Me, talking about the importance of self-dependence during travel rather than following a packaged tour (which plans everything for you wthout you having to lift a finger).
“Somehow, travelling free-and-easy will help you learn more about a place, and learn to find your way around. Sooner, you’d realize that you can go almost anyplace without having to rely on guide books.
Back then when I travelled to Hong Kong on a group-tour, they brought us round and round until I got dizzy and didn’t know where the heck I was! Whereas when I went back to Hong Kong later on with my friends, I managed to get myself up and around in a matter of two days!” – Me.
Well, that was supposedly the original topic of conversation. But you know. With me, things can suddenly take on a twist.
Ter – “You have an amazing sense of direction for a girl. I thought that was a guy thing.”
Me – “See, I told you. I’m a guy trapped in a girl’s body.”
Ter – “…”
Me – “When I became an embryo in my mother’s womb, the stupid Y-chromosome decided to mutate and become an X.”
Ter – “…”
Me – “I have mutated sex chromosomes!”
Ter – “…”
Yeah, I am still onto that whole I should have been born a guy conspiracy thing.
[Insert feminist comment on women-don't-have-a-sense-of-direction stereotype]
To me, though:
backpacking = more fun, less pretty hotel;
guided tour = much less fun, prettier hotel.
VERY true. Hahaha. Unless you’re backpacking without a limited budget.
Well I think it just depends on the person traveling. Some people are so tired from work they don’t really want to stress about other things so a packaged tour suits them better. Others just like the freedom of doing whatever they want.
I’m not really into traveling tbh. It’s never an accurate way of experiencing culture when you see a country through the windows of a hotel and a cab.
Heh, that’s why I’d rather explore around on my own! Like, buses and the trains. The only way to hone a sense of direction is to really get down and dirty. (Uh, that sounds wrong.)
But come to think of it – an orientation tour will always be nice. Like during the first day, to get a feel of the place before venturing around alone!
I suppose it depends on the person, but I feel restricted by package holidays. And yes, buses and trains all the way. It’s a good way of immersing yourself in the culture and getting a truer look at the place.