My kind of traveling is what you described not a fight for the perfect insta shot. As an artist, I cannot imagine what the artists whose work hangs there would think? Would they question why people are not soaking in pieces in a soulful way? A way in which the artist painted them. Wonderful piece my friend.
Thanks Beckett! I doubt the original artists could ever wrap their head around people wanting to simply prove to the masses that they saw the art, most knowing nearly nothing more than “it’s famous.”
I have an old coin that I carry everywhere. When I am walking around cities I often flip to decide left or right and just wander. I walked 14.5 miles around Montreal this way last month.
So true on many levels!! Art and travel are something supposed to taking it inwards and carry it with you, and social media is ruining it in all senses! The offbeats and the happy accidental detours have been my life saver these days!
YES!! 🙌 I completely support the Louvre workers. I, too, really miss Covid spacing, and that’s in general not just in travel. 3 1/2 years ago, we bought an old train stop house close to Selinunte archaeological Park. I LOVE our town and our home but I hate when the tourists arrive, so that’s when I return to Idaho. Yes, tourists help the local economy-but- there has to be a better way. Instagram certainly doesn’t help!!
Totally agree. Tourism can be great for local economies but not when it turns into a nonstop stampede. And yep, Instagram really pours gas on the fire.
Love this. The social media era has made things so much worse… but, so many people don’t realize all the beautiful art and other things there are to see besides the “must dos”
Thanks Richard! Travel seems like it has to be more about how many places you can check off as opposed to how many places you can get to know and understand.
I saw the Mona Lisa when I was barely 20. In my ignorance, I was disappointed to see how small it was. I was also disappointed that I couldn't get closer to it because there were so many people jammed around the front and sides. That was 50 years ago. I can only imagine the chaos and calamity of visiting the Louvre today. When I travel now, I seek off-the-beaten-path destinations and roads less traveled, and admire the iconic landmarks from a distance.
You hit the nail on the head, Kris. The French museum workers are being heard, and so are you and Mark.
I had the same reaction when I went to Paris in 2016. Did the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa which was so small you could barely see it, and the room was so packed! I felt like a sardine. Definitely not the most enjoyable museum trip I’ve ever had. Smaller more out-of-the-way places ring my bell better than that experience ever will.
We’re with you on admiring the icons from afar and seeking out the quieter, lesser-known gems. Those places tend to leave the biggest impression anyway :)
Kris, well said. I appreciate how you find the out-of-the-way sites devoid of the throngs. For the bucket list sites, it's a challenge. I get it wanting to see the iconic works of art - I'm in that category, too, and, like Mark, want time to absorb the work. There's a solution out there, somewhere, that will balance the toll on the workers (and facilities) against the crush of humanity streaming in the door.
My kind of traveling is what you described not a fight for the perfect insta shot. As an artist, I cannot imagine what the artists whose work hangs there would think? Would they question why people are not soaking in pieces in a soulful way? A way in which the artist painted them. Wonderful piece my friend.
Thanks Beckett! I doubt the original artists could ever wrap their head around people wanting to simply prove to the masses that they saw the art, most knowing nearly nothing more than “it’s famous.”
I have an old coin that I carry everywhere. When I am walking around cities I often flip to decide left or right and just wander. I walked 14.5 miles around Montreal this way last month.
That’s a fabulous idea! ☺️
Often times the trail less traveled carries a special magic. If we don’t mind embracing a bit more uncertainty, the rewards are unmatched.
Agreed!
So true on many levels!! Art and travel are something supposed to taking it inwards and carry it with you, and social media is ruining it in all senses! The offbeats and the happy accidental detours have been my life saver these days!
YES!! 🙌 I completely support the Louvre workers. I, too, really miss Covid spacing, and that’s in general not just in travel. 3 1/2 years ago, we bought an old train stop house close to Selinunte archaeological Park. I LOVE our town and our home but I hate when the tourists arrive, so that’s when I return to Idaho. Yes, tourists help the local economy-but- there has to be a better way. Instagram certainly doesn’t help!!
Totally agree. Tourism can be great for local economies but not when it turns into a nonstop stampede. And yep, Instagram really pours gas on the fire.
Love this. The social media era has made things so much worse… but, so many people don’t realize all the beautiful art and other things there are to see besides the “must dos”
Thanks Richard! Travel seems like it has to be more about how many places you can check off as opposed to how many places you can get to know and understand.
I saw the Mona Lisa when I was barely 20. In my ignorance, I was disappointed to see how small it was. I was also disappointed that I couldn't get closer to it because there were so many people jammed around the front and sides. That was 50 years ago. I can only imagine the chaos and calamity of visiting the Louvre today. When I travel now, I seek off-the-beaten-path destinations and roads less traveled, and admire the iconic landmarks from a distance.
You hit the nail on the head, Kris. The French museum workers are being heard, and so are you and Mark.
I had the same reaction when I went to Paris in 2016. Did the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa which was so small you could barely see it, and the room was so packed! I felt like a sardine. Definitely not the most enjoyable museum trip I’ve ever had. Smaller more out-of-the-way places ring my bell better than that experience ever will.
Paris has so many other smaller places that offer big reward in my opinion!
We’re with you on admiring the icons from afar and seeking out the quieter, lesser-known gems. Those places tend to leave the biggest impression anyway :)
Agreed.
Kris, well said. I appreciate how you find the out-of-the-way sites devoid of the throngs. For the bucket list sites, it's a challenge. I get it wanting to see the iconic works of art - I'm in that category, too, and, like Mark, want time to absorb the work. There's a solution out there, somewhere, that will balance the toll on the workers (and facilities) against the crush of humanity streaming in the door.
Thanks Dennis! I agree...there has to be a better balance out there. I just hope more places start looking for it before the damage is too deep.
This resonates! Quiet corners of a destination city will reveal riches.
Perfectly put!