I will go for my first solo one-month this May. How do I deal with such cultures and make friends with them? In my previous trip, I met an American and he was friendly. So, I barely notice about such cultures. 🙂
]]>Now that is one of the reasons Perth is my favorite place in Australia. The level of friendliness is second to none.
]]>I’m leaving very soon! Don’t worry!
]]>But still, it became addictive the ease to strike up conversations and meet new people. Of the places I’ve traveled, normal Argentine life is the closest I’ve experienced that resembles the traveling life. It’s in the onda.
Conversely, 7 weeks is far too long to stay in the States, Matt. The normal life in the States is the least like traveling of any country I’ve ever lived.
I hope you get to leave soon.
]]>Matt,
Have already commented on your top article but after a few weeks in Colombia I had some more thoughts. Back at home we have a phrase “you don’t get anything for nothing”. At base a lot of people (myself included in the past) have a tendency to think that if someone helps you or gives you something they will certainly want something in return. However, during my travels I have turned this totally on its head. Am currently travelling alone through Colombia and the people here are incredible. They actually WANT to help others. They want that I go back to my country with a good impression of their beautiful country. And what is more..they want nothing in return. This can be anything from advice on how to get to a site, to sharing local food with me in buses, to giving me a lift when the bus is cancelled, to inviting me to their houses just to chat…I actually was so impressed by the difference in attitude in the buses etc that I wrote an article about this comparing it to what would happen in Scotland if you spoke to people in the buses!!!! Obviously people are different and there are totally awesome kind people back home as well but somehow when travelling those peoplecometo the fore instead of those who look at you strangely if you say “hi how are you” to a stranger. It is certainly something I will take back to Scotland with me and at the very least if I learn this through my travel it will be a good travel!
Thanks for your thought provoking article Matt.
Angie