As college students, we talk a lot about traveling the world, experiencing different cultures, and expanding our worldview. How can we do this in a way where we can truly begin to understand a culture? To me, this means to be a traveler (ser un viajero in Spanish), not a tourist. I prefer to travel in a manner that separates me from the typical tourist and allows me the opportunities to experience the types of connections with people and place that begin to foster a deeper understanding. Here are a few tips that will help you see the true nature of a new place in short time.
Put away the travel guides.
Sorry, Rick Steves and Lonely Planet. Yes, you can find a wealth of information about any city or country in these books. Peruse them for details on must-see sights, but don’t use them to decide where to eat or sleep. You will be directed to places where you will encounter more tourists than locals, and miss the places that carry the true vibe of a city. Depending on a travel guide is like dipping your toes in the surface of the lake, compared to jumping off the dock and diving in!
Use public transportation – and your own two feet.
Taxis are expensive, but even if your budget allows, you will learn more about a place and its people on buses and in the subway. You will need to study maps and the layout of a city, the names of the streets, instead of placing your navigation in the hands of someone else. And allow free time in your schedule to wander and explore by foot, getting lost in the true sounds and smells and colors of the local culture. The best memories I have of Marrakesh are the streets that weren’t full of tourists, walking in the heat, smelling the food being cooked in the homes nearby. Or in Granada, climbing up and through the twisting streets, never knowing where one would end up.
Talk to strangers. Learn at least a few phrases of the local language.
You don’t have to proficient in another language, but knowing a few key phrases will allow to you to connect with the random person on the street who will send you to his uncle’s corner bar where you will eat the most amazing tapas, or to the quaint little café where no one speaks English but you will fall in love with the pastries and rich coffee. I have been fortunate to have made some great friends just because I was willing to ask a few friendly questions.
Let go of expectations.
You will encounter everyday things that are so different from what you are used to. Paying for the use of a toilet, the lack of wi-fi in every corner, no to-go cups for coffee, and nudity in advertising are just a few examples I encountered in Europe. Suspend your judgement and let go of the attitude that what is familiar to you is the best way. Smile, enjoy the things that force you to slow down and reflect.
Eat the local food.
Even if you do not completely understand the ingredient list, or how to pronounce it, give it a try. American food has found its way into most corners of the world, and you will have plenty of chances to have pizza and burgers when you get back home. But you will regret not giving your palate the chance to explore. When I was in Spain, I was hesitant at first to try caracoles (snails). I took a deep breath, probably closed my eyes, and hoped I would not make too gruesome of a face in front of my hosts. Surprisingly, I was delighted with the salty, earthy taste. Caracoles became one of my favorite Spanish delicacies, and I definitely cannot find them in Montana!
I plan to continue to travel to new places and gain insights into other cultures. I hope my list of favorite foods grows and expands. But most of all, I plan to continue making friends around the globe that enrich my life.
I hope you find these tips useful, and I also hope that you can travel and learn in whatever corner of the world pulls at your heart. Thanks for reading, and please share your own travel tips in the comments below!
Vickie Rectenwald studies Marketing, International Business, and the world around her. She lived in Granada, Spain for a year, and has also traveled to Morocco, France, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii. She will try any food once and can always find something in common with the person she is speaking to. Follow her travels on Instagram @montandaluz.
Makes my feet itch tovtravel. However Jim is quite I’ll and it is not in our future. Sure glad we did it when we were able to.
Vickie!!! This article is great, and has some really awesome advice for young people looking to travel. Being a planner myself, it is really hard for me not to plan every aspect of my trips, but after reading your article I may have to change the way I take my vacations! I love how you tell us to put down the travel guides due to the fact that you will be immersed in more tourists than locals. People are so concerned with going to the top tourist attractions that they lose site in real culture that they could stumble upon on their own. I also really liked that you suggested to talk to strangers. It takes people out of their comfort zones, but the people you talk to might become someone that helps you find a really cool place. Your picture at the top is great, and your title is catchy! I would love to read about some of your traveling experiences.
Thanks Chanelle! I wasn’t sure about using Spanish in the title, but also that it might spark some curiosity. And I find it best to do some combination of planning and free time, which would probably work well for you too. It was hard to choose which photos to use 🙂 Thanks for the feedback!
Hello Vickie! This is a very well written blog post that i found very engaging for someone (me) that is about to go on a trip. I really liked this post for what it didn’t say. You never mention finding a tour guide and you recommend not using a travel guide. I think tour and travel guides prevent a traveler from experiencing what makes a destination worth going to. I am not much of a planner when it comes to taking trips and i found myself nodding in agreement with this whole post. I always try to walk around and talk with the people in the places that i visit. It really does give you a better feel then a travel guide ever could. Awesome tagline and pictures!
Thanks! I like that you could relate. I also appreciate you saying you liked it for what it didn’t say. I edited my writing a lot, and was kind of second-guessing myself. Great feedback for me!
Where are you traveling to?