Rick Steves: Travel as a Political Act

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Last week, travel broadcaster/writer/blogger Rick Steves put a brief clip on his Facebook page from the former KGB prison in Berlin. Reaction was predictable and partisan. So today, Rick posted this:

With so much discussion about how travel and politics mix here on this page (two million people saw Wednesday's post about KGB prisons, Putin, and Trump), I’d like to share the newest version of my most important talk, produced by KCET. You’ll either love or hate this one-hour lecture. In it, I share the most important lessons learned from a lifetime of traveling out of my comfort zone. I’ll explain how, when we travel thoughtfully, we gain an empathy for the other 96 percent of humanity and come home with the greatest of all souvenirs: a broader perspective. Watch just the first 10 minutes. I dare you.

[kacekwl]

1. I have enjoyed his shows

for many years.

[Demovictory9]

2. me too

[smirkymonkey]

3. I love Rick Steves! He's a devoted liberal.

I love his guide books and I have been on a few of his tours, which have been great. I am bookmarking this for later viewing as I am about to go to sleep. I highly recommend his videos, tours and books. He really has a great outlook about travelling and learning from other cultures.

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Well worth the time.

Informative and thought provoking, and a welcome change from the incessant battering from the "news".


.

[GulfCoast66]

5. Ran into him in Versailles. In 2013. Got a photo of he and the wife.

Then we saw him a few more times in Paris. He does eat at the places he recommends. We have outgrown his books as we are now comfortable traveling while making our own plans but I give him tremendous credit for helping give us the confidence to to it. Plus, the places he recommends are overrun with Americans!

Heading to Italy and Germany this fall. Will review his books as background info.

And as an entertaining aside...apparently his cameraman filmed the wife and I at Versailles. We are in his Paris day trips show for a full 2 seconds. But it is clearly us. 2 of my employees saw it and clued me in.

[FailureToCommunicate]

6. Rick rocks! His wise guides, and clear philosophy of travels' benefits is legend.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. Ha. And I have always thought he was boring as hell ! You go Rick ! nt

[peekaloo]

10. He's a proponent of legalized weed.

Mellow man.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

11. True dat!

[thucythucy]

8. Thank you for posting this.

I just now finished watching the entire presentation. Well worth the time.

Thanks again, and best wishes.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

13. You are very welcome.

[Equinox Moon]

9. He did an amazing show on Israel, Gaza and Palestine.

I HAD NO IDEA! I never saw what was going on there. OMG!

[jcgoldie]

15. Yes!

I show that travel show he does on Israel and Palestine to my HS Geography classes when we study the middle east... it's way more informative and appreciative of the depth of the issues than any of the academic stuff I could find.

[Equinox Moon]

16. Good for you. Good for your students.

I had no idea the severity of oppression put upon Palestine by Israel and USA until I saw his travel show. He showed the reality of the situation. It was shocking to me. No wonder they rise up and rebel against Israel. No wonder.

[eleny]

12. He's one of America's thoughtful treasures

[moondust]

14. Loved it. Thank you!

Last edited Mon Jul 23, 2018, 06:31 AM - Edit history (1)

Getting out of one's comfort zone is so very important but something so many conservatives never do. That makes it easy for rotten politicians to demonize "those others" who are unfamiliar and stoke fear.

Rick really gets it.