A new site just hit the web and I think everyone should go check it out. The Indie Travel Manifesto, a collaboration between one of my favorite travel authors, Rolf Potts, and the Boots-n-all travel network, attempts to define Independent travel and create a community for those that relate to it.
Here’s the video they released with the site:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYIRLeiLtNs
I’ve typed out the individual statements below for your reference, which you can also find on their site indietravel.org. I have to say, they did a great job of defining the style of travel I, and many others, try and promote. All you have to do is scan the statements below to see why we love to travel this way and why we wish others would as well. Discovery, growth, values, meaning – these aspects of travel don’t typically come with the umbrella in your pina colada.
Indie travel is about…
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Replacing Broad expectations with nuanced realities.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Seeing yourself in the context of a rich and complex world.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Defining your values, exploring your beliefs, and crafting your own meaning for life.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Options over possessions
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Dynamic Possibilities over Static Goals
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Discovery over Escape
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Interactions over Transactions
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Local Information over received information
-Â Â Â Â Â Â First-hand experience over expert opinions
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Mental and spiritual growth as much as physical adventure
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Private transformation over social status and bragging rights
-Â Â Â Â Â Â The present moment over dreams of past and future
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Pack light and keep things simple
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Adapt as you go rather than micromanage in advance
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Practice caution, but not paranoia
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Slow down and enjoy an experience
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Seek pleasure in simple moments and details
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Make meaningful connections and informed decisions
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Learn the economic, political and environmental context of my host culture
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Emphasize listening more than talking
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Practice courtesy, patience, humility, and good humor
-      Seek to understand – not judge or romanticize – other cultures.
-Â Â Â Â Â Â Give back to the local economy.
-      Share what you’ve learned with others.
What do you think about these statements? How do your thoughts on travel line up with these?
Nice one Travis.
Glad to here that is resonates with you. Â
All stories have a curious and even dangerous power. They are
manifestations of truth — yours and mine. And truth is all at once the
most wonderful yet terrifying thing in the world, which makes it nearly
impossible to handle. It is such a great responsibility that it’s best
not to tell a story at all unless you know you can do it right. You must
be very careful, or without knowing it you can change the world.