We all travel for different reasons and choose our destinations based on a series of goals and criteria; be it self-exploration, cultural richness, a different experience, an escape to something, or countless more.
Normally those reasons stay in a very personal level and they silently generate the energy that drives our journey. But what if those goals are challenged by the traditional concepts of what travel is at your destination? What if your agenda doesn’t follow the conventional path?
I had never though about this until a recent trip to Poland. I craved to see this country. I had (and still have) a huge interest in their history and culture. But while I was there, there were moments I felt like I was looking at things the wrong way.
Normally when I visit a place and chat with the locals, they all seem to like the fact that I chose to visit their country to experience its culture, way of life, and attractions. But during my visit to Poland this didn’t seem to happen in the traditional way, so I was often welcomed to conversations with statements like:
Why Poland? People don’t come here unless they have heritage or have nowhere else to go. …there’s not much to see here; only pessimistic people and ugly, half-destroyed or unfinished buildings.
What?!! Is that how they see themselves and therefore how they expect me to see them? My experience in Poland felt nothing like that. Instead it was an inspiring personal journey that stepped outside the visit-as-a-last-resort perspective that I was constantly fed before, during, and even after my stay there.
Having said that, I also have to point out that receiving those contrasting reactions sparked deep conversations that analyzed and compared different aspects of life, culture, travel, and society. This gave me (and them) a richer and deeper understanding on relative ways-of-life, something I wouldn’t have achieved with a simple “how cool you are here” conversation.
Fast forward to just a few days ago. While chatting with one of my new roommates, I learned that he is Polish. So, in the conversation I happily point out that I visited Poland, that I had a great time there, and that I loved the country as a whole. His immediate response… Why Poland?
An immediate flashback of my time in Poland rushed into my head and it had me wondering again; do I really need a specific rationale behind my visit to this country? Should I have experienced it the way they were “suggesting” me to? Isn’t visiting their country with the intentions of experiencing a new place and enriching my life through travel an agenda worth pursuing?
At one point I was somewhat frustrated because almost everyone seemed to question my decision to go there. Even in the planning stages of my multi-city trip I debated many times substituting Poland with a “better” country (based on everyone’s opinions). In the end, I decided to follow my curiosity and personal desires that were pulling me there with a strong conviction; even when I was being told time and time again that I would “waste” my time there.
For me, travel is a deeply personal experience. While a certain place might challenge my goals and intentions with their own expectations and unofficial standards, it is my own motivation and true desires what will allow me to experience and enjoy the moment, their culture, and their history in the most open way possible. If I rely on anything other than my own criteria and motivation, I will be setting myself up for a disappointing experience.
I have always kept myself open to embrace other points of view and opportunities, but at the same time, I have found myself a bit resistant on having to adjust to a different agenda or style of travel that would fit other standards that are based on “just because”.
Rather than do things someone else’s way, isn’t it better to figure out what matters to you and then pursue things out of your true desires? I rather see and define a place through my eyes and on my own, not based on what others see, think, or expect.
In the end, I believe we should all establish our agenda based on what matters to us. Being genuine to yourself is important when looking to achieve something in life and be inspired by it.
Has a destination challenged your agenda based on traditions and expectations?
Where in Poland were those photos taken? Is that Krakow? I’ve always wanted to go there too!
Those were in Warsaw. The first one is at Stare Miasto in the Old Town and the second one is through one of Old Town’s alleys. I did go to Krakow too. They are both really impressive, and although they might look similar in certain places, they are completely different in feel and character. They are worth the visit, as well as other not well known small Polish cities.
“I rather see and define a place through my eyes and on my own, not based on what others see, think, or expect”
True if you’re referring to your peers, friends etc.But if you mean the people you meet there, then there is nothing better than to try and see a place as locals see and experience it.
Poland fascinates both of us.For me, I am interested in Mongolian history and the battles fought in Poland , and I’d like to stand on those battlefields.
One day….
Definitely, I accept suggestions from friends and peers but I don’t base my experience on what they tell me I should do. On the other hand, I do enjoy experiencing places as locals see it. I am completely open to it and I experiment with their perspective and look forward to understand more of it. But, there are times when even that local perspective is not the ultimate goal of what you seek and it relies more on a very personal journey.
Ah, Poland has such an interesting history. There are so many other places there I hope to visit some day.
Why NOT Poland?! Maybe that could have been your answer.
I agree, you have to go with your gut. Some people will always have an opinion about where you should and shouldn’t visit, but it’s your life and why would you want to only experience the places everybody else has or that most people do? I’m Polish and my mom has visited an loved it! I hope to visit someday soon!
Exactly… Why NOT Poland?! I wish I was more savvy when asked that! At least I had my gut! lol
How cool you’re Polish. I personally had a very inspirational and eye opening trip there, hopefully it will be equally wonderful, or even more, for you.
What a great post. I would never be able to understand people either if they kept questioning your reason to visit them. Right now since I am not traveling yet my thing is “When PEOPLE challenge your agenda.” I want to visit the Middle East (and I plan too) but every one keeps asking me WHY THE MIDDLE EAST??? I am so tired of answering because I want too. Hmmm thats actually a good idea for a blog post…
Thanks Jaime! True, people can challenge a lot of things you decide to do, whether in travel or not. Sometimes they do it with the best intentions but in turn they come across as “nay-sayers”. Many times we do things because we want to or because we feel drawn to it. Want to go to the Middle East?! By all means, explore it, have fun there, find what you’re looking for. That would be my reaction…
Ha, inspiration sometimes comes in weird forms.
