Suresh Menon: A snapshot of the modern traveller
The idea seems to be not to enjoy a holiday but to stick it in the faces of everyone you know
And the pictures are taken with machine-gun rapidity. So you get a dozen shots of a cousin or aunt looking mournfully at a fountain in the city square – each exactly like the other except in some tiny way that is not apparent to the naked eye. In fact, the naked eye itself is not so apparent, covered as it invariably is with a camera lens of some description.
It begins at the airport where I saw – and I kid you not – a couple of people taking pictures of the board that announces the flight details. Amateur photographers, like professional wolves, move in packs – and imitate everything the other chap does. Let someone take a picture in front of the airport toilets, and you will find every member of his group taking individual pictures and then gathering together for a group photograph taken by a passing man with a kind heart and poor footwork who was unable to get away in time.
The idea seems to be not so much to enjoy a holiday as to stick it in the faces of friends, neighbours and relatives. “See how important I am – I can get away for a holiday; and one that involves airport announcements, toilets and that fabulous building dedicated to that guy with the moustache,” seems to be the attitude. “But did you see River Waikato?” you ask in some exasperation, and receive the immortal response, “Who’s that?”
Saints, non-government organisations and holidaymakers live for others. Enjoy the moment, said the philosopher. No, thanks, says the holidaymaker, I’ll record the moment and enjoy it at my leisure when I return home. He is the Oliver Twist of the modern world, forever asking with his camera hand outstretched, “Please sir, can I have some more?”
There is no data to back this, but I think the huge number of cell phone sales in the world has led to an increase in the number of per capita holidays in the world. What’s the fun of having a such-and-such megapixel with a so-and-so zoom if you can’t take holiday pictures? Taking selfies with unprotesting historical monuments is the most fun some have in their lives.
Anyway, I am back from my holiday and if anyone wants to see the pictures, you know my email ID…
