Photo: Speyside, Scotland taken 05.07.09It's no secret that I love to travel. Learning about new worlds is a part of my life that I cherish and hope to continue long into my golden years. It has opened my eyes, broadened my horizons and helped me to gain a greater appreciation for people, animals and nature alike.
I feel blessed to have the means to be able to experience all the great landscapes and cultures that I have been exposed to and my thirst for travel grows with each adventure.
My absolute favorite part of continent hopping is meeting the locals. Our inner scoop usually comes from tour guides or convo's over a pint at the local pub. That's where the magic happens, where we learn how the other side lives, how we grow to appreciate how different, yet strikingly similar our lives are from our neighbors.
Find your creative side through travel:
- Adventure Tours
Hiking, climbing, sky diving, free base jumping, scuba etc etc etc. Mingle with the people who understand movement in it's ultimate form with extreme adventure tours! - Take a cooking class
Food can make or break a vacation, according to my hubby. Learn how the other side eats and cooks by taking a cooking class in another country! Not only are you experiencing how they cook, you are also gaining insight into their cultural customs, traditions and learning styles! - Photographic adventure
Whether you are touring the amazon or the concrete jungle, there is no better way to view it than through the lens of a camera. Seriously. You would be pleasantly surprised at how you can view things in a whole new way when you are in a creative mind-set.
Will keep you updated as it develops! So far, I have: sky-dive, photograph a South African safari, learn to ballroom dance...
Please help me add to this list!!!
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13 comments:
I am shortly starting my third decade as well. This past summer my husband and I flew to California, then drove up the coast spending a few nights in each city. We purposely avoided the tourist trap places and stuck to where the locals go and it was a lot more fun and less expensive too. Off to Italy for my big 30!
I would say that going to a sporting event in a different land is one way to see the passion of the locals. Another is to visit their parks just to observe interaction.
Taking pictures has another benefit, at least in places where you speak the language. It seems to me that people strike up more conversations with the stranger behind the camera.
One of my favorite photographs is of a young man in a gorgeous striped shirt, who asked me, as I scrambled up onto one of those street-tree planters, "What are you doing?" I answered, "I'm trying to get a better angle to photograph that house across the street." He said "Why don't you take my picture?" and I said that I loved his shirt and would like to. The angle looking down at him in his crookedly buttoned shirt from four feet off the ground is one of the best pictures I've ever taken.
Mary Anne in Kentucky
You're quite right. I'd add that wandering through grocery stores is another way to learn about a people. Also, I try their beer and taste what they do to the basic Coca-Cola (TM R whatever) recipe. It can be eye-opening.
One of the things I remeber most about my visit to Tokyo was the grocery stores...nothing like Kroger. :-)
I love trying new wine's and exotic foods. Together with that, my camera and my beloved travel partner (long time boyfriend) can make any trip amazing.
since we're avid rock climbers I get to see a lot of places I wouldn't normally go or experience and that non climbers would never thing to see. It's amazing... the places it'll take you.
I did a 3 week South African trip, and it was fabulous!! Cape Town is one of the greatest areas on the planet!
PS You able to read my column?
That's a beautiful picture. I'm going to Edinburgh in just a few weeks, as well as other places in Europe. Can't wait!
I loved the conglomerate of businesses in the Caribbean - grocery, liquor store, bar, car rental, insurance, etc ... all in one shop the size of a 7/11.
I asked some locals what the music was they were playing and went and bought it. We went on outings with the inn staff - ghost hunting and a couple of local traditions where we hung out with more local folks.
No McDonalds. No traffic lights. The locals had never seen a semi. I didn't want to leave. I loved their laid back, simpler life.
Kristi-- ahh Italia...one of my fav countries...enjoy!
Tom-- yes, agreed! I went to a football match in Barcelona a while back, it made the news with flares being thrown, rampant mad fans, cops being trampled, etc...it was def. an experience :)
Mary Anne-- that is a great story! I'd love to see that photo!
Leah-- hmm, thats very interesting! I'll try that one day!
Patty-- ha yes! I miss good ole' american grocery stores too!
Rayna-- what places do you recommend for climbing? I want to take hubby on a climbing trip SOON and we aren't that hard core so we are looking for small time stuff in Europe if you have any suggestions that'd be great!
Dr J-- on our way there next year in fact! Can't wait! Unable to access it lately, I find its easiest in the early am or late pm. I'll try in the morning!
Jess-- Europe is so great! Enjoy your trip! If you stop by London give us a shout!
~rupal
antgirl-- we must have been commenting simultaneously!
The island life is one I aspire to live! ahh, the sun, the surf...
~rupal
The biggest problem is that there are so many places to visit and such a short life! I love photography as a way to explore, because you notice so much more when you are looking for the perfect shot. A recomendation - snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (not that I'm biased or anything).
I'm no help here, as my idea of adventure is going somewhere that doesn't have Diet Coke. :)
I do love to watch different cities wake up in the morning. Breakfast cafes (local, of course) are great for that.
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