Travel

I've been thinking about the politics of travel.

Aside from the environmental issues, there's the political implications of going on vacation. I don't know how I feel. I want to see the world but... how do you support an industry that doesn't fairly compensate the locals? How do I travel around in luxury when most of the people in the places I'd be visiting can't afford clean drinking water? I realize that by living and working in the modern world, enjoying the fruits of multi-national corporations' domination of the global economy I silently accept the unjust world order that keeps so many living in poverty and causes terrible violence.

[The places that have caused me to think are parts of Africa, like Algeria, Botswana, and Ghana]

My new glasses caused me similar concerns. They were 1/10 the cost of what I could buy retail and came directly from the People's Republic of China. I didn't support any local business and did entire transaction via my credit card and the web. Now, I don't make a lot of money and hundreds of dollars for new glasses wasn't within my means. The price I paid was very much within my means.

When I can afford to live by my politics I will. For now, I've got to exercise my political will in other, smaller ways. I'm not an idealist; I'm just trying to be practical. My best solution at the moment? To give a small donation to a non-profit organization. It's small, but it's a start. My financial situation makes my dreams of travelling just a dream.