Two weeks ago in NYC, I was busy giving talks at the New York Times Travel Show. I made time for an interview at the request of the Wall Street Journal. They put me in a car and took me to a rough “but emerging” neighborhood in Brooklyn under the Williamsburg Bridge, and I shivered through an interview.
Reviewing this interview, I see the accidental evolution of my passion for teaching travel. After a decade of travel-on-the-cheap, I wrote my handbook on travel skills, Europe Through the Back Door. Then, after a decade of tour-guiding, my buddy Gene Openshaw and I wrote Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler. And now, a decade later, with my focus on travel as an invaluable, perspective-broadening experience, I’ve written my latest book, Travel as a Political Act(at the printer now, in the bookstores in early May).
These three guidebooks provide a pyramid…a kind of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for a thinking traveler. You start off with the basics: Pack light, stay safe, catch the train, and eat and sleep well. When those needs are met, you can appreciate the art, history, and culture. And then, reaching the goal of self-actualization, you gain a deeper understanding of our place on this delightful planet.
Put on a scarf and check out this interview. (video no longer available)
Your belief that your travels will have any political effect is naive in the extreme. This is same attitude that led to WWII. Neville Chamberlin is the poster child for a belief that his efforts brought us “peace in our time”. Had he been more alert WWII could have been avoided and Hitler contained before he began. Iran is certainly another example. Not only do you fail to understand Islam that divides the world into believers and infidels you think that contact with locals, somehow, will avoid a future conflict. They see you coming with a camera and a reputation as a travel writer and you don’t question the friendly attitude you receive. I remind you of the cheering crowds throught the Islamic world immediately after photos of 9/11 were released. Of course you will be well received as will other Americans who behave themselves. We are their bread and butter. Only a fool would insist any foreigner share the American dream. Fine it they do but why care if the don’t?
Rick, let me comment on something the last poster said: “I remind you of the cheering crowds throught the Islamic world immediately after photos of 9/11 were released.” Really? I was in a predominantly Muslim country during 9/11 (Kosovo). Rather than cheering crowds, I witnessed a candlelight vigil outside of our base. No burning flags, just Old Glory gently waiving in support. I witnessed the local mufti leading the people in a prayer blessing the United States. I witnessed people who could barely afford to feed their own family offering me food and sympathy. Years before I listened to Rick’s “Travel as a Political Act” (or even knew who Rick was), this experience for me has validated what Rick says about travel. OK, back to your interview, Rick. Of all places in New York, why under a bridge? Did you also volunteer to play the corpse on an episode of Law and Order?
I may be misguided in my interpretation of what Rick was saying in his statements regarding travel as a political act (thus I look forward to reading about it in his book and not making a broad assumption based on a two-minute interview), but I think he doesn’t presume that individual travel will affect our government’s political actions or those of another country. I believe he is suggesting that as we travel, we should take the opportunity to understand other cultures — not just their customs, architecture, art or history, but to go beyond that to begin to understand how those things, along with their religious/moral beliefs, daily sufferings and triumphs, and basic needs shape who they are and what they believe personally, spiritually and politically. It is commendable, not naive, to encourage travelers of the world to be more than consumer tourists, but to become educated about the places and people we visit. Just as we would not want the rest of the world to judge us or our countrymen solely by the actions of our government, it is imperative to humanize the citizens of other countries and realize that sometimes their governments act in spite of what the people want or what other governments want. It’s ok to be different and have different aspirations. But until we can learn to respect that (and therefore encourage others to do that in return), misunderstandings and conflicts will continue to occur. It matters that we have differences and we should care about and respect them because that goes to the core of the moral fundamentals of basic respect and treating each other with compassion (as we should all aspire to to do). Rick simply suggests opening ourselves to learning about those differences in order to minimize those misunderstandings– first as individuals, and then hopefully, as we share our new knowledge, to help others learn to understand.
Trish- wel said! Thank you.
I like how that is said, too. Well done. Happy travels.
Awesome! Best post yet! Also, let me echo Trish’s comments, Rick is not saying traveling to Iran, Nicaragua, or anywhere else is going to change their politics, but that you might understand their position better. That isn’t to say that you’ll end up agree with it, you might, you might not, only that you’ll know the people better and how they see the world.
