Hello, my fellow travelers, aspiring travelers and armchair adventurers. Let’s get to know each other better!
How?
By playing round #2 of a game called “Would you rather….?” (Click here to see round #1, which was a blast and had a tremendous response.) To keep things interesting, I like to include a few somewhat extreme situations. 
How to Play
- Just pick a few of the questions (or answer all 6) and tell me/us which situation you would prefer to be in. There is no third option or way around it. It’s one OR the other.
- Then, explain why you answered as you did. Feel free to share an anecdote re: a similar situation you found yourself in and why it was tolerable or not.
Without further ado, here is is Round 2 of the ‘Would You Rather…?” Game for Travelers. Have fun!
1. Accommodations/Cultural Experience
Would you rather stay…
a) with a local family–awesome cultural experience guaranteed–but the children are noisy and challenging to deal with (eg, the baby has colic and cries all night). Your room’s walls are thin and you can hear it all–even with earplugs and noise-canceling headphones playing white noise or heavy metal. PS: During the day, the baby’s older sister throws tantrums.
OR
b) in a nice hotel that is quiet, but sterile and devoid of any local culture (eg, a Holiday Inn); it’s near the airport and the only way to get into the local city is by an expensive taxi (round-trip is equal to half the price of your room).
2. Transportation/Company of Others
Would you rather be on a very long (12-hour) bus ride….
a) by yourself with a malfunctioning iPod, no book to read and no journal to write in? And one more thing; you don’t speak the local language and your fellow passengers don’t speak English.
OR
b) with a fellow traveler who won’t stop talking (even if let them know you don’t want to interact)? Note: they’re so boring, you’d rather read the phone book (do they even exist anymore?) or poke yourself in the eye. Body odor is also an issue, and unfortunately, there are no other seats available.
3. Length of Trip/Luxury vs Budget
Would you rather travel…
a) in extreme luxury for a short time, but with no freedom to do what you want? 10 days and 2 European destinations only (one can be the Riviera)…with limos, lobster and a chance to rub elbows with the rich and famous. You’ll have to pack very dressy clothes, too, and make small talk with snobby people who are beyond boring. One more thing–your entire tour (every minute) is planned. No free time whatsoever.
OR
b) for 3 months, but on the lowest budget travel imaginable, with the freedom to travel anywhere you like? Mostly, you’ll be in hostels (even sharing a bed, not just a room, at times); at times, there will be bed bugs. (You have bad luck with Couch Surfing; people cancel at the last minute.) If you visit a beach, you’re sleeping in a hammock and yes, there will be mosquitoes. And…the food you’ll eat will be mostly from the street, but from carts of a low-quality and dubious nature.
4. Unique Foods
Would you rather eat…
a) balut—that developing duck embryo thingee from the Philippines?
b) a live tarantula?
5. Edgy Cultural Experiences
Would you rather…
a) watch a voodoo ceremony that’s 100% safe, but aimed at tourists? It’s actually a simulation, which is explained (by an excellent tour guide) before it begins. You learn a lot, but unfortunately, the locals who ‘act’ in it are underpaid and exploited. They would, however, benefit from your tip. Still, you know it’s not quite authentic.
OR
b) see a voodoo ceremony that’s the real deal, but potentially dangerous? You’ve been invited by a local woman you meet randomly in a supermarket. Her eyes are very intense and her voice sends a chill up your spine. She tells you that ‘it is your destiny’ to attend. By the way, the only way to get to the ceremony is walk along a secret trail for 1 hour into the middle of nowhere…late at night…during a full moon…with her uncle who speaks no English whatsoever.
6. Romance
Would you rather have…
a) an incredibly exciting, passionate romance with a local that makes you deliriously happy, but is short-term? The chemistry is mind-blowing and you think there’s potential, but sadly, there can never be a real relationship due to cultural and/or religious differences. You can have up to 3 months with this person–and it will be like something out of a dream–but then, the relationship will end. You will never see him/her again.
OR
b) a so so relationship with a fellow traveler with whom you have lots in common and total freedom to be with long-term, but a weak attraction? You are free to travel and explore a relationship as long as you like, and you do enjoy each other’s company, but it feels more like a friendship; the passion is barely there.
You care about him or her, but…
Any ‘Would You Rather…?’ Questions You’d Like to Ask/Share?
I’d like to play this game every 6 months or so. I’m sure I’ll need a few extra questions at some point. If you have any to share–and they’re different than what I’ve already got planned for future rounds–I’d love to use it in a future game and give you credit via a mention and link back to your blog.
What Would I Rather Do?
Ha…great question! I promise I will answer my own questions, but not for a few weeks. It’s a lot more fun this way.
Photo Credits
Choices: Daniel Moyle; baby: Valentina Powers; hotel: Victoria Winters; hostel bed: Chris Barker; balut: Shankar S; tarantula: Hugo Quintero G; voodoo: Willem Heerbaart; romance: Alexandre Dulaunoy.