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| Enjoying a picnic on the traghetto dock. |
The sun stands high over the campanile as I begin to
melt. A group of tourists, all in
matching orange shirts, bump into me as a man with a camera steps on my bare
toes after trying to take a picture of the basilica. If I put my arms out and spin, I would take
down about 11 people. They are
everywhere. These aren’t Venetians though;
they are travelers just like me. Where
did the locals go?
Meeting locals is crucial for diving into the culture. This is true whether you are going to New
Orleans or Venice. Here are some tips to
end the hiding, and seek the locals.
Hire a Local Guide
This past summer I met some of the most influential people on
my travels. Many of them were local
guides. Herr Jung was a retired schoolmaster
in Bacharach, Germany that brought World War II to life in the vineyard covered
Rhineland. Francesca was our Rome guide. While walking through the Colosseum, I almost
heard the lions roar. Local guides offer
expertise and a connection to their city.
Finding a guide can be as simple as checking out a reliable
guidebook. Something that I will be
trying this summer is a greeter tour.
The Global Greeter Network offers free tours to over 40 destinations. The
company connects you with a local to provide an insider experience. Check out the site for more information.
Take a Class
I love learning and often take classes here in the states to
meet new people. Consider your interests
when thinking about options. Visiting
Paris and want to learn some new recipes?
Take a cooking class. Staying in
Madrid and want to practice your Spanish?
Take a language class. This will
be extremely handy for the next tip.
Talk
The truth is, you will probably have to talk to people if
you want to build any kind of relationship.
If you are traveling abroad, learn some basics from the language. This breaks down barriers even if all you can
muster up is a “buongiorno.” Chances are they might know English anyway.
Traveling solo forces the adventurer to begin
conversations. Ask someone to take a
photo for you, comment on someone’s football jersey, or ask advice for a place
to eat. There are so many ways to begin
a conversation. Imagine your
kindergarten days when all that stood between you and your new friends were the
first words.
Check the Calendar
I love when markets are in town, or a festival is taking
over the streets. This is one of the
best times to get involved with your new destination. If I’m in Paris during the summer solstice, I
wander the cobbled streets as my ears take in the music all around during the
Fete de la Musique. Is it October in
Germany? I hope you’ve trained yourself
for some serious beer drinking. Visiting
Arles on Wednesday? Get ready to hunt
for some bargains because there is a great market along the ramparts. Maybe you could even pick up a baguette and
cheese for a makeshift picnic in the spot Van Gogh supposedly got the
inspiration for Starry Night.
Stay at a B&B
Staying at a bed and breakfast is like going to grandma’s. Get ready to be spoiled with food, comfy accommodations,
and an expert on the area. Hosts can
offer a unique perspective that allows you to find the best restaurants and
local hangouts.
There are several tricks to getting out there to meet new
people. Become a liberated traveler as
you break free from the tourist label and become someone’s new friend.
Do you have a story to share? Please tell us how you have met new people
while traveling!
