What is it about the word "tourism" that makes so many of us cringe? Why do some visitors shy away from doing the more traditional activities because they are afraid of being a fanny pack-wearing tourist?
Yesterday, I went to a flamenco show and, at first, felt odd. Maybe it was because I attended a participatory show, in which I learned to dance flamenco. Or maybe it was the fact that the show was located at the top floor of a hole-in-the-wall building, with winding, creaky stairs and strange lighting. But the real reason I felt off was probably because it was so traditional, and I feared that I might be living a Spanish clich?©.
But I went. And honestly, I loved it. I loved it because it reminded me of why so many people are still proud to sport their Spanish flags, despite the negative Francisco Franco connotation that it so often has. The fuego (fire) in the eyes of the dancers - and the concentration with which the ponytailed guitarist played - were expressions of pride for their country and their heritage. With a much-practiced synchronicity, the five performers in the flamenco show grinned with every resounding "ol?©." It was a reminder of the rich Spanish tradition that seeps in every crevice of this country. This tradition is inescapable, much like the Spain sun that seems to shine every single day. The best thing to do is just to bask in it.
"Aunque soy espa?±ola, me encantaver el flamenco," said another flamenco performance attendee - an older Spanish woman, who has lived in a pueblo just outside of Madrid almost her entire life. Many visitors sometimes reject flamenco, for fear of seeming too obviously touristy. Although I have fallen into this mindset sometimes, it is important to recognize that it is touristy for a reason: it is what makes up the traditional culture.
It is also true that some locals outwardly reject this tourism. Jamaica Kincaid, in her short, but not so sweet work, "A Small Place" (1988), writes directly to the ignorant tourist: "[You have] the ability to turn your own banality and boredom into a source of pleasure for yourself." She is talking about the visitors to Antigua, where she grew up. To this, I will qualify my statements about being a tourist and just mention the importance of being an informed visitor. If you visit a place with a long history of colonial ties, learn about that. If you go somewhere that is in an economic crisis, become versed in it. We are all at Tufts, so most of us already do this, but it's just a reminder to do your research and partake in the traditional activities while also having a basic understanding of what problems or issues the country or city must face. Do it for yourself and do it for Kincaid.
So for those of you who consistently try to skip the traditional areas of the places that you visit - because they're "too crowded," because they're too touristy and filled with lines, or whatever the reason may be - I urge you to reconsider. These activities, like flamenco in Spain, the London Eye, the spice markets of Morocco and the ramen shops in Japan, are popular because they show you the essence of a country's soul, and they often reveal what makes a particular place tick (like the Tufts application question). While you should try to eat like a local and maybe even act like a local, do not completely write off some of the more "touristy" things because, in the end, they almost always pay off. Sometimes, you're not too cool for a little tradition.
Dani Bennett is a junior who is majoring in English and spending this semester abroad in Spain. She can be reached at Danielle.Bennett@tufts.edu.
