For my first time traveling outside of the US, I experienced being a tourist for the first time. We had many discussions in class about how we are different from the rest; however, I don’t feel that is the case. Just because we have the titles of students does not make us any different. That could give us a false sense of entitlement. This could explain why many people miss Spanish classes or do not attend many in general. Especially when they do not understand or know the language.
I had the best time when we went to the Mayan village; however, our host families were not paid nearly enough. My host family had one room one bathroom and a kitchen hut. The parents and the child slept in the kitchen hut while Alex and I were in their room. It felt wrong to take over their space already and then to find out how little they were paid was heartbreaking. It showed that we are not different from other tourists just because we are here to learn. We still impact and affect how locals live, and they must cater to us and our needs.
What I think it means to be a tourist is that one has to embrace the culture and language. Choosing not to learn it almost seems disrespectful and performative.
I am grateful for this experience nonetheless for having the amazing opportunity to learn about the beautiful culture of Merida and Mexico. This experience has been unforgettable!
