Rob and Anna's travel adventure

My View - The worst part of traveling are other travelers [Rob´s Thailand Entry (#2)]

You got to go there!!!! ..... It's awesome!!! ..... You just gotta' do it!!!! ..... It's the greatest!!!!!

These are the typical replies from other travelers regarding virtually anything they themselves have experienced. And oh boy.....do we run into moron travelers in Thailand.

My first memorable encounter with nonsensical recommendations was in Nicaragua when inquiring about the green coconut water drink sold there. I'd been curious for some time about trying it, but when I saw a group of westerners drinking one, I decided to inquire about the taste. "Oh, it's the greatest!" I was told. "Definitely get one, you'll love it!". OK, these people were from a similar background from myself in terms of food flavors, so I decided to give it a try.

Naturally, I realize that we all have different tastes and don't all like the same things, but if someone asked me about the coconut water, I'd reply something like "Well, I like it (or not), but it is probably an acquired taste, and not everyone cares for it", not one that it is the greatest experience in one's life. I only bring this up because the reality of the 'awesome' coconut water was like drinking liquid ass. Why didn't the others tell me the truth, which was that the taste was like you took some grass clippings, soaked them in water, and added some salt? That's about what it tasted like and that's what I would have told them (or maybe even offered to let them try mine). That is an answer that I could use and make decisions on.

Just this experience and I'd never mention it. Unfortunately, it was the first in a long string of nonsense from morons that want to demonstrate how cool and open-minded they are. Time and time again, inquiries about how something is (food, going to a place, etc.) is always met with ravenous enthusiasm, only to be dreadfully disappointing later. I'm not asking Chinese people about how their salted pickled eggs taste, Thais about their bitter bamboo oxy-acetylene curries, Guatemalans about their quesos (which received rave reviews from travelers- basically a cracker with shredded cabbage, a little [and I mean a LITTLE] cheese, and cucumber on top), I'm querying WESTERNERS, the one's that like pizza, Mexican food, junk food, etc.- you get the idea. I know the locals like their stuff, that's why I (used to) ask westerners- we all sort-of grew up on the same tastes. Again, this point alone- wouldn't mention it, but there's more....

Similarly is the emphatic insistence on doing anything they themselves have already done. The first memorable example was in Costa Rica. There was a nearby island off-shore from where we were standing, and we were contemplating swimming there to check out the marine life. We encountered someone swimming back, so took the opportunity to check how things were. As you can predict, we got out there and wondered if we were in the same place. Didn't see anything of mention! In addition, it was a fair distance to swim, the wave action beat us up a bit to go ashore, we kept an eye out for currents that might take us out to sea. In short, huge disappointment and total waste of time, all to be avoided by dropping the BS and telling things like they are.

Similarly, we were trying to get information about a somewhat pricey diving excursion in Thailand. We were asking in Koh Tao where we did about 6 dives, trying to use that as a base-line for comparison. The concept is very simple (so I thought), it costs about USD$20 per dive in Koh Tao, and about $40 in this other place. Can someone tell me (in their opinion), is the diving experience twice as good? Divemasters and other experts could only tell us "You just have to go do it man!", "You just gotta' go!!". That information helps very little as we try to base everything of value. Furthermore, this was no small amount of money- the $40/dive is in a package of between 9-14 dives (the site is remote and it wouldn't be good value to go so far and not fill up on diving). Maybe my question was too complex, let me try this one: "If you had $40 dollars to spend on diving, would YOU take two dives here or one dive there?". Forget it, that notion seems beyond diving experts. For the record, I experienced both diving locations and could report the following to my own questions (based upon my experience and opinion). The value received from the more expensive diving place was worth more than twice the cheaper location. Was it worth the $375/person spent diving? Yes, but just barely, one time.

Next topic of irritation is the EXTREME self-centeredness of travelers. Doesn't matter how late it is, any time is a good time to make noise. Not important noise like a fire or emergency, just to talk about how great something was, or beer, etc., is more than enough reason to wake up anyone.

Asking for advise or information is usually useless as they typically know very little of schedules, pricing, general information (except that everything is so great), etc. Nine times out of ten, anytime a practical inquiry is made from a traveler about anything that they should know at least something about reveals that we already know more and end up educating them about their ignorance and/or mis-information. Oddly, rarely is the knowledge transfer (from us to them) even appreciated.

Then there is the irritation. Under some circumstances, we can tolerate smoke- for example if a friend or someone we respect smokes. Other than that, it is extremely irritating to us. It seems that 90% of the travelers must smoke (all the time, everywhere). They wouldn't dare light-up in a restaurant in their home country, but feel fully entitled to sit down next to us while we eat and smoke.
Pricing is another great one. Locals try to rip off western travelers quite often with ridiculous prices, mis-information, dodge shenanigans, etc. but mostly with the pricing. So a tout approaches one of these morons, quotes some absurd price, and the traveler says "Uh, OK" and off they go. Try competing against that. Why bargain with us with such easy pickings around?

Another point of irritation. We all enter a town and struggle to orient ourselves. There is usually a learning curve at every new town. Why is it so hard to imagine that someone getting off a bus with a large backpack probably doesn't know where they are going? If they are staring at a guidebook map could they possibly be disorientated? Can these people not remember that was them a couple of days ago and offer to help? We all go to the same places, just point in the right direction to start? No, that seems waaaayyyyy too difficult. Not that they are mean, I just think so self focused that since they are not not lost at the moment, who cares that someone else might be? We try to aid someone who could obviously use a direction. They seem overwhelmed at the generous offering. It's nothing for us to say some hotel is that way, and means so much to someone standing in a busy road with a huge pack trying to make sense of their map. But rarely is such helpfulness EVER returned.

Another favorite is the traveler notion about being ripped off. "It's OK (or even good) that the locals rip us off, because they're poor". While a matter of opinion, I DON'T think it is OK to have an agreement for one price and be charged another (especially during times of need), regardless of how 'poor' someone is. I think it is of very poor taste and speaks volumes of the person's character that does it. We've met some very poor and honest sellers, and we've rewarded them with return business and referrals. Of course in the traveler's world, it's all for themselves. Let's not stick together against hostile/dishonest locals, just get ours and let others suffer. The locals work collectively against us at times, but we can't be bothered with such activities, just rip us off and carry on (after all, it's good/OK).

Dumb, irrigating, self-focused, and worthless. That is the typical traveler.
We have met some very interesting people in our travels, but many times they are aloof at first. We strongly suspect that is from their unpleasant experiences with travelers, and we are guilty until proven innocent. We too have our prejudices when encountering travelers and tend to keep to ourselves. That helps some, but not completely. As you can tell at this point, we've had enough of (most) travelers (and we've met other's that echo our complaints).

posted by Rob and Anna @ 3:33 AM