Marseille, Part 2: Why Travel to "Dangerous" Places?

Life’s been a whirlwind lately, and it seems my favorite posts aren’t getting much love—but hey, c’est la vie, right? 😅 Last time, I talked about Marseille: the delicious food, the stunning coast, and the warmth of locals who gave me so much joy. But let’s address the elephant in the room: Marseille has a rough reputation online, especially in circles. Every time I mention visiting here (or places like Baghdad, Naples, or the Bronx), people ask the same thing: why bother visiting a place with such a “dangerous” reputation? Why seek out hassle?😂 For me, it comes down to a simple ethical calculus: first, figuring out how actually risky a place is; second, deciding if the one-of-a-kind experiences it offers are worth whatever small risks come with it. Let’s start with the first part. Mindless defensiveness isn’t helpful—yes, traveling in West Africa or southern France carries more risks than a trip to Shanghai. But so much of that “danger” is just stereotype. Take Marseille: local crime stats show its city center has similar rates to Paris. 😁 The real issues? Confined to northern neighborhoods most tourists never need to visit. Honestly, in Europe, it’s far from the most nerve-wracking city I’ve been to. And let’s be real—it’s hard not to chuckle at stories of folks “fleeing in their flip-flops” just from spotting a few North African faces. Learning to tell real risk from bias? That’s a skill worth honing 🧐. Then there’s positionality—a key anthropological concept. Your social “position” (gender, race, class, etc.) shapes your experience. For example: a cis straight guy like me might have a wildly different experience than a woman navigating the same streets. Risk isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s personal 🌍. Once you’ve got a grip on the real risks, the choice is yours: does the value of the place’s unique experiences outweigh the downsides (risk = probability × impact)? If Mosul’s ISIS war ruins or Kingston’s reggae museums mean more to you than the small chance of hassle, go. No one else gets to decide that for you.😁 Because here’s the thing: places labeled “chaotic” often hold the most irreplaceable experiences. Marseille’s Noailles market? It sells flaky, spiced pastries that beat anything I tasted on the streets of Tunis. Its art, its community vibes—they’re all deeply shaped by North African immigration. These aren’t just “sights”—they’re living, breathing stories. To me, that’s way more important than “comfort.” That’s the charm of chaos: it’s unpolished, unfiltered, real 🥙. #Marseillelove#Marseille#TravelDiary #MeaningOfTravel #SoloTrip #Food