- Nov 19, 2008
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How many of us heard stories of trips our grandparents, or even our parents took and the places they went?
My parents really only went to Las Vegas (and they drove there! 1200 mile trip!) and a few other places, the rest of the world was never a thought to them. Most of my grandparents almost never traveled. Or their idea was a trip was Branson or Memphis to see Elvis's house.
In this day, where travel TV shows show ordinary yoyos globetrotting the world problem free, it seems people who has a desire to take real adventures have lesser and lesser options. The entire world is being paved with 4 lane expressways where buses of fannie-pack wearing tourists, with their packed lunches, and "Americanized" hosts hoist to anywhere from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Castles deep within the heart of Europe. All without barely lifting a finger. Everything is roped off and "watch your step" caution signs.
Places that would take days or even weeks to get to 70 years ago, you can be there from anywhere in the word in 24 hours, while sitting in the lap of luxury with moist towelettes.
Now I don't have a problem with people exploring the world. I would sound like a hypocrite if I did. But it seems technology and commercialization has turned some of the world's last ancient and mysterious places into gift shops and photo opportunities for Facebook.
By far the worst example of this is Mt Everest. Since Hillary and Norgay did 70 years ago, what at one time many thought was impossible, thousands of suburban fitness buffs attempt to each year (of course with the extreme assistance from Sherpas and advanced technology). What a disrespect such a great feat.
Basically anyone who trained for 6 months on a stair stepper, thinks they are fit enough to attempt to climb to the top of the world. People have littered the mountain with trash and hundreds attempt every year with little or no high alt climbing experience.
What do you guys think, is the world overrun with tourists?
My parents really only went to Las Vegas (and they drove there! 1200 mile trip!) and a few other places, the rest of the world was never a thought to them. Most of my grandparents almost never traveled. Or their idea was a trip was Branson or Memphis to see Elvis's house.
In this day, where travel TV shows show ordinary yoyos globetrotting the world problem free, it seems people who has a desire to take real adventures have lesser and lesser options. The entire world is being paved with 4 lane expressways where buses of fannie-pack wearing tourists, with their packed lunches, and "Americanized" hosts hoist to anywhere from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Castles deep within the heart of Europe. All without barely lifting a finger. Everything is roped off and "watch your step" caution signs.
Places that would take days or even weeks to get to 70 years ago, you can be there from anywhere in the word in 24 hours, while sitting in the lap of luxury with moist towelettes.
Now I don't have a problem with people exploring the world. I would sound like a hypocrite if I did. But it seems technology and commercialization has turned some of the world's last ancient and mysterious places into gift shops and photo opportunities for Facebook.
By far the worst example of this is Mt Everest. Since Hillary and Norgay did 70 years ago, what at one time many thought was impossible, thousands of suburban fitness buffs attempt to each year (of course with the extreme assistance from Sherpas and advanced technology). What a disrespect such a great feat.
Basically anyone who trained for 6 months on a stair stepper, thinks they are fit enough to attempt to climb to the top of the world. People have littered the mountain with trash and hundreds attempt every year with little or no high alt climbing experience.
What do you guys think, is the world overrun with tourists?
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