Here we go again! I am less than a week away from returning to South America after a couple months of spending time with friends and family. And while I loved my time in traveler rehab, I could not be more ready to jump off the wagon. So, as a kick start to the second coming of Ese in SA, I have decided to address a slight issue.
It has come to my attention that a misconception has arisen and it must be squashed. Apparently, some people are unable to differentiate between Traveling and Vacationing. Yes, there is a difference. Quite glaring contrasts actually. Allow me to break it down for you.
First, we shall define Vacationing and Traveling. A vacation is usually two weeks or less in length, includes one or two destinations, is an escape from reality, and 74% of the time a beach is involved. A Travel experience can range anywhere from 1 month to 3 years. Anything over 3 years and you are technically dealing with a hobo. Traveling takes people to many destinations, becomes a reality of its own, but beaches are still included in 58% of cases.
Now, you need to understand how to identify and distinguish between a Traveler and a Vacationer. Take a look at how they pack their belongings. If you see a suitcase, that is a dead giveaway that you have a Vacationer on your hands. If there are wheels anywhere on the luggage, that signals a Class 5 Vacationer. Watch out for those with multiple pieces of wheeled suitcases as they will most assuredly be taking up an absolutely ridiculous amount of space at the most inconvenient of times.
On the other hand, if you instead see a backpack, odds are you have some kind of Traveler. The size of the bag is usually an indication of what type of Traveler this is. If you see a Jansport like the one you were using in high school, this person is a minimalist and is probably rotating back and forth between the same two pairs of underwear. Either that or they have foregone the whole underpants hoax altogether. If you see someone with a backpack that dwarfs them, and is large enough to accommodate 36 boxes of Twinkies, Thomas Jefferson's oak desk, their own flight attendant, and a moderately sized Mexican family, this person plans on traveling for quite some time. In fact, they may already be pushing dangerously close to the hobo zone.
Take a look at the actual individual. If you see any of the following, a visor, designer sunglasses, a giant city map that screams, "steal from me", or a quick reference language guide than includes nothing more than basic greetings and the local word for bathroom, you are looking at a Vacationer. Perhaps you see someone that very closely resembles a hippie, gypsy, or any other kind of vagabond. There is a very real chance that this person is just a Traveler and hasn't been able to locate a shower for the past couple days. Just plug your nose and continue on.
Hopefully, next time you start to confuse Vacationing and Traveling you can help sort out the madness by referring back to this quick guide. If you have any further questions please feel free to send them my direction and hopefully I can set you straight.
In conclusion, a Vacationer goes elsewhere to get away from their troubles, real life, and exist for a short period in a fantasy world. A Traveler goes elsewhere to live their life on the move. Strange foods, foreign languages, different experiences, and saying goodbye to new friends more often than desired becomes reality. Travelers face day to day problems just like anyone else, but all they have to combat those issues is whatever they have strapped to their backs. Traveling: it's not always easy. It's not a vacation. It is a different way of life.
Vacationer and Traveler aside, each and every person that has been given the opportunity to get out and see another piece of this world is blessed. I am continually thankful for the chances I have been granted to explore and experience different places. And as long as I am able, I will never stop devising ways to make it happen again and again.
Colombia, let's do this thing!
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