There are a lot of ways to have a vacation. But if you want to truly get to know another country, and why it’s so different to your own, there’s only a few select ways you can take a deep dive straight into their foreign culture. And if you’re someone who loves to get to know a place when you’re taking a trip away, we’ve got the list for you!
Even just walking down the local market place will have a lot to prove to you! (Pexels Image – CC0 Licence)
Mingle with the Locals
It’s the number one rule on every travel website out there, but in practice, it can feel quite awkward. How do you interrupt someone’s conversation to ask for directions in a polite way, and attempt to keep the conversation going beyond that? How do you ask for recommendations?
Well, you might want to take your time. Observe the people in front of you, if you’re at a cafe, and see if anyone is eating alone or seems otherwise unhurried. In these moments, it’s best to approach.
Take a Trip Around the Natural Wonders
Nature is something we all love to get a look at – we’re human beings, and we evolved to live outside and take in the fresh air and the feel of the sun on our skin! But this is mostly key when you’re visiting another country for the first time, and you want to get to know the local culture.
The greenery of a country makes up quite a bit of their culture; plants have meanings, and so do the different animals you might see on a daily basis – just think about the fact that birds can be omens for various cultures out there.
So get your hiking boots on and do something wild, like tour the amazon if you’re in Brazil. Take a trip through the woods, and see what trees are growing, and how they could be used in daily life. Take a look at the way the farmers lay their fields; what does it mean about the food they sow?
Eat Everything in Sight!
Speaking of food, be sure to eat as much local cuisine as possible! If you want to get to know people, you’ll want to chow down on the food that makes them happy – we’re all creatures of the stomach at heart. Having something tasty to eat does a lot for our brains and bodies, and quite a few cultures out there base a lot of their identity around this fact.
People in the place you’re visiting might eat at different times you’re used to, or they might have quite a few more or different courses than you’ve ever had. They also might like to be warm whilst eating, or they might go for periods where no food is consumed at all. Getting to know these little facts will help you feel closer to the culture you’re partaking in.
Culture is different the world around; don’t miss out!
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