Reaction to Travel as a Political Act

23 May, 2016

Rick Steves Travel as a Political Act

     During this class I've had the dissatisfaction of reading "Travel as a Political Act" by Rick Steves. There's something about the tone of voice about the book that make me just not like the book, but somehow to not like the guy himself for how he portrayed himself in his travels. Although he did shed some light on some issues relative to places where he had traveled he also seemed to always put his own spin with anti-colonialism, anti-war, anti-drug policies, and anti-fun travel. Rick sure make it seem that he was the anti-typical American traveler, but his own noted character flaws or actions made it seem that he was almost just another dumb tourist with an agenda for his travels.

     According to Rick one must learn something when traveling rather than traveling for enjoyment or appreciation and that seems to a bit too straightforward or judgmental of how people should travel. Although he does make a good point at times to how being part of something bigger than oneself and being a part of history or witness something that is truly awe inspiring. At instances he manages to inadvertently insult someone or their cultural beliefs without being aware of it at the time does seem to be a bit ethnocentric. At one point in time he offers a hookah to a practicing Muslim during Ramadan and another gives a thumbs up in another country, which is like the middle finger, it makes him seem like he's culturally insensitive at times. For all the times he stresses to learn something or another during trips it's like he doesn't care about learning about certain cultures before he actually travels.

     There's certainly a lot of things that I can go on about how I personally don't like this book but that's my own opinion and you should have your's.

References

Steves, R. (2009). Travel as a Political Act. New York, NY: Nation Books.