I fell off my bicycle today, ripped open my jeans, and cut open my leg, only to find 50+ people staring at me while I lay there in the middle of the street with an oncoming street car ahead. The woman nearest me shook her head in disgust and then threw a cigarette in her mouth and kept on walking. The others took a few seconds to stare and then continued on their way. I’m now going to tell you how this relates so well to how we travel and why we need to consider all aspects of sustainability.

At first I just wanted to write an emotional blog post about how much I hate some people in this universe. I wanted to explain to you that ignorance gets you no where, and that I was so ashamed of the new city I live in and the stuck up people who live here. Though I’m still lying on the couch, bandaged up with tears in my eyes, I’m taking this as a lesson learned and using my blog as a way to get through to all of you.

Be better people. 

I don’t care how nice you are, there are ways to improve. Today was just a big slap in the face to tell me that as much as I do for the world, as much organic food I consume, or eco trips I take, this still doesn’t make me the best person. Sometimes we forget the most important thing, respect.

Before you choose to take local tours, eat local food and jump into volunteering abroad experiences, make sure you learn how to respect people and their local culture first. I respect many people and many cultures, and it was only today that I realized there are so many people in this world who forget to be human.

I fell off my bike in front of oncoming traffic, why on god’s earth would you stand there and shake your head at me? I am a human being, I make mistakes and I needed help. I don’t care how many sustainable trips you’ve taken in your lifetime, if you’re not willing to respect people along the way, you’re not a sustainable traveller.

Think about all those people you bought tacky souvenirs off of and haggled them until they gave it to you for a quarter of what you would of paid. Does that make you proud? They have a family at home and a life to live.

Think about all those people currently claiming refugee status in Europe and how scared they must be, while you walk right past them as if they were aliens. What do you think they’re going to do to you?

How about the homeless asking for money? Perhaps you don’t want to spare them the money and assume their buying drugs and alcohol (which in many cases is true), but why can’t you buy them a coffee, or tell them to enjoy their day?

Why can’t you just smile?

I am so tired of walking streets across the globe and walking along side robots. I see so many people around me that are so clueless of their surroundings. I’ve seen many people fall off bikes, side walks and skateboards… and though there was a time I was scared to help… I now know how important it is to step up and help make someones day a little brighter.

I guess in the grand scheme of things.. what I’m trying to say is that

Sustainable tourism starts with a smile.

Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Don’t travel sustainably just because it’s a phase or a fad. Don’t travel sustainably because the news reporters tell you to. Travel sustainably because you want to be a better person, because you want to help make a difference in this world.

Be kind. Be genuine. Be honest.

For those of you who don’t travel, and who don’t look to make the world a better place… at least be a kind person. I am praying that the next time I hurt myself in a public place, there will be people around me that I can rely on.

How terrifying is it to know that if I died on that street, it would take taken more time than it should of to get to the hospital, thanks to people like that terrible woman who shook her head in disgust at me and kept on walking.

Just please take a moment to think about it.

For inspiration about travelling the world, check out the following posts: Why You Should Travel Now, How to Create Your Own Blog, How to Break Out of Habit and Travel the World, The Best Quotes to Inspire You to Travel, The Bucket List.