Tourist / Traveler / Pilgrim: Which One Are You?

Rick Steves, familiar to many as the PBS host of his travel series and author of many informative travel books, recently visited Kansas City.

Rainy Day Books, one of the few independent book stores remaining, hosted Steves at the Plazas’ Unity Temple.  Unfortunately this was a solo adventure as Cutest had a prior commitment.

Rick was on the promotional trail, whipping up interest in his New York Times anointed best seller, On the Hippie Trail. In 1978, Rick and a close friend planned a summer’s adventure on the "hippie trail." This trail saw many college age youths, hiking or traveling by rail and bus, not Greyhound, from Istanbul to Kathmandu.

Fifty-six days and ten countries later, Steves was hooked on travel with a desire to share those experiences with others. His once upon-a-time ambition to become a piano teacher was erased

Fortunately Rick kept a journal while on the trail but when he returned home in ‘78, he tossed it aside. While rummaging around his home during the captive days of Covid, Steves rediscovered the journal and began formulating his idea to transform those youthful, unpretentious writings into book form.

Nearly fifty years later, thanks to Steves' writing in his journal, you can visualize how his eyes took in new and unique sights, building a passion to know more about the people and where and how they lived. Even his views of politics and religions were broadened and forever enlightened.

From street vendors to camel riders, all came under his scrutiny as a traveler. In India the accepted way of feeding one’s self by using only your hands was first observed by Rick, and when in the proper country he still uses and enjoys that custom.

Unity Temple’s main floor and surrounding balconies were packed this past Thursday with the newly curious and of course the long time avid followers of Steves and his exploits. Warm, enthusiastic applause greeted Rick as he quickly walked from back stage up to its edge where he engaged the crowd for nearly two hours.

Steves sees vacationers as either tourists, travelers or pilgrims. Tourists make up the majority, as they are those who visit iconic sites, snap too many photos and then go home. Travelers submerse themselves into the unexpected, are unafraid to ask questions or taste unfamiliar foods and do not condemn different customs. The third group, Pilgrims, have a set itinerary, whether it be to see the prayer wall in Jerusalem or the battlefield at Gettysburg. Mixing with the locals is not necessarily a point of their journey.

So dear blog readers, do yourself a favor, visit Rainy Day Books and purchase On the Hippie Trail. It is a quick read, perfect for rainy days or bits to enjoy before sleep. It may even alter the way you observe, interpret and interact on your next travels.