The Art of Travel - Connection vs Consumption

After a mornings sightseeing I am hot. Its apparently 43 degrees Celsius and on the rise (its still only 12.45pm) Last week it got to 52.....hmmmmm

Life continues to be incredibly stimulating here in Marrakech. Today has been filled with palaces, monuments and markets. We are both well apart from the normal belly upsets.

Apart from our honeymoon this is my first overseas trip that I have made purely for holiday. I have travelled through Thailand (twice) and Philippines on mission exposure trips over the past 10 years. I've been reflecting today on how different it is to travel this way. There are both advantages and disadvantages of both.

Travelling this way means less logistical problems, no arranging transport or accommodation etc - it also means we travel in comfort. A good bus, amazing hotels and a great guide. We also are getting an amazing insight into the history and culture of the countries we are visiting.

How ever today I have been feeling that amidst the wonder of it all that something is 'missing' that I've previously experienced when travelling.

I am not completely sure what it is or how to verbalise it but there is a small 'emptiness' in travelling purely for one's own enjoyment. On previous trips the interactions that I have had with people from the country have been rich and real.

I remember the 6 weeks that I lived in a Bangkok slum and the depth of the relationships that were formed as I lived with, served and prayed with those I met there in the AIDS hospice/drug rehab centre.

In stark contrast, here the only interactions we have with local people are with hotel staff and those trying to sell us their wares on the street.

Similarly the places that we are taken here are incredibly 'sanitised'. We only stay in the best part of the city, slums that we pass are explained away and everything about where we visit is 'sold up'. We spend more times in shops than we do anywhere else.

Whilst I understand why this is the case a small part of me is left thirsting for more. I guess I'm realising that the main difference is that in previous trips the focus was largely on 'connection'. Connecting with culture, people, God and even ourselves. In contrast to this the focus of this tour is much more upon 'consumption'. We are here to buy, eat and be served. We even have opportunity to consume the culture and its people.

Having said all that I am truly having a ball and am immersing myself in it all.... Talk to you in Casablanca!