Travel tips: experiencing the culture

Here are some things I learned along the way that make travel easier and more fulfilling.

Fitting in and experiencing the culture

• Check out the customs of the area, so, for example, you don’t give someone two-thumbs-up when they successfully climbed down a steep wall in a skirt, which means “f*** you” in their country.  Not that that’s based on a true story or anything.
• Sign up for one of the free walking tours available in many countries to introduce yourself to the area with someone familiar with it and its inhabitants. This also allows you to ask questions of a local.
• Walk, walk, walk.  See what the location is like, not just the local attractions.  Some of the most interesting things I’ve seen have been while walking between destinations.  A street of mannequin vendors?  A cute mural?  Not destinations in themselves, just things I found on the way.
• Before you go, or while you are there, read a book about the history or culture of the country you are in.  This site gives good suggestions for what those books could be.
• Go to one of the local markets.  Often these are feasts for the eye in terms of fruits and vegetables and things the locals buy.
• Try the street food (if it’s cooked well, or otherwise seems safe).  You may find a new favorite food.  Sticky rice and mango anyone?
• Learn something from their culture. In many countries, you can take a dancing or cooking class.  Alternately some areas have classes in things like batik, glass-blowing, lampwork, and other crafts of the local culture.  A good site for Asia is Backstreet Academy but there are sites like that all over the world.  In the US, check out dabble.  Sometimes these can be found on Viator or TripAdvisor and other similar sites.  Not only do you get a great experience, but you also often get a special keepsake you made yourself.
• Plan on getting lunch at a fancy restaurant (where they often have the same foods as at dinner but cheaper and sometimes with more suitable portion-sizes), then eat more reasonable food at night (street food, local chains, etc).
• Splurge occasionally.  Take the balloon flight over Cappadocia.  meet the tigers, try the expensive culinary delight.

Other

• Bring at least 2 USB chargers.  I lost half a day in China trying to find one and learned my lesson
• Have copies of your passport, travel insurance, and lodging info saved in a separate location from the originals.
• Have plans for a rainy day.  Before traveling, look for indoor opportunities that wouldn’t be your first choice, but would be interesting if the weather is inclement
• Have a VPN on your phone so you can take advantage of free wifi
• Burger King, Starbucks, and other American chains exist in many countries.  Even if you don’t normally eat there in the US, it sometimes is a draw to get a taste from home.  Also, these chains often have more interesting and better-tasting fare than in the US, so don’t feel bad if while in some far-away land you visit one.  Also, they tend to have free WIFI 🙂
• Use google’s camera translator, and plan to mime.
• Smile
• Take a water bottle

Be grateful you have the luxury of travel, and take any minor problems in stride.

Happy travels!