There are a group of friends currently traveling in Cambodia with whom I have a connection. Consequently I receive travel updates and pictures from this group. This brings to mind my experience when returning from international travel. When meeting an acquaintance the first time after returning the conversation would often flow along these lines. "How was your trip?" "Fine." "How was the weather?" "Hot." "How was the food?" "Spicy." Then the conversational subject would move to another topic.
Now I'm not advocating for a return to the old fashion slide shows which trapped persons in endless pictures of buildings, etc. Perhaps persons with little travel experience are at a loss. So, here are some questions that elicit more than a one word reply. 'Did anything funny happen on the trip?' 'What surprised you?' 'Was there an impressive sight?' You get the idea. This assumes, of course, genuine interest.
In a similar vein (Did you hear about the red corpuscle that lived its life in vein?) I'll occasionally drop a reference to a foreign experience in conversation. For example I might say "...when I was in Laos..." Almost never does anyone say in reply "Tell me about being in Laos?" Or "What were you doing there?" Actually, I had some interesting experiences in Laos. But, perhaps it comes back to me being boring. 😀
Takk for alt,
Al
Angkor Wat, Cambodia, is the largest religious structure in the world. The first time I visited, which was in the mid-90s, there was almost no one there.
No comments:
Post a Comment