"Ugh, there is no way I'd even think of going there - it's such a *tourist* spot" - said every hipster "I'm a traveller not a tourist" type, before proceeding to highlight the very marked difference between the two.
I think it's not a long stretch to say that we've gotten to the stage where being called a tourist is a kind of warped insult to be paired with a condescending Cate Blanchette-as-Madame-Tremaine smile. And while I'm all for the authentic, off-the-beaten path experience of the so-called 'traveller' (I mean, who doesn't want to know where the best wine bar in Paris is, or where the locals go to relax in Barcelona?) but I'm here to tell you that being a tourist is both totally acceptable and completely necessary if you want to see everything this big wide world has to offer (and should do it with your head held high).
I think it's not a long stretch to say that we've gotten to the stage where being called a tourist is a kind of warped insult to be paired with a condescending Cate Blanchette-as-Madame-Tremaine smile. And while I'm all for the authentic, off-the-beaten path experience of the so-called 'traveller' (I mean, who doesn't want to know where the best wine bar in Paris is, or where the locals go to relax in Barcelona?) but I'm here to tell you that being a tourist is both totally acceptable and completely necessary if you want to see everything this big wide world has to offer (and should do it with your head held high).
After all, things become 'touristy' for a reason - people flock somewhere because it's awesome/full of history/fun/exciting/all of the above. There is a very sound logic for why the lines outside La Sagrada Familia are massive, and for why the view from the Empire State Building isn't to be missed (and if you want to avoid the crowds, easy - opt to rise early and head out before the hoards).
Sure, if something doesn't interest you, by all means pass, but if you're going to skip a particular destination or activity just because you don't want to be labelled as a 'tourist', well, then all I can say is that you're missing out.
So go forth my fellow wanderers - take ridiculous photos with the Tower of Pisa, walk around Times Square in awe, squeal with excitement the first time you see the Eiffel Tower and spend a good hour watching people cross the road in Shibuya: I'll be right there beside you.
Sure, if something doesn't interest you, by all means pass, but if you're going to skip a particular destination or activity just because you don't want to be labelled as a 'tourist', well, then all I can say is that you're missing out.
So go forth my fellow wanderers - take ridiculous photos with the Tower of Pisa, walk around Times Square in awe, squeal with excitement the first time you see the Eiffel Tower and spend a good hour watching people cross the road in Shibuya: I'll be right there beside you.