How to Blend In with the Locals: 20 Tips

While I am a proponent of bringing as much to the travel game as you hope to take away -- because local folks can well be just as interested in visitors as visitors are in the locals -- the benefits of simply blending into the culture that you're visiting cannot be underestimated. Doing so gives you an intimate look at the local culture that might not be granted to outsiders -- and it may even help keep you safe in places where outing yourself as a wealthy tourist makes you a target for pick-pocketing and other crimes. But you don't have to abandon your sense of self to fit in. I have found that many of the most successful ways to do so can be very superficial and benign, such as wearing different clothes, leaving certain items in the safe in your hotel or changing where you buy your food. Here are 20 tips to help you to blend in with the locals the next time you travel. 1. Wear muted clothes. When it comes to blending in, the clothes you wear are your first line of defense. Simple, muted clothing is almost always the way to go when traveling. It might turn out that a Flyers T-shirt or Mariners cap is really popular at the moment in the country you are visiting, but you are taking a risk if your goal is to blend in. 2. Pack clothes you can wear anywhere. One of the challenges of blending in is being able to do so when visiting the local barber as well as dining at the best local restaurant. If you pack clothes that are versatile, and neither flash nor trash, you have a better chance of being able to blend in in many different situations. Unfortunately, clothes specifically designed for travel -- cargo shorts, or pant legs that zip off to become shorts, for example -- don't always fit in. For ideas on how the locals dress where you are headed, see tip #6 below. 3. Douse the camera and other tourist accoutrements. Taking photos of your travels is a natural and very enjoyable thing, but if you want to blend in, you may want to tone it down a bit. Having a big honking camera hanging from your neck everywhere you go acts like an outsider's scarlet letter -- not to mention an attraction for thieves. Bring the camera, but keep it under wraps a bit, and don't point it where it is not welcome. The same goes for things like fanny packs, guidebooks and the like; you can bring them, but try to keep a low profile. 4. Douse the shoes. It seems that in particular white shoes or running shoes paired with white socks are an outsider's freak flag. In many European countries, for instance, this type of shoe is only worn when working out -- not in any other sort of public situation. I'm not sure about the fashion component here, but it makes sense that bright white shoes attract attention, the antithesis of "blending in." 5. Buy clothes at your destination. If you have the budget for it, consider picking up some clothes upon arrival at your destination. (Just make sure you're buying where the locals do, not at a souvenir shack designed for tourists.) One possible financial consideration: if it means you have fewer bags to check at the airport, you might recover some of your expenses even before you leave home. 6. Do an image search on the Web. Here's a tip I learned from a friend who recently took a "gap year" after college to go around the world: pictures of a place found in the news and other online resources really can tell you what a place will look like when you get there, and how people dress -- unlike idealized tourist brochures or glossy guidebooks. 7. Have your money under control. If you understand the value of the local currency and various denominations, carry it in a straightforward way (wallet, purse), and can make transactions competently, you will blend in much better. Fumbling with money not only outs you as an outsider, but also can make you a mark for thieves. Keep in mind, however, that you should carry only what you need for a single day in a wallet or purse. If you're carrying a big wad of cash, a passport, etc., it should still go in a money belt under your clothes or stay in the hotel safe for more security. (See Money Safety for more tips.) 8. Be courteous without being fawning. I grew up in a tourist town, and know the love/hate relationship the locals have with their money-spending interlopers. Locals do often need the revenue that tourists bring, but in the worst cases it can be like having an awful boss -- almost not worth the dough. Finances aside, locals want neither to be treated like they live to please you, nor to be treated like you are doing them a favor by saying hello. Take your cues from them, and you will start to blend in. When in doubt, err on the side of being overly courteous -- trying to be a little bit likeable never hurts -- so long as you remember that you're not doing anyone but yourself any favors.

