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| Off The Beaten Path, Ubud, Bali |
Have An "Off The Beaten Path" Experience!
While trying to be safe, you might feel like you should
stay on the beaten path, attend only advertised events,
and always stick with a group. This approach is a mistake.
You can have far more fun with authentic,
down to earth experiences, if you put yourself out a little
and try some of tips below. A trip is always more interesting
if you get a personal invitation to a family event, whether it
be to dinner at their home, a wedding, a funeral (Bali
cremation ceremony) or a trip to the market to buy durian or
mangosteen.
As a plus, when you finally return home, you will hopefully
have fascinating stories to tell your friends and family.
Always, use common sense for safety, but don't be afraid of
walking down a back road or of talking to strangers.
After years of traveling, I've come up with the best tips I can
think to meet the locals and to get interesting invitations.
I have tried all of them and of course, I'm always looking for
more ideas.
Travel Tips Useful In Bali And All Locations:
Remember that in Bali, it is a culture where people are
friendly and polite, but also can be timid and sensitive. Try to
speak softly, to be gentle and to be respectful, as much as you
can. Use similar gestures as in the country you are visiting.
The Balinese sometimes like to fold their hands together as
in prayer when they are greeting or saying good bye to one
another.
While trying to be safe, you might feel like you should
stay on the beaten path, attend only advertised events,
and always stick with a group. This approach is a mistake.
You can have far more fun with authentic,
down to earth experiences, if you put yourself out a little
and try some of tips below. A trip is always more interesting
if you get a personal invitation to a family event, whether it
be to dinner at their home, a wedding, a funeral (Bali
cremation ceremony) or a trip to the market to buy durian or
mangosteen.
As a plus, when you finally return home, you will hopefully
have fascinating stories to tell your friends and family.
Always, use common sense for safety, but don't be afraid of
walking down a back road or of talking to strangers.
After years of traveling, I've come up with the best tips I can
think to meet the locals and to get interesting invitations.
I have tried all of them and of course, I'm always looking for
more ideas.
Travel Tips Useful In Bali And All Locations:
Remember that in Bali, it is a culture where people are
friendly and polite, but also can be timid and sensitive. Try to
speak softly, to be gentle and to be respectful, as much as you
can. Use similar gestures as in the country you are visiting.
The Balinese sometimes like to fold their hands together as
in prayer when they are greeting or saying good bye to one
another.
1. Learn a few phrases in the native language.
Greet everyone as you go walking along the streets, or
are having a bite to eat, or are taking a ride on public
transportation.
A few phrases will make you popular with the locals,
will show that you are interested in the culture, and they
are good conversation openers.
Below are some of my favorite Indonesian sayings that are
guaranteed to get the right kind of attention: If you are in
another country, use these same phrases, but of course in the
correct language. The time it takes to learn a few phrases is
time well spent! Write them down and carry them around,
while you are learning them.
will show that you are interested in the culture, and they
are good conversation openers.
Below are some of my favorite Indonesian sayings that are
guaranteed to get the right kind of attention: If you are in
another country, use these same phrases, but of course in the
correct language. The time it takes to learn a few phrases is
time well spent! Write them down and carry them around,
while you are learning them.
I used this site before my trip and there are many more:
Learn Indonesian With Free Videos
Terima Kasih….thank you
Selamat pagi......good morning
Selamat malam......good evening
Sampai jumpa nanti….see you later
Apa kabar…..how are you?
Baik baik…..fine
Saya nama…..my name is..
Jalan jalan……the path or the road
also means, "walking walking"…..a good
response when Balinese ask, 'Where are you going?'
response when Balinese ask, 'Where are you going?'
Mimpi manis…..sweet dreams
Enak sekali…..delicious
Cukup bayi.......pretty baby
(don't make a mistake, like I did)
I once pointed to a lady's baby, while smiling and
said, "cukup babi" - meaning.... pretty pig!!
Cukup bayi.......pretty baby
(don't make a mistake, like I did)
I once pointed to a lady's baby, while smiling and
said, "cukup babi" - meaning.... pretty pig!!
