Communism, Karl Marx and my old soccer team
When I was in high school I liked music but I didnt really have the courage to sing a lot. Instead I did other things to be creative. I smoked some cannabis with some other people and we listened a lot to Bob Marley. I made this playlist so you can get to know me better. One of my friends in high school wa sthis guy called Bjorn. I think this is what I imagined he an other would like to a party back then.
Here is the soccer team I was a part of that some of my friends also joined. It is my brother in the top left corner. The rest are people I also know that I might talk about later. The number two from upper left is Thomas then its Hans and Mathias. In the bottom its Anders then Magnus and Thomas Aa, finally Timo. They were and are my friends, but after I got a girlfriend in the Philippines we saw less of each other. There were however some good times when I went out to party. I also met girls there and was invited for coffee. I started going to bars also on my own and found I could afford to do so once a week, but it wasnt like I stayed the whole night. Mostly I met new people at the bars and then went home afterwards. This soccer team came about in high school when we playing soccer after school once in a while. I didnt get to become a big part of it, because I went away to the Philippines.
This is a woman I met in the Philippines and had sex with. I found it fascinating that she was from The Philippines but in the Denmark, and that I had a chance to make out with her even if I didnt know her that well. We took it slowly and I believe we got along on a deep level, which led to a lot of kissing and then sex. We also had a date and actually played basketball together which I enjoy. She made afew lay ups, and threw the ball back to me when I shoot threes. Basketball in the Philippines is a big sport, even if they arent as tall as the chinese for example. I really like this filippino song made by some sailors. I believe the song YMCA tried to copy this tune.
This is a picture I made to symbolize the short relationship I had with Margie above. It relfects an immediate understanding of how we felt I believe.
4. Taking advantage of the “tourist pass”
Let’s be honest. As tourists, we’re let off the hook more often than when a local violates a regulation. That’s because the locals don’t want us to have an upsetting time in their country and would prefer us to go home with happy memories. If they accommodate you, graciously accept the help, but don’t you ever take advantage of their kindness by repeating offences. You’re representing your country too. Don’t give your fellow Filipinos a bad name!
5. Not abiding by the dress codes
In addition, your “tourist pass” doesn’t give you permission to disregard dress codes. As a visitor, locals will expect you to respect the sartorial demands in the area. Take Morocco, for example — it’s a predominantly Islam country. If you’re a female traveller, that means it’s best that you wear conservative clothes from head to toe lest you’re prepared for curious glances here and there. I know that as girls, we don’t like being told what to wear, but as tourists, we’re obligated to acknowledge and observe certain practices. Whether you like it or not, they will also apply to you.
6. Disturbing the peace in sacred spaces
Temples, shrines, churches, mosques — a sense of decorum is required in every kind of sacred space. Aside from dressing appropriately, you of course, are expected to observe silence, sit only where you’re permitted, take photos discretely, etc. These places of worship may be open to tourists, but they weren’t made for tourism. Let that sink in before you start snapping away for your Instagram grid.
7. Ignoring local etiquette
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Logan Paul incident in Japan that happened in December 2017. If you haven’t, here’s a long story short.
Logan Paul, one of the most famous YouTube vloggers today, took a holiday in Japan where he set himself lose, throwing Japanese merchandise on public roads, making a ruckus with his team, and disturbing locals everywhere he went. But none of these viler than what he did in the restricted area of Aokigahara Forest. The forest isn’t dubbed as the Suicide Forest for nothing, yet there he was filming a dead body, using the chance encounter for “content”.
There are so many layers of disrespect in his Japan vlogs that perfectly capture what a culturally insensitive traveller is. Of all the countries Logan Paul could cause chaos in, it had to be the country which is most known for being respectful, peace-loving, hospitable, and generous. What makes his deeds more unforgivable is that he knew about the respectful nature of Japan and even mentions this in his vlog. Problem is — he didn’t care.
8. Overlooking the significance of rituals, traditions, symbolism, etc.
If you’re a tourist who’s interested in partaking in festivals, games, rituals, ceremonies or any kind of cultural event, please do your research beforehand and understand the social relevance and symbolism behind these traditions. Know who the key figures are and what they represent. Study about the activity that will take place to gain an in-depth appreciation of what’s going to occur. This way, you’ll know how to conduct yourself as an observer or participant — no misguided actions or unnecessary requests. Tourists who overlook these intricacies can unconsciously act distastefully and appear short-sighted, and you don’t want to be one of them.
