This is for all disaster tourists
Back to 2012. I'm on vacation in Egypt and decide that riding a camel through the desert is really the shit. Isn't it just too fun? Even if it's just for the memory or that crazy photo for the folks back home. A few hours later, I'm on a beast that won't budge. Wow, isn't it crazy in 42 degrees? The owner yells something at the animal and a little later we trudge up a hill. Shit, this doesn't feel good at all. I look at my boyfriend on the right who suddenly feels like a brute too. Does his camel have a muzzle on by the way?
Long story short: we've all been the unaware tourist at some point. In Valencia I met a Dutch couple who had bought tickets for a bullfight. They thought it would be cool to experience, so typically Valencian. A real piece of history. I looked at them with wide eyes. “Seriously? And how was it? Fun?”, I asked sarcastically. “Pretty intense. We walked out halfway because we didn't expect it to be so bloody.” Wow, I thought, how naïve. But on the other hand, I've been there too, so can I blame others? I don't think so. Because who has gone swimming with dolphins? Yep, that’s me. Curaçao It's important to realize that animals are exploited abroad. Animals that can't speak for themselves and a camel that didn't ask for a seat on its back or a muzzle. The Spaniards ignore the fact that the bulls are often weakened for hours before the match. Or are kept in a cramped room for days to disorient them. And we just go on vacation and take 'nice' pictures for the folks back home. Therefore, it's time for a social message. These are the ten cruelest attractions involving animals:.
Elephant rides
- Tiger selfies
- Walking with lions (a relatively new attraction by the way)
- Visiting bear pits
- Holding sea turtles
- Dolphin shows
- Dancing monkeys
- Visiting coffee plantations with caged civet cats (especially happens in Indonesia)
- Snake around your neck/cobra kisses
- Visiting crocodile farms
- I would say just keep this in mind. And then the camel and the bulls aren't even included. Am I the only one who has gone wrong? Nope. According to a study by World Animal Protection, 110 million tourists are said to have visited attractions with wild animals, unaware of the animal suffering that comes with it. So if you ever get handed a tourist brochure with cheerful monkeys, elephants, whatever, just think of this article, okay? Thanks from me. And the little animals. Amen.
Back to 2012. I'm on vacation in Egypt and decide that riding a camel through the desert is really the shit. Isn't it just too fun? Even if it's just for the memory...
