Photo Credit (Pixeles)
Many fellow tourists define “experiencing another culture” as something quite distinct from touring national monuments, museums, and archaeological sites. While traveling to see the world’s pyramids and colosseums, these ancient landmarks don’t really contribute to shedding light on another nation’s culture. I’m usually more interested in modern, untidy, and flexible everyday life.
The Colosseum in Rome.
Even now, the Colosseum remains a part of Rome. The ancient monolith, encircled by bustling streets, provides a commonplace backdrop for Roman life.
I’ve heard several other tourists and foreigners say the same thing: I want to see different cultures. But how does one actually go about doing that? After almost ten years of living overseas as a working expat and as a tourist, I’ve developed some theories on what immerses me in other worlds the most.
1) Move Slowly: Rather than crossing as many items off the metaphorical list as you can, I advise spending more time in one location. Having nothing specific to do frequently tells you a lot more about a country and its culture than a comprehensive agenda.
Imagine spending two or three days touring a dozen of your hometown’s landmarks. It may provide some historical context, but it doesn’t really explain day-to-day existence. Life happens when you have a favorite bench to read a book on, go to the local grocery for some sugar, and sit quietly over breakfast at a typical café. Although they don’t always capture it, the major attractions can occasionally be a part of people’s lives. A location should not be viewed as a highlight reel. Between the most well-known places lies a wealth of culture.
Taksim Park in Istanbul.
Istanbul—Parks have the ability to shed light on the personalities of those in their vicinity. I adore this picture of a man smoking on a bench in Taksim Park with his friend.
2) Rent an Apartment: Nothing screams “my town” like twirling about a set of keys to your own apartment, and nothing says “from out of town” like staying in a hotel or hostel. Fortunately, short-term rentals are reasonably easy to find almost anywhere in the world.
The backpacker in me can’t help but enjoy hostels, and I often wind up hanging out with other travelers there. Travel advice is excellent, however it frequently prevents me from being exposed to my current location. My Korean landlord, Mommy, who was well past grandmother age, will always be in my memory. Mommy shut my door for a reason, didn’t comprehend that I wasn’t her child, and couldn’t speak Korean. Whether it was a new washing machine, a free bag of rice cakes, or simply some conversation while I stood in my underpants, she had her own key and her own method of giving me whatever new resident perk she had fabricated.
- Homestays are an additional choice. I would like not subject guests to my special requirements because I am a beer fan, vegetarian (perhaps one of the least popular diets in several areas worldwide), and occasionally cranky. I’ve come to the conclusion that renting an apartment is a better alternative for me because it’s crucial to take other people into account when doing a homestay.
A lovely penthouse
You may make your own meals from the excellent markets nearby or simply hang out and people-watch from the bustling cafes. In October, you can rent an apartment in old Nice for a fraction of the normal rate during peak season. The image is © Transitions Abroad.
3) The Food Market: A society’s terrain, ecology, aesthetics, rituals, and overall perspective on life can all be inferred from what its citizens consume. Sometimes, unless grandma is the cook, a typical restaurant dish hardly describes how a grandmother gathers the ingredients to make it.
At the fruit and vegetable market closest to my apartment, I locate a frequent vendor. I get more exposure if the seller acknowledges me after two or three visits. For instance, I made friends with “a pickle lady” at the local market in Moscow after discovering that pickles play a significant role in the local cuisine. She would give me two or three new items to try on each time, such as various pickled peppers or variations of the pickled cabbage I had previously bought. She would then add a few extras for me to try—her favorites—while I was paying for the meal. To what extent is that local?
4) Public Transportation: This refers to the concept of “public transportation.” Without a doubt, traveling like the locals will get you more exposure than always taking a taxi, renting a car, or going with a tour company.
I always made use of the tea service when I was in Istanbul, traveling across the Bosporus by boat. A small elderly woman seated next to me once smiled and offered me her paper-wrapped sugar cube shortly after our tea was given to my row of chairs. I gestured that I didn’t need it while gently thanking her. She extended it once more. I was uneasy and again refused. The cube was then opened for her by a person across the aisle. I made several acquaintances along the way and joined everyone in a good round of laughter at my social faux pas. Sometimes a remarkable exchange results from utterly misunderstanding the point.
Teenagers in Moscow amuse the crowd.
Moscow—In the summer, street entertainers flood downtown Moscow’s Arbat St., which is a great spot to stroll. I spent at least an hour amused by these teenagers.
