Travel opens up one’s horizons and exposes one to the exclusive cultures of new places. I have seen and learnt a lot from destinations within India and more so from places across the world, although many pages remain as yet unopened.
One gets to see quite a few commonalities in Asian countries in the ways in which a tourist is viewed and treated. He is more often than not literally taken for a ride during shopping and sightseeing expeditions. I was surprised to see similar tendencies in Mexico, which was our family tour destination a couple of weeks ago. Our tour guide, like in India, stopped the vehicle near remote restaurants and shops with needless items on display for purchase, always with a defensive remark that we need not eat or buy at any of those places. But it is inevitable that when one is made to spend time at such places at least a few tourists end up making purchases and almost all have their lunch at the place. The tour guide earns a free lunch and commission at such places.
During another shopping stop we strolled beyond, looking at the roadside shops that reminded us of our own India. As a dog started showing friendly overtures at a certain shop, I stood there uncertain of how to deal with it as the more I spoke the more she wanted to leap at me. The vendor then appeared from behind the stall, restrained it and said, “Namaste” to me, surprising me no end. The tilak on my forehead indicated my Indian origin, I concluded. My husband and daughter’s
family soon joined me and the vendor continued to speak, showcasing his knowledge of India by reeling out names like Goa, Gokarna and Om beach all of which he had visited.
He said that he loved the spicy food of India and had plans to visit again. It was indeed a delight to hear the names of our own tourist destinations from him and we wished him a warm adieu. He did not seem disappointed at our not buying any of the fancy jewellery on display and bade us a cheery farewell. Another day and tour got us a new young guide who was excited to find us the only English speaking family in the group. When I mentioned that we have more older and beautiful churches in Goa, he was suitably impressed that we were from India. He opined that Mexicans and Indians were like family with many common features, whereas I found a resemblance between the countries in only the crowded streets. We found the shopping areas a sellers’ market as atrocious prices were quoted and not knowing Spanish proved to be a handicap for us. An unsavoury experience was that upon arrival, despite a smooth scan at the airport security, our light luggage was physically checked for food grains that we had not carried as we had already planned to subsist on fresh fruits, milk, cereals and vegetables. I wonder if this sort of needless harassment and delay helps promote tourism. Our rooms at the highly-priced resort were on the second floor without an electric lift, and so this, along with the healthy diet that we followed, we returned a few pounds lighter and definitely healthier!