Member-only story
Why People Love Travelers
My first tandem cycling tour reminded me about this
Both bloggers and travelers are storytellers. They just function in two different spaces.
I’ve been both and let me tell you that people seem way fonder of the traveler type. As I recently crossed the UK on a tandem with M, I saw this as clearly as ever.
During this time, I got used to telling stories in a different way. Typing on the keyboard feels unnatural now. Who am I talking to? Hello?! I can’t see or smell you. I’m eager to tell you so many things, but how am I supposed to when you’re not here in flesh and bones?
I kind of forgot how to talk in digital spaces — and I’m proud of it. It’s the first time in two years that I’ve had so much screen-free time. I’ve traded stories with real people, rather than avatars. On the way, I understood why real people prefer travelers to bloggers.
Especially the travelers who don’t know what they’re doing.
This was brought to my attention by Nabil Alouani. When I was reflecting on the trip in a voice message to him, I marveled at all the kindness M and I received on the way. Strangers fed us, hosted us in their homes, and helped us fix our bike for free. All the while, they kept asking questions, genuinely interested in our travel stories.