Travel truly is a political act, one fraught with both responsibility and hope. While in southern Italy this past summer, a young Italian man began a conversation with several Americans who had spent the day visiting Naples and were planning a return to the US the following day. Interested in the upcoming elections, the Italian male asked questions that reflected his interest in American politics. Since the conversation was not mine, I didn’t intrude and instead listened to the Americans discuss thoughtfully why they were going to vote a certain way. Frankly, I didn’t agree with their choice for President, but that was the beauty of this exchange of ideas and perspectives. Each party to the conversation left with a renewed appreciation for the other. When we realize that each of us has a view which may or may not be shared by others, the concept of ethno-centric travel becomes less important that the trading of ideas. Thanks, Rick, for telling us that it is all right to be at the pointy end of international relations.
I was very suprised and pleased that you traveled to Iran to film your travel program. Iran is a beautiful country, its people are the nicest and most friendliest people you will meet in the world. However, I was very disappointed with the narrow minded; politically skewed outlook in which you chose to portray this country on your program. I am from Canada, in fact born and raised in Canada and of Anglo descent. So my views are nothing more than a response to viewing your program. You portray the Iranian culture and its people as beneath you and your country the United States. On your website slideshow you state the pictures taken of you by Iranians as “returning fire”. This is only one example of many slights in your Iranian travels. You are just pathetic. You fail to recognize after seeing for yourself how kind, generous and friendly the people of Iran are; they are no different than any truly peace loving nation. You are completly brainwashed from the US government agenda of war mongering, greed and destruction. Its no wonder some murals depict the US as EVIL. The truth is you are and it is through your ignorance. I will no longer be viewing your program. I have come to the conclusion that you are just another media biased,racist,intolerant simpleton. I fully expect this response to be removed by you after it is read.
I can bear personal witness that travel makes one more peaceful in nature. I was raised to be a bigot in everyway. I felt superior to everyone. Then I began to travel. It took awhile before I stopped turning up my nose at unusual food and stopped washing my hands all the time. It took awhile before I realized not only were other people as smart as me, but very often a good deal smarter…and kinder. How I was able to form and maintain friends is a testament to their greater humanity and patience. Travel simply makes me less inclined to join the lynch mob when politicians and the media try to incite us against another nationality. Travel makes you stop playing the game of us and them.
I have to add a second comment regarding the criticism of Rick’s Iran show. I think it is unduly harsh. I too have travelled to Iran for many years (early 70’s to now). However, I took no offense to Rick’s comments. He was simply giving his first (or second) opinions. Rick has a good heart. It shows through in everything he does and says. I think he is due a little slack in the process.
Apparently Stuclen is unfamiliar with the concept of “tongue in cheek” with regards to the bit about returning fire.
Returning to Tom who made the #2 comment about Kosovo. This proves the point I made in #1. Tom correctly identifies Muslims as the predominant religion but neglects to mention it was US involvement in removing Milosevic, a Serb, that ended an ethnic cleansing of Muslims Of course they are grateful for this. National identity is not always easily understood. To assume your contact, as a tourist, is going to make a difference is simply wrong. The best one can do is extend friendship, be courteous and refrain from critizing issues you don’t understand. The best Rick can do with his planned tome is to do no harm and promote it in a way to maximize profits. I should remind you that the Taliban were also appreciative of our aid in defeating the Russians in Afghanistan. Do you get the point?
I’m pretty sure any contact with another culture will make a difference, if only in the lives of one person or one family. That one person or family may work at a local coffee shop or may happen to be a reporter who would write about his contact with an American. Please feel free to invent your own examples of how tourist contact can impact the future. The choice is whether we have a positive or negative impact. Every contact is the same as planting a seed. It can be a good seed or a bad one. It can be memorable or forgetful. To paraphrase Johann Hari: The answer to problems with communication is always more communication.
Rick, I completely agree with the content of your message. I believe that we should travel that our eyes may be opened to different ways of life and different perspectives, even if we disagree with them. Travel doesn’t mean we have to accept the different views we encounter but just that we are willing to listen and understand. If our traveling experience does the same for other cultures in their view of America, then the world will be better for it. We certainly have disagreed on some things going back to emails exchanged a few years ago. However, I appreciate your perspective and that which I have gotten from Europe, even if I don’t always agree. However, I disagree with the context in which this information is presented. To say travel as a POLITICAL ACT makes it sound like politics, govt, country policies will be changed through travel or that they are the answer. I strongly believe that true change in this world will come from people not politicians. If you look at the involvement of country and politics, it is almost always a negative thing. “Political acts” won’t change the world at all. It is people, one by one, that must make this change. You’d be hard pressed to find a country or administration that made a POSITIVE impact on the world although there are stories throughout history where you can find many negative effects. However, you will find individuals who made profoundly positive impacts on the world that have lasted for generations as they sought change one person at a time – Jesus, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Teresa. People make a positive difference not institutions, nations, or politics. Again, I like the content but disagree with the package in which you try and present it. Whether that’s my misunderstanding or my own negative connotation of “polical act” I think this immediately puts people on one side or another, sometimes without giving your words a chance.
