This is the second of two essays submitted by Sophie Rudolph, winner of Eureka Street's Margaret Dooley Award for young writers.
These reflections occur at the dusk of a 20-month journey spanning three continents and including incredible hospitality, sadness and joys, much learning and much contemplation on the inequalities of the world and the ethics of travel.
One of the most pressing questions regarding travel today is what impact the increasing transportation of people across the world is having on our environment. This requires an essay to itself, however, and I will therefore leave it for another time. Instead I will focus my reflections on social and economic implications and some of the related questions of privilege, inequality, difference, exchange, diversity and understanding.
My position as a 'Western', middle-class Australian has enabled me to travel to other parts of the world and see different ways of living and relating with relative ease. This opportunity, however, is not available to all and a product of the inherent inequalities which characterise our world, underpinned by historical injustices and exploitation.
The development of unequal economic relationships between various countries has also resulted in the currency of wealthy countries being of incredible value in many travel destinations. Not only have economically disadvantaged countries often been (and continue to be) mistreated by economically stronger countries but many residents of those wealthier countries have greater access to travel and greater spending power while travelling.
Travel is seen as beneficial to increase our understanding of the world and each other but what does this mean for those whose movement is restricted by their place and position of birth? Why should some people be allowed to access this opportunity for growth and awareness and others not? How can this situation be challenged or changed? And can those of us bestowed with this privilege use it ethically and to the benefit of others?
The answers to these questions cannot be adequately explored in the limits of this essay but one way I have tried to respond is by recognising and being consciously aware that in each place I visit I am entering an exchange. I should never be in a place to solely take, or take advantage of, the ease and privilege of my being there. I should always endeavour to give back and enter a conversation with those whose land I walk.
And through these exchanges in