PHENOMENAL WORLD

Just returned from seeing the film GRAVITY.   The hype was space high so I was expecting the world and got it. The Planet Earth is the star. It illuminates every frame, it is present from all perspectives but it is the literal and proverbial and metaphorical and every other ical star of the show.  It outshines George Clooney and Sandra Bullock leaving them in the shade, both playing themselves, Clooney the more sympathetic of the two characters. At the end I felt Bullock had ended up in another film, potentially Jaws, or the Hills Have Eyes, so many bad things befell her.    Sort of 'oh not again...."   But the world is overwhelming and from any perspective those who appreciate it and are able to appreciate it are the lucky ones.   The two are not mutually exclusive.    I've learnt as a travel journalist over the nearly twenty years I've been doing this, many of those who afford to travel don't appreciate what they see, not really. If they did they would change as people and they never do.

And so to the World Travel Market, the world from a totally different perspective although Mr Branson is getting everyone who is rich, or famous, or both into space. Perhaps he will leave them and their egos  there.    The world under one roof for four days (Excel roof).     I had pre arranged visits which was good.  Life is always more productive when you know when you're going even if you or they are late, Timing is everything.

The travel trends as per every year filled me with 'who the fuck thought of this then?'
Panks, professional aunts no kids are now the new moneyed travellers. This trend comes from America.   Those women who don't have children, have focused on the career, secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) prefer animals to children,  and either didn't want children or the relationship or the IVF didn't work. These are the ones taking the holidays, and now taking their nephews and nieces along for the ride - playing the dabble mummy - dipping the toe into parenting for a week in paradise making it so easy to be idolized compared to boring old mum and dad who never have the time/money to do this.   I don't think these 'panks' are good role models for the children.  What they have to sell and say isn't real. Anyone can hold their breath for a week on holiday, but I think the children see through them.    If you have a pank in your family, just take the free holiday and smile.

Of course, then I suppose you also have the punk, professional uncle no kids, although there is a potential issue with being accused of being a paedophile.  Then I suppose you could also have a 'special professional aunt no kids' (ie a girlfriend of daddy's - and potential stepmum) or special professional uncle no kids' (ie a boyfriend of mummy's and potential stepdad).  Welcome to spanks and spunks. Says it all really doesn't it.

Oh yes, another trend is we are all house swapping and staying in other peoples' homes rather than hotels - or it's going that way.    I'm not renting out my place in France any more. Those that stayed didn't respect it which was soul destroying so I wouldn't recommend renting out your home for house swaps.  Instead I want to do something myself with the house.  

Oh yes, and another trend, there's such a thing as a travel happiness index - and happiness doesn't correlate with money (according to the index). It correlates with good service and the more money you pay for a holiday doesn't mean the better service you get.    I think this is rubbish but that's just a personal view.   Those who have the money to spend obviously travel in more style, they just appreciate it less. But then I think those who have money probably appreciate everything of value less.