A Moment to Reflect

Seven weeks into our trip and in the role of a tourist, I can't help but look back and reflect on what I observe:

• Aside from our time in the Rainforest (no cellphone service there), everyone walks about with their eyes glued to their cellphones and earbuds in place, oblivious to the world.  No one seems to talk to anyone around them.  In restaurants, people at the same table are glued to their phones and texting. Mass transportation the same.  Walking along the street out and about- ditto.

• People are obsessed with selfies.  We would be in locations with unbelievable beauty and most of the tourists are only interested in taking selfies.  People- no one wants to see pictures of you...they want to see pictures of the places you have visited!  Has social media pressured us into feeling we need to post provocative, glamour photos of ourselves?  And to get the perfect pose, be rude and push, literally push, strangers out of their way- even if you were there first?

• Queuing.  For the most part, we as Americans are taught at an early age to stand in line. There’s always that one person or another who will try to “cut” in line, but mostly we are a polite people.  Apparently not the case in many Asian countries.  While we haven’t arrived on their turf yet to experience it there, we have encountered numerous tourist groups that think nothing of pushing you out of their way or ignoring queues altogether.  So far, I remain polite and silent.....