Supposing little green (or gray) aliens decided to come to your house – not to abduct you – but to find out what to do on during their Earth vacation. It turns out their intergalactic boss only gave them 48 hours of leave on their way to star Wolf 359. They’ve got access to transporters and distance isn’t an issue, they can be anywhere they want in minutes and will take you with them.
What would you recommend an alien see or do to get a feel for Earth and humanity within 48 hours?
The Earth is a big place and human beings are complex; not to mention we’re not the only species on the planet. How do you introduce us, collectively, to those who would know nothing about us. Would you go to iconic touristic places like the Taj Mahal or perhaps around New York City? Also don’t forget about the food – our extraterrestrial friends like to eat.
I’d love to hear how you’d conduct your intergalactic tour in such a short time frame – and would appreciate your comments below. I’ll round up some of the most creative and share them with you in a week or two.
[photo by: massdistraction (ET toy)]
Good question, but I would simply invite them to stay at my house for the 48h. They could join me by “living my life”: going to work, going out with friends, visiting my family, doing exercises etc. I think that’s the way, how they could get the most comprehensive impression of life on earth.
Hi Sabine, interesting response. Whereabouts on Earth are you? I’d be curious to hear what an average day might be like.
I live in Hamburg, Germany. Thus the aliens would get to know the most beautiful city in the world, although I just invite them to an average day in my life ;-))))
What an excellent challenge! It would be too difficult to choose just one or two spots to see and experience in their very short visit. Sabine’s response makes heaps of sense; much more real than hopping about to see famous sights.
It would be fascinating to read different alien reports from 48 hours in say, Cairo vs. Buenos Aires or a village in Japan. I wonder what cultural or human commonalities would become evident in that short time.
Well, take them for a quick tour and meal in Bucharest, then fly them over to Istanbul. One hour flight to get a glimpse of two continents and catch a Mediterranean sunset 🙂 While showing them around, I’d suggest they use their most powerful way to either figure how to get back or to find a way to stay more 🙂
Istanbul, my favorite city – I can’t argue with that!
I would take them to see Australia. Beautiful white sand beaches! And maybe a quick trip to Thailand. I love the food!
Yum, they’d probably wonder why we like things so spicy!
You are funny! I have never thought about taking on an alien as a guest. 🙂 But I would invite him back to Thailand. A few days in Bangkok for good street food and shopping then we will head south for R&R by the beach. After that, we will hop on the plane to the north for some mountain scene in Chiang Mai. 🙂
It must be all the sci-fi I watch, I couldn’t help but wonder. Love your plan!
I’d have them experience in one day the good aspects of life rather than travel much – after all they wouldn’t want to see an Earth airport if they’d managed to get here from outer space. See a sunrise over a sun-drenched beach eating a tropical fruit breakfast, walk through a park or forest to see the trees (hopefully some mountain scenery to see in the distance) and feel the grass between their toes, walk the main street of a large historic city to get some sense of our changes through the ages. On the other day, I’d get them to experience a “normal” day in the life of someone (but should that person be a farmer, office worker, teacher or what?) – to see what modern life is on Earth.
Very insightful and I like the focus on the little things. I also find the commonalities in the comments fascinating and enlightening in themselves.
Assuming that said alien isn’t taken in for its own protection or by a government, I’d ask to join them in their plane and see a few sights from each area of the world…
Which sites specifically?
I think I would have them go visit my parents in the plains of South Dakota…that may scare them away!
haha, taking them there so they won’t come back??
I would take them back to where is ALL started Roswell.
A homecoming! 😛
I would do a series of mind melds with them to swap travel experiences. This way, they’d see what I’ve seen and I’d get their interpretation of it. Naturally, I’d write about it after they’ve given me holographic images of their holidays. Win-win.
🙂
Good idea, I think I’d definitely ask for a guest post as well in return for the world tour 🙂