Comments on: How Religion Can Help Keep Your Backpack Safe

By: Earl

Earl — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:46:11 +0000

Thanks Andi – hopefully you’ll find it handy during your upcoming adventures!

By: Andi

Andi — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:59:48 +0000

This is a brilliant idea, love it!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..India: Day 5 (Part 2) =-.

By: Earl

Earl — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:21:11 +0000

That does make perfect sense! And that’s the beauty of travel, it’s about jumping into new circles without worrying about whether or not we ‘fit in’.

By: Dina

Dina — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:52:30 +0000

Hey Earl, maybe those barefoot travelers are actually converted!
Yeah, I behave differently before and now. Traveling change me a lot. Between before and now, I feel like having different roles in the community. Before I was a part of the community, which belong to the smaller group within it. Now I’m a newcomer in the community as a traveler. I am now curious and having the desire to emerge myself in what I find. Before there’s a sense of being defensive, now it’s more like jumping in (That’s including trying new stuff including culture).
I hope this make sense
.-= Dina´s last blog ..Friday Photo: Amazing Mud Volcano Eruption in Java, Indonesia =-.

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:48:17 +0000

Hey Dina – Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I can perfectly understand not wanting to wear other people’s cultural items when you are faced with such a difficult situation as a minority. I guess using anything that makes you stand out could potentially result in problems and especially when you’re growing up, it is important to be accepted by those around you.

Traveling, on the other hand, is a different story. I’ve realized that when we seek interaction with a foreign culture, we are often the outcasts and ‘strange’ people in the eyes of the local population. As a result, using other group’s religions or cultural symbols in even the slightest way has often acted as a bridge that provides the connection I seek on my adventures. Of course, I’m only talking about placing a sticker on your backpack or putting some prayer beads on your wrist and nothing else that might be considered insulting or seem just plain ridiculous. Travelers walking barefoot throughout the streets of Delhi while wearing the clothes of a sadhu come to mind!

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:53:47 +0000

Hey Earl, I think the trick works at least for some degree. There are many of petty thefts that are not conducted by serious/organized criminals, but by regular people when they are given the chance. These people steal by impulse. They could be religious in some degree, or afraid of God’s punishment. Those religious figures I think will decrease the impulse they have to steal.

Along the way when I’m traveling, I am often curious with local tradition, and sometimes I buy their religious/cultural souvenirs/items and wear it. Maybe I won’t do it if it’s not coming from real interest though, and this is why:

I was raised as a minority (ethnic, culture, and religion, which are all linked into physical appearance), so since I was small I had to deal with being different, danger (crime target), discrimination (even in bargaining) and difficulty to enter friend circles. Wearing attributes that were not mine would be considered as a fake gesture. I used to have to pretty much strip off attributes that identify me (religious symbols especially), but not going as far as putting up other’s attributes. Going plain. I still looked different by physical appearance though. I had to be comfortable being different and tried to get accepted that way.

Great post, Earl, thought provoking
.-= Dina´s last blog ..Friday Photo: Amazing Mud Volcano Eruption in Java, Indonesia =-.

By: Earl

Earl — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:04:43 +0000

Thanks for the comment Ellen, I am absolutely thrilled to hear that! Enjoy your weekend out there on the road!

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:56:45 +0000

Great idea and philosophy. I star your posts more than any other travel blog I follow – always great info!

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:37:34 +0000

Thanks Ash. It’s always good to know that you’re out there keeping a watchful eye and making sure I don’t stray!

And now I get to look forward to meeting you in person in a couple of weeks!

By: Ash

Ash — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:45:06 +0000

My man Earl!

I just need to give you huge props on this post–it was insightful, insanely creative & original. Just so you know, I’m SO utilizing this tactic.

Really enjoy reading your stuff, as I always have, but it seems it just gets better & better.

Hope you’re adjusting well to the US!
.-= Ash´s last blog ..How to Start a Revolution (Or 3 Ways to Change the World) =-.