Importance of Learning About Culture During Travel

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While travel offers many wonderful benefits such as seeing new sites, meeting new people, and having the opportunity to relax, it also offers the chance to learn about cultures during travel. We all become so accustomed to our own culture that we forget the world is filled with different people who do things in different ways from us. Learning about these unique methods is fascinating and a great way to learn. In fact, learning about culture during travel teaches us to appreciate the things we have. For example, we live in a life of luxury when it comes to modern technology – washing machines, dishwashers, automobiles, computers, telephones, and so on.

However, if you were to travel to many third-world countries, you would find their culture still depends on good, old-fashioned labor. Families still walk the fields to harvest, materials used for building homes are still mixed by hand, rugs are beaten, and you walk to get to your destination. To us, this all seems so preposterous, so ancient but to the people in these countries, our culture is what seems so strange and even lazy. Having the opportunity to learn about cultures during travel is one of the many joys of life, being able to grow and often bridge understanding between two very different worlds. If you enjoy traveling and want to become even better at learning about different cultures, there are some things you can do that will help.

One thing would be to learn as much of the language as you can for your destination. With this, you will be able to communicate with the people, which will do two things. First, it helps you understand what things are and how they work and second, it will help the people accept you better, thus taking you even further inside their world to teach you about their culture. Most countries are very proud and eager to show off what they have and how they live. Learning the language opens many incredible doors of opportunity that might otherwise remain closed.

Again, one of the best ways to learn about a country’s culture is to befriend the people. Since each country has specific customs, forms of etiquette if you will, take time to learn these as well. As an example, if visiting Japan on business, you would be expected to bring a gift, even something small such as company logo pens. For the country of Germany , only family, friends, or close colleagues would address each other by their first name and for Argentina , a woman will often be greeted with a kiss on the right cheek.

Finally, expect to experience some level of culture shock. If you are excited about learning about culture during travel and convinced you will understand another country’s culture immediately, you are in for a rude awakening. In fact, it is quite common to feel a sense of foreboding, almost depression as you begin to make comparisons between their culture and yours. Instead of making comparisons, adopt an attitude of adventure and respect, making the overall experience far more enjoyable. In other words, never judge another culture – each country is unique, which is what makes our world such a wonderful place to live.

Where is Oceania?

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“I love Australia. My dream would be to have a place to live there and be able to commute back and forth.”
–Sarah Michelle Gellar

Oceania consists of Australia, New Zealand, and the large number of islands in that region of the world. Popular destinations include:

  • American Samoa
  • Cook Islands
  • East Timor
  • Fiji
  • French Polynesia
  • Guam
  • Mariana Islands
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Solomon Islands

Reviews of the Best Places to Visit in South And Central America

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Traveling the world is an amazing adventure, something everyone should experience. Although there are so many different destinations from which to choose, both Central and South America are among the favorites. This part of the world is breathtaking. The beaches are pristine, the mountains covered with green, lush vegetation, the flowers bright and fragrant, and the culture truly amazing. However, these areas are vast, which is why we decided to provide you with some reviews of the best places to visit while in South and Central America .

One of the first reviews is on the famous Panama Canal . On average, more than 12,000 vessels pass through this famous canal, which divides North and South America while connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean . You can get an up-close view of the Panama Canal by climbing the two-story observation tower. From there, you can see how the canal actually works and then afterwards, walk beside the canal to watch as the ships enter. In addition, there is a fascinating museum called the Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum , which is a real treat.

In Guatemala City , the Metropolitan Cathedral is a must see. Sadly, many visitors to this city venture off to other sites, missing this one, which is amazing. Located on the east side of the Plaza, this cathedral was built from 1782 to 1815 and is a baroque structure that features twin towers and some of the most incredible artwork and historic painting that were rescued from the colonial cathedral. Although the cathedral is an old structure, it has shown its strength in withstanding several earthquakes.

While visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral, you should take time to walk around the back side where you will find the Mercado Central, which is a prime market place of Chichicastenango. This public market is beaming with business where you will find hand woven blankets, scarves, figurines and masks that have been handcrafted, beautiful pottery, and magnificent brass. In addition, the market offers wonderful fresh fruit to include mango, papaya, and other mouth-watering tropical favorites.

Finally, Arenal is the country’s most active volcano and absolutely beautiful. Located between La Fortuna and Lake Arenal you will find the northern zone of Costa Rica. Here, Arenal makes its presence. Estimated around 3,000 years old, Arenal was thought to be a quiet volcano when in 1968, it erupted. For three days, Arenal spewed so much ash and with such intensity that the entire western side was completely blown off, thus forming new craters. Sadly, many people were killed and both Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon were destroyed.

