There was a time when it was de rigeur among certain folks to travel to Europe. Whether it was a high school graduation trip, or a college junior year abroad — one wasn’t considered cultured until one had been to Europe.
People still talk about the European influence on notable figures like Thomas Jefferson and well-known writers like James Joyce and Ernest Hemingway.
Asia was always considered more ‘exotic.’
Lately, however, almost everyone I talk to has been to Asia (China, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan). One friend just purchased an apartment in Shanghai and regularly travels back and forth. Another friend moved to Japan a couple of years ago. Most of my friends have been to China. When I mentioned I was traveling to Seoul, it seemed that at least half of the people I spoke with had been there — and not just for the ‘88 Olympics.
I think part of the shift has been due to shifting immigration and demographics is large cities like New York and Los Angeles. Knowing more and more people from Asian countries has likely piqued the interest in those of us with different backgrounds. When I was in high school, most of my white classmates wanted to go to Europe to trace their roots and find far flung family members. In a city like Los Angeles, I imagine the travel dialogue must be different.
It’s not to say that the newly minted European Union has lost its gloss — but I think many are realizing that the sun sets on other parts of the world — and travel may be just that more interesting in less Westernized locals.
I wonder how long it will take for travel books to catch up.
