I'm Not a Tourist! I'm a Traveller!

Travel has a way of changing you—not just the places you go, but the way you see the world and your place in it. For a long time, I thought travel was about checking off famous sights, standing in line for landmarks, and snapping the photos everyone else takes. Or, it was about getting from the airport to the office, with a hotel close, and restaurants closer. Whatever made business travel more tolerable.

But somewhere along the way, I realized: I didn’t want to just be a tourist passing through. I wanted to be a traveller—someone who truly connects with the places they visit, who blends into the background rather than sticking out, and who’s open to letting the unexpected become the highlight of the trip.

From Tourist to Traveller: Changing How You See the World

There’s nothing wrong with seeing the sights or taking a selfie in front of a monument. But if that’s all you do, you’re missing out on the real spirit of a place. Being a tourist is easy—book a tour, stick to the top ten attractions, eat where the guidebook tells you. It’s safe and comfortable, but it keeps you at a distance, watching life happen rather than living it.

For me it’s about getting a little bit lost, and being curious enough to say yes to whatever the day brings. Don’t go to the restaurant from the guidebook, or that has the most Google or TripAdvisor reviews. Go to the place that has a lineup of locals outside.

Burritos from the Trunk

Example - one afternoon in Cancun, in the parking lot of Walmart Centro —I noticed that locals were lined up behind a car, chatting in Spanish and laughing. From the open trunk, a woman was selling homemade burritos, steam rising from foil-wrapped bundles.

So we got in line with them. I can’t pass for Mexican in a dark room, but everyone seemed friendly. Some made eye contact and smiled. We ordered, not sure if I was going to have a great meal or food poisoning. What I got was so much better than any fast food: tender, spiced meat, rice, beans, flavors layered together in a way you never get from a chain. Maybe it was the setting, or maybe it was the food itself, but that burrito turned out to be the most memorable meal of my trip.

The best part? I felt like I was part of the neighborhood, if only for a few minutes. I wasn’t a stranger peering in; I was just another hungry person waiting for lunch

Finding the Local Rhythm

When you let yourself slow down and leave room for serendipity, you start to notice the subtle rhythms of daily life—the way a city wakes up, the sounds of a neighborhood, or the simple act of sitting in a park watching the world go by.

Parque Gaia—A Slice of Local Life in Cancun

One of my favorite places in Cancun isn’t anywhere near the Hotel Zone or the beach. It’s Parque Gaia, a green space tucked into a residential neighborhood. There are no souvenir shops, no vendors waving menus at you, and almost no tourists. English speakers will find expats to speak with - but they aren’t tourists. And most of the locals you will find - often walking one dog or several - are friendly.

Here, you find families out for a walk, joggers making their rounds, and locals catching up on benches under the trees. I’ve spent hours here just reading, people-watching, or soaking in the quiet hum of ordinary life. In Parque Gaia, I don’t feel like a visitor—I feel like a neighbor.

Definitely not the Hotel Zone

Atlanta: The City by Transit

Business trips can easily become a blur of airports, meetings, and hotel lobbies. Years ago on a work trip to Atlanta, I made a different choice. Instead of relying on taxis, I bought a weeklong MARTA pass—the city’s public transit system—and decided to explore Atlanta at ground level.

Was it always glamorous? Not at all. Atlanta is a city with rough edges, and you do need to be careful about where you wander. But riding the trains, strolling through neighborhoods, and stumbling into random restaurants based on the crowd and the smell from the kitchen gave me a perspective I never would’ve gotten from a tour bus or a taxi window.

I visited a few big attractions, but honestly, the highlight wasn’t the World of Coke or the massive aquarium. It was the little things—sharing a laugh with a stranger, discovering a local diner, and just letting the city unfold on its own terms.

How to Shift from Tourist to Traveler

If you want to make the most of your travels and really connect with a place, try these simple strategies:

• Follow the locals: Notice where people gather—at food stands, parks, or small cafes. If locals are lining up, chances are you’re in for a treat.

• Take public transit: It’s not just about saving money—it’s a front-row seat to real life in any city. As polished as an electric tram, or as simple as old model buses, the purpose and result will be the same

• Slow down: Build time into your itinerary to wander, sit on a bench, or just watch the world go by.

• Be curious: A smile and a question can open doors and spark conversations, even with limited language skills.

• Try something new: Whether it’s unfamiliar street food, a local event, or exploring a new neighborhood, stepping out of your comfort zone is where the best stories happen.

Conclusion

The real magic of travel doesn’t come from checklists or souvenirs. It comes from being open—open to new experiences, to small moments of connection, and to the everyday life unfolding around you.

Next time you’re on the road, challenge yourself to go beyond sightseeing. Slow down, follow your curiosity, and see what happens when you stop being just a tourist and start becoming a traveler. You might find that the best stories—and the deepest memories—happen in the most unexpected places.

Of course, the tourist life isn’t too bad either ;)