Jim, You continue to miss the point. Travel makes a difference for YOU — the traveler (well, maybe not you, but most of us). Going to another place with a different culture allows you to better understand your own culture and to better understand how and why other cultures differ from your own. Jim, your posts in Rick’s non-political threads are fantastic. I wish you’d avoid these threads because your constant criticism of anyone who cares about the rest of the world gets tiresome.
Travel IS a political act! In the past year I visited both Iran and Cuba, and the opportunity to interact with people is a powerful force. I was unprepared at first in Iran for the intensity of interaction with just about everyone! I realized quickly that I was representing the United States to everyone I met. And that everyone I talked with, smiled with, shook hands with, had an experience with America personally. Each person can tell another person that, in their personal experience, American people are kind, friendly, open and honest. It does matter as people vote on their representatives in government. I’m not naive, but I do believe that people make a difference.
I have not posted on this article until right now. I am Jim Humberd, not jim or Jim ever. I constantly get blamed for comments posted by unknown people. I have traveled in nearly 70 countries, and I talk to people in each and every one. I wish I could quote from each of them. 99% of the people I talked to loved Americans. One year we met two tour groups from the US, while we were in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. The first group were neatly dressed, attentive, well-behaved students from Macon, Georgia, escorted by their French teacher. Within a few minutes we met a sloppily dressed, disinterested, rowdy group of students from Philadelphia, the very image of the “Ugly American.†One of our Cruise ships had recently been sailing in the Caribbean. The tour director said those passengers were Americans, so much friendlier, and so much easier to get along with, than the Europeans. Passengers on this cruise tended to congregate with others from their own country. It’s obvious the English are different from the Germans, who are different from the French, who are different from the Italians, who are different from the Greeks, who are different from – Viva La Difference! That’s diversity as it is intended to be, from country to country.
I will be first in line to buy your new book. Traveling has made me a much better person. We moved to a small town 30 years ago from a big city. We have traveled all over the country and world. I know so many people here in this small town who will not even travel 60miles from here. They are fearful, negative, pregidous, they only see one way, the way they were brought up in the 50’s and 60’s. It is sad because life has moved forward and changed so much and they are stuck! I am greatful for people like you that have the desire to help the world and make it a better place.
Travel is NOT a political act! Even if your opinion and others are changed, that’s awesome! That is what we want. However, using that to elect officials and then expecting THEM to change anything is nonsense. I may be a bit pessimistic here but there is relatively any positive change countries or politics ever make in the world. As I stated above, change comes through people not policies. So even if you see it as a political act, don’t ever hold your breath waiting for politics to be the answer for true change in the world!
I enjoy reading all the comments here and appreciate everyone’s perspective. There is nothing at all I find objectionable about Rick’s comments about his experiences in Iran. However, I do believe his motivation is not to broaden our horizons but instead is to sell more tours and books, His team is very clever at marketing. My prediction…look for guidebooks and tours to Iran via Rick Steves in the not too distant future. Johnny
I think Jeremy B means travel is NOT a political act for HIM. It is certainly a political act for me…among other things. As far as politicians not impacting the world: I would refer to just one among many examples: LBJ. Civil rights, medicare, Vietnam, poverty, etc. Much of his “work” was felt outside our own borders.
I just want to know why the reporter took Rick to that “emerging” neighborhood under the bridge. What did that have to do with the topic of the interview?
