THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
I Dislike Greece.
Ohh, it gets uglier. There was a time when I did say, “I hate Greece.”
Over the last 24 years, I have been working, playing, laughing, and even crying in Greece. It has become a second home. So why did I say I hate Greece?
At the time I am holding this grudge, I did not know where Greece was hiding.
I was bobbing around the Caribbean on a ship that had Greek officers. Several of them were not very nice.
I didn’t even know what a moose saka was.
Bad traveler! Ugly tourist. I was writing off an entire country because of a few unhappy people.
I am so glad no one else ever does that.
Karma board, We’re Expecting You.
A few years later, another cruise line courts me to help set up their new (and improved) tour department.
After signing the contract, they mention, “Oh, by the way, you will be spending the summer in Greece.”
What? Who Where?
Not knowing where this country (I dislike) is, my first stop is at a Borders bookstore. Yes, it was that long ago.
Within the first pages of the book (if you’re under 30 yo, ask someone older,) I have an attitude adjustment.
People are stopping and saying; you must enjoy that book. You’re smiling.
Fast Forward
Three weeks later, I am walking down the boarding steps (if you’re under 30…) at the Pireaus airport.
It is love at first sight with the country, the sites, the food, and most of all the people.
What a shame if I had never seen Greece because of some dumb thinking.
Travel People Should Not Dislike.
One of my hot buttons is travel agents, travel bloggers, and other travel “experts” who say they “hate” a place.
I don’t care. I find 90% of these people have never been to the place they dislike. Can you believe someone would do that?
Or, they were there on a bus from the airport to a cruise ship. They did not like the scenery along the highway or at the commercial port. How many scenic roads through town or pretty commercial ports do you know?
Of all people, they should be presenting the facts and letting the traveler decide. (Like the media used to do).
Not forcing their “feelings” on someone whose “dream” is to visit that location.
Beer is not my first choice in beverages. Should I skip Germany and Belgium?
I did not like “Hamilton.” Should I not go to the theater?
Know Where You Want To (want to) Go.
You should have an idea of where you want to go and do what you want to do.
Don’t go somewhere because it’s on sale, or a travel person has a quota to meet.
Go somewhere that is calling you.
I do not dislike travel agents. Like all occupations, some are great, and many are good.
And then some can barely find the coffee maker, let alone the San Juan Islands.
Find a travel agent that listens to you and then never let them go.
But you need to know what you want before they can listen to you.
Far Away Places, with Strange Sounding Names.
Growing up, I would watch news people standing in front of an exotic building.
They said they were reporting from the Kremlin and standing in Red Square.
Who knew the Kremlin wasn’t black and white?
I remember the first time I was in Moscow looking at the Kremlin.
Unfortunately, this is Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Once a church, now a museum, but never part of the Kremlin.
But the media said…
I think the buildings of the Kremlin are equally impressive.
On the subject of Russia, I do not agree with all of their policies.
For that matter, I don’t agree with all the policies in my own country.
But that’s not a reason to ignore a whole country.
I disagree with something the Congress passes this week.
Should I cancel my trip to the Grand Canyon next week because of this?
Don’t dislike a country because of its politicians. Or fringe groups. Remember, friendly people rarely make the news.
If you boycott a country, say Russia, because of one man, he does not win. However, you lose.
They All Wear Funny Hats and Ride Camels.
We can all thank 1940s Hollywood for what we “think” Turkey, Morocco, or the Road to Zanzibar resemble.
Istanbul is the gateway between Asia and Europe. High tech, a major commerce center, and not a camel in sight.
You can sleep in the Moroccan desert under the stars in their version of Glam camping. I recommend at least one evening in the desert. Or sleep on a feather pillow at the Anan, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, or Sir Richard Branson’s hotel. This setting is not the Foreign Legion.
And Zanzibar, it’s not even on the road. It’s an island off the east coast of Tanzania in Africa.
Although not a top political or economic capital (the average income is $250 a year), it’s still worth seeing.
Smell the spice markets, one of their largest industries.
Explore remnants of its days as a slave-trading port.
Seek out the red colobus. A primate that has the official title of a “distinct species” due to its seclusion from other animals.
Or look for the house where Freddie Mercury was living as a kid.
What if They Dislike Us?
Who are they? Iran? I have many friends from Iran.
The country as a whole does not hate you or the United States. They would love to show you their land. You might find that you have some of the same thoughts and beliefs.
Turkey? I have numerous friends there and can count more than 30 trips to the country without dying one time.
We were celebrating my birthday in Istanbul a few years ago. Did they want to blow me up? Hardly. They took me for a lovely dinner overlooking the city.
My friends there love Americans and ” dislike” what a group of hostile radicals is doing to their country’s reputation.
Can you imagine such a thing?
Don’t Dislike the Unknown.
Question it. Study it. Make it the known, but don’t dislike it. Don’t judge a country until you walk a mile in its boundaries.
Even after you visit it, don’t dislike it.
There are many places I do not ever need to visit again.
I got to see them, experience them, and I took away a new understanding of them.
Am I glad I saw them? Absolutely.
And I always try to walk away with one nugget of positive thinking.
Are you sure you dislike where you live?
Often it is how fortunate I am.
Despite the traffic, fighting, and phones smarter than me, I am so lucky I live where I do.
If a village, town, island, or country can make you say that, don’t dislike it.
If anything, say thank you!
That’s What I like about You.
Never hate. It just creates bad mojo. Hate It.
It can be hard to remove it from our language. I hate it when that happens.
Try to replace hate with dislike. And maybe someday, eliminate that word too.
Do not dislike other countries that are not like home.
Please scroll down to the “comments” section at the bottom. Please tell me your thoughts on:
“Do you have any destinations you think you dislike? Why?”
Please help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog below. – THANKS!
“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.
Thomas, this post is exactly why I so enjoy reading your weekly thoughts on travel. In a word, “Perspective”, is the driving yet underlying message in my opinion. Perspective prevails when we see a daily disintegration of our own country and yet forget how others live, and have lived, for centuries. Traveling gives us the unique gift of perspective, and you generously give us the gift of travel. Beautifully done.
One of your best, most thought provoking columns.
Great thought expanding and provoking piece. Thanks Thom.
We all have preconceptions about places we have never visited, based on pictures in magazines or bad news. I have found that every place new that I have the privilege of visiting, I always have a fresh perspective of the people and setting and come back home with an appreciation of their culture. Travel is the best way to gain understanding and sympathy for our fellow world family and I am a better person for the experience.
Great essay and one that should be read by all travelers or those of us waiting to be travelers again. Nice job cuz.