12th Edition - The privilege of slow travel: Taking our passports for granted
Written by Daisy Dilts

Every time I start to research for a trip, I am immediately overwhelmed with all the things I want to do and see at each destination. I deep dive restaurants, niche areas to stay and the best sight seeing.. Rarely do I ever really need to take into account: am I even allowed to visit that particular country? How long can I stay?

 

Generally speaking, the average Canadian with a 9-5 job has two - three weeks paid vacation. Working within that confine of time is one thing.. But what if the reality was, you only had 10 days in just  a few countries, no matter what your vacation time was? What if your passport, quite literally, couldn’t get you past the front door?

This is where Passport Privilege comes into play. I recently read a wonderful piece by Saloni Srivastava (@salonisrivastavaofficial on instagram) “Travel Policing is Instagram’s New Favourite Thing”, detailing the differences those with an Indian passport experience when it comes to planning a trip. For those passport holders, the luxury of slow travel, is rarely an option.

 

There is a narrative online that there is one “perfect” way to travel. Although, that “perfect” way still has yet to be agreed upon. You will come across quite intense opinions on social media for how long you should spend in a place, with any other length of time being being inconceivable.

“Oh, only 10 days in France?! That is nowhere near enough!”

 

These opinions don’t take into account, what if you can’t? What if the “simple” choose your own adventure, “Slow vs. Fast Travel” concept, doesn’t even apply?

I had never thought of myself as privileged (in the financial and traditional North American household sense), growing up in a low income household, parents separated, who were barely adults themselves. I watched them scrape by, pay check to pay check. Doing the absolute best they could with what they had. I always had thought of myself as a “less than” person, with the idea that I had to fight harder to be “allowed” to reap the rewards of life, due to my circumstances.

 

As the years have gone by, with a deeper understanding and reflection on the world around me, there is one aspect I have never had to contemplate, which is my place of birth. The simple fact of being born in North America lowers barriers to the rest of the world, a passport privilege that is easy to forget to be grateful for. 

 

My whole life I dreamed of travel, and put it off for so long due to financial barriers, anxiety and considering myself “not worthy enough”.

When I was a child dreaming of sand dunes, I could not even fathom that where I was born, could mean not being allowed to pass the threshold of a country. As I grew into adulthood with my “less than” mentality, this was a proverbial slap in the face, a wake up call and reality check of one of the many privileges I do have. 

 

In a just world, travel would be an even playing field, something we all could enjoy and cherish. The one place we are all the same, explorers wandering the world, discovering moments that last a lifetime in our memories.

 

I have started to to become ungrateful for what my passport does allow and have been on the slow journey of appreciating my past adventures. Since 2013 I have walked from Portugal to Spain, visited Europe, the Middle East and Latin America almost more times then I can count.. Been on so many journeys in between, checking off a new adventure each year.

 

It’s easy to get lost in the “country bagging” aspect of it. My itchy feet want me to step on a plane, as soon as I have been still for just a little bit to long. I find I berate myself constantly for not trying harder to go on the next adventure as soon as possible. My gut twists at the thought that if I don’t explore now, the world will have already changed, and I am running out of time.

I need to relish the beautiful moments I have had the privilege to enjoy.

 

Recently, I got dual citizenship with the UK, but have not had the ability to get my passport yet. As of 2026, I am no longer able to enter or transit through the UK, without that passport. My Canadian passport, for the very first time, does not help me in any shape or form.

 

Every time I look at flight paths, I have to take more expensive or longer ways through Europe.

 

After the excitement of a long pursued dream of becoming a dual citizen, to immerse myself in learning more about my heritage (and not even contemplating the need for the passport step), there is a bitter taste left in my mouth.

This is just a morsel of what someone can feel and goes through, when their passport is deemed “unworthy". Missing out on family events across the world, and adventures that could have been had.

 

The fact we even have a ranking system for passports, is something governments should be ashamed of. The right to travel should be an even playing field. What is life, if we can’t experience it to the fullest?

 

The older I get, the greater the privilege of choice I have when it comes to travel. Whether it’s due to more confidence in asking for time off from work, more financial stability, or years of knowledge has made planning adventures easier. 

 

The lesson is, fast or slow travel, do what works best for you (and your passport). The trip you do go on, is an adventure worth having.

 

Daisy is a desk jockey who moonlights as a wanna-be adventure YouTuber. Originally based out of Vancouver, Canada, she is now attempting to follow the dreams of her younger self, and pursue a life on the other side of the world. She recently started publicly sharing her writing and is working towards conquering the other fears that kept her from moving forward.

Youtube: @daisydiltss 
Instagram: @daisydilts 
Website: https://www.daisydilts.com/