Getting the Most Out of Travel
Getting a deep feel for and understanding of a culture can take months or even years. For the majority of us, though, we can only hope to take a week or two out in a foreign setting. With such constraints, it can be difficult to know how to maximise your time abroad and best connect with the place and people. It can be helpful and interesting to visit local museums and attractions, but here are some tips on how to go that one step further so that you feel more at home in a new place, and come away with the best stories.
Learn the Language
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Though it would of course be ideal if you could speak the language fluently, that’s probably a very tall order! So, we’re just suggesting you learn a few key, everyday phrases that would help you get by. The locals will appreciate you making a little effort – and you might be able to have a few laughs with them if you get them to check your pronunciation.
Look the Part
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In order to break down barriers between yourself and the locals by fitting in, it helps to dress accordingly. Tourists often look awkward at best and entirely inappropriate at worst. It helps to do a little research in advance, in order to find out whether certain parts of the body should be covered up or whether you’re just going to stick out like a sore thumb if you wear a plain t-shirt amid crowds of brightly dressed locals. You might even pick up some good tips on what’s most practical and comfortable for the climate and terrain.
Catch a Live Performance
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Bypassing the hotel entertainment and big long-running spectacle shows, instead seeking out a performance that might be a little more hidden away, could provide you with a far richer and more memorable experience. You can really mix in with the locals and acquaint yourself with the entertainment they enjoy. And it could offer you a more authentic taste of the local culture.
Read Local Literature
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In the run up to your trip, or even while you’re there, it can be worth reading a translated novel based in that region. This will help you get your head in the zone and give you an insider perspective. You might even find inspiration for things to do and learn about little-known sights to see.
Chat with the Locals
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It’s always wise to practice caution, but locals are often as curious about you as you are about them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and even strike up conversation where appropriate. You can make some fascinating connections, learn something new and come away with a great, lifelong memory.
Join a Tour
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We’re not just talking about your standard city bus tour that might teach you less than you could glean from a basic handbook. There are tailored and highly intellectual tours available, which can give you a deeper understanding of an area or cast it in a new light. A good resource is Context Travel, which is a network of scholars and specialists that spans the globe. They offer in-depth walking seminars focused on subject areas of your choosing. The website makes it easy to select a city and an interest, and book your guide.
Get Together with a Friend
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One of the best ways to tap into the local culture is to find someone you know who lives there. If not a direct friend, it might be a person you can be put in contact with through someone else – a friend of a friend. This is where the six degrees of separation come in handy and social media can be a useful tool. You can relax with a familiar face or make a new friend. Either way, you’ll get to connect with the place on a much deeper level.
