Though we tend to use the words fairly interchangeably, tourist and traveler have wholly different meanings to me. The intention of a tourist is to sightsee while that of a traveler is to see sites. What's the difference? The destinations change from the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben to authentic home cooking and small towns. The attention of a tourist is on seeing "everything" but that of a traveler is on the unseen. Now, of course, I've been doing a mix of both. How can you walk through Paris and not go see the Eiffel Tower? After I do a bit of tourism, it's always important to remember to take a step off the beaten path.
Tourism can't be simply likened to masses of people; their presence turns the culture into a façade. Every major city I've been to has been so like the others. Tourists are major consumers, always coming with money to spend. In response, suddenly the streets are lined with performers, beggars, artists, peddlers, pickpockets, food vendors, Segway tours (not kidding), con-men, and faces masked with cameras. What you see is the culture they know you want to buy, not the truth.
One of my favorite ways to see a city has been by going to local parks and artisan markets, finding a spot in the shade, and just watching the flow of people. Until you can successfully blend, you can't see how an environment or experience adapts to your presence.
Don't forget to look up. Cities speak from cobbled stones to roof-tops. All across Europe the layers of clothes lines, hanging flower baskets and clouds bring a simple peace resembling crib mobiles. Listen to the local foliage and distinct architecture; it's speaking to you.
With all attempts, they know you're American; we stick out. Part of it is the way we walk, then comes the language. Though my camouflage always failed quickly, when your intention is to respect the world you're entering with attention placed on the little charms that make a city or town what it is - everything changes.
Traveling alone has been a key advantage to achieving the short-term immersion experiences I'm looking for. Though not always easy, it's been a blessing. I highly recommend solo travels, but not solo tourism. Solo tourism has proved only to make me feel lonely while solo traveling makes me feel alive.
If you've just always wanted to sightsee, why should you travel and not just tour?
While we are just residents of our towns, cities, counties, states, and countries we're also living as citizens of this world. Tourism is built for you and your presence but travel allows you to tap into the unadulterated flow of alternative perspectives grown by the life and history of drastically different cultures. When we can live with worldly perspective (from both good and bad experiences), we become more capable of appreciating our hometowns, countrysides, and future experiences.
Though I adore travel, not all do. If you're not the type to grab a backpack and hop a plane across the world you can still gain the benefit from worldly perspective. Host travelers, talk to the exchange students in your schools and communities, invite your new international neighbors or just 'out-of-state'ers over for dinner, read some articles or blogs from other nations... However, you do it, do it. The experience and knowledge are priceless.
Get out, explore and share. People, places, books, movies... If you can't live longer, live deeper. Dive in.
