⌐ 1996 by Bob Martin and the Geotravel Research Center, 160 Fiesta Dr., Kissimmee, FL 34743, e-mail: geotrvlr@aol.com
((Reprinted from the GEOTRAVELER newsletter. For a free catalog of geotravel publications, e-mail post office address for paper version or e-mail address for electronic version to geotrvlr@aol.com))
Arriving in a small, dusty village in 1840s India, Abdullah would head straight for the local market. An itinerant merchant, he would set up shop with his trays of dates, sweetmeats, ginger and tobacco. The polite, young vendor's generous portions attracted customers who did not mind his steady stream of questions.
Sometimes Abdullah's wares were fine linens, calicoes and muslins, which he only sold when he had to. Rather than selling, Abdullah bragged of his merchandise - and asked endless questions.
Despite being a stranger, Abdullah would plunge right into the heart of village life. Seeing a house filled with music and guests, he would boldly walk through the door. Abdullah felt a clean turban and a polite bow were as good as an invitation. Usually he was welcomed.
The Indian villagers who met Abdullah undoubtedly thought some of his habits a bit strange, especially his questions. But they credited his behavior - and the fact that he spoke with an accent and mispronounced some words - to his claim that he was from Persia.
But Abdullah spoke with an accent not because he was Persian, but because he was English, an officer in the British army.
That army officer was Richard Francis Burton, who would go on to achieve fame as an African explorer.
Burton's passion was learning the ways of other cultures. While stationed in India, he sought to learn more about local life, so he took to roaming the towns and countryside disguised as the merchant Abdullah. He stained his skin with henna, wore native clothes, grew a long beard, let his hair grow to shoulder length and learned the language.
In the 150 years since Burton's efforts to meet and get to know the local people, the world has gotten smaller. And today's inquisitive foreign travelers do not have to resort to Burton's tactics to get in touch with local life.
Still, being a stranger in a strange land does make it difficult to make the acquaintance of the natives. But there are some steps you can take to increase the likelihood you'll meet some of the local people. Here's 10 of them:
1) Learn as much of the language as you can. Granted, many around the world speak English, but the better your language skills the better your chances of meeting the people.
2) Do what the locals do. Attend a local worship service, especially if it fits your religious affiliation. Sports fans should go to a local sporting event. You'll be surrounded by enthusiastic fans who share your interests. Take part in local recreation. Visit a fair or carnival. Stroll through the park when its filled with families. Use local transportation. Take a bus, tram or train instead of a taxi.
3) Shop in the local stores, especially smaller shops. Drop in on the central market. Visit the neighborhood grocery store.
4) Get off the beaten path. Go beyond the tourist areas. Explore residential neighborhoods, small towns and rural communities. With a slower pace than a large city, rural folks will be more likely to take the time to talk with you.
5) Forgo large hotels in favor of smaller guest houses and pensions.
6) Contact your local university to see about hosting a foreign exchange student. More than likely the student will offer to reciprocate your hospitality should you visit his or her country.
7) As a traveler you have a handy conversation starter. Ask a local person - shopkeeper, fellow bus or train passenger, those seated at the next table in an outdoor cafe - for directions or information. If you want to stretch the conversation, make sure the person you approach appears to have time to talk with you.
8) Drop in at the local tourist office to ask if they have a program that helps travelers meet the local citizens. These programs typically arrange for you to visit a local home for a few evening hours of conversation. Generally, your host will speak English, so language will not be a problem. German tourist offices, for example, accomplish this with their "In Dialogue" program. Among other countries with similar programs are India, Japan and Jamaica.
9) Consider a home exchange, where you swap residences for a few weeks with someone in a foreign country. Swapping homes can put you right into a neighborhood. And in some cases homeowners have even provided their guests with introductions to the neighbors.
Contact: Intervac, P.O. Box 590504, San Francisco, CA 94159, telephone 800-756-4663 or 415-435-3497; HomeLink USA, P.O. Box 650, Key West, FL 33041, telephone 800-638-3841.
10) Join a homestay organization such as Servas or the Friendship Force. They arrange for members to stay for free in the homes of people worldwide. Hosts are motivated by their enjoyment in meeting and talking with foreigners.
Contact: Servas, 11 John St., New York, NY 10038, telephone 212-267-0252; Friendship Force, 1 CNN Tower, 575 S. Tower, Atlanta, GA 30303, telephone 404-522-9490.
