As more and more people travel the globe, there's a disturbing trend that's also emerging - the unfortunate rise of "touristic vandals." That's people who want to and think it's their right to take a piece of a historic site back home with them. Crazy!
A case in point:
In April, Finnish tourist Marko Kulju was taken into custody after he was caught chipping part of an earlobe off an ancient moai on Easter Island. The 26-year-old was forced to pay a $17,000 fine, had to write a public apology and was banned from the island for three years. He called his attempt to bring home a piece of the statue, protected by Chilean law, "the worst mistake of my life."Sorry. But I can't help but ask what the f*** was Mr. Kulju thinking? First of all, I've been to Easter Island (loved it!) and I've seen those moai (freaking huge and made of solid rock). When I was there, they were largely unattended - and that made the experience so exotic and cool. The people of Easter Island trust you with their treasures.
It'd take quite an effort to chip an earlobe off one. Why would you even think to do it? What purpose would it serve? I'm scratching my head just trying to comprehend.
The below article then goes on to talk about more seemingly innocent mishaps - like picking up a rock near the Parthenon for purposes of a taking a photo. Basically, don't be an idiot and don't do it! Leave nature - and any ancient (and even new) works of man - as you found them. Take a photo, take in the moment and then be gone with your bad self.
If I ever run across Mr. Kulju I'm going to smack him cross the face. Idiot!
How to avoid a $17,000 souvenir [Globe and Mail]
More about the moai [Wikipedia]
Easter Island travel guide [SouthPacific.org]
[Photo via Flickr]
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