All throughout South and Central America , you will discover a long history that is innovative and transforming. People have worked very hard to move forward, building and learning. From this, we can all learn and grow to become a better society. Remember, you will discover thousands of places to visit, meaning both South and Central America offer something for everyone, regardless of background or age.

Explore America – National Parks and Forests

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Although spending thousands of dollars for traveling to foreign destinations is one way to enjoy a vacation, another option is to explore America by visiting the magnificent national parks and forests.  Many times, we think a vacation has to include a long flight to some unknown country for it to be fun and exciting but in truth the United States has thousands of destinations, all unique and beautiful, just waiting to be explored.  As you will discover in this article, for individuals who love the outdoors and natural beauty, national parks and forests are an excellent opportunity just waiting to be discovered.

For starters, you have your choice of more than 379 national parks, although just 15% of these are actually deemed “national parks” with the remaining areas being comprised of monuments, lakeshores, seashores, battlefields, historical sites, etc.  Each of these destinations provides a wonderful experience that you will treasure for life.  While learning more about this great country, you are also getting the opportunity to see nature at its best.

Typically, a person thinks of places such as Yosemite National Park or Rocky Mountain National Park as being “national parks” and while they are, there are many other national parks of which most people are completely unaware.  Then considering that national parks and forests are scattered around the country, you will find that each one is very different.  Some national parks are dense with forests and abundant wildlife while others are sparse and rocky, yet no less intriguing.

Therefore, whether visiting Mount Rainier located in the southeast portion of Washington where volcanoes and glaciers are a part of the beautiful scenery, the Shenandoah National Park in the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia where you will find lush valleys and stunning mountains, or the Everglades National Park that covers more than 110,000 acres, you are in for a wonderful time.

For national forests, you will discover there are 155 in the United States alone.  The land is so vast that it covers an estimated 190 million acres, which would be about the size of the state of Texas, although just 9% of that is actually land.  When people think of national parks and forests, they generally think of places with mountains, valleys, and wildlife.  Interestingly, there are two types of national forests that include those reacquired and replanted and those where the land was originally owned, reserved by the government so the public could buy sections.

With both national parks and forests, the opportunities are unrivaled.  You will likely have your favorites but a few destinations to consider include the Redwood National Forest, which is in California and home to the Sequoia trees that are planted as small seeds but grow upward to 350 plus feet, the Black Hills National Park in South Dakota, perfect for cave and canyon exploration, and the Sierra National Forest, a place of peace and tranquility that covers more than 1.3 million acres of peaks and valleys.

Reviews of the Best Places to Visit In US

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While the “best places to travel in the US ” are subjective, we have provided you with some valuable reviews on places that rank at the top of most lists. Traveling overseas is an excellent option for exploring the world and history but the United States , even though a fairly new country, also offers many spectacular places that provide an important look into the past while providing a glimpse into the future. Therefore, we have chosen five such places that you might consider for your next travel adventure.

First, we will put New York City on the top of the list. This city represents the nation in freedom, as seen by the famous Statue of Liberty, a gift from France . New York has the reputation of being the city that never sleeps and upon arrival, you will understand why. This city is electric, always busy with people bustling about, plays on Broadway, fabulous restaurants, the beautiful Central Park , and many wonderful opportunities. If you love excitement and activity, then New York City would be the perfect destination of choice.

For a more relaxed environment, Poipu Beach in Hawaii is truly a slice of heaven. The beaches there are sandy white and the sunsets like nothing you have ever seen. Many of the hotels sit right on the bluff that overlooks the beach where you can sit back at dusk with a Mai Tai, as you relax, looking up at a sky of orange, red, and yellow while listening to the crashing waves. The air is fragrant with Bird of Paradise, Orchids, Plumeria, and other wonderful flowers. For the perfect getaway where you can put all the stresses of everyday life behind, we highly recommend Poipu Beach .

Third on the list is Las Vegas , Nevada . This too is a high-wire city but yet very different from New York . If you love flashing lights and gambling, then Las Vegas would be a great place to visit. You can stay downtown where the hotels are not quite as expensive or on the famous Strip where you will find magnificent hotels such as The Luxor or Excalibur. Additionally, Las Vegas offers some of the most fantastic shows ranging from famous vocalists such as Celine Dion and Wayne Newton, magic shows, aquatic shows, drag queen shows, and everything in between. The environment is exciting and fun, making this a great destination.

