February 4, 2010
Yachties and young people get it. Everyone else in my world doesn't quite know what to do with the conversation when I say "I'm going to Thailand for six weeks."
I've started saying simply "I'll be out of the country" so I don't have to deal with the blank look. Americans -- older, non-yachtie Americans, that is -- immediately assume my trip is work related, and I let them. If, for some reason, they manage to ask a question, I admit that it's mostly holiday but I'll be managing my business and staff via computer.
Then the subject changes.
Yachties and young people, however, ask questions, share stories of their visits to Thailand or of their dreams to visit Thailand, are interested.
Why is that?
David, who grew up on a sailboat, says he used to get that a lot. People in the hometown, corporate mindset just don't know what to do with fantasy stories of people who travel. So they change the subject. To me, travel is infinitely interesting, and I could talk to someone about even their two-week trip for hours.
I guess that's just not for everyone.
So I'll be writing in this journal about my trip. Not just the places I go and the people I meet, but what I think about it and how it's impacting me. If you don't get why it's interesting, don't waste your time here.
Comments
Keep your eyes open
Cool Lucy! Have a great and educational experience while you are there. I taught English as a Second Language in Thialand briefly. My experience was that it was not as much fun to live there as it is to travel and vacation there. But I was also in a very small country town where MAYBE 5 other people spoke english well. It was very hard. But I learned a LOT.
And remember, while you are there you will find that almost no Thais have ever been out of Thailand. In fact, the majority don't really even know anything about America outside of what New York and Disney Land are. Although I agree with you that when you talk to most non-yachtie Americans they give you a blank stare when you talk about your travels, they are not by any means the only ones in the world who will give you that look, and are by no means the only ones who don't travel much.
Read the Bangkok Times daily, talk to locals (but remember, they are usually very friendly because they want something), and eat the food.
Enjoy your travels!
Brad
It Is a Small World
When Lucy told me should would be in Thailand for six weeks, I thought she lost a few marbles, being away from the paper for so long. It is the trip of a lifetime,and why shouldn't she go? Then I thought a bit: with the great technology that surrounds us, it really doesn't matter where any of us are for the most part, we can still be connected, be it across the room or across the world.
Social media sites like Twitter let us keep folks updated as often as we like (granted some folks keep us updated way too much). But they also allow us to sometimes live vicariously through the eyes and devices of the authors. Regular blog or wbsite updates help to bring more details to the followers. And such information can be gained not just from a laptop or PC, but handheld devices that are seemingly always on. Lucy will keep her hand in the mix of getting the next issue out, perhaps from a thatched hut, deck of a yacht or poolside with a cocktail
So here's to Lucy and her family for venturing to a far corner of the world. And to those of us that help get the Triton out monthly, Lucy really isn't that far way.
Capt Tom Serio
I hear you loud and clear!
How reassuring to learn that I am not the only one out there who has had this experience over and over again. Family, close friends, acquaintances, it does not matter. Most people just don't get it and I have come to feel sorry for them for various reasons. The rich experience and larger view of the world and cultures that can be gotten from travel. The sense of freedom and independence. The amazing people who you do not meet at the water cooler in the office. The beautiful scenery and fascinating cities. The list is just too endless to complete.
Your description of the reactions that you are met with resonate with me and I can only say YOU GO GIRL!
Elephant in the room indeed....