Travelling 30 years ago comparing to travelling today- Is there a big difference?
What do you think about it?
I would really love to hear your opinions
Since I just reminisced on another post a minute ago, I might as well carry on here. But rather than waffle on like an old geezer, I'll just use bullets.
- No cell phones
- No computers
- No internet
- Writing post cards
- Crackly telephone lines with a delay
- No music, if someone had a cassette player everyone huddled around it
- No digital cameras, take your umm we still called them "pictures!" and hope it came out ok
I might as well get the fighting started on this point.
Travelling today is far far easier than it was then. It is, because of technology and globalization, less of an achievement to reach your destination than it was 30 years ago. I wasn't travelling 30 years ago...So I assume. I started only 25 years ago.
I carry an MP3 player now, and I type this on a laptop in a fleabag Latin American hotel. Used to be I'd be writing it with a worn down pencil while listening to whatever screeching ranchero the radio was playing.
I sort of miss those times, really. There is something not quite right about being in the middle of a rundown pueblo in Nica, for instance, and being able to pull out your cell and call your buddy who is having a coffee on Robson St. Part of the adventure is worn away, in my opinion. Part of the thrill, to my mind, of travelling to these far places was the feeling of disconnect with the world you knew. You were there, and all by yourself. If you needed help, you had to really work at getting it. Now, it's like you're around the corner at Mac's Milk picking up some bread.
[ 21-Mar-2010, at 09:25 by Piecar ]
Yes, of course there is a big difference. As Piecar stated, traveling is much easier. It's also much cheaper by comparison. Flying from place to place was something you saved for plus there wasn't the glut of budget carriers there are now. Though things were starting to change, passengers usually "dressed" for the flight - business casual rather than the "day at the beach" casual now seen.
I can't speak for the changes in backpacking as I've never been backpacking. But, regardless of the mode one chooses - things are different. Car trips were adventures because interstate highways didn't crisscross the country. In certain places, they abruptly ended, forcing you to take the scenic two-lane roads through every small town. Planning for a trip was different because it just took longer to get from point A to point B. There were also more small localized attractions to see along the way. Sadly, many have been replaced by Disney and the like. (Don't get me wrong, enjoyed visiting them too.)
Dodger's list is right on as is as Piecar's - local radio if found, postcards, pen & paper, no cell phones, lugging the 35mm SLR with all it's equipment, hitchhiking was definitely safer, travelers in general where much nicer to each other.
Now I sound like the old geezer... But, I remember traveling around 40 years ago when things were even less complicated.
So we all agree there's a huge difference,
Funny how things change, isn't it?
I too miss the old days but I made with myself an unspoken agreement which gives me the opportunity to use the advances I truly find helpful yet leave behind the advances I can't stand for. See, I honesty believe that modernism is about making our lives more pleasant and not the other way around...modernism is about one's ability to choose what's good in his opinion, in other words- independency!! So, I don't use my cell phone on my long or short vacations, I look for the unique qualities of each place I visit and not the other way around, I don't shut my senses by dealing all day long with gadgets such as MP3, play station or any kind of computer games as well as obsessive activities like social networks, U Tube, TV, eye phone and blab blab...I do appreciate on the other hand the easiness in finding even the rarest information through out the internet and of course the online booking which made each and every one of us an independent travel agent, not to mention the competitive prices we all enjoy ever since the online booking bumped into our lives. Known and reliable online booking web sites like -snip- are only few of the wonderful online booking sites we can all easily use and enjoy.
[ Link to Forum Rules added. Sorry, no promos please. ]
suddenly, this sounds like a salespitch
suddenly, this sounds like a salespitch
I know, did we get suckered? I totally refuse to go to those links now just on principal.
suddenly, this sounds like a salespitch
I know, did we get suckered? I totally refuse to go to those links now just on principal.
I have a feeling both of your suspicions are correct. The links have also been removed. I hope the poster realizes TP members are quite good at knowing when they are being manipulated. The subject is a good one and replies should stay on topic - without the rather spammy comments.
Isa now returns this thread to it's regularly scheduled topic of travel comparisons.
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