The one about responsible travelling

I haven't been everywhere. But it's on my list.

Or at least it always used to be.

Ever since I was a child I always wanted to leave my far away, northern country and go explore the world and wander and discover and learn. I have a bucket list the size of, well, the globe and my Instagram collection for inspirational travel photography is so massive that I get bored even trying to scroll down to the first post I ever saved. Melbourne, Afghanistan, Tansania, Cuba, Peru, NYC and always back to London, again and again. List goes on.

But I've had the strangest realisation. I can't travel everywhere, nor do I even need to try. And I don't believe anyone should.

There are numerous ethical and ecological issues in the ever-growing tourism sector these days. It might not be one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas, but international travel and increasing air traffic do significantly contribute to its carbon footprint. However, more importantly it is the typical, selfish tourist that does the most harm to both the natural and social environment.

In the trendiest destinations more luxury resorts are/will be built to house the tourist masses outnumbering local people, more than there were blackheads on my face before I started using natural cosmetics. The average traveller demands reminiscents of his own culture and living standards and stomps all over the delicate eco-systems on his "playground" in search for the perfect selfie to promote his admirable wanderlust, which in the end will just be litter on the streets after his latest adventure. Out of sight, out of mind.

I'm not saying you I shouldn't travel. I should. I should go and discover and learn and open my eyes.

And do it mindfully and respectfully and gratefully. So let's talk more about that in the future.

Pictures somewhere in India