5) Walk and Wander: Motorized conveyance doesn’t always provide the inquisitive peep into a strange alleyway or the brief perusal of a shop with an eccentric window display; these glimpses frequently reveal an entirely new existence to explore.
In New York, consider using the subway. First of all, each borough, or even parts of boroughs, has a distinct cuisine, architectural style, and street-wise population when you exit the metro. A half-hour walk, or three stops later, could mean missing a whole neighborhood that might be the ideal fusion of pizza, bohemia, and panache. Much of the world is pedestrian-friendly, much like New York City. Life goes on between metro stops. Simply by being ready to get lost while walking, I have found incredible marketplaces, parks, ruins, beaches, and people.
6) Volunteer Somewhere: One of the most popular travel trends right now is responsible travel. Nowadays, you can go almost anywhere on a planned volunteer trip, or even better, contact an NGO and offer to help for a few weeks.
In the rural Guatemalan mountains, I oversaw the volunteer program for an NGO called Las Manos de Christine. We collaborated with the local public school and provided a variety of short-term service opportunities. Our guests ranged in length from a few days to several months. While some of them developed their own projects, like building a clubhouse or organizing after-school activities, others offered assistance through continuous construction projects or art lessons. Around the world, there are chances to become involved, which usually results in joining a worthwhile initiative and frequently becoming a part of a community. Both the children and the visitors benefited from the plentiful engagement.
In Guatemala, volunteer.
working as a volunteer with Las Manos de Cristine in Guatemala.
7) Listen to Locals: I emphasize listening here since people frequently express a desire to “talk to locals,” and hearing is more pertinent for a cultural immersion experience and to gain a better understanding of the place you are in. Talking about your life “back in,” wherever you’re from, could alienate the people you’re staying with.
I gave Saturday writing lessons to my Korean coworkers in exchange for lunch during my first few months in Korea. They would pick a new restaurant in town and take me there every week. I had the opportunity to try cuisine that hadn’t made Lonely Planet’s list, experience restaurants in Ansan City that I never would have found, and get to know the nooks and crannies of my new home. I learned a lot about Korean culture over our meals, including the age/respect system, religion, unspoken gender norms, table manners, and much more. During my two and a half years in Korea, it was the most profound understanding I had of the country.
Semana Santa Alfombras, Antigua.
Antigua — People spend hours building elaborate alfombras to adorn Antigua, Guatemala’s streets during Semana Santa. Therefore, processions pass directly over the carpets.
8) Events and Festivals: These even appear to be blatantly cultural. Typically, local religion, customs, history, and/or agricultural cycles serve as the foundation for festivals. Enjoyment and embracing all that best embodies a location’s precious “je ne sais quoi” are the main goals.
I’m here in Antigua, Guatemala, which hosts the largest Semana Santa event in the world. The celebration is well-known for clogging the streets with visitors and is adored for contributing significantly to the year’s earnings. I couldn’t help but participate because I live here, and I’m glad I did. I stayed out till the early hours of the morning, eating traditional meals, strolling the streets to see the new alfombras (see photo above), and watching Roman soldiers charge through the town with plastic swords. While the people continued to party, I went to bed early, almost three in the morning, for what I had assumed would be a melancholy occasion.
9) Street Stalls and Hole-in-the-Walls: It should go without saying that local culture is not best represented at fast food restaurants like McDonald’s or Starbucks. Yes, some people do visit these locations, particularly young people, but when we travel, we usually don’t look for “global culture.”
In the United States, I had my first taste of Thai food at a small restaurant in a strip mall. Mild, medium, spicy, and very hot were the available spice levels. I went low key, ordered the hot, and sucked down pink lemonade while wiping my nose the whole time. I was very eager to eat when I eventually traveled to Thailand a decade or two later. I was blown away by the street food, which included pushcarts selling fifty-cent samplers. Every other block, I was in line, and everything was fantastic. The idea is simple enough: Look for busy areas with long lines since there will always be something interesting and worthwhile accessible where people are prepared to wait. Everywhere has its iconic locations, which are rarely franchised but are typically a little worn out.
10) Go Rural: Museums are typically found in cities, but rural regions—almost everywhere—are renowned for their friendliness, more intricate customs, and breathtaking scenery. When you can, go to villages; they have occasionally inferior sights to see but sometimes a very different reality.