For most of us, vacations are usually comprised of discount hotel rooms, long drives through scenic countryside and pictures of famous landmarks while on our way to our actual destinations. When visiting another state, city, or even continent we make sure to get the optimal experience by booking the best (and most affordable) housing we can find—preferably the one closest to the nearest Starbucks — and take thousands of selfies in front of breathtaking sights. However, though I’m not an avid vacationer, the best travel experience of my life thus far has been the one where I immersed myself entirely in a new culture and lifestyle. As a result, my vacation became more of an adventure than a tourist bucket list fulfillment. Rather than staying in a hotel, I stay with friends who are natives to the place I’m visiting and I have seen and experienced a whole new way of living and I have to say… it’s amazing. Therefore, I want to share some of the main benefits from immersing one’s self into a whole new culture rather than snapping a photo from a distance.
Living with friends native to the place you’re visiting
As a graduation present to my best friend from college, my sister and I agreed to visit her in her hometown—or island I guess is more accurate—in Kauai, Hawaii. I never thought I’d ever go to Hawaii, but before I knew it the tickets were booked, we were on the plane, and I was picking up our bag at the baggage claim. I don’t think the experience would be half as spectacular if I had not stayed with my friend. My sister and I share a room down the hall from her, we eat rice and eggs for breakfast with her family and we explore their many sun-kissed beaches through snorkeling, walking, or hiking. Many memories have been made—my favorite being our near encounter with a wild sea lion—but what makes them so special is the immersive aspect to them. By not staying in a hotel or resort with remarkable customer service, I have been invited to experience what it is like to live in Kauai, Hawaii. By taking me into her home, my friend is not only showing me the real Hawaiian lifestyle, but a peek into her heart as well. And every minute has been more beautiful than the last.
Eating local and ethnic foods
Since coming to Hawaii I have had the supreme pleasure of eating all kinds of delicious food. One of the disadvantages of staying in a resort closest to the nearest familiar food option, is it doesn’t really force you to try something new. Living with my friend I have had the privilege of eating two bowls of Portuguese bean soup, sample local shave ice, and eat a traditional Hawaiian sponge pastry all of which was extremely tasty. During most of my vacations I avoided ethnic foods by ordering room service or packing self-made lunches. However, I was denying myself the full experience of the culture that currently surrounded me. One of best ways to fully immerse yourself into another culture is not by reading about it or trying to become fluent in their native language through Rosetta Stone, it’s by sharing their meals.
The lasting experience
I have learned more on this trip alone than on any other vacation I have taken combined. By living with my friend, asking questions, sharing their food, and meeting her family I have tasted what it is like to be a Hawaiian. I wasn’t another tourist snapping photos of landmarks and ignoring trivia spouted by an impersonal guide. I walked on the beaches, explored reefs, and tasted the local foods sold by neighbors of my friend. I awoke to the sound of roosters crowing nearby each day and hiked through breathtaking trails that led to even more stunning shorelines. I now have the unforgettable experience of getting to live in Hawaii. In my opinion, what makes the experience of a vacation last is how and with whom we spend it with. Immersing ourselves into the culture as much as possible will undoubtedly make the experience unforgettable. So if you are invited into someone else’s world, don’t turn it down. Eat with them. Sleep in their home. Meet their neighbors. Learn their slang and explore their landscapes. Feel the soil between your toes and look at the sky from their point of view. You may discover how sometimes something different can be more beautiful than the familiar. Mahalo!
