“What! You’re going where?” Or “Why the hell you going there for?”
How I adore receiving such comments (can you hear the sarcasm screaming from the page?) as I announce my latest travel destination. And f**k me it’s exacerbating!
But I resolve not to be irritated by people’s lack of adventure. As such I don’t criticise people when they fly from the UK to Cuba to lounge on a beach. Hasting’s on the English coast has a pleasant beach. Nonetheless I don’t yell at these morons for bankrolling unnecessary vacations.
I work in a bar. I’m frequently dragooned into listening to people’s holiday plans. They nearly always involve a beach.
“Why the f**k to do you want to fly to Cuba to lounge on a beach” I persistently want to yell at them. But of course one restrains oneself, doesn’t one?
Political or Not?
Even flying to Cuba is a political act. Often unintentional I confess but nonetheless political. Under the Castro regime Americans were forbidden to travel to Cuba. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and financial support for Cuba, the country began to build its tourism industry.
But the point I’m making is this; my critics often reprove me for travelling to country’s such as North Korea. But alas it transpires that these same critics lounge on beaches in the Cuban Riviera.
Seldom do such people visit the architectural splendour of Old Havana, the Plaza de la Cathedral, or the Cuban Baroque Cathedral de San Cristobal. Nor do they sip (or gulp!) a Daiquiri at Hemingway’s favourite hangout Bodeguita del Medio or spend time at the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
Such people certainly wouldn’t visit the revolutionary landmarks of Santa Clara or stop at Che Guevara’s mausoleum. Nor would they give any thought to the cultural hub of Cuba, Trinidad and its Plaza Mayor or Palacio Cantero.
Nope. Relaxing on a beach is more their thing.
Travel is Political … I Think!
Nevertheless travel does contain an element of politicisation. I guess this is what interests me. Why an abundance of Catholic architecture in Cuba or Guatemala? What is the impact of Confucius on China, or how does the caste system in India influence communities?
These questions I have personally pondered. And while I accept that such subjects don’t interest everybody they nevertheless remain political topics. Spanish colonisation of the Americas is why they possess an abundance of Spanish styled architecture for example.
So should travel books be in the political section? Well, why not merely make them available in two sections of your favourite bookshop? Travel and political!
I hope you enjoyed this article. If you did here’s another from my website that you might enjoy: HERE
Here’s a classic article from Rick Steves. 10 Tips for Traveling as a Political Act