9. Plan out your day and route. If you have a sense of what you are going to do and how to get there, you will be able to navigate through your day with confidence. Plan out your driving route or check public transportation maps back in your room -- not on a street corner or in the middle of an intersection. 10. Buy stuff at local stores. There may be no better place to learn a lot and fit in better than a local grocery store. Get a haircut at the local barber (this is my personal travel custom), or buy your lunch from a food cart. 11. Move counter to the crowds. Folks who really want to blend in with the locals also tend to want actually to go out and be with the locals -- and following the well-worn tourist tracks won't get you there. If you visit the Liberty Bell, you should expect to be surrounded by other tourists visiting the Liberty Bell. This advice is applicable to almost everything you do -- so try staying somewhere other than the popular tourist hotels, going somewhere other than the most popular tourist beaches, and seeing some of the more unusual or out-of-the-way sights (which can still be found in tourist guidebooks and Web sites). 12. Learn -- and use -- some of the language. Arguably mangling the local language just makes it clear you aren't from around here, but you would be surprised how much slack you get for trying. If you don't know how to say something, ask -- many locals are happy to help you learn. And the more you practice, the better you get at the language, which can open doors that lead you deeper into the local culture. 13. Say hello. At the very least, say hello to folks you encounter. You would do this at the local Wawa, so you should do the same at the panaderia. 14. Modulate your voice. Don't be the obnoxious American in the corner booth whose loud laughter disrupts everyone else's dinner. It's not like people in other places are quiet -- every neighborhood has a local or two who is really noisy -- but that person shouldn't be your role model if you're trying to blend in. (Some travelers recommend you speak at about half your usual volume.) Keep in mind that there are exceptions to this rule, though; in some cultures and settings (like a noisy public market), you'll need to speak up in order to be noticed and fit in with the locals. Also on this topic: If you don't speak the language, talking even louder in English is not going to make you understood. Volume does not equal comprehension. Lower the volume! 15. Be a prepared and attentive driver. Nothing screams "outsider" like someone stopping and starting, going under the speed limit, gawking out the windows, and generally clogging up the streets and roads. Try to check your maps and route ahead of time, put someone in the copilot's seat who has a handle on it, and most of all watch the road ahead of you. 16. Pay attention. If you want to blend in with the locals, pay attention to how the locals act, what they do, where they congregate, how they dress -- and follow suit. If you want to walk the walk, it's going to have to be their walk. And don't assume that your custom is their custom. If you are paying attention, you might find that things like prolonged direct eye contact or a giant smile don't go over too well in a particular location, even if at home these are always the way to go. Change up your style to match their style as you go along, accepting that you won't get it right immediately. 17. Carry yourself with confidence. Locals tend not to walk wide-eyed around their own neighborhoods. Look like you know what you are doing and where you are going, and other people will think you do -- even if you don't have a clue. 18. Consider alternative lodging. A homestay or an apartment rental in a residential neighborhood will give you more of an opportunity to interact with locals than staying in a hotel in a touristy part of town. 19. Look for local events. Check out fliers and local entertainment listings to find concerts, festivals, lectures and other events that will attract locals rather than tourists (universities, libraries and churches are good places to look for this sort of thing). Editor Sarah Schlichter recalls, "I once pushed aside my afternoon sightseeing plans when I stumbled upon a free organ concert in a Rotterdam church, and it ended up being the best memory I had from my time there." 20. Be yourself. There is only so much you can do to make yourself disappear into the local culture. When I was in Beijing, I could have worn a dragon costume in a street parade and I still would not have been able to blend in. But I met a lot of great people merely by saying hello and being myself from there on out; if I had tried to be too cool, it would have been a far lesser experience. If you employ enough of the tactics listed above, don't be surprised on your next trip if someone asks you for directions in a language you barely understand. Article Source Go Anyway,Ed Hewitt The Independent Traveler http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=1055&category=13

Cruise Ship Firsts through the Ages

Cruises as we know them today are really only about 50 years old, but the tradition goes back more then a hundred years when passengers started booking travel on mail ships crossing the Atlantic. These cargo vessels evolved into the grand ocean liners whose names we still remember: Lusitania, Titanic, Queen Mary. Now the cruise lines are always competing to have the newest, the best, the biggest, and the most exciting ships at sea, morphing them into massive floating resorts where the onboard experience is just as important as the ports themselves, if not more.

10. 1840: First Transatlantic Cruise
When Cunard started carrying mail across the Atlantic on steamships, the company didn't know it was starting a whole new industry. A record number of passengers lined up for the crossings from England to New York, not because the boats themselves were that spectacular but because they were faster than previous vessels. Those paying customers came to expect more creature comforts than the crew, of course, so the on-board amenities got an overhaul, including the addition of a cow to provide fresh milk.

