than ask a local for directions. I hate being a tourist. Big map no care for the culture. Tour guide and bright colors keeping your big group together.

I think the initial idea behind tourism is fair. Wanting to experience a place for what it is known for, the highlighted tourist spots. But the idea of tourism has gained such a negative connotation.

I think the switch happened when tons of money got poured into tourism. For some countries their economy so heavily relies on tourism, they will pour tons of money into making the experience the best.

Although this isn’t bad, it has made tourists and the name seem privileged, shallow, and disrespectful. Tourists are necessary for these areas to thrive, so businesses walk on egg shells around tourists to not lose tons of money and fall into extreme debt.

When all I want to do is to be seen as a traveler. Just going to common tourism spots blows my cover. And start being treated as a common tourist.

I love to educate myself in new places, specifically learning new languages. But in today’s society I often feel pressured to have perfected the language before being able to practice it in a public setting.

With my current language knowledge, I can only hold a slow conversation for a couple minutes until I can’t keep up. Then I’ve gone too far and they think that I speak fluently. Or think I’m an uncultured white girl who can’t pronounce anything right.

Honestly, I also enjoy just not being a tourist. You get to experience so many more niche experiences. Sometimes the most popular isn’t the best. Avoiding being a tourist has pushed me to try so many small business food places that are so underrated but still very delicious.

Being able to go to historical places and explore without catching a ton of hate would be amazing. But avoiding hate causes people to go out of their comfort zone. Tourism is an interesting game, it really just depends on how you decide to play. Either way your travels will be enjoyable if you’re ready to maybe receive some hate.