In this day and
age we all work hard to make ends meet, dealing with daily responsibilities of
balancing life and family as well as ensuring we also take time off for
ourselves.
Whether one is self-employed
or works for a firm, we all cherish a relaxing day off or even a good chunk of
days that we could perhaps use for a holiday. Some save up to embark on a short
or long haul destination in search of tranquility.
Once at our
destination, or rather at the start of the holiday we have saved up to enjoy, we expect value for our money.
Our holidaymakers
would probably have held out to us the promise of a certain level of
experience, filling our minds with anticipation. Though, what the holidaymakers
at times fail to underscore is that every tourist destination is someone else’s
home, more or less the one we left behind.
An average human
being cherishes and values their home, their culture and traditions, and would expect
a visitor to do the same, to some extent.
So, when we jump
onto that plane, ferry or hop in a car bound for somewhere, where we can to
take that well deserved time off, we are actually in another “man’s land”, where
the bulk of the population slogs just as hard to make ends meet and at times even harder where they would
also look forward to a day off; if cash
permits.
It is therefore
essential that we think of where we go and whom our holidaymaker is sending us
to. Yes, the people we would meet would be our driver, receptionist,
housekeeper, waiter, valet and so on – nonetheless they are the people of our
holiday destination.
The people are
always the ones who would leave an impression of the country visited. A country
could have the best architecture, the most fascinating history, and breathtaking
landscape, if however the people are cold and not hospitable, it would usually
take a toll on the other attractions.
Therefore in
exchange for our cash, we receive a service, yet, have we ever wondered as
visitors that we could also give something back to the local communities we
visit as our holiday destination?
Depending on where
we travel there is probably going to be someone or some place that could do
with a charitable hand.
Quite a few of us
can spare some change or possibly buy some school supplies or even clothes that
we could take with us and donate to the local school or orphanage where we
would be visiting.
There
is a famous but little known Swahili proverb:
“Mchamago hanyile, huenda
akawiya papo ", meaning:
A traveller does not depart leaving a
mess. He might one day return to the same destination.
This proverb has many meanings; one that I have
found profound in my travels is to ensure that I leave a positive footprint
wherever I go, and where possible.
Even if I might not be able to contribute
towards material goods, I would ensure that I make the effort to at least be
kind, polite and humble to the people who “serve” me during my stay with them.
That way, I can ensure that I can safely
return one day as bridge builder of “two different worlds”, so they too would
benefit from my presence.
Our hosts at our holiday destinations offer
us hospitality in exchange for our money. Where we as travellers, can pay back
in kindness for a well-deserved respite in their homelands.
After all, most of us the world over, work
hard to make ends meet. It’s our common denominator!
www.grassroots-traveller.com
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