Travel for me is always highlighted by experiences like these as much as by sightseeing. The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking pieces of architecture I’ve ever witnessed, but my trip to Turkey was equally memorable for the day I received an overly-rigorous Turkish massage and was invited to a dinner at the home of a family I met on a ferry on the Bosphorus.
I love getting around on local modes of travel – from public buses to tuktuks – as they regularly lead to entertaining and interesting situations, often more so than a ride in a taxi will do. This always seems to be a good way to meet and talk to the locals, as well, which can give me insight and perspective on the culture of a place as much as its historical artefacts might.
For these reasons, I tend to prefer to see fewer destinations on a trip and spend more time in each, rather than trying to hit as many locations as possible. This additional time allows me to get to know the personality of a place much better.
A relaxed schedule also means I don’t have to fret about the time wasted when I inevitably get lost on a subway system in a country where I can’t read the language.
I relish the opportunity to see and experience things that are truly new and different for me, as well as the chance to slip outside of my comfort zone. The thrill that comes from the first time that I order a coffee in a foreign language, and they actually understand me. These are my favourite things about travel. A nice, foreign brewpub never hurts either.