Travel is a life changing act that can affect you, others, and the many that you can encouter. If you read what I wrote, you would realize how much I have been changed by my own travels. Is it a POLITICAL ACT? No, it’s a perspective change. And that is the only way the world can be positively changed – through PEOPLE not POLITICS. Civil rights was accomplished by a MAN named Martin Luther King Jr. It was a movement by an individual not an administration. Vietnam was NEGATIVE, not positive, and as I stated above there are many things politics do to make a negative impact. Medicare was a policy not a life changing event that deeply transformed the lives of people. Poverty has and always will exist. There is not a govt in the world that has solved this problem. Yet there are many people who have cared enough to reach out and make a difference one person at a time. To make my point I will use Christianity as an example. Not that anyone has to believe in it but it does illustrate my point. Change happens by people being affected one at a time. It was Jesus’ model. He even stated give to Caesar what is Caesar’s (let govt do what it does). If you even study the OT, God was reluctant to even allow a king or a govt to rule his people. If God had wanted a political kingdom to change the world, why didn’t he do it? The Jews are still looking for that. Jesus often refers to the kingdom of heaven as a man’s life who is changed. Jesus chose 12 men to start his movement and it went from there. Even today, 85% of all people who become Christians do so because of a friend or family member. Change didn’t happen because of an institution like the “churchâ€. It happened because of people like the CHURCH. I think it is a good illustration of what I mean when I say it is people/individuals that must bring change.
Jim Humberd, I apologize for jumping the gun – I wrongly assumed that was your post. Thanks for your post; it was interesting.
which dream? american dream? it is all too evident that for some fellow americans the “american dream” is exploiting other americans – maybe there should be room for some other dreams after all…
Jeremy: Whatever your point was, Vietnam ended as a “positive”. Politicians opposed to the war worked very hard to end it. Medicare was and still is a life changing event and was created by a political act. Do without it and see for yourself. In fact, it was even called the 1965 Medicare “ACT”. Actually I’m having a hard time even seeing what your point is. I can’t imagine why you would presume to tell every person in the world that their travel is not political and you don’t even know them or what they do. Maybe you have never heard about personal politics.
Politics as described as s systematic form of government to govern a nation. As I have stated numerous times already, I agree with Rick’s content as far as his message. I don’t like the context of using politics. It’s a negative connotation to me. It doesn’t mean that I don’t believe people can’t have their personal politics. But honestly, it’s not personal politics. It’s a perspective change born out of real life, personal experiences, and encounters with other people and cultures. Our “politics”, in referring to nations and govts, hardly enbodies any of those things. If you are waiting on the politics and the govts of the world to fix our problems and make this a better place to live, don’t hold your breath. So far it hasn’t happened and I won’t ever hold out hope for this world in the form of politics and govt. If “personal politics” and the passions of individuals come together and beging to make change one person at a time, I can agree with you. Call that whatever you want. I don’t call it politics. I call it real life experiences which shape us into who we are and how we see the world. Political acts, while beneficial in certain policies, are hardly life changing events in the lives of people. Again, see my illustration of Christianity. Medicare may have been a great thing to help and save people. Many people who use it may not be alive today without it. However, I don’t call medicare a life changing event for people. It doesn’t bring peace and it doesn’t make a difference in the grand scheme of our world and how we interact. Til the day I die, I will never depend on politics or govt to make the world a better place. I think people place way too much importance on politics and govt and think their influence on this world is vastly overrated. You can agree or not but my hope will never be in that. That is where I disagree with the context in my connotation of the word politics.
Rick, I hope you went to Peter Lugers Steak House while you were in the neighborhood. That would explain why you were under the bridge. Unbelievable steaks.Yum!!!
Jeremy did you do a mind-meld is rush limbaugh? I can’t understand what you are saying.
Nancy; Jeremy did you do a mind-meld is rush limbaugh? I can not understand what YOU are saying!
It is obvious that Jeremy is qualified to write the introduction to Rick’s book on political travel. Also he seems to be a walking (?) talking example of the effects of pot smoking.
Wow – Rick sure hit a nerve with this topic. I think I would have entitled the book “Travel as an Act of Diplomacy”. Diplomacy is the practice of dealing prudently and tactfully with others, and it requires understanding. Steven Covey, in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People put it “seek first to understand, then to be understood”. For me personally travel has expanded my understanding of other people and cultures. It also has enabled me to have personal connections with people who are not like me and consider their point of view. I’ve had opportunities to meet everyday people in Europe just going about their life, talked to them about my world and learned a bit about theirs. We talked about common perceptions they had about America and I think I gave them new perspective. They certainly gave me new perspective about their views. Whether I agreed with them or not, I was able to look at an issue from another dimension, and it made me think about how something I might say or do would be percieved by others not like me. And every European I met now knew another American personally, not some caricature. Maybe this is the idea that Rick is talking about in his book. I’ll look forward to reading it. I may not agree with everything he says, but I will understand Rick better, and maybe that is really the point.
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