9. 1900: First Cruise Ship
The first dedicated cruise ship set sail in 1900, but it was a short-lived experiment. Named for Kaiser Wilhelm II's daughter, the Prinzessin Victoria Luise from Germany's HAPAG line cruised the West Indies and the Mediterranean. The Prinzessin was not actually a ship, but a grand yacht with 120 first class cabins plus a library and darkroom. At more than 407 feet, it was also longer than the Kaiser's own yacht, much to his irritation. The boat unfortunately ran aground in 1906.

8. 1912: First Ultra Luxe Ocean Liner
The first over-the-top luxury ship set off on its maiden voyage on April 10, 1912 with new features like a shipboard swimming pool, a la carte dining, a Parisian café, and a Turkish bath. Competition between the lines had become fierce, and the White Star Line sought to challenge Cunard, whose ships the Mauritania and Lusitania held the record for fastest Atlantic crossings. The Titanic and her sister Olympic trumped them in size and lavish amenities (at least in first class), even featuring running hot water in some of its cabins. Of course, we all know how that ended.

7. 1958: First Surge in Caribbean Cruises
The modern cruise era was born when the first passenger jet took off from London heading to New York, causing a sharp decline in the popularity of Transatlantic cruising. Air travel was not only much faster, but also took on the glamour and prestige that had formerly been associated with ocean liners. Those now-passé ships weren't dry-docked though. They found a new purpose plying the Caribbean waters. This opened up a while new category of cruising, still one of the most popular today.

6. 1965: First Affordable Cruises
The 1960s saw the founding of the first of the modern powerhouse cruise companies, bringing down prices through competition. Princess was born in 1965, offering the first short, reasonably priced cruises on its Princess Pat, which sailed from California and down along the Mexican coastline. Norwegian Cruise Line went into business in 1966 providing the first budget Caribbean cruises on its Sunward and soon became the first cruise company offering packages including low-cost airfare. The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line debuted with the 724-passenger Song of Norway in 1970. Finally, Carnival opened in 1972, instituting their "Fun Ships" and quickly becoming a behemoth, absorbing nearly a dozen other lines including Cunard, Holland America, and Seabourn.

5. 1977: First Big Ships on the Small Screen
As kitschy as it seems today, The Love Boat brought the notion of cruising (previously perceived to be only for the elite) to the masses. Viewers ate up the hijinks that top stars of the day got into with the fictional passengers and crew on a Princess cruise and booked their own vacations with hopes of running into cruise director Julie or maybe even Charo. The cruising frenzy was further fueled in 1984 by Carnival's Ain't We Got Fun ads starring Kathie Lee Gifford, the first to appear on television.

4. 1980: First Mega Ship
The '80s was the era of the size wars and the debut of the floating resorts. In 1980, Norwegian Cruise Lines introduced the first supership, the Norway. NCL bought the former S.S. France and spent $80 million converting it into a ship measuring in at 150 percent the size of its competition, capable of carrying 2,181 passengers and offering entertainment to rival Vegas shows. In 1988, Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas had a then-record-setting capacity of 2,350 passengers and was the first ship equipped with the now-ubiquitous multi-story atrium with glass elevators. The title "world's largest cruise ship" has continued to be passed from company to company ever since.

3. 1996: First Cruise Line with a Private Island
Disney Cruise Line purchased the small Bahamian island of Gorda Cay and rechristened it Castaway Cay, spending more than a year expanding the beaches and installing a dock big enough for the line's megaships. They have been continually updating it ever since and in the summer of 2010 will debut a new waterslide platform, an expanded stingray habitat, and 20 new beach cabanas. And of course, this being Disney, the ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies is moored offshore. Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean all followed suit and snapped up their own private islands in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean actually has a second island, Labadee, off the coast of Hispaniola.

2. 1999: First Skating Rink
Royal Caribbean debuted the first shipboard ice-skating rink on the 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas and ushered in the amenities war. Cruise lines continue to one-up each other with more and more outrageous forms of onboard entertainment like surf simulators and intricate waterslides. In 2003, Royal Caribbean was the first to add rock-climbing walls. In 2006, NCL installed bowling alleys on its Norwegian Pearl. In 2008, Celebrity was the first to feature 15,00 square feet of lawn space on Solstice. Launched in late 2009, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas became the biggest ship ever built with a capacity of 5,400 passengers, offering a zip-line, a park with outdoor cafes, the first onboard carousel in its Coney-Island inspired boardwalk, and performances of the Broadway show Hairspray.

