When my friend arrived in Paris, he needed to find his way from the airport to his hostel. At the Information Desk he tried his hand in French, was quickly shutdown, he switched to English, and they closed the window on him. In New York, my friends complain about how slow tourists are and how they crowd the sidewalks (Definitely guilty of this too). When tens of millions of tourists ascend on “YOUR” city every year, you are bound to become numb and indifferent to these fleeting people. You don’t profit off of them, and they are a mere inconvenience after all… Right?
Since Myanmar only recently opened its doors to tourists, the locals are still enamored by the sight of foreigners, specifically blond hair, blue eyed westerners. Both children and adults shout “Min-Ga-La-Ba! (Hello!)” as you ride your bicycle down THEIR streets. Here the general population is not sick of tourists yet. Although there is an understanding that tourists help boost the local economy, backpackers hardly fit the millionaire demographic that buys out shops and stores.
Locals will ask foreigners to take pictures with them or their kids (many because it is the first time seeing a non-Asian person in their life). These are my new friends being asked...
In Myanmar, I’ve had locals escort me to the market, 7 minutes away in 100+ degree weather. I’ve heard of locals paying for a backpacker’s dinner, and giving them free coconut water in the unbearable heat…
Sssoooo maybe next time we see a lost tourist we can point them in the right direction, or at least to the closest café/fast food joint, where there will be free Wi-Fi. Chances are they are either to scared to or don’t know how to ask for help, like I was at first.