2. Look like they do....Do what they do.
If possible, try to mirror the other person and the culture, so
that they will feel comfortable being around you and you
appear to be one of them.
Try to dress as much as possible as the people do. The last
thing you want to do is to stand out, looking like an ugly tourist.
In Bali, buy a sarong and scarf on day one. Either wear them or
carry them in a small backpack wherever you go, so that your
will be ready for any spontaneous ceremonies.
When you see the Balinese walking with offerings on their
heads, follow the procession, because they are going to the
temple. Be sure to put the sarong and scarf on before entering
the temple and avoid being disrespectful.
If possible, try to mirror the other person and the culture, so
that they will feel comfortable being around you and you
appear to be one of them.
Try to dress as much as possible as the people do. The last
thing you want to do is to stand out, looking like an ugly tourist.
In Bali, buy a sarong and scarf on day one. Either wear them or
carry them in a small backpack wherever you go, so that your
will be ready for any spontaneous ceremonies.
When you see the Balinese walking with offerings on their
heads, follow the procession, because they are going to the
temple. Be sure to put the sarong and scarf on before entering
the temple and avoid being disrespectful.
Men or women: Pluck a flower off one of the many flowering
bushes or frangipani trees or even a fresh one that has fallen on
the ground. Then tuck the flower behind your ear or place it in
your hair. The Balinese are especially amused if you are a man
and do this, since it means you have been praying
and have returned from the temple.
3. Pack a few donations from home.
Bring them to non-profit organizations of your choice,
including a medical clinic, an orphanage or handicapped
center.
Share with children, waiters, waitresses, hotel staff, tour guides
and the elderly.
Bring stickers, small toys, candies, chocolates.
Before my departure, I ordered hundreds of stickers, that
were colorful, glittery, jungle animals, popping eyes, and little
valentines. Since I could not find that many children to give
hundreds of stickers to, I started to use them for adults. I would
leave them as a surprise with the restaurant tip, or leave them in
random places. Surprisingly, the adults seem just as happy to
receive stickers as the kids are.
were colorful, glittery, jungle animals, popping eyes, and little
valentines. Since I could not find that many children to give
hundreds of stickers to, I started to use them for adults. I would
leave them as a surprise with the restaurant tip, or leave them in
random places. Surprisingly, the adults seem just as happy to
receive stickers as the kids are.
Be respectful of the culture
Carefully choose what to bring.
For example, personally I would not bring toy soldiers dolls
loaded up with guns or bags of sexy blonde Barbie dolls.
For this, you will have to use your own judgment.
The donations will give you a foot in the door and the Balinese
are always open to showing you around and answering your
questions.
Avoid custom problems:
Don't bring any items that customs might think are brought it to
start a business, such as electronics. They will confiscate them
from you.
I once brought a suitcase of donated prescriptions, antibiotics,
medicines for high blood pressure and cardiac, vitamins, etc.
They were very suspicious of me and my suitcase contents.....
something to do with illegal drugs perhaps?
Plus, not all the donations met the requirements of having an
expiration date of 6 months out. Therefore they took the entire
suitcase and I never saw it again.
4..Stash away some picture postcards from your home city.
If there is someone you like or someone who has given good
service, write them a thank you note on the back of a picture
postcard from home and include your email address.
5. Always ask permission first and take photos
of people / children.Then have them developed at the local
photo shop. You might even choose one photo to enlarge
and buy a frame or photo album. Then deliver them to the
same person who originally posed for you. They will be'
surprised, love it and appreciate your gesture. They may
even tape it to their wall at home and remember you forever.
of people / children.Then have them developed at the local
photo shop. You might even choose one photo to enlarge
and buy a frame or photo album. Then deliver them to the
same person who originally posed for you. They will be'
surprised, love it and appreciate your gesture. They may
even tape it to their wall at home and remember you forever.
6. Tell everyone you meet that you are interested in events.
Such as ceremonies, family events, sport events, etc.
Eventually someone will know of something interesting
happenings. Most ceremonies are scheduled on auspicious
days set by the Balinese calendar or during the full moon
If you overhear someone talking about an event, ask them
about it and say, "May I come?" Most of the time, they will
say, "of course".
