Dead on here, man. "Overpriced ceviche next to some other American." Ha! You see this same perfection, or attempt at it, on the most instagrammable hikes here in NZ. It ain't travel. It's optimized consumption as we move through space.
As someone about to get kicked out of a house so it can be turned into and Air BNB, I feel your pain. I live in southern Belize and every tourist is doing exactly the same thing, and wearing the same clothes, and singing the same song on their way back from drinks in the golf cart with their emotional support yeti mugs full of margaritas.........................
Even when Lonely Planet was still a thing, we stopped using it--for that exact reason--going to a recommended restaurant and finding it inundated with people you thought you'd left thousands of miles behind. Sounds snobby, I know. Of course this didn't stop me for writing for Fodors about our little piece of heaven on Mexico's Caribbean coast. (shame shame). But I'm a firm believer that there is that isolated less-trodden path. Have found on many occasions, usually by taking a bus. And I still marvel that S. America is not more of a favorite (excepting Argentina, Peru, Ecuador) nor Indonesia or India, because that is NOT the way most people want to travel. Central America, of course well-traveled. It's been cleansed. So yeah, travel is worth it, but the conversation starter type travel, well, if you want an adventure, usually ain't gonna happen. A couple decades ago it was still a little wilder out there, everywhere. But times change.
taking a bus is 100% the way to go - for some reason buses tend to scare folks from the US haha. And also very much agree on South America, being down there for a while felt a lot more isolated, which was great! the "is it worth it?" was perhaps a little much, but I mostly am thinking of the "I drank an aperol spritz on the Amalfi coast" type of traveler that I think is still the dominant archetype in the media. nothing inherently wrong with the drink or the place, I just don't think type of commodified travel is it anymore.
Please believe me, I am happy for people to be able to experience the wonders of traveling, and also know I was lucky to have been able to travel farther off the beaten path. And travel Is important, if only to allow us to see how others live, what they eat, how they enjoy themselves, how they interact. It's such a good education. And for oldsters, travel is a reward, something they may have wanted to do in youth, but staying the course, keeping the home fires burning, that was what was needed of them. And by the time they've saved for that trip, the back is gone, the legs are weak, and they always wanted to see Italy or France, so they take a cruise. It's all they can manage w/ their tired bones. In these days of influencers, I think things have gone askew. But it probably won't change any time soon, so Bon Voyage to all, however and wherever one travels.
Been there, done that, Skylar! And I couldn't agree more - that is all just following the tourist path. Nowadays, I seldom look at any kind of review site for recommendations on where to eat/drink. Traveling in Mexico, I do find that I still need to exercise some degree of caution (I tend to avoid inexpensive looking inland fish restaurants, for example) but going the "serendipitous" route has surely made my travels more interesting and personally satisfying.
very true, there are places where some caution can do serve you well for sure. but a few general guidelines, like the one you mentioned, can pretty much cover you in most cases. but you know what they say, you gotta risk some gastrointestinal discomfort for a great experience! ha
Great essay Skylar. What happened to the days of showing up at the airport and getting on the next departing flight without a plan. That should be a thing again.
This feels like it should have been the first thing you wrote for the Grog. It is an excellent introduction of why the Daily Grog is needed- and points to where the Grog would go in future articles. So when anyone asks “ why follow the Daily Grog”, this should be the first thing they read. If they agree with this article, The Daily Grog is definitely for them!
I am craving more of those street tacos we had with you in Puerto Vallarta 😋
This one hits home. I can add an "over reliance on Rick Steves" to that list. One good thing about having kids is that it takes me out of my travel ruts. Would I normally travel thousands of miles to sit at a playground or seek out the local military museum? No, but it does get me off the beaten path
Wow - I feel like you were speaking to me with the millions of tabs open. I couldn't agree more. The best experiences and restaurants I've ever had in my travels have been things I've stumbled upon or recommendations from a real local. They may not have all the frills of sitting in a NYC bar, but isn't that why I left NYC in the first place? Love this perspective (and reminder) of why we even travel - and it sure as hell isn't to have the overpriced ceviche next to another American LOL.
Thanks for reading! haha yeah for sure, my favorite experiences are the most simple and ones that we don't expect. like hey this little bar only had a single type of beer and not much else but something about it hit so good in the moment
Wonderfully written Skylar! Love the new approach to traveling without planning every aspect, and rolling with the punches if a restaurant isn’t the “best”.
Really liked this! It's also similar with anywhere featured on TikTok as amazing in a particular destination. It soon becomes absolutely overrun and although the food might be good, everyone and their dog is there and we all look miserable!
Dead on here, man. "Overpriced ceviche next to some other American." Ha! You see this same perfection, or attempt at it, on the most instagrammable hikes here in NZ. It ain't travel. It's optimized consumption as we move through space.
wow I love that - "optimized consumption as we move through space" - that's absolutely true!
