Sunday, March 16, 2014
According to Google tourist is defined as a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure. I believe the book really breaks down this concept of what does it really mean to be a tourist. In who's pain are you smiling and taking pictures in. I like how Kincaid points out that a tourist visits to escape the boredom of their own, ordinary lives. This is essentially saying a lot. Often times people would like to escape from their crazy world, yet are unable to because of lack of availability or finacinal reasoning. Yet, there are so many of us that when we get tired with our everyday life or need a get away, we are able to do so freely. Until this concept of the ugliness of tourism I never really understood how me being a tourist and choosing to get away, how it appears to others in the area in which I'm touring. They may look to me with envy or hope wishing to be able to be in my place. Kincaid also points out that tourist often make the lesser poorer apart of their pleasure. This example made me think of myself and my short amount of time in New Orleans. Though let me first say that I know that everyone that stands on the streets of New Orleans trying to earn an extra dollar aren't always poor as they seem, but in the meantime let's talk about the honest people that really need to earn more money. So many times in New Orleans, I often took videos and pictures of and with those people that were on the street dancing or singing in hopes that the many tourist would add a few dimes in their pocket. Never once did I think of how the street performs may have looked to me and if they did or did not wish to be in my place to be able to get away from my college days and to take a small trip to New Orleans with friends. Furthermore I enjoyed our conversation in class discussion, how being a tourist you often don't see the bad parts of the location that you choose to spend your time in. I cannot remember if we talked about it in class or not, but it reminds of the filter bubble. To, as a tourist, literally take yourself out of your environment and to visit a beautiful location and to be aware of those bad locations in your vacation area but choosing not to acknowledge says a lot as well. After reading A Small Place, it really does show how tourism is truly an ugly thing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm sure we all can admit to being a tourist without considering the harsh realities of the lives of those that actually live in the areas we glorify. As discussed in class a common characteristic of privilege that works well with Kincaid's entire tourist notion, is that we miss the awareness that life is different for others. In agreement, I never considered how we have the luxury to escape from reality, as i call it, to a place that we often times see as merely beautiful and enjoying. I must admit that after reading "A Small Place', watching the film in class, and our brief discussion about tourism, my mindset as a vacationer has changed and I will contentiously consider the lives and all aspects of the people and places I visit.
ReplyDeleteI have been the ugly tourist, and will never forget the less than happy experiences of my time in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Montego was beautiful, but there was an underlying sense of urgency present throughout my time there. I spent a total of 8 hours on the island as a visitor from a cruise ship (this was four years ago). I was able to cross into the country with ease. As a welcome, a trio of musicians were playing and singing. Folks were happily snapping pictures and strategically placing their kids in the shots.
ReplyDeleteAfter strolling through customs, I boarded a bus full of Americans, and we began the short ride to the market and beaches. The entire town was bustling and the street vendors, shop owners, and pot dealers were out in full force. I noticed that the price of gas was astronomical. The streets were not well-maintained, and the sight of armed men in military fatigues riding in the back of a rusted pick-up did not leave me with a sense of ease. The only buildings that looked new were the Burger Kings, Margaritaville, and the resorts.
I spent the majority of my time on a beach-- Doc's Cove. I bought a few things from the locals. I bought a few Red Stripes from a server working for a beach front restaurant. I will never forget the lady rushing to beat out the other male servers to get my order. I felt something then, something disgusting and other feelings I cannot quite name. I knew that desperate look; she needed my order to ensure a tip.
This indescribable feeling did not abate. The beach provided a floating pier for swimmers. Here I met a young Jamaican man-- probably younger than 20. He was diving for conch shells and we struck up a conversation. He said that he sold the conch shells to tourists for $5. He also sold pot and any other trinket someone may be willing to pay for. He revealed to me that the state of activity on the island was not usual, but my cruise ship was the only one docking this week. This meant that the locals really needed to sell, sell, sell if they hoped to earn any money this week. He explained the lack of jobs. I asked about the hotels and stores. He said these jobs were few and far between and one had to be incredibly lucky to land such a position. The cab driver who clearly ripped me off earlier was doing so for this reason. The panicked sense of urgency I felt was very real.
I did not, at that time, know about Jamaica's history. And while the uneasy feeling of being a tourist never left me, I never investigated what could have caused the conditions there. I came back home with my experiences-- no matter what they were-- and went on about my life. After reading Kincaid's *In a Small Place,* the reality of ugly tourist really struck a chord with me. I could go on about my experiences that day. The way we warned about venturing off, the tourist police, the disgust expressed by fellow passengers who refused to even leave the ship, etc. I totally get the idea of the ugly tourist.
It looks like the theme of tourism got to quite a few of us, and although I have never been outside of the country, I too was ashamed by what I saw in the Film Life and Debt and what I read in A Small Place. We pride ourselves in the idea that tourism is crucial to the countries that provide these beautiful getaways, and truth be told, it is, but at what cost to the native inhabitants? It doesn't seem fair that they should still have to work in some form of servitude to entertain the privileged. Also thanks to that movie, I will never even look at something so non-assuming as my underwear with the same eye again. We've seen so many commercials over the years about Hanes. Even Michael Jordan endorsed them. The fact that people were paid only $35 dollars a week to make them is inconceivable. If I didn't need my drawers so bad, I'd be tempted to boycott my Hanes. In all seriousness though, freedom is not always "real" freedom in that it often carries with it its own restraints. We are free and yet we have restraints, however, we are allowed to stand up and buck against our restraints when we see fit to do so. My guess would be that Jamaicans and Hatians are still trying to find their way through the unfairly structured systems that hinder them and their life decisions
ReplyDelete