Meeting the locals
Jun 3rd 2003, 11:42 am
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
In article , Mxsmanic
wrote:
> You really don't learn anything about "the locals" unless you
> actually live in a country for a substantial amount of time.
>
It ain't necessarily so...8-)
Someone has already mentioned homestays. You can learn an incredible
amount about a locality in a surprizingly short time if you're staying
with a family with roots in the area. Of course, you really ought to be
able to speak the language for this to work really well.
--
Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar)
Erilar's Cave Annex:
http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo
wrote:
> You really don't learn anything about "the locals" unless you
> actually live in a country for a substantial amount of time.
>
It ain't necessarily so...8-)
Someone has already mentioned homestays. You can learn an incredible
amount about a locality in a surprizingly short time if you're staying
with a family with roots in the area. Of course, you really ought to be
able to speak the language for this to work really well.
--
Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar)
Erilar's Cave Annex:
http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo
Jun 3rd 2003, 11:59 am
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
"Marko" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello hello,
If you look
> at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed
to
> "meet the locals"?
First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
to be a rather boring trip. Tourists have been running around Europe for
hundreds of years. Those areas which are not tourist areas are such because
they have very little to attract a tourists.
N. Moravia in the Czech Republic and neighboring Salisia in Poland are good
examples. Although both areas have occasional gems they are largely dull
industrial areas. One such Gem is Promnice in Salisia.
I have read that Moravia has
some interesting parklands for hiking.
By analogy, if one wanted to avoid tourist areas in the United States one
might go to Salina Kansas. No offense to the good people of Salina, but it
wouldn't be a very remarkable trip.
I do have some recommendations for meeting locals.
Wander away from the main tourist areas and find restaurants that serve
meals at common tables. My wife and I met nice people in Mexico, Czech
Republic and Austria this way.
Think of things that are of particular interest to you. Then look for local
organizations that are related. My father had a friend who is a WW II Vet.
He has traveled all around Europe. Wherever he goes he seeks out Veteran's
clubs. He now corresponds regularly with a dozen or so former enemies and
allies.
I was wondering down a street in Prague 4 years ago, when my eyes were drawn
to photos in a display case on the front of a building. They were WW I era
combat aircraft. I had developed an extensive interest in them through a
computer game called "Red Baron 3D". I knocked on the door. It was locked
and no one answered. But I passed it the next day and knocked again. Some
one did answer. They didn't speak English but took me upstairs to some one
who did. It was a Veterans club. There was no one there from WW I but they
had incredible scrap books. Also there was a man there who built models of
WWI planes we spent 4 hours drinking great Czech Beer and talking about the
comparative qualities of various fighters.
When we travel in the US we always look in the local paper for Pancake
Breakfasts, Spaghetti Feeds and the sort of events put on by the Local
Lions, Kiwanis or Volunteer Fire Departments. Well we ran across something
like that In Czech Republic. There was a Charity auction in Ceske Krumlov
to benefit a local Children's Hospital. Now we have friends in Ceske
Krumlov.
Don't do what all the tourists do. The following adventure occurred when on
a whim we decided to take an unconventional route to a well know tourist
destination in S. Bohemia.
We were going to a small town in Bohemia called Rozmberk nad Vltavou. There
is an ancient castle there that we wanted to see. You can see that castle at
.
The recommended route to Rozmberk, CR from Wein, Austria is to take a train
or bus to Cesky Budejovice then a bus to Rozmberk. That is a trip of about 6
1/2 hours. However in the interest of adventure I had decided to take the
road less traveled. We were to go by train through Linz Austria, then to the
border town of Sommernau, over the mountains to the Czech town of Rybnice
then on to Rozmberk. Only after I got on the train in Wein did I realize
that this meant changing trains 5 times in a 5 1/2 hour trip. Each train was
progressively smaller and less comfortable. At Sommernau we boarded a single
car Czech electric train that was much like an old fashion street car.
