Photographer: Cary Bass
Have you always liked the idea of having a tattoo but never had the chance to go through with it?
Maybe you would get one, but you don’t know what you’d have done?
Imagine you’ve been traveling for a while and you’ve met three other travel buddies on the way. You’re having the time of your lifeand all three of you bounce jokes and conversation off each other. For some reason your new friends seem to be right on your wave length.
One afternoon, one of your new buddies excitedly suggests you should all get a tattoo to mark your amazing trip together. You’ve always thought about having a tattoo but never really had someone put a little pressure on you to get one.
At the time it seems like a romantic idea, perhaps it’s the heat, the sun, the palm trees, maybe it’s because you’re so far from home and for the first time you’re loving the freedom. So you go with the idea.
A year later, your trip is over, the sun has gone and you’re left with a little reminder of your trip. Now, this could either be good or it could be bad. Often, when traveling people make decisions which they wouldn’t usually do in their normal life back home.
I would not recommend to get a new tattoo on the road, your state of mind can be way different to that of your life back home and you may just be left with a little reminder you don’t want anymore.
The tattoo that looked great on foreign soil could look completely different once you get back to the real world and could prove a costly mistake if you want to have it removed.
Tattoo Parlours On The Backpacker Trail
Where there is demand, there surely will be the supply. In backpacker heartlands such as South East Asia there seems to be tattoo parlours springing up everywhere. From small shacks to tattoo parlours attached to hostels.
I’m sure many backpackers could find themselves sat in the tattooists chair after a few pints at the hostel bar, then waking the next day to find they’ve been branded.
I guess if there wasn’t a demand for tattoos on the backpacker circuit then there wouldn’t be many parlours. It seems tattoos are as popular as ever, especially when traveling.
The New Vincent Van Gogh
What interests me about tattoos is the creative element. I find it strange that some people aren’t very creative at all in their lives, maybe they’re just not a creative person. But when it comes to a tattoo, suddenly they become Francis Bacon or Van Gogh, I just don’t understand it.
People who aren’t particularly deep or meaningful suddenly portray that they are through the use of a tattoo or tattoos. To me it seems like a strange way to express yourself. I did met one guy traveling who had a cup of tea tattooed on his arm, complete with steam. This was probably one of the best tattoos I’d seen on the road, simply because the tattoo seemed to represent his chilled-out personality.
Chinese Symbols
Chinese symbols I hear you cry? I’d guess that probably 90%+ have never set foot in China and probably never will. Maybe they’re learning Mandarin? Or maybe they’re following the herd, following the fashion tends and celebraties?
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe some tattoos do look good but only a very small minority. I think it’s very important not to get swept away as a first time traveler by heading to the tattoo parlour.
It would be a much better idea to think about the idea during your trip and like with any tattoo, give yourself time to make sure it is what you really want.
Wait until you make it back home and then see if you still want that same tattoo, it may just save you the hassle of having to have it removed.
Do you have an opinion on having a tattoo done on your travels?
Feel free to comment below…