Next, the Petrified Forest in Arizona is much different, a quiet desert oasis that is actually a national park. The trees in the Petrified Forest have been mineralized by water and time, transforming them into beautiful rocks. Although these rocks are protected, meaning you cannot take them out of the park, there are many gift shops that sell pieces of petrified wood along with various stone collections. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, the Petrified Forest is wonderful place to explore.

Finally, another wild frontier is the state of Alaska . Covering a vast amount of land that extends from rainforests of the Pacific coast to the tundra beyond the Artic Circle and then along a large are of volcanic isles, this state is fascinating with beautiful scenery and wildlife. You will find incredible streams abundant with fish and dense forests that include the famous Kodiak bear. Alaska also offers visitors a magnificent view of snow-capped peaks, making this the ideal place for hiking, packing, camping, exploring, hunting, fishing, and photography.

The Sites of Venice

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A beautiful city greets you when you arrive in Venice, Italy.  The city known for its canals and Carnavale celebration opens its doors to thousands of visitors each year, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to count yourself among them!

Compared to some of the other major cities in Italy (see our articles on Rome or Florence), Venice doesn’t boast as many grand museums or galleries.  However, the entire city could easily be considered a slowly sinking museum itself and just walking the streets will provide you with the same artistic and cultural splendor as in several of the larger museums – but for free.  If you’re thinking about traveling to Venice, there are several sites you simply can’t miss.

The Grand Canal. When you arrive in Venice, the first thing you do should be to hop on the local ferry boat known as a Vaporetto.  This form of public transportation runs you a lot cheaper than a gondola and shows you the same sites.  Take a full run around the city and you’ll see some of the best sites from the water.  Once you’ve gone round once, step onto land and explore some of the inside of this great city.

Doge’s Palace. This building, right off of St. Mark’s Square (or Piazza di San Marco, in Italian) houses some pretty astounding works of art.  By far, though, its greatest attraction lies away from the artwork – in the dungeon.  This area of the palace houses no art but you will remember it just as much.  The stark contrast between it, the Bridge of Sighs that leads you there, and the main gallery will be sure to keep you entertained for hours.

St. Mark’s Basilica. If you’re not arriving at the height of tourist season, make sure you see the Basilica in Venice.  If you’re arriving during tourist season (whenever there’s warm weather, really), then be prepared to wait – a while – to get in.  History tells us that many of the windows in the Basilica have been covered over by the sheer amount of artifacts and artwork the Venetians collected and conquered over the years.

Island of Murano. This island lies a little ways outside of Venice, available by Vaporetto.  This island is home to craftsmen who, since the 1200s, have been crafting beautiful artwork made of glass by hand.  Murano Glass, as it’s called, can be found all over the world in both it’s original and copied forms, but some of the best can only be found on Murano.  Make sure you go!

As you explore Venice, make sure to notice all the little intricacies that make this city great.  Many famous artists, writers, poets, and politicians have visited or lived in the city, and in many cases these cases have been marked on buildings with commemorative plaques.  So don’t just look down at the water as you walk – also look up and around at this great world treasure!

Must-See In Rome

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The Eternal City.  It wasn’t built in a day.  Rome, that is, and you shouldn’t spend less than three days in this jewel of the Western Europe.  The city is jam packed with sites, sounds, and food that you won’t want to miss.  The capital of what once was the greatest empire on Earth, the Roman Empire, Rome holds numerous treasures housed in everything from churches to museums to street corners.  No matter how much time you have in Rome, there are several sites you won’t want to miss and here they are in no particular order.

The Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica. Although technically not part of Rome but it’s own country, the Vatican is home to the Papacy, the heart of the Catholic Church.  Over time, the Vatican has acquired through conquest or donation more artwork and artifacts than the Pope could apparently display in his living room, so they find themselves now in the Vatican Museums.  Everything from statues from the Roman Empire to mummies of Ancient Egypt lie within these walls, and you won’t want to miss any of it.  Get there early, though, as the line to get into the museum can get very long very quickly.  Plan on arriving at least two hours before the gates open, and bring breakfast.  After you’re done exploring the Museums, round the corner to St. Peter’s Basilica.  Some of the greatest statues ever crafted in Western culture lie within these walls, so make sure you explore every corner of this great monument.  Whatever you do, though, make sure you plan at least a day solely for Vatican City.

The Roman Forum and the Colosseum. And the general area around it, for that matter.  Tucked away amongst modern apartments (you literally round a corner and find yourself staring at the massive stone colossus known as the Colosseum), devote a day at least to exploring the historical side of Rome.  Some great restaurants can be found in this area as well, so save some money and pictures for your trip to this area of Rome.