We got off the train at the Rozmberk nad Vltavou station. There was no
platform. I climbed down from the train then lowered our bags down and then
helped Joan down. Imagine my astonishment when I looked around and could see
nothing more than the Station house and forest. No cars, no other buildings,
not even a road was visible.
A brief conversation with the stationmaster revealed there was no taxi and
the town was 4 kilometers away.
Well, there was nothing to do but to hoof it.
I walked around to the front of the station and there was the end of a mud.
However the mud was firm. So we started down the road.
Soon Joan said, "Look at this." and pointed to a used condom in the middle
of the road. I noticed another and then we noticed dozens more. I tell you
that road was nearly paved with used condoms. Surely, we concluded, this
must be the most romantic road in all the Czech Republic.
Well we went about 150 yards and came to a paved two lane highway. Traffic
was light but steady and the trucks roaring by revealed it to be a major
trade route from the Czech R. to either Germany or Austria, both being quite
near. The highway ran up hill to our left and down hill to our right. On the
other side, the Vltava River rolled along about 40 feet below the road as it
headed toward Prague to the North.
Well I didn't really know which way would lead to Rozmberk, but all other
things being equal I figure down is better than up. It was a cool and bright
sunny day, songbirds filled the air with song and all things considered it
was a perfect day for an unexpected hike.
After another Kilometer we came to an intersection where the road signs
indicated that we had chosen the right direction after all. At this point
the highway was only about 4 feet above the river. There we saw 5 fraulines
standing around 2 cars. From their immodest attire we deduced that they must
be the source of all those used condoms. They were by the Vltava River in a
pull-out along the Highway.
As we walked past them, one of them called out to us.
I couldn't believe that I was about to be propositioned by a prostitute on
the banks of the Vltava while rolling luggage along a Czech Highway through
the Bohemian Forest with my wife.
Well the "lady" called out to us again. I turned to see a Woman about 30
yards away and about 28 years of age. Her proportions were ample and her
breasts huge. This was no surmise, for her blouse was entirely open and
tucked in at the back of her very short black skirt revealing her white bra
clad bosom along with several tattoos.
Although I could not understand her it was clear she was asking me a
question.
I called back, "Wier gehen nach Rozmberk." as I pointed north through the
forest.
She laughed and held up her thumb and two fingers and called out "drie
Kilometer"
I looked at her and shrugged meaning, "It didn't really matter how far it
was. I had little choice."
She called back something. I thought I understood her gist, but one doesn't
want to make any errors in a situation like this. At least not when
accompanied by ones wife.
So I pointed at her car and asked "Taxi?"
She laughed again and said, "Jah, Taxi."
So I approached her and gestured towards my wallet which I had removed from
my pocket and she said, "670 Austrian Schillings". I only had 500 Schillings
in notes and about another 67 in coin. I presented them to her. she waved
away the coins and seemed content with the notes.
So one of their party, a blond about 21, helped us load our luggage into a
white VW Rabbit. We removed a child's car seat and teddy bear from the back
seat and she drove us to our Hotel in Rozmberk.
Our driver wore a short slit skirt, and black bicycle pants under that.
When she got into her seat I caught a glimpse of some bright red
ornamentation in her crotch. As she drove us along I asked her, "Sind Sie
Cesky?"
"Nien, Deutsch" She replied. That was the extent of our conversation.
Of course when we got to our hotel, there were two idle taxis sitting in
front of it.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
news:[email protected]...
> Hello hello,
If you look
> at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed
to
> "meet the locals"?
First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
to be a rather boring trip. Tourists have been running around Europe for
hundreds of years. Those areas which are not tourist areas are such because
they have very little to attract a tourists.
N. Moravia in the Czech Republic and neighboring Salisia in Poland are good
examples. Although both areas have occasional gems they are largely dull
industrial areas. One such Gem is Promnice in Salisia.
I have read that Moravia has
some interesting parklands for hiking.
