A long weekend in Florida 🫶🏽 #florida #news A long weekend in Florida 🫶🏽

#florida #newsmyrna #newsmyrnabeach #palmcoast #satellitebeach #hammockdunes #eastcoast #beachlife #coastalliving #beachphotography #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #radgirlslife #letsgo #vacationmode #naturephotography #floridaliving #southernliving
I wanted to paint something a little more abstract I wanted to paint something a little more abstract. This 16x20 acrylic painting is inspired by a Polaroid taken [most likely] by my grandmother, “Nannie.” The painting isn’t finished but I’m happy with session one. ❤️

#painting #artist #artwork #acryliconcanvas #acrylicart #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #artgallery #artcollector #artoftheday #igartist #paintings
2022 Part ✌🏽 #nye #newyearseve #photodiary # 2022 Part ✌🏽

#nye #newyearseve #photodiary #photodump #wilmingtonnc #phoenix #nosara #costarica #taylorguitars #radgirlslife #girlswhortravel #art #artwork #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #resolutions #bentonville
2022 Part One #2022 #newyear #florida #travel #st 2022 Part One

#2022 #newyear #florida #travel #stpetersburgflorida #keystonecolorado #summitcounty #snowboarding #mtb #mountainbiking #specializedbikes #radgirlslife #girlswhotravel
Thank you @instagram for providing a template for Thank you @instagram for providing a template for cramming a week’s worth of highlights into one post. 😂 Here’s a super speedy recap of Dec 2022 women’s surf & yoga retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica. 

Retreat: @neighborhood_offshore 
Stay: @nosara_surf_villa 
Yoga: @honeybirdflow 
Surf: @luigizuniga

#costarica #surfretreat #yogaretreat #nosara #womensretreat #playaguiones #guiones #surfing #horsebackriding #womensupportingwomen #travelgram #igtravel #puravida #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #travelgirls #radgirlslife
Straight after a week-long women’s retreat & 36- Straight after a week-long women’s retreat & 36-hours of travel, Christmas week was crafty, stupid cold, extra sugary, and loaded with family events. 🥰 Commencing hermit recovery mode.

#painting #acrylicpainting #artwork #artgallery #pheasant #artistsoninstagram #christmas #photodump
To filter would be blasphemy. ⛵️ #sailing #ca To filter would be blasphemy. ⛵️

#sailing #catamaran #yacht #sunsetsail #sunset #sailboat #costarica #nosara #travel #travelgram #travelling #puravida
Now that it has been gifted, I can share this bela Now that it has been gifted, I can share this belated house-warming gift painted for a horse-loving, beach living, surf sister. 🤙🏽Yeehaw Bra 5x7 Acrylic on Canvas

#horses #equestrian #beachlife #painting #acrylicpainting #artist #artwork #artgallery #artistsoninstagram #igart #horseriding #horselover #beachpainting #artoftheday #paintingoftheday #paintingtimelapse #timelapse
What can you really say after spending a week with What can you really say after spending a week with soul sisters in a tropical paradise? Grateful isn’t sufficient; blessed is a given. My heart is full and my spirit is energized with a special kind of confidence you can only gain from stretching beyond your comfort zone and being surrounded by women on a mission to lift one another. I have extra special people to see and a holiday to celebrate when I arrive at home. This is good…really, really good. ❤️

Stay: @nosara_surf_villa 
Retreat: @neighborhood_offshore 
Where: Nosara, Costa Rica

#costarica #surfretreat #yogaretreat #nosara #womensretreat #playaguiones #guiones #surfing #horsebackriding #womensupportingwomen #travelgram #igtravel #puravida #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #travelgirls #radgirlslife
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Travel ·

Is overtourism killing communities?

This morning, I was reading an article that said many destinations are cracking down on tourism because it is harming their local community. This makes me sad for two reasons: (1) Destinations are capitalizing on tourism and diluting a truly authentic experience for the sake of money. (2) Uneducated travelers could be ruining a good thing for those of us who travel for more reasons than going viral on Instagram.


Taking Advantage of Travelers

Anyone who has done a decent amount of traveling is aware of the phony souvenir stands selling “locally made” goods. I was once victim of one of these stands – I purchased an “artisan made” beaded necklace in NYC and later found it in multiple colors at a chain-boutique in Nebraska. We recently experienced another example of locals taking advantage of naive travelers in Hawaii. While in Kauai, we visited the Spouting Horn. On the way to the lookout point, visitors can walk through a small market of vendors selling everything from Lilo & Stitch paraphernalia and toy instruments to jewelry and handmade baskets. Many jewelry merchants were hocking “Made in Hawaii” accessories…many of which I had also seen in Mexico, Paris, New York City and on Amazon. Another vendor was selling beautiful baskets and bags made of woven orchid stems. When we asked where they were made, the vendor replied, “Fiji.”

