Back to the States, back to reality
by Lori Barrett | July 28, 2008 at 7:15 am
Posted in travel
I won't bore you with the other 512 vacation photos.
After a few weeks roaming around Europe and the Middle East, I have landed back in Baltimore. Tired of being wired 24/7, I left my Blackberry behind and was intentionally without internet and email access for the entire trip. It was liberating, and I have to admit that I was reluctant to pick up the laptop when I returned home yesterday. Obviously, I caved, but it may take me a few days to get back up to speed.
Some of my itinerary locales were as benign (and beautiful) as the islands of Greece. Other stops undoubtedly caused my mother to lose sleep: Egypt, Turkey, Israel, and even Palestine. I never strayed so far from Western Europe before, so it was enlightening to see these countries with my own eyes, beyond how they are portrayed in our media. Some tidbits:
A portion of the highway on the route to Cairo was lined with snipers. Within Cairo, the banks of the Nile River were lined with such American amenities as TGI Friday’s and Gold’s Gym.
At a cafe in Turkey, our waiter spoke virtually no English. However, he was able to communicate what must be the most-asked question of Americans traveling abroad: “Bush, you like?” When my friends and I shook our heads in unison, he responded with two thumbs up.
I visited a calm Jerusalem the day before Tuesday’s bulldozer attack, then popped over to the Palestinian-controlled town of Bethlehem. Surprisingly to me (and clearly indicating that I am letting the evening news brainwash me), I found the Palestinian people to be friendly and welcoming.
Trips like this can really make a girl think. Now what about you: Do you think we’re too accepting of the media’s portrayal of events — particularly in the Middle East? Or do you optimistically believe that we’re being presented with an unbiased view of the world?
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July 28th, 2008 at 8:07 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Welcome home. It sucks doesn't it.
I was in Germany for 2 weeks this past spring. I didn't have a cell phone. I too found that liberating. That uncanny need to text someone, or just look at your phone the minute you are alone is a powerful drug. But that 2 week abstinence broke me. Now I can actually leave the house w/o it. It makes me wonder how I became so dependent. And completely disgusted by the habit.
As for the media, we are completely at their mercy unless you are a clever enough person to seek other opinions from foreign news sources. Sadly most Americans aren't that clever.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:06 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Isn't wonderful,it is so great being in a whole other world.And that iswhat it is,I lived overseas and traveled everywhere.That is where I came into who I am.You learn so much it would take me to long to tell it as you already know.You grow from 100 to a million it is really a whole new life,style.You really (mature) it opens your mind to so so many things,and there is good and bad everywhere.Driving down the rounding streets to asking for ice to go into a not so real soda.Everything known to man kind is there,I loved living there I will never forget that,and I thank God for taking me to the other land.Vita Michelle King
July 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
You go with your bad self Lori!
I think Americans are interested in international news, but mainly as it pertains to them. If there's no impact on them, they are more or less not inclined to read about it. What's sad is that your waiter in Turkey knew who our president is, but most Americans don't know the leaders of other countries, even the major players.
Leaving the cell at home, that's a happy moment.