But what if some brilliant twerp decides to put up a website, a travel blog smeared and spoiled with facts telling about how ugly the destination is. Would it catch the world's attention? Would readers and vacation planners have informed choices when they get to know the lies behind a historic landmark, a proud people, an exotic country parading itself as the best in the world? Would it be more amazing to learn the faults of a culture; the twisted belief of a society; a history without the revisions; the reality that even the most charming places get its allure only in tourist brochures?
Of course, the profound arrangement is done befitting a portal like Lonely Planet. It is just that nobody sugarcoats the places of interests with delicious descriptions and dreamy images: You tell the other side of the story - or experience - as repulsive or traumatic as it gets, not because you want to drive away the tourists.
It is just that you want the pilgrims and sojourners to see the destinations - and embrace them - even with their imperfections.
 |
| Tallinn, Estonia |