I have often remarked upon the difference between a traveler and a tourist. Writer G.K. Chesterton puts it quite succinctly, in fact: "The traveler sees what he sees, the tourists sees what he has come to see."
I have found that it is that kind of "touristy" myopia which leads to some of the unfortunate behavior by some people while they are "on vacation". Some of us are good travelers, while others are ugly tourists.
In the below shot -- taken on Kapalua Beach on the northwest shore of Maui -- is of a bunch of tourists harassing a sea turtle which has wandered up to the shore.
Despite clear signs to stay at least 20 feet from the animals, the man in the baseball cap stood no more than a meter away, constantly shoving a GoPro in the poor creature's face. A crowd of similarly oblivious people gathered to watch.
All of them were repeatedly warned to stay back by a number of other people on the beach, but for at least five minutes this poor turtle was prevented from gaining shore. It was not until someone told them the authorities had been summoned that the majority moved on.
Except for the man with the GoPro and his wife. He stayed right where he was, defiantly arrogant towards anyone who called him off. (I think his character was shown clearly as his wife, the woman in the blue t-shirt, was knocked down repeatedly by the surf and he paid no attention, remaining focussed on bedeviling the turtle.)
I am certain he has shown the video repeatedly to friends, completely unaware of just how brutally offensive his actions were.
Perhaps Chesterton ought to be edited just a bit: "The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist pays no attention to anything but himself."
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