A recent peek into the Google Trends will reveal Donald Trump, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, and Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn among the Top 10 search results. No surprises there, but let's switch to another topic. Do you know the world at all? The British (reading) public was asked to determine which sets of images have a higher Google search result. Correspondents who answered it correctly may be seasoned travelers, but it won't be indicative of having set foot in every nation in the world. Is the test a waste of time? No. Not at all.
The test will reveal the preferences, if not way of thinking, of the British public. The results may surprise those who have different responses. Here's a sample:
Grand Canyon, the iconic sight of Arizona, or Hull, the iconic sight of Yorkshire City? Patriotism might play a part in the outcome, as Britons would pick Hull. The number was twice as many as Grand Canyon's. It could mean three things: Many Britons haven't traveled across the Atlantic; many Britons haven't been to the Southwest; and many Britons don't include the Grand Canyon on their bucket list. These possibilities may make the likes of Henry Rider Haggard proud, as British travelers tend to be more adventurous than the others. If you don't believe on this one, then you may not have heard of "Lord Jim" (or “Mutiny on the Bounty” for that matter).
Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, or Stonehenge, Wiltshire's prehistoric monument? It was a close call, with Machu Picchu having a million more searches than Stonehenge. What could be concluded from there? The Incan ruins would be a must-see for many British travelers. It must be peculiar for Britons not visiting the monoliths (or even having a faint idea about it). Both Machu Picchu and Stonehenge meant one thing: Adventure.
Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, or Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world? There could be a divided opinion on this one, as the search result on Ben Nevis would be slightly more than Everest's. There would be many interpretation on this one. Ben Nevis would be more accessible to local travelers while Everest may be a pipe dream to some seasoned travelers. Those who searched Ben Nevis may not be interested in Everest at all. It could be the risk of getting killed in an accident (or the avalanche). They may not be curious (or excited) about it as well. Do you have another opinion? Share your thoughts.
Some will point out the fruitless endeavor behind this quiz, as geography will yield the expected results right away. They couldn't be farther from the truth. (The Rockies, a mountain range covering the western parts of Canada and the US, will have a greater number of search results than the Andes, a line of snow-covered mountains and active volcanoes on the western side of South America.) Then again, it's hard to read the mind. Perception can be unpredictable, if not deceptive, at times. It's a subjective matter.
This one would be a no-brainer: a UNESCO World Heritage site or a comedy double act?