Jaime, welcome to the Middle East. I am moving for three months to Beirut on Sunday. can you imagine the questions: WHY??
But, the locals tned to ask this question: why would anyone NOt want to come here and visit our lovely country. Isn’t that interesting?
I agree, I think it would be more interesting asking th why not instead of the why. Wow, how exciting you’re going to Beirut for three months… It must be a wonderful experience.
“Rather than do things someone else’s way, isn’t it better to figure out what matters to you and then pursue things out of your true desires?”
This is truth Norbert. You came here to live your life nobody elses. I’ve heard some great things about Poland. I think people tend to view their country as uninteresting because they live in it everyday. We tend to think the same way of our home town sometimes but we know lots of people that enjoy coming to visit.
One of the lessons in my ebook is to question everything. Two questions that will empower your life in every way is “Why?” and “Why not?”
Why not is always my first response when someone asks me a why question.
You have a good point there Caz, people tend to look at their country in an uninterested way since they experience it everyday. I admit I used to do that when I lived in Puerto Rico, but as soon as I moved to New York I started looking back at Puerto Rico with a different and more interesting perspective.
BTW, your ebook is really inspiring. The Why? and Why Not? are very empowering. Like you say, the only way to find the answers is to ask the questions.
I think that is so interesting – not only has Poland been on our list for a very long time, I have always heard such amazing things.
Certainly we should all have some sense of national pride (we certainly do) but that pessimism that the Polish seem to have about their own homeland is a little endearing. Perhaps I am just having a knee-jerk reaction to the overblown nationalism that one usually finds. I do like the idea that an outsider’s perspective might help “locals” see their own home in a new light.
It has always been our goal to simply experience as much as possible – travel the world to learn more about what makes us different and, more importantly, what unites us. That means we end up visiting places that prompt people to say things like, “Why in the hell would you go there?” That tends to just embolden us.
This post makes Poland seem even more interesting.
Good this post made Poland more even interesting to you guys. It’s interesting how you see their pessimism a little endearing. In fact, when chatting around while traveling there, I also got a sense of humbleness in the way they expressed their feelings towards themselves and their country, something I found really attractive. We all need a good outsider’s perspective every once in a while to notice what we have but don’t notice out of our numbness.
What? That is what the Poland people thinks? I believe Poland has a lot more to offered to. I would go would go there for a vacation if I have enough vacation days haha..
Very interesting perspective post though..
Yeah, Poland has a lot to offer. I even wish I had more time there… there were so many more things I wanted to see.
How long were you in Poland, did you at least see as much things as you wanted to see?
Interesting how we allow people to direct our choices in travel – maybe because the countries we choose are often a badge. After 6 months traveling I’ve realized to stop listening to others about countries or cities as it’s so deeply personal.
Well I must admit that Poland is not on my top ten list, but I would still be interested in going. Was there something specific that made you interested in Poland? I found myself in the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland (a place I’d never considered going, but is now one of my favorite places on the planet) because I wanted to do a volunteer holiday with whales and dolphins. I think the triggers that makes you choose a place are interesting.
Ouchie… for some reason your comment went to spam and I didn’t notice till now.
Well, I’m highly interested in World War II History, and Poland is literally a “ground zero” for many events during the war and that period in history in general. In addition, I was really interested (and still am) in exploring a bit of the eastern side of Europe; an area I find really interesting (cultural and architectural wise). So, those were my two main triggers… and good ones in the end.
Thanks for the explanation, i was curious, although I don’t think you ever need a reason to go anywhere
True, all you need to go anywhere are your true desires and curiosity.
Traveling a lot for business, I get this a lot. I go to a lot of “po-dunk” towns and people ask me all the time, “What are YOU doing HERE?” So, I generally get around this by defaulting to food. What’s the one place I should eat. No matter where you are, you can start your exploration by going to a local restaurant. From there, you never know where you might end up.
Ha! I guess we can eat our way around the world… Like they say, food is another universal language. You’re right, local restaurants have proven to be resourceful when it comes to exploring a new place.
Really a great article. I get asked by Germans often why I decided to move to their country.
These attitudes are part of the culture somehow. A country populated by pessimists is interesting in it’s own right. Like you said, this gives you an opportunity to look at things in a different way.
It’s interesting how their attitudes can influence our approach to experience their culture. I personally find Germany a delightful country to live in. I wonder why would they ask? Maybe just out of curiosity? Thanks for your comment, Andrew!
This was great/gave me a lot to think about. I just moved back to Las Vegas, and I know a lot of locals here kinda do that, complain about living here to tourists, ask them why they’re here. But the reasons of all of that are totally different! I’ve heard of some amazing trips to Poland, so that surprised me about the people there. So glad you gave it a good think and wrote about it for us!
Thanks Abby! I guess this is something that happens in many cities and countries around the world. Locals might know the in’s and out’s of living in a place, but at the same time an outsider’s perspective can bring life to so many new opportunities. I think this is one of the positive sides of getting to know the locals on any given destination when we travel; is a symbiotic cultural relationship.