Travelling can be a life-changing experience for you especially if you do it with a mission. A meaningful travel experience can give you a lifelong lesson and help you build a better version of yourself through what you see and learn. One of the best ways to travel is to embrace a mindset of a local. It means you see and do things like the locals do.
Travelling like a local and enhance your experience
Immerse in your own trip by blending in with the locals and going with the flow. Try to see and do things the way locals do. It makes big differences than when you explore the place like a tourist. Embracing a mindset of a local can be fun and exhilarating. Get yourself immersed in your trip more with these tips:
Always be prepared by planning ahead
Even though you plan on going with the flow, you still need to make preparation for your trip. To immerse yourself in the trip and blend in with the locals, you need to do a research about your destination. Learn more about their culture and customs, and have an idea of what you’d like to see each day. Hence, you will have a direction, purpose, and confidence to enjoy each day of the trip.
Try to appear less like a tourist
Blend in more with the locals by dressing yourself like one. Keep your wardrobe with neutral colors, avoid wearing excessive jewelry, and stay practical and comfortable with your dressing choice.
Show your confidence
Scammers and aggressive people like timid tourists. Therefore, try to appear more confident even if your inside is full of doubt or fear. Also, keep in mind that you don’t owe other anything so don’t be afraid to say no. You can just shake your head if you don’t agree or not interested in a item and move along.
Keep your guidebook stashed away
Guidebooks are useful to help you get around new places. However, reading them while exploring the place will only make you look like a tourist. Hence, it is better to keep stashed it away and read it in advance instead. You can read it during your flight or at night in your hotel room. You may also read it while having coffee break or lunch in a cafe. However, avoid doing it while walking down the street.
Use public transportation or just walk
Most locals walk or use public transportation to get around. Hence, do the same when you are getting around exploring various places. Public transportation are cheap, efficient, and convenient. Also, it allows you a taste of how the locals go about their everyday lives.
Try local dishes
To travel like a local you need to eat like a local too. Hence, build a courage to try various local dishes during your visit instead of heading to global franchise. Take a chance with the local delicacies (even if they look a bit weird sometimes) and stretch your taste buds.
