The truth about traveling abroad is that you actually have a responsibility. You have a responsibility to your own country. In all actuality, upon touchdown, you are indeed an ambassador for your country. Natives and fellow travelers from different faraway lands will form opinions upon your nation based entirely upon your conduct. It's true. And you thought it was all fun and games!
Share your wisdom kindly through example.
Because many developing countries are facing tourism and capitalism at rampant rates, many are not equipped nor educated on environmental issues. I remember traveling in a national park in India when two doctors asked me what I liked and disliked about India. I told them that I disliked the trash everywhere. They proceeded to eat their snacks and then leave the packaging right there on the ground at a National Park. These were educated doctors truly interested in my opinion of their country! I then picked up their trash and put it in my backpack to dispose of in a trash can. You better believe they took note. Example.
Last weekend at the Umbrella Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, my seven-year-old embarked upon picking up trash on the main street. Everyone was watching and commenting on the little farang (foreigner) cleaning the place up. Example.
I've watched women pour baskets and baskets of plastic cups into the backwaters of Southern India. On Indian trains chai tea used to be served in clay cups and snacks in bowls made from leaves. After finishing, they threw them out the train windows returning them to the soil. Now these cups and bowls are made from plastic and they continue to throw them out of the windows. They don't know any better. Carry yours off the train and deposit them in the receptacle at the station. Example.
We need to teach others what we've learned through our own mistakes so that they don't repeat them. It's a severe, very modern, case of When in Rome (ing) responsibly.. Of course eat the eats and dance the dance, but remember to Roam responsibly and remember who you are, what you've learned and share it through example.
In the words of the great Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in this world."
You can make a difference.
Cheers & Ciao for Now and for more fabulous information from Gina or for queries please visit her website at www.GottaLottaHope.com