Who could argue that these boys, living simply in Bhutan, aren’t happy?
Nathalie over at BillionaireWoman wrote a post recently about how bargaining in Asia made her a better spender and consumer.
Her post got me thinking about my 20+ years of travel to developing countries, how my experiences have shaped my lifestyle and how they could very possibly have saved me from getting crushed (so far ๐ )by the current economic downturn.
To put this in perspective – I’ve over-nighted with families in the Vietnamese highlands, sleeping on the floor in simple one-room raised homes. I’ve paid a few dollars a night to rent a room from a Cambodian family where, in 120 degree heat, there was no electricity or running water. And I’ve sat by the ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi as women and men do laundry in the polluted river.
All of these people would be considered “poor” (both literally and figuratively) by the rest of the world. Many of them live in squalor. However, they spend their days surrounded by family, friends and neighbors who care for one another. They share food, accommodation and laughter. They live simply, with few personal possessions. They have little to lose and quite possibly that is what keeps them so lighthearted.
While I’m still working on my light heart, I’ve certainly come to appreciate the fact that I don’t need to accumulate bling, a fancy car and expensive clothes to be happy. I don’t carry debt (other than my home) and I don’t make purchases I can’t afford.
This is not to say that people in developing countries don’t have their own struggles and worries. Often their priorities are to put food on the table–no small feat in a country like Vietnam where the average income is under $70/month.
Even so, I can’t say that I’ve ever encountered a person in a developing country who seems disappointed with their lot in life. They don’t feel cheated because they are missing out on what others have. Rather, they appear to be rooted and appreciative of what they do possess.
Some would argue that they’re repressed by their government, that they are masking their true feelings and that given the opportunity to pursue more capitalistic ventures, they would hop at the chance (as residents of Vietnam’s cities have done in the last 10 years).
While this may be true, those that have become successful, don’t tend to abandon their values. One case in point is my friend Kim in Saigon (you may know her from Kim’s Cafe). I met Kim in ’92 when she rented the tiny front room of someone’s home and turned it into one of the first cafes catering to tourists in the city. It was there that I taught her how to make macaroni and cheese and she taught me how to play guitar.
Kim now has one of the more popular cafes in Pham Ngu Lao. She owns the building where her cafe is located and employees more than 30 people – renting a bus and paying their expenses so that they can see their families in the countryside during Tet. In addition, Kim takes care of her entire family including her parents and siblings. She’s built a very successful business yet maintains a strong bond to community and family.
I suggest that now is the time to reflect on what we, as travelers, have witnessed around the globe and to appreciate the manner in which others have always lived. Without excess. Without bling. But with homes filled with family and community.
It’s a philosophy that’s probably hard to swallow for those who have lost their jobs, who are currently deep in debt or are in fear of losing their home. I personally know many of them and I’m very empathetic to their plight. But I’m also of the (probably unpopular) mind that this downturn is not a bad thing. While I understand the importance of an economy that relies on constant consumption, it’s very clear that we’ve gone a bit too far.
I just hope that when we come out the other side of this, that given our short attention spans we don’t immediately fall back into bad habits. My wish is that we remember what really makes quality of life. It’s not about how much you can acquire. After all, as Nathalie says in her blog post, you can always walk away from a purchase. Instead, enjoy a simple meal at home with friends, a cup of tea with your significant other and time with family.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Dollars and Sense for Solo Women Travelers
The Cost of Travel: Is it Worth It?
Eco (nomic) Travel
Read my travel blog on at the Seattle Post Intelligencer.
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jessiev says
brava, beth. excellent points, and something that we all need to consider, both at home and while traveling.
Lifecruiser Travel Blog says
Very thoughtful and for some maybe provoking post which I agree with every word of. Sometimes I wish that every human being were forced to travel and experience others reality.
Tim says
I doubt that anyone who was a long-term backpacker goes on to become a conspicuous consumption fashionista with a McMansion they can’t afford. Once you live a long time with less, it’s easier to avoid the silly overspending.
everthenomad says
Great post, Beth! This topic is so often on my mind as I travel around the developing world and when in New York. Thanks for writing about it.
The Professional Hobo (Nora) says
What a beautiful post, and so true. I just learned through a reputable source that in the US, happiness has declined steadily since the 1950s, not-so-coincidentally when the shopping revolution began. It seems that the world’s happiest people now are those with “nothing”. Hmmm….
Nathalie Lussier says
I love this post Beth! And not just because you mentioned my article, but because I truly agree with you: living the simple life is living the good life. While I was in South East Asia, I noticed a lot of poverty. But like you said, these people aren’t upset at their circumstances. They work hard to feed themselves, but they are always focused on their family and community.
I’ve definitely simplified my life since returning home. I’ve also chosen not to overconsume. I used to be an avid collector… I don’t know why I ever thought collecting pencils, erasers, DVDs, and books was a cool, but I’m certainly over it now. I understand the ecological and spiritual weight that all of these actions have.
Thanks for shedding some light on this topic Beth, you are an inspiration to so many of us! ๐
Donna Hull says
Thoughtful post, Beth. They say that “experience is the best teacher.” Like you, I hope that will be true with our current economic mess. How much stuff do we really need?
Travel is such an eye-opener. No one has the “secret” to the perfect life. We don’t have to put our “values” on others. One of travels biggest lessons.