It has been 1 month since I uploaded a new video.
I have been late on 2 posts.
At home, a Portuguese novela is playing on the television.
If you ever wonder about my favorite country that I've visited, look at my actions and judge for yourself.
But the good news is, I am back home. Now that I have left paradise (aka Brazil), I can focus on work.
(my internal dialogue)
I often hear people say that they don't enjoy traveling because of tourist traps. However, these same people often visit the wrong types of areas.
Firstly, if you're visiting a developing country where the economy relies heavily on tourism, it's likely that you'll have an experience where locals try to extract as much money from you as possible.
Don't take it personally because we also act that way.
This is similar to the chaos that ensues during Black Friday sales at Walmart.
I don't blame them because if I had
to support myself for the entire year and only had a few months to earn money, I would do whatever it takes.
This behavior is exacerbated if the country's infrastructure is in bad condition.
Instead, I blame the ruling elite of the country for failing to take care of their people, and sometimes other governments (including our own) for implementing policies that exploit other countries. I’m not taking the moral high ground because I get it...
Governments are meant to protect the interests of their own people, even if it comes at the expense of others.
What’s my point?
If you are seeking different experiences than the one mentioned, I suggest traveling to destinations where the economy is not solely reliant on tourism.
That's why I tend to prefer São Paulo over Rio de Janeiro in Brazil – there's a thriving job market in areas like finance and IT, so people have jobs and can live their lives. It feels more authentic and real to me, and I've had more rewarding experiences there.
Traveling to these places can be more challenging because there are fewer tourist services available, but trust me, if you meet the right locals, they can provide you with a much better experience than any tourism package can offer.
So, if you're someone who dislikes dealing with tourist traps, consider venturing into areas where the economy isn't solely dependent on tourism. Let me know what you think.
What does an authentic
experience mean to you when you travel?
