What's the point if people go to some historical sights...
By Paraparadox
@Paraparadox (1)
China
December 22, 2012 10:54am CST
It starts with a thought that,many people regard sightseeing as traveling.
What's the point if people go to some historical sights without having essential knowledge of them?
As for me,traveling is just another place,another time with the same person that you wanna stay with.What about you guys?
2 people like this
7 responses
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
22 Dec 12
It depends on what one is interested in. Some people could care less about the history of a site or even if there is a history. Like you, they frequently look at it as just another place with the person they want to be with.
I love going to historical sites. I find it fascinating to visit the 'ghosts of the past'. I always research a place to at least have a little background to work with. I do a lot of hiking and exploring and waymarking, so it definitely helps to know what to see, what to look for, etc.
But if I run up on an historical site unexpectedly, than that's a bonus too. I always carry two cameras (dedicated cameras, no phone cameras) and I take photos of everything! Even the signs and markers. I gather all the info available (if there is a visitor center, I grab the pamphlets, tour guides, and ask questions). Then later, I will compile all the info and even do further research on the internet. Through waymarking, I can post my findings for other interested 'explorers'.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
24 Dec 12
That's great for you to do that! I used to to when we traveled. As kids, we went camping and dad would hit every single historical marker there was along the way to where we were going! As kids we thought how stupid,but now.. I am glad he did it and I did similar when I traveled with my kids. IT is a great way to give them an education that they will learn and retain and have fun doing it!
I think people today, are not interested in history anymore. THey don't care about anything but their cell phones and video games and the like. The history is so far in the past, they don't even get the point. Sad, but true.
I would love to do that exploring again. At the time, it was just cool to see or fun to play around, and we didn't know the historical cause/reason. But older...it is more the cause/reason than the fun. I took my son to Beatty, Nevada...an old west silver mining ghost town. Amazing that how they made those buildings with no more equipment than they had..out in that heat in the middle of nowhere! And just to imagen how they lived in those house, how they deorated it and things like that...it was pretty fun and interesting.
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
23 Dec 12
I like to go to historical sights when I go to a certain place however, before I go there I must check on what kind of place will it be and what will I get from seeing it personally. Then it is more interesting for me. However, the information or what I saw in the site where I took the information from are more interesting that what is it in actual place. That's too bad. Going to historical places are very educational. 
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
24 Dec 12
However, the information or what I saw in the site where I took the information from are more interesting that what is it in actual place.
You're right. If you're at a historical site that has signs and markers about what happened there, it just seems sort of empty now. But I find that sometimes, you have to let your imagination go. If you envision in your head what happened on this actual ground or who lived here and walked where you are walking now, if you let yourself see in your mind's eye what occurred, than yes, the 'ghosts' are there. It's sometimes very eerie.
@jricky1 (6800)
• China
24 Dec 12
Goind to historical sights is cool and i never regard it as traveling.It suppose to be a way to make life wonderful and relaxing way.I try to learn the history and the knowledge of it.Therefore it becomes interesting coz you know that long time ago there are different people looking at the same space as you are.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
22 Dec 12
You are right, paradox. The point is indeed to learn about the history of the site and the era that it represents. If people go there just for fun and not to learn something, this is being ignorant and they miss the whole point.
I always learn from the historical places that I go to, I read every sign, I listen to every word the guide says and I ask some questions too. I may also write notes.
I know it is less fun than just hanging out somewhere, but, I get some satisfaction from the learning.
We better encourage people to learn too about the history of the sites they go to.
@LaDeBoheme (2004)
• United States
22 Dec 12
I know it is less fun than just hanging out somewhere, but, I get some satisfaction from the learning.
I am right there with you, stringer. To me "just hanging out somewhere" is not more fun, it's bor-r-ing.
@echo060201 (540)
• China
23 Dec 12
yes, i totally agree with you, people should know some information about the place they want to visit before to leave for it. It will help to understand the historical sights better and can increase the meanings for this travelling experience.
@keeperdream (381)
• United States
22 Dec 12
I guess the point is to learn about them and find out what it's really all about. I like to learn about the places for I go, this way I know the best time and way to visit, and what parts of the places are must see.
