Selfie Sticks and Ugly Beauty Spots

We all have a little list (or long list) of places we want to visit and the things we’d like to see when we get there, it’s a great feeling to tick off the places one by one and there is a feeling of warm, fuzzy accomplishment isn’t there? The Pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, Spanish Steps etc etc.  Places of interest such as these of course draw tourists, but I can’t help but feel the over touristy-ness ruins the experience and takes off the shine.

I have recently been to Rome which was something I was very excited about having not had the opportunity to visit before. I wanted to see of course the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain which I had seen pictures of and looked breath taking.  The structure itself is stunning, the architecture is amazing and it is so grand you can’t help but ‘wow’ as you stare open mouthed. BUT….. you can’t get anywhere near it for the swarms of tourists!! No chance of getting down the steps to throw a coin in which I am told is the custom and no chance of a decent photograph unless you have a selfie stick which by the way are sold in abundance by the chaps who have moved on from fake sunglasses and watches to selfie sticks and mobile phone chargers.

It was a very similar story in Pisa too, the tower is definitely something that deserves to be visited but be prepared for the tidal surge of camera clickers, picnic eaters and dogs which oddly there seemed to be hundreds of. I had a giggle at all the people lined up along the wall and railings trying to position themselves just right to get that ‘PISA’ picture of them supporting the tower or trying to push it over.

I don’t mean to sound like a moaning Meldrew, I too posed to push over the tower and took a selfie at the Trevi Fountain but I didn’t expect such beautiful places to be quite as busy, tarred with hundreds of people all trying to get up close which made the experience pretty ugly. Up until that trip I was massively opposed to selfie sticks, I hate taking my own picture so thought they were a ridiculous gadget designed for vain teenagers and the more self-obsessed in society. How wrong was I! If it wasn’t for my trusty, extendable, new found friend I wouldn’t have had a photograph of the fountain to take home with me. Thank goodness for Selfie Sticks!!!!