10 Comments

I also found "Out of Sheer Rage" a fascinating book. And I really like what you say here: "Creativity is an act of tourism, a practice of making oneself a stranger in a land that’s perfectly familiar to others, even mundane."

Spain has suffered from over-tourism for decades. Now it's happening here in Japan. As you suggest, rational, thoughtful action is required, not complete bans.

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Jul 19Liked by Katherine May

Oh how I relate! I also live in a tourist destination village and don't know why I continue to be amazed at tourists and their rude, illogical behaviour. Tromping onto private property to take photos. Tromping onto private property to help themselves to the natural farm bounty. Not having any sense of the road or a parking lot. It is really frustrating. But I like how you thought of the positive too. Sigh.πŸ˜…πŸ˜…πŸ˜…πŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒπŸ™ƒ

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founding

Welcome back, KM, it sounds like you had a wonderful time. Glad you weren't the renegade this time round.

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Roberto Calasso used to say that there are really only two types of human beings: tourists - curious, kind - and terrorists - fanatical, rude - so you chose the good side of the human condition. Nice to read you again.

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Jul 19Liked by Katherine May

Thank you as always. Love the shared description of writing, definitely my experience as I continue on my MA creative writing dissertation this summer dreaming of being away on holiday but finding joy in an unexpected booked night at Dungeness for end of month for dissertation research and wedding anniversary. unexpected off shoot of asking a friend for advice about an idea, and husband up for it. Being in Deal we too have the holiday influx but mainly notice Dovet and the wonderful holiday blockade at the port. We try to turn right from St.Margarets rather than left!

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Oh yes, the mixed blessing of the school holidays in a tourist town! I can be even more grumpy about it as a post school age kids person too, grrrr!!

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Such a gentle + playful post! :)

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For me, change and rest are equally important and beneficial. I had an almost perfect balance when I spent a year living in two other countries where I was exposed to new things almost constantly, but had time to deepen into those differences and carved out plenty of time to rest. Something I had rarely done before that experience but which I now prioritize.

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I happened to read this while also on vacation in Spain. Love your connection between tourism and creativity - seeing things with fresh eyes, connecting dots and shining a spotlight on things that locals find ordinary and tourists find exotic. Thank you!

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Welcome back Katherine! Hope you had a good holiday of restful change πŸ˜‰

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