My entire travel philosophy is that travel should be a life-changing experience, that’s why I focus on cultural travel, because to me it’s the most rewarding kind of holiday.
Sure, sometimes you just want to chill out on some remote beach (who wouldn’t?) but whenever I can I am always looking for opportunities to learn and experience different cultures.
But how exactly can we be open enough to make the most of our cultural travel experiences? How can we say that we really saw it all?
The shortest answer is well, you can try!
My own experience with cultural travel
I come from a middle class Latin American family. We were taught that you work hard all year, so that you can have those two weeks of vacation.
And yes, many times all you wish for is for some quiet and peace.
But as I grew up, (and as I got lucky getting a job at a European multinational company) I realized that the world is just so much vaster than I had ever imagined.
And suddenly, travel abroad was no longer out of my reach.
What I mean is cultural travel was out of my reach in my mind. Once I overcame that thought, I was able to go on very fulfilling cultural trips that opened my mind and my heart to what’s out there.
5 cultural travel hindrances
I advocate cultural travel as a way to overcome ignorance and reach a new level of tolerance and compassion in the world.
However, noble as that statement may sound, that wouldn’t be possible if you don’t let go of these five cultural travel hindrances:
Your own culture
Yes, of course you are an ambassador of your own country when you are traveling.
But to expect your place of destination to be “comfortable” for you or people to behave in a “normal” way would rob you of getting out of your comfort zone and enjoying some new experiences.
One of the most important messages of cultural travel is that dichotomy of people being so different and yet the same everywhere.
Humans are basically driven by the same overall needs, we all want to be acknowledged and respected and honored.
We just have so many different ways to go about our lives and deal with our daily problems.
Yes, people at your destination may be fascinated with you and curious about you, and how about extending them the same courtesy?
I get it, sometimes getting out of your comfort zone can be downright painful, gross or embarrassing, like in the case of completely opposing cultures such as Southeast Asia.
But this forced stretching of your limits is one of the most rewarding things in life, it’s one of those things that makes you grow the most. Scary? Sure! Fulfilling? Totally!
Just be open to experiencing life as it is at your destination. Sure, some things may be tailored for tourists, but try to venture off the beaten path and see what it’s like!
Your knowledge
Even if you’ve made your research, thinking that you know it all and that you have nothing new to absorb is a waste of your time, money and effort.
You’re not there to teach people (though that may happen), you are there first to learn, to see new ways to experience the world, to see how people deal with the same struggled you do.
Knowing about the historic events of a place merely opens the door for you to investigate deeper once you’re there.
It’s one thing to read about something on a book, a completely different one to sit on a park bench next to an elderly man who can tell you all about how an event occurred.
Your arrogance
Yes, you may be lucky enough to come from a first world rich country. That does not mean that you are superior in any way to the peoples you’re visiting.
Even if you’re in South America, some lost village in Africa or a cold little town in Romania, people always have something more to offer to you.
Leave your arrogance behind and don’t act as the tourist who expects to be served. Be humble, be respectful and open.
As a Buddhist concept reads, suffering brings about enlightenment, so take the chance to learn from people who look like have far less than you do.
Be nice, be gentle, be appreciative and grateful during your cultural travel.
Your plan
Yes, yes, I know, I am all for planning down to the last minute detail. But your plan should not become a hindrance!
There should always be space to go a bit wild, to do something unexpected or to toss your plan out the window altogether!
Planning helps you make the most of your holiday and research injects life into otherwise inanimate objects and monuments.
But you should honor the surprises of the road, be flexible and just go with them. You might just be in for one of the most memorable experiences of your life!
Your plan didn’t work as you planned it? Take the opportunity to make your own plan as you go along! Don’t ruin your trip by being too attached to what you had foreseen.
Believe me, I’ve been there. It feels very very uncomfortable when things don’t go according to plan.
But just let go, don’t let this ruin your trip, regroup and be open to new unpredicted experiences!
Your excess luggage
There is not a bigger hindrance than dragging your luggage around cobbled streets. Be mobile! Learn to travel with just one bag!
Trust me, everything you need can fit into one carry-on bag or a reasonably sized backpack.
You don’t need the extra weight, it becomes a crutch!
There is so much more that you can do and see when you are mobile and lightweight. There’s even more space in your attention to experience what’s going on around you!
If I had the power I would create a law that would require people to enjoy some cultural travel as often as possible.
But the law would be wasted on people who would still cling to the idea of being closed to the world out there.
What about you? What hindrance have you had to overcome to enjoy your cultural travel?
What have you learned along the way?
Please let me know in the comments field below!
What great advice! Though we all do know this, i suppose, we often don’t act according to it. So thanks for reminding us.