Wednesday 3 August 2011

Of Curiosities and Ironies

We go to great lengths to explore the world, so to speak. We spend hard-earned money and get away from the lives we know so well to find that one special destination to bring us that one unique experience.
The reality is that most parts of the world have become just another generic global city of cultural homogenization. A few weeks ago, I was having lunch at a Balinese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, relishing thoughts of a true Balinese experience. Here I am in Bali settling for the comfort of a Quarter Pounder. A distant band drones to the tune of Hotel California and local cafés display posters of recent Hollywood movies.
While we seek to expand our horizons, the world is fast shrinking.  Unless we are willing to go off the beaten track and take uncharted courses, we can forget about "meeting the locals”, "experiencing their culture” or "becoming part of their daily lives”.
And yet, we continue to do what we do – going to great lengths to “explore the world”. We will ourselves to believe that crossing oceans, continents and time zones will take us there. Sometimes, where we are, where we have been and where we are headed to is all but a state of mind. We just like to get there in a jet plane.
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