My travel philosophy

Living Locally

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch other travelers as they interacted with locals and responded to their new environment. I have witnessed some wonderful encounters but I have also had the unfortunate chance to see some horrific examples of “ugly Americanism”.
Travel is a unique experience in that it is a two way street. The tourist is obviously there to take in and receive all that the foreign land and its people have to offer. While seeing sites and discovering far away places is exciting, it is only the first part of the journey. What so many do not understand, and therefore completely miss out on, is the gift of reciprocation. Most travelers are there to receive, worried mostly about what they are “getting” out of the trip. I say that true traveling begins when the visitors find themselves concerned about what they have brought into each interaction. When they begin to wonder what else they can give to each situation. As traveling shifts from a one-way express lane to a two lane gravel road, opportunities begin to appear that would have otherwise been missed in a cloud of self-absorption. The traveler becomes less of a strange and forgettable tourist and more of a temporary local. I call this Living Locally.

Living Locally is actually quite easy and very addictive. Before long you will find yourself shaking your head in dismay at other tourists, wondering why they have not learned to blend in and become a part of their surroundings like you have.

The steps are simple and straight forward:

1. Put yourself in their shoes. When you begin to try and trade places with the locals, you see things in a new light.

2. Make the first attempt at communication. I do not speak any other languages fluently, but I learn say a few simple and polite phrases in the language of any country I visit. Always ask the person if they speak English-in their language. Nothing screams “I don’t care about you” like a tourist rattling on in English on the assumption that the listener understands. While most foreigners do have at least some understanding of English, everyone appreciates even a simple effort on your part. You will also find that people are more likely to go out of their way to help if you have tried to communicate on their terms first.

3. Try to blend in. Watch the locals….and copy them. Sometimes I feel like a private investigator, as I try to figure out where they hang out, where and what they eat or why they do what they do. Forget trying to explain “double tall non-fat sugar free vanilla latte” and belly up to the bar for whatever they are having.

4. Forget what you’ve known to be true and keep an open mind. It’s a big world out there, and nobody does it exactly like we do. You never know, you might actually discover something you like better.

5. Relax and enjoy. Because of good preparation and smart traveling choices, you will have created time to experience encounters that you have been dreaming of.
Travel, like life, is full of ups and downs. The trick is to be prepared for the worst while enjoying whatever is thrown your way.

Traveling is fun, but Living Locally is pure joy.