Such as ceremonies, family events, sport events, etc.
Eventually someone will know of something interesting
happenings. Most ceremonies are scheduled on auspicious
days set by the Balinese calendar or during the full moon
If you overhear someone talking about an event, ask them
about it and say, "May I come?" Most of the time, they will
say, "of course".
7. Bring a few photos from home.
of your family, your pet dog or cat, the front of your home or '
your work place. The Balinese love to see how you live and
they are very family oriented. Chances are, most the Balinese
will never be able to afford to leave the island.
8. Make an effort to smile.
Smile at everyone and everywhere with all that you
encounter. Put yourself out there and will see a positive
effect.
9. Reach out online.
Try www.couchsurfing.com if you'd like to be hosted by
a local person and are willing to sleep on their couch.
They may show you some little out of the way restaurants
and introduce you to their family.
Try www.servas.org which is an international, non-profit,
non-government organization that focuses on hosting for
friendship and peace.
Try www.meetup.com for local events.
But be aware that some of these sites may hook you up with
other travelers instead of with the locals.
10. Travel slowly.
Take your time. Take a month off .....(take a year off!) and
consider planting roots in one or two locations. When people
repeatedly see your face, they begin to trust it. Since getting to
know the locals can take a little time, don't fly in and rush out
too quickly. Instead, do your best to chill out and relax for
awhile.
11. Look on local bulletin boards.
Check for unannounced events, grand openings, gatherings, etc.
You don't know what you'll find until you look.
12. Always be curious, inquisitive and ask questions!
Once I took an evening Bali walk and saw in the ditch that a pig
was being slaughtered with the insides being pulled out of the
belly.I've always loved anatomy and physiology, so that in itself
was fascinating for me.
But as I moved closer and began watching with enthusiasm, one of
the men said that the pig was being prepared for his daughter's
wedding the very next day. I was friendly and curious, asking a few
uestions. Then guess what happened?
I received an invitation to the wedding as a special guest and it was
an awesome Balinese event. Of course, it might have been a
problem if I was vegetarian, but I'm not. And it was no surprise that
almost all the dishes contained pork.
Events like these are happening all the time, everywhere and by
following few tips, it will increase your luck!
I am always looking for new tips.
If you have any.....please share them!
of your family, your pet dog or cat, the front of your home or '
your work place. The Balinese love to see how you live and
they are very family oriented. Chances are, most the Balinese
will never be able to afford to leave the island.
8. Make an effort to smile.
Smile at everyone and everywhere with all that you
encounter. Put yourself out there and will see a positive
effect.
9. Reach out online.
Try www.couchsurfing.com if you'd like to be hosted by
a local person and are willing to sleep on their couch.
They may show you some little out of the way restaurants
and introduce you to their family.
Try www.servas.org which is an international, non-profit,
non-government organization that focuses on hosting for
friendship and peace.
Try www.meetup.com for local events.
But be aware that some of these sites may hook you up with
other travelers instead of with the locals.
10. Travel slowly.
Take your time. Take a month off .....(take a year off!) and
consider planting roots in one or two locations. When people
repeatedly see your face, they begin to trust it. Since getting to
know the locals can take a little time, don't fly in and rush out
too quickly. Instead, do your best to chill out and relax for
awhile.
11. Look on local bulletin boards.
Check for unannounced events, grand openings, gatherings, etc.
You don't know what you'll find until you look.
12. Always be curious, inquisitive and ask questions!
Once I took an evening Bali walk and saw in the ditch that a pig
was being slaughtered with the insides being pulled out of the
belly.I've always loved anatomy and physiology, so that in itself
was fascinating for me.
.jpg) |
| Roasting pig for a celebration |
the men said that the pig was being prepared for his daughter's
wedding the very next day. I was friendly and curious, asking a few
uestions. Then guess what happened?
I received an invitation to the wedding as a special guest and it was
an awesome Balinese event. Of course, it might have been a
problem if I was vegetarian, but I'm not. And it was no surprise that
almost all the dishes contained pork.
Events like these are happening all the time, everywhere and by
following few tips, it will increase your luck!
I am always looking for new tips.
If you have any.....please share them!
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