Tomb

Getting to intimately know the people who live there can enhance travel in foreign countries. For the average traveller, this is not always as easy as it sounds. There may be difficulties with language, customs, roadblocks, interrogation and dysentery that prevent a true engagement with the indigenous populace.

One solution is to offer to “buy” one of the local people's “time.” This might seem a strange thing to do, but it's actually very common. In many parts of the world you won't even have to make the offer yourself — you may find yourself being asked for money (in exchange for “time”) as soon as you step off your plane or boat.

The quality of your experiences may vary. A rough rule of thumb is the more money you spend, the better the quality.

You should not expect to dictate the exact nature of your “crash course” in local culture. While you may be keenly interested in learning about historical monuments, your “guide” may have something else in mind. Sometimes you may find your “host” is quite shy about certain subjects and not the least bit shy about others. Occasionally there may be no dialogue at all — your intercourse might even be of an intensely physical nature.

No matter the exact nature of the event, there is still no better way to learn about a foreign land than through direct contact with its people. You'll experience the sights, tastes and smells in a way that a “safe” package tour can't hope to match. You can almost guarantee that you'll be bringing home that little special something “extra” from your trip!

Bon voyage!