There is no need to travel! We can see everything on Google Earth!
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
May 14, 2012 3:46pm CST
No, that is not my opinion 
It is a comment that I got from a friend when I told her about our trip to Asia. I thought she was joking, but I was wrong, it was her honest opinion. She thinks that it is cheaper, easier and safer to look at the famous sights on the computer. I strongly disagree. It is true that it is cheaper and easier to look at the pictures, but nothing beats the personal experience 
I want to visit those places in the person. My friend said: "Yes, but at home you don't have to worry about plane clashes, terror attacks, food poisoning, theft, muggings, illnesses etc" She focuses on the negatives things about travelling, and I focus more on the positive things. It is true that bad things happen sometimes, but it doesn't prevent me from travelling.
What do you think? Do you prefer look at pictures on Google Earth or other internet sites from the safety of your own home or do you prefer to visit the places in person? Why?
It is a comment that I got from a friend when I told her about our trip to Asia. I thought she was joking, but I was wrong, it was her honest opinion. She thinks that it is cheaper, easier and safer to look at the famous sights on the computer. I strongly disagree. It is true that it is cheaper and easier to look at the pictures, but nothing beats the personal experience I want to visit those places in the person. My friend said: "Yes, but at home you don't have to worry about plane clashes, terror attacks, food poisoning, theft, muggings, illnesses etc" She focuses on the negatives things about travelling, and I focus more on the positive things. It is true that bad things happen sometimes, but it doesn't prevent me from travelling.
What do you think? Do you prefer look at pictures on Google Earth or other internet sites from the safety of your own home or do you prefer to visit the places in person? Why?2 people like this
6 responses
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
15 May 12
No, i prefer to do travel and see everything in real. Seeing on pictures or movies, it is not real at all, and i have no much feeling as i have real experiences on it.
I love travel and i try to go visit one new place a year. Booking tickets, going by bus, food, tired ..it is not big problem...because i love real experiences of traveling.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
16 May 12
I also prefer to visit the places in person. It can be interesting to look at the pictures online, and I think it is fine to combine the pictures with a personal experience, but I don't think that the pictures can replace the personal experience. I think that pictures are very different from the real experience. It is true that you can protect yourself from some of the risks if you stay at home, but I think you lose out on a lot of interesting experiences that way, and I definately prefer to visit the places in person if it is possible.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
17 May 12
I think it is a great idea to visit one new place every year, and I try to do the same thing. I can't afford to visit another country every year, but I want to visit a some new places in my own country every year. This year I plan on visiting some of the small islands in my area. I think that could be interesting. I plan to going there in July or August when the weather is sunny.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
14 May 12
Problem is you don't get the "feel" of the atmosphere, and the closest one can get is video, rather than pictures. I have been saving pictures and videos of Israel for my next story, though I can probably use my imagination to write about the area, I know I can do better if I were to actually visit.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
15 May 12
That is true, pictures don't give you the same kind of experience. You can look at the places, but you can't feel the atmosphere, and you don't experience the sounds, the smells and all those things. I think that the very best thing would be a visit to Israel, because that would give you the chance to experience the country in person. Unfortunately it isn't always possible to visit the places that we want to write about and we have to use other methods like pictures, books and videos.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 May 12
Yes, that and helpful friends who have visited or live in this country and are willing to give me their point of view of the country..:)
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 12
I agree with you absolutely on this point and certainly do not consider an online image to be a decent substitute for actually visiting somewhere. I realise that the internet is changing the attitudes and lifestyles of many people, but that statement is simply absurd.
As for bad things happening, they could happen if you go to the supermarket but that does not amount to a serious deterrent. I will be travelling abroad a couple of times next year for a holiday, as I do every year, and the thought that I may have a mishap is certainly not going to change my intention.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
15 May 12
Lol is she out of her mind? hahhaha! those are just soooooooo virtual you cannot even touch it.
i would still prefer going to the real place my friend.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
16 May 12
Yes, you can't compare virtual travel and personal experience. I like to look at the pictures of famous buildings and I like to read about the sights around the world, but those things can't replace a visit to the places at least not in my opinion. My friend has a different opinion, and she thinks that virtual travel is cheaper and safer. I guess it is true that it is both both cheaper and safer, but it is also a less interesting I want to see those places in person, that is the best way to experience them.
@tkonlinevn (6438)
• Vietnam
18 May 12
I'll say the same your friend if I don't have enough money and time to travel! Fact is the most wonderful! Why we must see photos on computer if we have enough conditions to travel around the world?
1 person likes this
@fannitia (2167)
• Bulgaria
15 May 12
Yes, this is a cheaper easier and safer experience. It's also emotionless, impersonal and maybe even boring. Unfortunately I can't afford to make many travels. But I've been thinking about this for years: is a was rich enough I wouldn't use my money to buy properties of luxury things. I would use them for travels around the world. I agree with you that nothing can compare with the personal experience. But people are different. It seems that the best thing for your friend is to stay in front of her computer at home.
1 person likes this
