How to Experience the Culture of Anywhere

The evening has arrived in Spain, and the restaurants don't open for another three hours. The pace is lazy and leisurely and you are starving! Lunch was at noonish, and your regular dinner time has come and gone, two hours hence. A curious growl comes from your stomach and a small man cradling an accordion looks at you sympathetically. He mumbles something in Spanish and motions toward a darkish alley just left of the mid-town fountain. You glance nervously around, raise your eyebrows at your fellow travellers, and decide to descend into the slightly frightening alley.

Thirty seconds in, the man tap-taps on the door, which is swiftly opened by a flustered looking man holding a chair. A flurry of fast spanish talking punctuated by grunts of amusement from the waiter (the man holding the chair) ensued. The chair was placed outside the door, quickly followed by a table and more chairs. Thank goodness for the universal language of, "Help me! If I don't eat I'll pass out and wreck the perfect serenity of this little coastal town."

An evening of hilarity ensues; the mixture of red wine, authentic Paella, and the Hungarian accordion player amounted to a polka party in the alley when you and your friends are joined by other locals and tourists around the world. It doesn't matter that most of you can't communicate verbally at all; you are connected by food, music, and the power of allowing yourself to experience culture at its best - wherever it may find you. That is the definition of adventure.

So, what can one do to ensure a culturally sound adventure, wherever you may be travelling to? Simply follow this easy five step program:

• Eat what (and when) the locals eat. There won't always be someone to drag you down a dark ally and feed you.
  
• Meet people! Ignore the boundaries of language and take every chance to connect in other ways, through music, food, or shared experience.
  
• Avoid the crowds. Don't be afraid to wander safely; staying in pairs is generally a good rule of thumb.
  
• Don't be afraid of trying new things, and to feel a little silly. Other cultures will often feel a bit foreign (pun intended) but that's the fun of it!
  
• Leave your technology at home. This means you Blackberry addicts! It's impossible to experience anything if your nose is buried in your phone.

Remember, if you want to experience culture, the most important thing is to take life as it comes. Don't get flustered when things don't go exactly as planned; that's often when they become the most memorable.

Happy Travels,

Haley