By analogy, if one wanted to avoid tourist areas in the United States one
might go to Salina Kansas. No offense to the good people of Salina, but it
wouldn't be a very remarkable trip.
I do have some recommendations for meeting locals.
Wander away from the main tourist areas and find restaurants that serve
meals at common tables. My wife and I met nice people in Mexico, Czech
Republic and Austria this way.
Think of things that are of particular interest to you. Then look for local
organizations that are related. My father had a friend who is a WW II Vet.
He has traveled all around Europe. Wherever he goes he seeks out Veteran's
clubs. He now corresponds regularly with a dozen or so former enemies and
allies.
I was wondering down a street in Prague 4 years ago, when my eyes were drawn
to photos in a display case on the front of a building. They were WW I era
combat aircraft. I had developed an extensive interest in them through a
computer game called "Red Baron 3D". I knocked on the door. It was locked
and no one answered. But I passed it the next day and knocked again. Some
one did answer. They didn't speak English but took me upstairs to some one
who did. It was a Veterans club. There was no one there from WW I but they
had incredible scrap books. Also there was a man there who built models of
WWI planes we spent 4 hours drinking great Czech Beer and talking about the
comparative qualities of various fighters.
When we travel in the US we always look in the local paper for Pancake
Breakfasts, Spaghetti Feeds and the sort of events put on by the Local
Lions, Kiwanis or Volunteer Fire Departments. Well we ran across something
like that In Czech Republic. There was a Charity auction in Ceske Krumlov
to benefit a local Children's Hospital. Now we have friends in Ceske
Krumlov.
Don't do what all the tourists do. The following adventure occurred when on
a whim we decided to take an unconventional route to a well know tourist
destination in S. Bohemia.
We were going to a small town in Bohemia called Rozmberk nad Vltavou. There
is an ancient castle there that we wanted to see. You can see that castle at
.
The recommended route to Rozmberk, CR from Wein, Austria is to take a train
or bus to Cesky Budejovice then a bus to Rozmberk. That is a trip of about 6
1/2 hours. However in the interest of adventure I had decided to take the
road less traveled. We were to go by train through Linz Austria, then to the
border town of Sommernau, over the mountains to the Czech town of Rybnice
then on to Rozmberk. Only after I got on the train in Wein did I realize
that this meant changing trains 5 times in a 5 1/2 hour trip. Each train was
progressively smaller and less comfortable. At Sommernau we boarded a single
car Czech electric train that was much like an old fashion street car.
We got off the train at the Rozmberk nad Vltavou station. There was no
platform. I climbed down from the train then lowered our bags down and then
helped Joan down. Imagine my astonishment when I looked around and could see
nothing more than the Station house and forest. No cars, no other buildings,
not even a road was visible.
A brief conversation with the stationmaster revealed there was no taxi and
the town was 4 kilometers away.
Well, there was nothing to do but to hoof it.
I walked around to the front of the station and there was the end of a mud.
However the mud was firm. So we started down the road.
Soon Joan said, "Look at this." and pointed to a used condom in the middle
of the road. I noticed another and then we noticed dozens more. I tell you
that road was nearly paved with used condoms. Surely, we concluded, this
must be the most romantic road in all the Czech Republic.
Well we went about 150 yards and came to a paved two lane highway. Traffic
was light but steady and the trucks roaring by revealed it to be a major
trade route from the Czech R. to either Germany or Austria, both being quite
near. The highway ran up hill to our left and down hill to our right. On the
other side, the Vltava River rolled along about 40 feet below the road as it
headed toward Prague to the North.
Well I didn't really know which way would lead to Rozmberk, but all other
things being equal I figure down is better than up. It was a cool and bright
sunny day, songbirds filled the air with song and all things considered it
was a perfect day for an unexpected hike.
After another Kilometer we came to an intersection where the road signs
indicated that we had chosen the right direction after all. At this point
the highway was only about 4 feet above the river. There we saw 5 fraulines
standing around 2 cars. From their immodest attire we deduced that they must
be the source of all those used condoms. They were by the Vltava River in a
pull-out along the Highway.
