Comments on: 4 Ways to Escape the Tourist Bubble

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:39:50 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, Ted. That’s a keen insight. Perhaps we travel as an attempt to dispel the feelings of fear and unknown that shroud distant places. Ultimately, we feel more connected to other cultures around the globe when we’ve had the opportunity to find our common ground.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:37:57 +0000

Hey Marta – I’m considering working in some of the locally-common professions. It might be more of a job shadow in some places.

By: Ted

Ted — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:16:44 +0000

I like the comment about party with the people. I noticed when I traveled to SE Asia that many travelers treated the locals like their personal waiters and never really tried to get to know the locals. Many do take the next step to getting off the beaten path and “live like the locals”, but then curiously make no attempt to get to actually know the locals. For me the most enriching part of travel is meeting people from different areas and getting to know them for a short time. It is interesting because after awhile you find that they are not much different from you. We are all human and have the same fears, wants, hopes and it is a comfort to find for some reason that people in Thailand or Cambodia although very different in some ways are the same.

By: marta

marta — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:39:26 +0000

i think working could definetly help you mixed with the locals except if you are doing so in a hostel where i guess a lot of foreign would work there, maybe better consider another place of work or volunteer

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:22:57 +0000

Great point! Are you finding that expat communities also help you to understand the local culture? Do you feel expats contribute to “doing as the locals do” or insulate you from it?

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:16:33 +0000

Building on your work suggestion we have found here in Camnodia that the expat community is a great way to connect and get outside the tourist bubble. They take you to great local restaurants, inform you on local prices and have great insight on the culture. Cambodia is unique with it’s many NGOs and Private Sector businesses, but we plan on reaching out to other expat communities as we travel. As one last benefit they often have opportunities for you to volunteer your professional skills. Many need help with marketing or other professional skills. Sometimes it feels good to work your mind when trave traveling.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:44:00 +0000

Yep, that hasn’t escaped my attention

By: Gray

Gray — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:54:13 +0000

Well done, Keith. You offer some good ideas for getting beyond the usual tourist experience. The other plus of all of these is that you should save (and perhaps even earn!) some money by going this route. .-= Gray´s last blog ..Snapshot of San Juan: Cat City =-.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:41:59 +0000

Hey Catia – I agree 100% that having some handle on the language is really important. Good suggestion!

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:41:12 +0000

Too few of us are proficient in sheep shearing Meeting people is one of the main reasons why I’d sign on for some work. Working with others in a typical job is a bee line to getting to know how the people think, play, live.