BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello,

I'm interested in the counter culture experiences to be had in our world. Unfortunately many people look down on stuff like this, and so-called wise travellers would tell me how to walk my path. I intend to indulge when I travel, and not only with the social norm. Why is it, so many people that say travel opens your mind, turn around and scold those who travel in search of experience, by path of drugs or other uncommon means.

Are drugs not a form of altered perception, uncertainty, and new experience? What does everyone think of people using drugs or participating in other counter culture activities(music, games, late night oddities, sexual fantasies) while travelling. If you are looking to be jarred and surprised, why not doubly? Is it only because of the laws?

Let me state more clearly, I hope to see things in the south, that sane men will not see. I hope to see that which only the chaotic fire burning will reveal. And I always hope to keep my freedom. Such experiences can not only be suitable in familiar environments. Any thoughts?

I'm not going to scold you for your pursuits, in fact, I applaud them. The Hagia Sophia is a completely different place on acid -- I felt I could see through the many layers of paint and centuries of history and bond with the builders of the place. I'm sure my Byzantinist friend would say there's plenty to see there without resorting to mild-altering chemicals, but I'd have to retort that there's even more to see with them.

Another memorable experience occured in Goreme when fate and bad trail-following placed me on the roof of 60-year-old Mustafa's cave house. He greeted me, invited me down the ladder into his den and proceded to pull a bag of weed from under one of the many multicolored cushions therein. We sat, smoked and chatted away the afternoon. The call to prayer from the towns two mosques wafted into our cave, creating a most mystical environment -- interestingly, the Turkish word for hashish (esrar) is the same as the word for mystery.

Some experiences just seem designed for chemical enhancement; others, like driving and teaching are a different kettle of fish. I'd say in the right time and place, drugs, be they caffeine, alcohol, mesculin, etc., can be really wonderful things. People who feel otherwise need not worry about it. I feel the same way about religion: despite my complete disbelief, I'm all for people believing what they will. In both of these contexts, the limit to acceptable behavior should be whether or not it affects others -- crusades, drunk-driving, jihads and dosing someone else's drink just aren't right.