I have a friend that lives in Aruba. I have never been to Aruba but I already know it is a place I would love to visit. Pristine white sand beaches, clear blue water and warm sunny days.
Just the image of a place like that makes me want to pack my bags and catch a plane. Aruba get tons of tourists each year seeking out tropical paradise.
My friend who lives there hates it.
Unlike people like me, that love nothing better than lounging around on a tropical beach, my friend can’t wait to leave. He says Aruba is too laid back, the Wi-Fi sucks, not much in the way of opportunities and get this. The weather is always the same.
He longs for snow, a big city and lots of hustle and bustle.
I do some freelance writing and recently wrote an article for a client about a destination. The article received lots of comments on the clients Facebook page. Most from people that lived there. Now the article stated while the place in question was big and lots of traffic and some places no so nice, it was actually a great place. The article went on to say how there was great nightlife, historical places to see and tons of things to do.
Feeling proud of myself I visited the Facebook page a couple of days after the article was published only to read how I was clueless and the place I wrote about was terrible. Mind you most of the comments were from people that lived there. The comments stated that I didn’t know what I was talking about and no one in their right mind would visit there having other choices.
This got me thinking, I know sometimes I’m slow. My own home town is nothing special. In fact it has some of the worst traffic in the US. It takes forever to get anywhere because of the traffic. I don’t think there is much to see, in fact I rarely venture downtown because, well, it just sucks.
But for some reason people that don’t live where I do like visiting here. I read blogs, magazine articles and other things about what my city has to offer, the great restaurants and things to do and see.
I remember a few years ago I was traveling in the Czech Republic and decided to take a break and grab a beer at a little bar. I struck up a conversation with a person working there and after a few minutes they told me how lucky I was to be traveling around and visiting all the places I had seen. In the next sentence they told me how they wish they could travel and, if I remember correctly, “leave this crappy place”.
Now here I was, one of thousands of people that journey to see the many cultural and historical sites of the Czech Republic, enjoying a great extended trip, only to hear that someone that lived there thought it was a crappy place.
I guess it’s just human nature to take for granted what you already have.
People plan and save to travel so they can experience new places, people and things. Maybe if they spent just a little time looking at where they live through the eyes of a visitor they might experience something new without having to catch a plane.
Maybe I will take some time and explore where I live.
Guy says
Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes. We go to a place and see things the locals are so used to, that it means little to them – they’ve seen it a thousand times. Yet to us, it can be amazing. Sometimes, though, you meet a local who does look at it in a different light, they see things you don’t and vice-versa. Both of us are enrichened. Another saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As we travel, we experience both.
thetravellingfool says
Guy,
I agree, sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see what is right in front of you. Thanks for stopping by.
SB says
Hello Bob,
A nice article. It is like charity begins at home. If one appreciates what one gets in his/her own town, s/he is bound to feel the same for other places. I speak from experience. Best not to engage with such wet blankets.
thetravellingfool says
I agree, thanks for stopping by.
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Interesting post. The great thing about travel is that oftentimes, it makes you develop an appreciation for where you’re from.
thetravellingfool says
Hi Mary,
Sometimes you just need to look at things through other people eyes. Thanks for stopping by.
Siddhartha Joshi says
Very well said! I agree that happens sometimes…
Janice says
I sometimes wish I moved to San Francisco when I had the chance, after my divorce 12 years ago. But as much as I love the City, I’m glad I can appreciate it from a distance and visit every few months, enough to still call it home in a way. With its high cost of living, crowds and a locals’ “attitude” I often encounter, I would probably come to hate it if I actually lived there. Denver sometimes gets on my nerves, but I am glad that I live here and not in the place I think I would love more.
That’s what I was thinking as I read your post, Bob. Thanks for providing some perspective here.
thetravellingfool says
That is true. Some places are fun to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Nha Trang du lịch says
A nice article. It is like charity begins at home. If one appreciates what one gets in his/her own town, s/he is bound to feel the same for other places. I speak from experience.