Tourism Through the Ages

Bath is an elegant city with a centuries-long inevitable overlay of tourism. Being here gives one the sense that tourism has a venerable and honorable history, and one is proud to be a part of the tradition. I am always bothered by the stinky, smelly, noisy cars and buses, but most likely, the various ox-, donkey-, pony-, and horse-drawn carts and carriages were noisy and smelly in their day.

I am becoming resigned to being an outsider at the places we visit. You can really only be at home in one place—it is the definition of home. I’ll be a traveler, journeyer, tourist everywhere else, and carry my temporary home on my back.
[2003]