GETTING THERE <---> GETTING LOST SHARING STORIES WHERE TRAVELER MYTHS MEET TOURIST REALITIES

This project is exploring viewpoints - the "must-see" tourist destinations and the personal perspectives experienced by those who travel to them. Viewpoints are unique liminal spaces, frequented by travelers, that have a number of effects on our perceptions. Feeling like a giant, as if you could reach out and pick up buildings, to feeling like a tiny particle, and comprehending how very small you are in comparison with the world. At viewpoints, we are not looking down or looking up to anyone or anything in particular. We are looking out - at and for each other. They can become a truly democratizing space where different perspectives (viewpoints) can be shared and discussed.

This research project investigates chance encounters with magical realist methods of writing, touring, imagining, and sharing stories, and aims to develop and encourage more intimate tourist practices at the Big Buddha Viewpoint in Phuket. Participants tour, detour, and re-tour the viewpoint, "getting there" and "getting lost" in writing exercises, sharing magical realist stories and challenging themselves, in a playful and imaginative way, to do some critical thinking and share their own unique story and view/point around their choices for travel.

SPECIAL THANKS

Sergio Pina for all the love, and support, and living out dreams with me. Friends and family we've met through our travels that inspired this project's many directions. Sasapin Sriwanij, Mushon Zer-Aviv, Hiba Masad, Kinga Szemessy, and Erna Husukic for their guidance and expert suggestions. The PPS 22/23 crew for being the most amazingly sensitive, radical, and caring collaborators anyone could ask for! Heleen de Hoon for her patience, humor, and direct advice that inspired me to push forward. And you dear reader, for taking the time to look at this book. Thank you all!