We were advised that an appropriate tip for a porter was $20.00 on our Gorilla trek. After an hour it was clear that that number was sorely underestimated. I had two porters and each was tipped $50.00. I knew in my bones that this bum was going to short them and so I asked the guide who told me he gave them each $20. He was appalled and I was angry and embarrassed. I spoke to the old guy and he lied. There were many people in the area once all of us were back from out respective treks.
I was done and I wanted everyone including the porters to hear what I was about to say. I told the old bastard that he was an ugly American and that he should know better. Everyone in the open room was listening and the porters were attentive as well. (there are 68 different languages spoken in Uganda and so the only way most people can communicate is in English). He said he would do what he wanted and that he had given these three men, who literally carried him for miles, what they were worth. I lost it. I told him what most of us have done and all he wanted was his lunch. The rest of us gave our lunches to the porters. I got change from the guide and had him show me who his porters were. I gave each of these guys $50.00. It wasn't enough but it was all I had with me. I said a lot more, which I can't repeat in this venue, but that is less important than the morale of the story which is we all represent more than ourselves when we travel anywhere and that folks judge the best of us by the rest of us.
Travel teaches us about other cultures and peoples: it also teaches us about ourselves and what we value. I believe there is a higher standard of conduct when we are working, and a need to be our best selves when we travel. There are always things we can control and things beyond our control. I think the measure of any man or woman is how they respond to what life brings them. And so it goes........
And these were my porters:
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