Travel Guide: Feminist Badass Edition

By Bella Carbone

 I am going on vacation this weekend and I am so excited. The feminist and pleasure activist in me, can not wait to have just a few days away from work, school, and the stress of everyday life. Vacation mode is a time to relax and reset, as I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed and overstimulated recently. However, as a critical feminist I have a bittersweet feeling about vacation and tourism in general. For starters, there are the ecological impacts of travel especially via flight. Then, there’s the exploitative nature of travel, which can become problematic when tourists travel for sexual pleasure in “exotic” locations (sex tourism) as well as in white savior mission trips (voluntourism). Further, it feels rooted in the same mentality as colonialism and imperialism. Impede on the lands of native and indigenous people in the regions, stay until self-gratification is achieved, and leave without acknowledging the local individuals or culture. Oftentimes, the people native to heavy tourist regions are relocated or displaced due to the demand and economic benefit of tourist destinations or necessities like hotels, rental services, etc. While I do understand how some areas economies are thriving due to tourism that does not make it okay to act like there are not negative impacts upon the locals who have lived there and continue to make these areas their homes. There are often racial and class disparities in who the indigenous vs the tourists are, extending patriarchal, white supremacist to yet another industry. Thus, I would like to list some tips I have come up with in order to make my travel experience (and others as well!) a little less oppressive and a bit more feminist. I would like to make this an open list/conversation and hear from others with their own feminist badass travel guides.


#1- Try to make your travel as eco-friendly as possible. Don’t buy travel sized products, instead purchase reusable travel-sized containers and fill it with the products you already have. Once you reach your destination, look into public transit, biking, or walking as your method of getting around. Do not buy cheap souvenirs that you will never use again, instead treat yourself to something you will actually use (even if its a bit more expensive).


#2- Try the local cuisine and restaurants owned by people native to the region. Avoid chain restaurants or fast food unless you of course have dietary restrictions and such. Support the local economy rather than predatory corporations. Look into taking a cooking class and learn how to make recipes local to that area. 


#3- Shop small business and support the region’s economy. Support women-owned and local-owned stores. Ask store owners about themselves, their careers, the local area, and get to know who you are purchasing from. Making human connection with those that are providing you with a product makes the item extra special. 


#4- Talk to the locals. Ask willing and friendly people about the best restaurants, shops, things to do, etc. This is how you will discover some of the best places and also how you make new friends. Avoid only interacting with other tourists and excluding contact with the local populus. 


#5- Support activities that promote the beauty and culture of the area. Avoid overpriced tourist traps and opt for naturesque, local art, or cultural artifacts the area is known for. This will save you money, time, and probably some sanity. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I need to tell my stories

I always tell myself i am not good enough. but that voice, those words, come from something that is not me. they come from my doubts and my fears and the terrible ways i was conditioned to think about myself. It takes a lot to counteract those thoughts and honestly, im not always successful. But I want to try harder for the fact that something amazingly beautiful may come out of it. the world may not want to hear from me or see me but the world also needs to hear my stories. i always tell myself i am being too picky. for wanting to hear my stories and to know about my people. But I know now that is the voice of patriarchy and white supremacy trying to silence me and stop me from growing. they want to keep up apart they don’t want us to find each other in this world. because what if we create a bond greater then their oppression. Our collaboration is priceless and it is certainly our most powerful tool. This is why I know I must read the words of clothes but also I must write and I must...
Read more

Does Monkey Man Challenge or Reinforce Hollywood Gender Conventions?

Image
by: Bella Carbone I recently saw Monkey Man at the movie theater and I have been reflecting on what I have just seen unfold on screen. As a media critic, I first thought I wanted to focus on rage in this film as a constant theme and the idea of injustice leading to such rage which is a commonly felt sentiment amongst marginalized people. Yet, something more striking has taken up my thoughts after sitting with this movie for about a day, and that is how gender is portrayed and performed. Disclaimer: I take to writing this reflection on the film as someone who has studied American queer media theory but I am not Indian nor am I the most well-versed on the gender-cultural relations in India. I do, however, really respect and love the incorporation of gender non-conforming characters who are marginalized but build community and seek refuge despite their oppression. Alas, since I am coming in appreciation, I will still begin to give a piece of my mind even though I am no expert on this su...
Read more

Our Love is Everything

Image
Love is the most important part of my life. I need to feel loved and I need to love others. Being able to love my girlfriend gives me the most satisfaction and fulfillment I've ever known. I don't know why so many are convinced this love could ever be bad. But I suppose it's because they've never seen it flourish in real life. My life would be nothing without love and I know the same is true for many others, my girlfriend included. Without her love, I couldn't make it through everything else. Without her love, I wouldn't have the strength to carry on each day. But when I am with my girlfriend and it's just us in our own little world, I forget about everything else so easily. I can't tell you how many mornings I wish could have lasted for eternity, just us lying together in bed, cuddling and giggling and touching and loving. Those are the best moments for me. I go back to them whenever I feel unsettled or unsure or unsafe. I remember those moments and I p...
Read more