The opposite of Slow Travel – Travelling Without Purpose
Four years ago, I had never heard of slow travel, I was working as an au pair for a Mexican family in Guadalajara, my first solo travel adventure. At the time, my Spanish was laughable (about the last-row student), and I had zero experience living in a foreign culture. Thus, imagine how moving from my comfortable, predictable life in France to the unknown Mexico was, to put it softly, a drastic change.
That jump out of my comfort zone would later become the starting point of a profound transformation to slow travel I never saw coming. Back to the story, when tensions within the family ended my contract, I decided to stay in Central America and explore Mexico.
Ticking off boxes from the numerous must-see list, hanging around only with foreigners only to barely scratch the culture of the different places I was visiting, and probably contributing to over-tourism was my way of travelling, and I felt good about it. However, this happiness was because I wasn’t aware of what was behind the scenes and probably because I was clueless about how to travel differently.
The Untold Truth About Travel
One day, reality hit me like a freight train. While staying at a hostel in Palenque, Chiapas, I booked a magical jungle day trip. A knowledgeable guide shared ancestral wisdom about edible and medicinal plants, and I was captivated by the luxurious green environment. The highlight? Reaching an adventurer orgasm when he brought me to a hidden waterfall where we both dived into the wild water. I was in paradise.
On our way back, the guide mentioned he wanted to show me something unusual.
“I don’t usually share this with tourists,” he said, “but it might open your eyes. Just be ready to be shocked”
Intrigued, I agreed. After a 20-minute detour, I effectively stood in shock, facing what were potentially the consequences of my travel behaviours and consumption. Before me was standing a mountain of waste, towering at double my size in the heart of the jungle.
“Where is this from?” I stammered.
“A resort in the next village dumped it here,” he replied, his voice cold as ice. “They get fined but never clean up their mess.”
I was speechless. Had my careless travel habits contributed to something like this? The thought was sickening. That moment flipped a switch in me. I couldn’t continue travelling the same way. This was the start of my journey to slow travel.
Learning Slow Travel
Determined to change, I turned to the internet for answers and stumbled upon the concept of Slow Travel. At first, it honestly felt alien to the 22-year-old I was, and I didn’t understand the undervalue contained in the words I was reading. How could slowing down improve travel? But I decided to give it a go.
I started small with the main mantra of slow travel; swapping quantity for quality. Instead of racing through destinations, I stayed longer in each place, immersing myself deeply. I did my best to trade my role as a temporary visitor for that of a temporary neighbour. Gone were the days of demanding comforts from home. It was now time to embrace local cultures, traditions, and even inconveniences as part of the experience. I slowly became a traveller willing to give away to my surroundings rather than imposing my foreigner’s expectations and desires.
This shift transformed my perspective. By focusing on the unique aspects of each place, I noticed things I’d previously overlooked. I sought authentic experiences rather than Instagram-worthy snapshots. One unforgettable day, I found myself:
- Crafting the perfect guacamole with a local while losing (gracefully) at a card game.
- Sitting on a beach listening to traditional Mexican melodies.
- Savouring dishes I’d been too hesitant to try before.
- Listening to an elderly gentleman share childhood legends at a coffee shop.
That day was perfection, as the travel picture I had crafted within my mind long before travelling alone, and not a single word was spoken to another foreigner. I soon realised it was a direct outcome of my commitment to Slow Travel.
Changes That Last Forever
The benefits of slow travel extended far beyond my adventures. The values I embraced, taking the time to do things fully, savouring small things and moments, and prioritising quality while doing it sustainably began to shape my everyday life.
Now, I approach life with more intention. I’m healthier, happier, and more fulfilled, both mentally and physically. And my travels? They’ve become richer, more meaningful, and more connected to the people and places I visit while offering the best authentic travel experiences I ever had. Plus, the FOMO had completely disappeared.
It all began with a sudden realisation when facing a mere pile of waste lost in the middle of the Mexican jungle. It all began by becoming a slow traveller.
Slow travel to change your life.
Authored & Photography by Ulysse Verguin