1. 2010: First Look into the Future...and the Past
This will be another year for firsts. Nine lines are launching new ships (all ordered before the recession). NCL is debuting the Epic, which will offer the first studio cabins for people traveling alone-without the onerous single-supplement fare add-on. The ship will also have the Epic Plunge (a 7-deck tube waterslide), 20 restaurants, and an Ice Bar made of, yes, ice. Seabourn will debut the Sea Cloud Hussar, the largest masted sailing ship in the world. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will bring back the Art Deco décor of the grand old passenger ships of the 1920s to the 1940s. Princess, too, is returning to the nostalgia of the grand passenger lines, offering Bon Voyage parties. For four hours before the ship's departure, passengers can bring friends and family on board for a tour and lunch.

by Laurel Delp AOL Travel News Posted Mar 5th 2010 07:19 PM http://bit.ly/963pF8

Go Slow in Caye Caulker, Belize

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One of my favorite places to experience laid back island life is Caye Caulker in Belize. The island itself embodies the word relax, with clear blue sea, palm trees swaying in the breeze, friendly people, great food and amazing underwater scenery. The motto on Caye Caulker is ‘Go Slow’. The island is only 3 miles long and narrow at points so there is no way to get lost. The thing I like best is that there are only two streets on the island, Front Street and Back Street. I didn’t run into a single car as they are not allowed. However, I did witness the largest crab I’ve ever seen walking down sandy front street

Upon flying to Belize City, you can take a quick flight or a water taxi service to the island. The Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association has six scheduled trips each day (10USD) on fast, reliable boats serving the Marine Terminal in Belize City and Caye Caulker. The Marine Terminal is located next to the Swing Bridge in Belize City; a thirty-minute (20USD) land taxi ride from the International Airport. Tropic Air flies from the International Airport to and from Caye Caulker connecting conveniently with International flights.

Just off Caye Caulker you can snorkel in the world’s second longest barrier reef. In the Coral Garden you can see so many fish and beautiful colorful corals. Explore the beautiful Hol Chan Marine Reserve and see marine life in its natural habitat. Snorkeling with nurse sharks and rays in Shark Ray Alley is a once in a lifetime experience! While in Caye Caulker, over a 4 day period, I got PADI certified for scuba at Frenchies Diving Service. Imagine taking your classes at the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef!

Caye Caulker has many restaurants offering Belizean and international cuisine, including lobster, conch and red snapper. You can actually sit on the patio of a Caye Caulker restaurant, eating lobster, staring at the reef where your dinner was caught just a few hours ago. My favorite night spot is The II Bar, pronounced like a sailor’s ‘Aye Aye’. One section has swings hanging from the ceiling and it’s connected by a hanging rope bridge to another section. Upstairs is an open air area with a thatched roof, hammocks, and a couple of picnic tables, with nice views across the island and out to the water. Try the local Belikin beer or a drink made with the local rum.

Brilliant Trips - Submitted by Chris http://blog.brillianttrips.com/2010/04/go-slow-in-caye-caulker-belize/

Seychelles Islands - how exclusive is the holiday in Seychelles

The young Royals, Will and Kate, or rather Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, returned to honeymoon on these idyllic islands of the Indian Ocean.  

Unspoiled, untouched, and gloriously natural beauty of the sea,  the Seychelles is an exclusive holiday destination. 


Seychelles has two distinct types of topography - the Inner Islands are formed from granite rock with rocky peaks and thick forests offering lovely trekking trails. The main islands are Mahè, Praslin and La Digue which are the hub of both tourist activity and the natives of Seychelles. Most of the hotels Seychelles has are located on these islands. The Outer Islands are the coral islands stretching as far as 1100 km. around Mahè. The Aldabra atoll, declared World Heritage site is the worlds largest raised coral island, home to the worlds biggest number of giant tortoise. The coral reefs are the undisturbed habitat of turtles, sea birds and a vibrant aquatic life. Alphonse and Desroches atolls offer luxurious accommodation and are famous for fly-fishing, deep sea fishing and diving. Some of the privately owned islands like Fregate and Denis have become the favorite getaway destinations of Hollywood celebrities.