The City. If you have time, walk around Rome.  As tiring as that sounds, it’s also quite picturesque.  Lots of piazzas and building walls also happen to double as mini-Museums!  The Spanish Steps, for example, will provide you with a spectacular view of a part of the city.  The budget conscious will find no lack of memories just wandering the streets – but make sure to bring a map to find your way back!

There are way too many sites to list in this one article to visit while you’re in Rome, but these are the few you definitely won’t want to miss.  And just remember, when in Rome, do as the Romans do!

Chinese Food… In China!

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by James Dillard, jedwarddillard.blogspot.com

There might not be a better place in the world to travel right now than to China.  The history is second to none and the traditional architecture is like an oasis in a desert of classical European replications. The cities are modern, the people are nice and the exchange rate is fabulous.  Plus, for the time being at least, if you want it for cheap, whether “it” is silk, pearls or a faux Chanel handbag, you can get it in China… even if “it” isn’t exactly legal in the strictest sense of the word.

But one sticky issue still surrounds, or rather sustains, the Great Dragon of the East: the food.  All of us have heard the horror stories: chicken feet, bear claw, donkey and even dog meat.  But before you cancel your trip to the 2008 Olympics for fear of the entrées, know that hope is on the horizon.

Essentially, the food problem is really two fold. There is an underlying issue of culture, which makes a dog kabob sickening to us but succulent to the Chinese.  We see Old Yeller; they see a steak.  But, on top of these small differences, there is a sea of confusion about what is being ordered.  Few menus have translations; even fewer have descriptions.  Plenty have pictures, but the experienced traveler quickly learns exactly how useless pictures of foreign dishes are.  Chinese food is made to be eaten with chopsticks – that means all of the food is finely diced, making it easier to pick up (imagine how much trouble it would be to eat a chicken breast with the sticks).  An unfortunate side effect of this is that all of the pictures look vaguely the same: diced meat with vegetables and sauce.  This confusion leads to fear, causing some to seek refuge in western-style Chinese restaurants, with translated menus (many of which still lack descriptions), plenty of napkins and English speaking staff, where they overpay for sub par food.  They’re choosing culture over cuisine, safety over the satisfaction of a great meal.  But at last, there is hope.

In the heart of Beijing, a company called YBZG is setting out to clear the ambiguity for all the English speakers who set their eyes to the East, whether they are businessmen seeking their fortune or travelers seeking adventure.  Their goal, ambitious to say the least, is toprovide a standard of clarity for all of China’s menus.  In a way, they’re modern Marco Polos, opening up the riches of the East to the people of the West, but instead of silk, tea and precious stones, they offer travelers a taste of Chinese cuisine beyond that of Gong Bao Ji Ding (or as we know it, Kung Pao Chicken).  Despite being incorporated just a month ago, they’ve already translated over 40,000 menu items into clear, appetizing English in a standard manner, meaning that the same characters give the same translation every time.

They haven’t reached the whole city yet, but they’re gearing up to reach a critical mass of restaurants before the Olympics begin in 2008, when Beijing is supposed to swell by 12 million people – 7 million of whom will be foreigners, most of whom won’t speak or read any Chinese.  In the mean time, here are some traditional dishes YBZG suggests you try during your next trip to China, complete with characters, pinyin (Chinese phonetic spelling) and a description.

Shish Kabobs (yang rou chuan)
These aren’t your parents’ shish kabobs.  These old Beijing favorites are strips of meat (Lamb or Chicken, usually) skewered and roasted over an open flame.  Once finished, they’re rolled in an assortment of spices and passed on to the customer.  They’re cheap (1 RMB or less – the equivalent of 13 cents in the US), quick and tasty.  Groups will frequently order fifty or more to go with rice and other dishes.  Beware of street vendors, especially in the summer – make sure they cook the meat all the way through.

Dumplings (jiao zi)
The dumplings in China are so good they need an article to themselves, but here’s a quick introduction.  There are three major types: dumplings, steamed buns and potstickers (fried dumplings).  The dumplings (jiaozi) are filled with anything your heart desires, from lamb to seafood.  Steamed buns (baozi) are dough buns filled with meat, usually pork, or green vegetables.  Potstickers are dumplings, filled with pork and pan-fried.

Green Beans with pork (gan bian si ji dou)
Remember when you had to sit at the table until the green beans were gone?  Those days wouldn’t have existed if these had been the green beans.  Cooked by dry frying, a technique that uses the least amount of oil necessary to keep the beans from sticking to the pan, this is one of the hidden treasures of Chinese cuisine.  The beans are given some extra taste by adding bits of pork and a small amount of pepper.  This popular dish can be found at just about any restaurant in China – be sure to try it before you leave.

