Seat of Our Pants

Exploitation is something that makes me feel deeply yucky. Whenever possible Martin and I avoid doing anything that exploit local people/culture/customs. Despite our efforts, the sad fact remains: it’s everywhere and most tourists (package tourists, mostly) eat that stuff up – psst: the two pictured above are the ones I’m talking about.

Here’s how it goes: tourist agencies book group tours to local villages with promises to see “real village life.” Their tours may seem like the real deal but it’s usually just a construction of the tourism powers-that-be. The villagers play the part because they need to make a living. So they weave, or spin cotton or pose for photos all day. What do they get in exchange? The hope that some of this photo snapping will lead to a purchase from their gift shop.

Our boat trip through Inle Lake gave us the perfect example of this phenomenon. Our guide had asked if we wanted to see the Karen people (aka the long-neck women). Figuring we wouldn’t get another chance to see them, we agreed – without thinking about where we would find them. A few minutes later our boat pulled into a riverside landing that led to a huge gift shop. Flanking the window to this shop were the Karen women.

Karen women

Embarrassed to even be apart of this situation, Martin and I did a quick walk-through of the shop and headed toward the boat. Our departure was delayed by the arrival of a huge group tour, each person more happy than the next to snap photos of the Karen and/or of their neck rings. More than likely none of them bought a single souvenir, leaving the woman to wait for the next tour group and round of photos.

It’s just sad. A zoo where the main attraction are human.

Really, really sad.

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