As someone about to get kicked out of a house so it can be turned into and Air BNB, I feel your pain. I live in southern Belize and every tourist is doing exactly the same thing, and wearing the same clothes, and singing the same song on their way back from drinks in the golf cart with their emotional support yeti mugs full of margaritas.........................
the imagery 😂
Even when Lonely Planet was still a thing, we stopped using it--for that exact reason--going to a recommended restaurant and finding it inundated with people you thought you'd left thousands of miles behind. Sounds snobby, I know. Of course this didn't stop me for writing for Fodors about our little piece of heaven on Mexico's Caribbean coast. (shame shame). But I'm a firm believer that there is that isolated less-trodden path. Have found on many occasions, usually by taking a bus. And I still marvel that S. America is not more of a favorite (excepting Argentina, Peru, Ecuador) nor Indonesia or India, because that is NOT the way most people want to travel. Central America, of course well-traveled. It's been cleansed. So yeah, travel is worth it, but the conversation starter type travel, well, if you want an adventure, usually ain't gonna happen. A couple decades ago it was still a little wilder out there, everywhere. But times change.
taking a bus is 100% the way to go - for some reason buses tend to scare folks from the US haha. And also very much agree on South America, being down there for a while felt a lot more isolated, which was great! the "is it worth it?" was perhaps a little much, but I mostly am thinking of the "I drank an aperol spritz on the Amalfi coast" type of traveler that I think is still the dominant archetype in the media. nothing inherently wrong with the drink or the place, I just don't think type of commodified travel is it anymore.
Please believe me, I am happy for people to be able to experience the wonders of traveling, and also know I was lucky to have been able to travel farther off the beaten path. And travel Is important, if only to allow us to see how others live, what they eat, how they enjoy themselves, how they interact. It's such a good education. And for oldsters, travel is a reward, something they may have wanted to do in youth, but staying the course, keeping the home fires burning, that was what was needed of them. And by the time they've saved for that trip, the back is gone, the legs are weak, and they always wanted to see Italy or France, so they take a cruise. It's all they can manage w/ their tired bones. In these days of influencers, I think things have gone askew. But it probably won't change any time soon, so Bon Voyage to all, however and wherever one travels.
Been there, done that, Skylar! And I couldn't agree more - that is all just following the tourist path. Nowadays, I seldom look at any kind of review site for recommendations on where to eat/drink. Traveling in Mexico, I do find that I still need to exercise some degree of caution (I tend to avoid inexpensive looking inland fish restaurants, for example) but going the "serendipitous" route has surely made my travels more interesting and personally satisfying.
very true, there are places where some caution can do serve you well for sure. but a few general guidelines, like the one you mentioned, can pretty much cover you in most cases. but you know what they say, you gotta risk some gastrointestinal discomfort for a great experience! ha
Great essay Skylar. What happened to the days of showing up at the airport and getting on the next departing flight without a plan. That should be a thing again.
thank you! can't say I've ever done that but I would 100% be down haha
This feels like it should have been the first thing you wrote for the Grog. It is an excellent introduction of why the Daily Grog is needed- and points to where the Grog would go in future articles. So when anyone asks “ why follow the Daily Grog”, this should be the first thing they read. If they agree with this article, The Daily Grog is definitely for them!
I am craving more of those street tacos we had with you in Puerto Vallarta 😋
wow thank you! I appreciate it :) and more tacos (and/or other delicious meals) will definitely be had!
Have you noticed that birria here sometimes refers to beef instead of goat? I have seen that multiple places in our area.
This one hits home. I can add an "over reliance on Rick Steves" to that list. One good thing about having kids is that it takes me out of my travel ruts. Would I normally travel thousands of miles to sit at a playground or seek out the local military museum? No, but it does get me off the beaten path
that's awesome, never thought about it that way but very true!
Wow - I feel like you were speaking to me with the millions of tabs open. I couldn't agree more. The best experiences and restaurants I've ever had in my travels have been things I've stumbled upon or recommendations from a real local. They may not have all the frills of sitting in a NYC bar, but isn't that why I left NYC in the first place? Love this perspective (and reminder) of why we even travel - and it sure as hell isn't to have the overpriced ceviche next to another American LOL.
Thanks for reading! haha yeah for sure, my favorite experiences are the most simple and ones that we don't expect. like hey this little bar only had a single type of beer and not much else but something about it hit so good in the moment
Wonderfully written Skylar! Love the new approach to traveling without planning every aspect, and rolling with the punches if a restaurant isn’t the “best”.
Thank you! We’ll have to try out the app here soon haha
Really liked this! It's also similar with anywhere featured on TikTok as amazing in a particular destination. It soon becomes absolutely overrun and although the food might be good, everyone and their dog is there and we all look miserable!