Bamboo Shoots (qing chao zhu sun)
Not just for pandas, bamboo shoots are made by dry frying the shoots with pork, peppers and the Chinese pepper-flower hua jiao.  Hua jiao, found in many Sichuan foods excites your taste buds, allowing you to fully experience all the different flavors of the dish.  At the same time, too much of the hua jiao deadens your taste buds, which may be intentional, since Sichuan food is known for being spicy.

Ants Climbing a Tree (mai yi shang shu)
On a poorly translated menu, this would be a dish you’d probably avoid.  Like many Chinese foods, however, this dish is named poetically, not literally, sort of like a submarine isn’t literally a submersible war machine.  This dish, cooked in oil, is made with vermicelli noodles sprinkled with pork and spicy peppers and it is definitely a Chinese favorite.

Crispy Rice with a seafood sauce (hai xian guo ba)
You can’t leave China without eating your fair share of rice, but when you get bored with white rice and fried rice try crispy rice.  Matter of fact, you might just want to start with the crispy rice.  This dish is made by baking the rice into a thick layer, then pouring soup over it as it sizzles.  The dish is made to be eaten quickly, sort of like cereal, so that it doesn’t get soggy.  Crispy rice with a seafood soup – fish or squid – is especially tasty, but you can usually get soups with vegetables and chicken if that’s your preference.

Tips and Tricks

1. Keep an eye on the menus.
Foreign-friendly restaurants frequently have an English menu and a menu for locals.  The vast majority of China’s 1.3 billion people are honest, loyal and caring but occasionally the unscrupulous among them will choose to post higher prices on foreign-friendly menus.  The best defense against this is common sense – if prices seem outrageously high for the quality of restaurant you’re in, ask questions about the dishes and make a decision from there.  Should the menu be Chinese only, you’re secure, but be sure to keep a mental tab on what you bought and what it costs, since you probably won’t be able to read the receipt.  If your really nervous, then make some Chinese friends – they’re easy to find, eager to speak English and extremely loyal.

2. Look before you bite.
In China, duck and chicken commonly get cut straight through – bones and all – so don’t be shocked to find a surprise in your food, especially if it’s sliced.  Diced dishes such as Gong Bao Ji Ding are cut differently so they don’t have this problem.

3. Don’t be afraid to call your server.
You’ll have to waive your hand at the fu wu yuan (waitress) to get them to come to your table – it’s not rude, it’s their custom.  In higher end restaurants this usually isn’t necessary, but don’t expect your server to bring you your check  – you’ll have to ask for it.

4. China is really big.
In the Western world we frequently assume that Chinese food is Chinese food is Chinese food but that’s not quite true.  Each region has its own cuisine, like New England, Texas and the South have all developed their own food personalities.  In China, there are eight different cuisines and four major tastes.  It is said that there are four predominant tastes in Chinese food that come from Shandong, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Henan.  Be sure to explore them all and notice how they are different from each other.

5. Order dishes for others.
In China, it’s a good idea. to buy one more dish than the number of people in your group.  Most restaurants serve their portions family style, so learn to share with your travel party.  In larger parties, it can be hard to let everyone pick something since most restaurants only give you one menu, so try using a group leader – especially if they know some Chinese.

6. Sea Cucumber isn’t a vegetable – it’s a slug.
Another common menu misnomer is Saliva Chicken, which isn’t spit upon, but is considered tasty enough to make you salivate.  The only full proof way to avoid these problems is to become a Chinese scholar.  Since most of us don’t have that much time, it’s better to use the family style dinners as an opportunity to experiment.  If you take a chance on something and don’t like it, there’ll still plenty of other food on the table.

7. Drinks with dinner.
Ordering a Western wine with food is difficult because of all the complex flavors in the food – Western wine simply doesn’t pair as well as it does with Western dishes.  Try a sweet drink like Sprite, Coke or a juice instead.  Sweet wines like German Gewurtzraminer or Canadian Ice Wines also pair quite well.

8. Put your napkin in you lap – if they give you one. If you aren’t an expert with chop sticks, your food is going to be prone to dripping, squirting or slipping on its way from the plate to your mouth.  This means you’ll probably end up with some stains on your shorts if you aren’t careful.  Napkins are in short supply and aren’t always given out before the meal, but don’t be afraid to ask for them.  Your fu wu yuan will be happy to bring them for you.  If you really want to be safe, eat the Chinese way: move your chair back away from the table and bend over towards your food.  If you spill, it’ll fall safely onto the table.