I’ve visited well-known tourist attractions around the world. But for me, the authentic local experiences and out-of-the-way quirky places are some of the great joys of traveling.
Traveling near Knoxville a friend and I visited the Museum of Appalachia. In one small cabin, a guitar player sprawled on a hand-carved wooden chair as his sausage-like fingers flew. The fiddle player broke into a jig, playing all the while. A tall, stately woman played banjo and sang with a soft twang. Although there were only three of us in their audience, they played as if they were at the Grand Ole Opry.
At the end of each song, we applauded enthusiastically. My friend asked about their instruments and some of the songs. The fiddle player tipped his hat in appreciation and said, “You gals should go over to the Lake View Inn tonight.” He went on, “Every Monday they have a pickin’ session. It’s great fun.” That’s how we ended up at a free, impromptu concert, in a motel dining room. On stage (in front of the salad bar) amateur and professional musicians played for hours to an exuberant audience.
What is the secret to finding unusual places? Talk with locals who share your interests. That can be jazz, firefighting, baseball, antiquing, or just about anything. I’m drawn to crafts, especially artists’ studios. I’m a sucker for gardens, puppets, and anything that hints at bizarre. A smile and genuine interest get people to open up. Asking specifically for tips can lead to amazing finds.
Eat like a local. Go to the local grocery store or farmers’ market and be adventurous. If a shopkeeper offers you a slice of cheese, try it. You may not like it, but then again you may find out that fresh sheep’s milk cheese is scrumptious. In Lombok, Indonesia I was offered a piece of durian, the well-known “stinky fruit.” I managed to get it past my nose and discovered it is creamy and sweet. Go to that small neighborhood restaurant. Order the foods you can’t ever find at home. In Tibet I ate a cheeseburger made from yak meat and yak cheese, accompanied by yak butter tea.
In many cities around the world, there are services, like “Eat With” that allow you to have dinner with a local family. You’ll enjoy typical cuisine and get to hear about the city from people who call the place home. While you’re with the family, ask for suggestions of other places to eat and visit. People love to talk about their hometowns and share their favorite haunts. I’ve had some of my most memorable meals at hole-in-the-wall places I’d never have found on my own. They may also clue you into a wonderful concert in a local church. Perhaps you’ll discover a local pub with great fiddle music, a local festival, or the most scenic walking trail in the area.
Take a cooking class. You’ll get a tour of the local market with someone knowledgeable about the unique foods of the region. I’ve learned to prepare quick kimchi in Korea, mole sauce in Mexico, pad thai in Thailand, jambalaya in New Orleans. You’ll get some hands-on experience, a great meal, and recipes to take home.
If you’re on a road trip, take it slow. Go on back roads and wander aimlessly. Turn off the GPS for a few hours. While I’ve been “lost” I’ve found pristine beaches, diners straight out of the 50s, a vineyard and winery that wasn’t listed in any guidebook, plus gorgeous scenery. At one produce stand, I got into a conversation with the farmer’s wife who insisted I sample every variety of heritage apple and tomato they grew, while she told me about the origins of the seeds. Be prepared to slam on the brakes and make U-turns if you spot something, you just never know what you’ll find.
Pick up a local newspaper, especially the weekend section. You may learn about local events far off the radar of guidebooks. I’ve discovered artist studio crawls, parades, food festivals, a midnight bonfire complete with “true” ghost stories told by the town’s historian, a naturalist tour of local tidepools, and more.
If you see something out of the corner of your eye or hear something interesting go investigate. In Hokkaido in northern Japan, we heard the insistent sound of drumbeats. That led us to a parade with costumed groups of marchers competing for trophies. Strolling around Montreal at Halloween led us to crowds of costumed people partying. A small sign in rural Pennsylvania led me to one of the outrageous salvage stores I’ve ever seen, complete with life-sized dinosaur and penguin sculptures.
By the way, if you’re traveling internationally, speaking the local language isn’t a necessity for getting connected. I speak only English fluently; fortunately, in most parts of the world, someone will speak at least some English. Students are sometimes happy to act as impromptu guides in exchange for a chance to practice with a native speaker. In Indonesia, two students befriended me, showed me their town, walked me through rice paddies to see a cloud of bats emerge from a cave at dusk. Then they invited me home to meet their family and have dinner with them.
After you’ve seen the must-see sights, lose the guidebooks. Be inquisitive, be flexible, and chat up with everyone you meet. There’s a world of hidden gems out there waiting to be discovered.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Gershowitz, author of Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust, has been traveling since age 17 when she boarded a plane to Europe and stayed there for three years. She has since traveled to more than 90 countries, experiencing countless bold, once-in-a-lifetime adventures: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, trekking atop an elephant in Thailand, hiking in the blistering heat of the Moroccan desert—and much more. While studying ceramics as an undergraduate at the Kansas City Art Studio, Karen proposed and received a grant to photograph ceramics studios, potters, and their work throughout Japan. She later built a career as a marketing strategist and researcher with companies that sent her around the globe to conduct focus groups, interviews, and meetings. She lives in New York City but is a citizen of the world.
Kristine Decena is a professional editor with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in editing food and drink, footwear, clothing, and other lifestyle content. She has worked for such notable companies as The New York Times Company, Food Network Magazine, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., Hearst Corporation and Condé Nast International. Kristine is a graduate of Ohio University where she obtained degrees in English Literature and Journalism before embarking on her career as an editor.
