Thanks for asking....finally:
I've got unwritten books worth of great answers to your questions. I am from the USA and spent a year in Europe in 1961-2 and two years crawling around the world in 1968-70 and numerous fits and spurts of travel over the years.
On communicaitons, habits get set amd survive. I still travel some, and can only recall one international phone call I've ever made. I view part of the travel experience is the breaking of commumications. There is freedom in not having to notify anyone of a plan change or explain why you will be out of touch. I find I use email some now, and enjoy finding internet cafes and writing to friends and family, but still make a point of not letting expectations effect my travel.
One huge diffenence over time is the intensity of friendship and the loss of it. I have had some of my best friends in life as traveling companions, literally saving lives and had mine saved, faced dangers, prevented rapes, protected and nurtured and had all returned, and withing days, totally alone across the world from home with no contact and the knowledge that those people were out of my life and I out of theirs. There is the big difference; friendships with fellow travelers. Out of need, the speed it forms, the intensity and trust level, and how quickly it ends with no continuation. Lots of pluses, lots of minuses, just, like all things, different with time.
As to authenticity, nothing is authentic expept in its own time. Cell phones in a Laotion mountain tribe village are authentic if they exist, and not if they do but are hidden when the tourists come. I can't think of any atempt at authenticity that doesn't result in some kind of disneyland effect.
Finally, don't yearn after the "good old days". These are the good old days, just somewhere else. You had to go find them then, and it wasn't always obvious where they were even when you were there, and it isn't today.
Good Luck and thanks for asking. This is my first post, hopefully not too long.
I used to buy paper notebooks to carry, and with a ballpoint pen, would make notes on our trip experiences. (In Mexico, I preferred "SCRIBE" brand bound notebooks. I've always enjoyed visiting papelerías.)
"Finally Lady Gaga goes well with Malagasy music."
I still don't know who Lady Gaga is. Please, don't enlighten me.
Lady Gaga? Wasn't that the moniker of Isobel Barnett after a few too many pink gins?
Dave
I'm still using paper notepads and pens, stuck in the old days I guess, but anything electronic won't work for me when in my special place - no electricity where I stay and no specialty batteries in the country, not the last time I was there anyway. Couldn't even find AAAs for my small mag light. Gad, how I love that!
I have told my kids (ages 49, 50 and 51) that if I ever get lost and am completely out of touch for weeks to send someone to look for me (get money from my sister who has access to my account) but to only spend TWO WEEKS. If they can't find me, go home and go on with their lives. Recently my daughter said she wondered if 2 weeks would be enough, for example in China which is a very big place. She suggested imbedding a chip in me, like they do for dogs, to make it easier! (I think she was only partially kidding!)
trusted partner
