why i rarely remember the tourist attractions

the photo below was taken when i was 17, backpacking through indonesia, malaysia and thailand.

buying a can of pringles back then felt like an absolute luxury.

apparently buying a beer didn't. 😂

looking at this photo now, i realise something.

i already knew how i wanted to travel.

not faster.

not with a longer list.

just... differently.

while other travellers were heading off to a tourist attraction, i'd often ask them, "would you mind taking my camera? and i’ll look at the photos later."

because i wanted to spend time in the village.

i wanted to learn how to make coconut oil with the locals.

i wanted to ride bareback through the jungle to a little village school with pens i'd bought for the children.

i wanted to help prepare for a local ceremony.

i remember one ceremony where a horse was being sacrificed.

it wasn't something i'd ever experienced before. but rather than walking away, i wanted to understand it. i wanted to understand the culture.

the traditions.

the rituals.

the stories behind it.

that's always been the part that fascinated me.

after making coconut oil one day, the family invited me into their little home and cooked fish for lunch.

when it was time to leave, the children came over with a little traditional purse as a gift for me

i remember noticing it was broken - which simply made it even more special.

they were so incredibly proud to give it to me.

and i felt so honoured to receive it.

i can still see the joy on their faces.

i remember that moment like it was yesterday.

yet i honestly couldn't tell you every tourist attraction i visited on that trip.

those moments never stayed with me the way the people did.

looking back at her now,
i don't think she's changed that much.

she's still more interested in people than places.

she still believes the best recommendations come from conversations.

she still wanders down little laneways because someone pointed her towards a tiny family-run place she'd never have found otherwise.

she still slows down long enough to notice what so many people rush past.

because, for me, travel has never really been about the places.

it's always been about the people.

the stories.

the connection.

the only difference now...

is that i get to invite others along.

if that sounds like the way you love to travel too... i'd love to explore the world with you someday.

jodes x