Social media, easy-to-carry camera phones, and other technological advances make it easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family. It’s also easy to stay in touch with work. And that can be a problem when you’re on vacation, says KPLU travel expert Matthew Brumley.
"I see it wherever I go," Brumley said. "People on beaches in Hawaii or Mexico ... texting or working, and paying more attention to their gadgets and phones than they are to their surroundings and the people sitting with them at that very moment."
Brumley admits he's guilty, too. And there are plenty of good uses for technology on a trip — map apps and cameras among just a few. But there's a line.
"We're experimenting in our house with something we call low-tech Sundays," he said.
His family puts their phones away in favor of playing board games, or going for a walk. The same can be done on vacation, even if only for part of the day — say, between lunch and dinner.
"It will build those bonds, and create a stronger bond between you and your friends and family," Brumley said. "That's an integral part of life. More integral than sending a selfie."
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"Going Places" is KPLU's weekly exploration of travel topics. Matthew Brumley is the co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions, which provides small-group travel to clients including KPLU.
