There is no doubt that the most cherished travel memories are created when you get to be as local as you can in a foreign land. After spending a month in Vietnam, I had almost begun to feel like a local. From the local coffee and food to travelling in public buses and understanding some common words, I had the privilege of briefly being a citizen of that other country by living like them. Here’s how you can do the same on your next adventure.
Eat where locals dine – This is a common enough tip when you need to find a decent restaurant to dine in amongst the hundreds on offer at any given place. Choosing a place that locals frequent tells you that the establishment has found favour with its biggest target audience and is a safe bet. But eating where locals dine also offers you the chance to pick up on dishes that you would otherwise simply miss out on. Local restaurants cater to the specific region of a country and it is fascinating to see how customised dishes get according to region. All in all, a foolproof way to meet locals and learn about their food.
Visit a religious shrine – Most people look at ticking off landmarks when they are travelling. This is not a bad idea per se but to really learn about the locals, you must make time to go to their religious shrines. I took the liberty of spending an extra day in Saigon simply to take an excursion to the Chinese quarter of Cholon. The heavy incense of the shrines mixed with learning about their sea deities and other legends as well as partaking in the Vietnamese way of worshipping was an experience like none other.
Use public transport – One early morning at Hue, I was standing in queue at a petrol pump with my bike with other locals before they rushed off to their workplaces while I set off on a tour of the ancient city’s famed royal tombs. I used public buses to get around Hanoi and ferries, the underground Metro and public buses made so much sense in Hong Kong. It also helped me see how locals travel and live a small part of my life like they do. There is something about public transport that is conducive to travel that I hope you experience it on your next trip.
Find your sweet spot – Every new city is different. But to blend in is easy. You can explore on your first day and find a café or a restaurant that feels like it matches with your personality. The next day, go there and watch the locals go by their business. Strike up a conversation if the opportunity arises. Make friends with the owner or waiter so that someone in a strange city knows you by your name. Watch in fascination as your world expands through the local connections you make from this one place.
Tour the local market – No other place is as lively as a market. The entire local populace can be found in a local market and a stroll through such a market is one of the best ways of seeing the items people buy, the way traders the world over haggle and entice consumers. The shared intimacy of a market allows you to breathe in the smells of a country, it gives you the freedom to watch the motions of people from all walks of life, it shows you the preference of locals from the variety on offer and gives a perspective of a land like nothing else can. You don’t even have to buy anything. Just be there are peak hour and enjoy the madness of the market. It will open your eyes in more ways than one. Take my word for it.