Mutually Respectful Tourism

It’s sad that travelers have to be on their guard to avoid being taken advantage of. Here’s another example: Whenever I travel to a non-English speaking country, I do my best to learn basic communications and vocabulary to enhance my experience with the culture and to be respectful. Still, while in France, an unsuspecting baker didn’t realize I had heard her speaking English the day before; she also wasn’t aware that I understood enough French to piece together her frustrating remarks when I asked – in French – if she could help me in English. I’m not offended. I understand her frustration; but it goes both ways with tourism.

Respect Your Destination

As a traveler, I am only creating a problem for my culture when I act like an “ugly American.” Disrespecting a destination and it’s people only contributes to the wall they build, and misrepresenting your own culture has global implications. Take Mexico for example; crime and violence have provoked travel bans and warning labels. Having visited Mexico, I feel sorry for those who do their part to offer a safe and positive experience for travelers. Ben and I had an amazing time in San Pancho last year, meeting some locals we are now friends with on Facebook. Still, it was a little unnerving to see their military patrolling tourist areas.

Give me 100% or nothing

There should be no fast-food version of travel. I don’t want anything less than 100% all-natural destination. Don’t give me the diluted version created to pad your wallet and cater to the masses. If you want tourists to respect your home and show genuine interest in you and your community, stop coddling them with westernized amenities. Those who love your country and its people, will keep coming back and they will invite others. Those who can’t function outside of their happy meal comfort zone will stay home.

In: Travel · Tagged: France, hawaii, Kauai, Mexico, New York City, NYC, Overtourism, Paris, San Pancho, Tourism

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Comments

  1. Scarlett says

    January 16, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    There are so many places in Italy that have completely changed due to tourism. I visited Cinque Terre 10 years ago and it was a very different experience this summer! It’s nice for the communities to share their beautiful towns with eager travelers, but it’s sad when it’s ruining the hiking trails and infrastructure. Interesting post!

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@freelymi

A long weekend in Florida 🫶🏽 #florida #news A long weekend in Florida 🫶🏽

#florida #newsmyrna #newsmyrnabeach #palmcoast #satellitebeach #hammockdunes #eastcoast #beachlife #coastalliving #beachphotography #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #radgirlslife #letsgo #vacationmode #naturephotography #floridaliving #southernliving
I wanted to paint something a little more abstract I wanted to paint something a little more abstract. This 16x20 acrylic painting is inspired by a Polaroid taken [most likely] by my grandmother, “Nannie.” The painting isn’t finished but I’m happy with session one. ❤️

#painting #artist #artwork #acryliconcanvas #acrylicart #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #artgallery #artcollector #artoftheday #igartist #paintings
2022 Part ✌🏽 #nye #newyearseve #photodiary # 2022 Part ✌🏽

#nye #newyearseve #photodiary #photodump #wilmingtonnc #phoenix #nosara #costarica #taylorguitars #radgirlslife #girlswhortravel #art #artwork #artistsoninstagram #acrylicpainting #resolutions #bentonville
2022 Part One #2022 #newyear #florida #travel #st 2022 Part One

#2022 #newyear #florida #travel #stpetersburgflorida #keystonecolorado #summitcounty #snowboarding #mtb #mountainbiking #specializedbikes #radgirlslife #girlswhotravel
Thank you @instagram for providing a template for Thank you @instagram for providing a template for cramming a week’s worth of highlights into one post. 😂 Here’s a super speedy recap of Dec 2022 women’s surf & yoga retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica. 

Retreat: @neighborhood_offshore 
Stay: @nosara_surf_villa 
Yoga: @honeybirdflow 
Surf: @luigizuniga

#costarica #surfretreat #yogaretreat #nosara #womensretreat #playaguiones #guiones #surfing #horsebackriding #womensupportingwomen #travelgram #igtravel #puravida #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #travelgirls #radgirlslife
Straight after a week-long women’s retreat & 36- Straight after a week-long women’s retreat & 36-hours of travel, Christmas week was crafty, stupid cold, extra sugary, and loaded with family events. 🥰 Commencing hermit recovery mode.

