(March 5, 2024 at 3:51 pm)Jillybean Wrote: Part of my beef is the exultation of travel as being "necessary" for perspective or personal growth when the ability to travel is dependent on having money. I do know one guy who is passionate about world travel and does the things you mentioned - stays in hostels, talks with locals, explores without a guide - and yes, I see him as quite different from most of the "jet set" I know who make regular trips to Vegas and other tourist traps.
But in a very real sense, it is necessary to understand another culture. One can read about the various cultures, and learn something, but being immersed in the culture is an entirely different thing.
Travel's unnecessary for personal growth because growth may happen in many different directions -- that is, the interests of the person doing the growing. But if one wants even a layman's understanding of cultural anthropology and geography, travel is indispensable.
