Quality travel takes time and patience. As much as I enjoy seeing the different destinations and get to travel vicariously through the pit stops and detours I can’t help but think that The Amazing Race as presented on t.v. is the antithesis of travel. Though travellers would love a million dollars to make it possible to travel the world they wouldn’t necessarily rush around the globe just to get that million dollars. In what ways is The Amazing Race the antithesis of travel?

• Flight delays are part of the travel experience and sometimes make for the most memorable stories (usually more so after the fact than during!) No point in getting upset; sit back and enjoy the ride, however long it takes.
• Rushing through everything and missing it all, not taking the time to see and appreciate the sites or get to know the people.
  “Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”
  ~Eddie Cantor~
• The constant complaining of “doesn’t anyone speak English?” and “this isn’t the way it is back home“, often implying that it should be.
• “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” a famous line from the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
  Kindness during the race is rare. Most contestants exhibit a selfish me, me, me mentality. I am heartened and often surprised at the kindness and hospitality of people I meet on the road, both locals and fellow travelers. It’s not always about you and your own interests. Clearly this is not the attitude of the majority of Amazing Race contestants.
• And one can say it truly is the journey that matters. I have never come home to a million dollars after crossing the finish line of Customs but the adventure I have is always priceless.