#painting #acrylicpainting #artwork #artgallery #pheasant #artistsoninstagram #christmas #photodump
To filter would be blasphemy. ⛵️ #sailing #ca To filter would be blasphemy. ⛵️

#sailing #catamaran #yacht #sunsetsail #sunset #sailboat #costarica #nosara #travel #travelgram #travelling #puravida
Now that it has been gifted, I can share this bela Now that it has been gifted, I can share this belated house-warming gift painted for a horse-loving, beach living, surf sister. 🤙🏽Yeehaw Bra 5x7 Acrylic on Canvas

#horses #equestrian #beachlife #painting #acrylicpainting #artist #artwork #artgallery #artistsoninstagram #igart #horseriding #horselover #beachpainting #artoftheday #paintingoftheday #paintingtimelapse #timelapse
What can you really say after spending a week with What can you really say after spending a week with soul sisters in a tropical paradise? Grateful isn’t sufficient; blessed is a given. My heart is full and my spirit is energized with a special kind of confidence you can only gain from stretching beyond your comfort zone and being surrounded by women on a mission to lift one another. I have extra special people to see and a holiday to celebrate when I arrive at home. This is good…really, really good. ❤️

Stay: @nosara_surf_villa 
Retreat: @neighborhood_offshore 
Where: Nosara, Costa Rica

#costarica #surfretreat #yogaretreat #nosara #womensretreat #playaguiones #guiones #surfing #horsebackriding #womensupportingwomen #travelgram #igtravel #puravida #travelphotography #girlswhotravel #travelgirls #radgirlslife
November was nice. 🥰 #diary #photodump #novemb November was nice. 🥰

#diary #photodump #november #photodiary #photojournal #slowliving #slowdown
Happy Thanksgiving friends! I painted this lone tr Happy Thanksgiving friends! I painted this lone tree on a hill in late summer/early fall but hadn’t shared the process. I love her texture. She’ll be living in a light oak floating frame. 🖼 DM for Christmas commissions.

#painting #acrylicpainting #acrylic #acryliconcanvas #artworks #artgallery #artist #acrylicpaint #landscapepainting #igart
Christmas commission 🎁 5x7 Acrylic on Canvas # Christmas commission 🎁 5x7 Acrylic on Canvas

#christmas #cardinals #paintingtimelapse #arttimelapse #acryliconcanvas #acrylicart #acrylicpaint #paintingoftheday #painting #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artgallery #originalpaintings #artcollector #commissionartist
4 Days in Phoenix #phoenix #arizona #scottsdale # 4 Days in Phoenix

#phoenix #arizona #scottsdale #mesaarizona #tempearizona #southwestairlines #travelgram #justinboots
(3) 4x7 #acrylic & ink on paper 🥑🍅 They’re (3) 4x7 #acrylic & ink on paper 🥑🍅 They’re not what you think. 🤔 Many still think of tomatoes, avocado and zucchini as vegetables because they’re not sweet like most fruits. But they are, in fact, fruits! 

#painting #acrylicpainting #originalart #artwork #artist #artgallery #artcollector #paintingoftheday #nutritionist
Did you guess the mystery lady?? 🤩 This sister Did you guess the mystery lady?? 🤩 This sister series reminded me of my favorite music video of all time: Black or White by Michael Jackson. If you haven’t seen it, watch it now. It instantly makes me happy. 

#art #artist #painting #portraitpainting #acrylicpainting #artwork #artistsoninstagram #artgallery #artoftheday #originalart #artistsupport #artcollective #artdaily
Sunday still life. 🎨 I might make this a weekly Sunday still life. 🎨 I might make this a weekly thing; blues music included. 😎 Fun fact: B.B. King and I have the same birthday. 🎸

#stilllife #painting #sundayinspiration #art #artwork #mixedmediaart #artgallery #artoftheday #artistsoninstagram #igartist #artcollector #artistatwork
It’s the little things that get me…like fun so It’s the little things that get me…like fun socks 🌵homemade pumpkin muffins 🎃funny greeting cards ⛄️getting your first @stetsonusa 🤠and QT with your pretty mama ❤️ 

Wishing you all a heartwarming week full of the good stuff! 🥰

#slowliving #smallthings #seekjoy #thehappynow #stetson #artist #painter #artistsoninstagram #lovemore
I often refer to my work as a visual art because i I often refer to my work as a visual art because it encompasses multiple mediums. Painting and photography came later in life but I’ve been involved in the arts since childhood. 

#artist #photographer #fineart #artcollector #writer #artistsofinstagram #visualartist #fineartphotography #fineartpainting #originalart #creativeentrepreneur
Wet paint reveal! “Look Ahead” 12x12 Acrylic o Wet paint reveal! “Look Ahead” 12x12 Acrylic on canvas. She’s 1 of 6 in a sister set. 

#acrylicpainting #painting #artwork #artistsoninstagram #igartist #artcollector #artgallery #art #artcurator #artoftheday
I’d watch the whole time lapse just to listen to I’d watch the whole time lapse just to listen to this song…but the final product is pretty dope too. 🎨 Allá prima “I Knew You” 12x12 acrylic on canvas.

#allaprima #allaprimapainting #acrylicpainting #artwork #painting #artistsoninstagram #artgallery #artcollector

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