Seychelles' pristine beaches with sparkling turquoise water, white sand, naturally picketed with coconut trees and palms make it a must visit destination. Seychelles offers a unique vacation full of relaxation and blissful solitude ideal for honeymooners, where if you wish the only life you will brush shoulders with, are the giant tortoise and turtles! The crystal clear waters of this island paradise are perfect for diving, sailing, canoeing, fishing, snorkeling and viewing the rich biodiversity of sea life. Apart from water sports you can indulge in horse riding, golf or bird watching.

Nearly 50% of land area of Seychelles is protected under natural conservation, offering tourists a chance to see the thriving endemic flora & fauna, enjoying the many national parks, bio-reserves, extensive plantations of coconut trees, cinnamon and vanilla. Tourists can take guided tours or self explore the islands.

Owing to inhabitation by the Arabs, the French, the British and its proximity to Africa, Seychelles is a delightful blend of cultures offering visitors glimpses of all of them in local art, folklore and exotic cuisine. Foodies can choose from international cuisines, local flavors offering the best, especially in sea food.

You can plan your stay in any one of the luxurious hotels Seychelles has to offer, or in a beautiful beach resort Seychelles islands offer. Each lodge or hotel Seychelles has is fully equipped with modern amenities. Some of the tiny islands offer accommodation for a limited number of guests at any given time, truly making you feel like the king or the queen of that island. No matter where you are staying, the alluring beaches will always be at arm's length from all hotels Seychelles has.

  

To plan your holiday and know about hotels Seychelles offers, visit http://www.HotelsSeychelles.sc

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For many, Cruising is the way to see the World

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Perhaps not everybody is cut out to cruise, but a lot of us are. I have a twin brother John, who likes to do stuff like hike through the Himalayas in the snow, and truck through the jungles of Brazil. Well he can have his adventures, but when I am on vacation I like to find a chocolate on my pillow when I hit the sack after a hard night at the casino.

Cruising is not really expensive. For the nightly price of a good hotel room you not only get a place to sleep, but you get 24 hour a day free room service, all kinds of food available all the time, fantastic meals in formal dinning rooms or just hit the buffet. Free shows, free movies, entertainment of all sorts, a casino, swimming pools, hot tubs, putting greens, tennis, ping pong.

All free.

There really is something for everyone. There are contests at the pools, bingo for those so

inclined, art auctions, dancing lessons, and demonstrations of ice carving and even juggling bartenders. Don’t worry about missing those important emails, because all the ships have internet cafes now. The last cruise I was on, I had wireless internet in my room.

For the ladies there is always an elegant spa and all kinds of beauty treatments available. My wife really enjoys getting a foot massage after a long shore excursion…in preparation for the evenings dancing. You can even do your shopping on board, since there are a number of stores on the ship selling everything from clothing to jewelry. And be sure to bring some formal gowns for the formal nights on the ship. Formal nights are your chance to wear all that new jewelry and those new shoes with your new gown.

There are different kinds of cruises and quite a few cruise lines to choose from. Some cruise lines

are known for having superior service, some for lower costs, and some for catering to kids. There are destination cruises where the main thing is seeing the sights at the ports of call. Then there are party cruises that tend to be populated by younger couples and the destinations are less important than the activities and partying. There are also specialty cruises that cater to gay couples and singles etc.

The destinations and shore excursions can be a very important part of the cruise experience. You can find cruises that take you darned near everywhere you could ever want to go. I’ve seen everything from the pyramids of Egypt to the Great Wall of China by going on cruises. And my wife and I have ridden ATV’s through the jungle, swam with dolphins, and went tubing in underground caves…all on just one cruise!

So if you want to visit Harrods department store in London, walk on the Great Wall of China, see the ancient Greek ruins at Ephesus, or visit Red Square in Moscow, and you want to do it in style, choose a cruise. No unpacking and repacking, no strange food unless you really want it, and great service 24 hours a day. It’s about as close to a worry free vacation as you can get.

For those of us who want to be pampered and spoiled and see the world at the same time you just can’t beat a cruise ship vacation.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/for-many-people-cruising-is-the-best-way-to-see-the-world-391733.html

About the Author William Lund is an inventor and webmaster with over a dozen patents and a number of websites. His business website dealing with making money with your website is: Website Marketing and SEO Mr. Lund is an avid cruiser as well and has website devoted to his cruise vacation experiences. Cruises R Fun