As we walked past them, one of them called out to us.
I couldn't believe that I was about to be propositioned by a prostitute on
the banks of the Vltava while rolling luggage along a Czech Highway through
the Bohemian Forest with my wife.
Well the "lady" called out to us again. I turned to see a Woman about 30
yards away and about 28 years of age. Her proportions were ample and her
breasts huge. This was no surmise, for her blouse was entirely open and
tucked in at the back of her very short black skirt revealing her white bra
clad bosom along with several tattoos.
Although I could not understand her it was clear she was asking me a
question.
I called back, "Wier gehen nach Rozmberk." as I pointed north through the
forest.
She laughed and held up her thumb and two fingers and called out "drie
Kilometer"
I looked at her and shrugged meaning, "It didn't really matter how far it
was. I had little choice."
She called back something. I thought I understood her gist, but one doesn't
want to make any errors in a situation like this. At least not when
accompanied by ones wife.
So I pointed at her car and asked "Taxi?"
She laughed again and said, "Jah, Taxi."
So I approached her and gestured towards my wallet which I had removed from
my pocket and she said, "670 Austrian Schillings". I only had 500 Schillings
in notes and about another 67 in coin. I presented them to her. she waved
away the coins and seemed content with the notes.
So one of their party, a blond about 21, helped us load our luggage into a
white VW Rabbit. We removed a child's car seat and teddy bear from the back
seat and she drove us to our Hotel in Rozmberk.
Our driver wore a short slit skirt, and black bicycle pants under that.
When she got into her seat I caught a glimpse of some bright red
ornamentation in her crotch. As she drove us along I asked her, "Sind Sie
Cesky?"
"Nien, Deutsch" She replied. That was the extent of our conversation.
Of course when we got to our hotel, there were two idle taxis sitting in
front of it.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." Samuel Johnson
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other
countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw
Marc
Jun 3rd 2003, 2:13 pm
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
>Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
> "meet the locals"?
Oh, and I almost forgot...leave your Walkman at home if you're going to be
taking trains.
Bob
--
Travel and Astonomy Photos
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bomo
> "meet the locals"?
Oh, and I almost forgot...leave your Walkman at home if you're going to be
taking trains.
Bob
--
Travel and Astonomy Photos
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bomo
Jun 3rd 2003, 7:13 pm
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
In article ,
erilar writes
> travel alone, use public transportation, and start conversations with
>strangers all the time. They're usually local.
Travelling alone and using public transport are not necessities in
meeting local inhabitants. All you have to do is start a conversation.
--
Marie Lewis
erilar writes
> travel alone, use public transportation, and start conversations with
>strangers all the time. They're usually local.
Travelling alone and using public transport are not necessities in
meeting local inhabitants. All you have to do is start a conversation.
--
Marie Lewis
Jun 3rd 2003, 7:16 pm
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
In article , Marc
writes
>First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
>to be a rather boring trip.
Why just Europe?
> Tourists have been running around Europe for
>hundreds of years. Those areas which are not tourist areas are such because
>they have very little to attract a tourists.
Or do not appeal to mass tourism. Or have not been publicised. Or are
places that inhabitants wish to keep to themselves.
>N. Moravia in the Czech Republic and neighboring Salisia in Poland are good
>examples. Although both areas have occasional gems they are largely dull
>industrial areas. One such Gem is Promnice in Salisia.
> I have read that Moravia has
>some interesting parklands for hiking.
You cannot judge one country, or one area of one country by another.
>By analogy, if one wanted to avoid tourist areas in the United States one
>might go to Salina Kansas. No offense to the good people of Salina, but it
>wouldn't be a very remarkable trip.
There are many country areas in the USA which are lovely, not tourist
areas and which we have preferred to tourist places.
>I do have some recommendations for meeting locals.
>Wander away from the main tourist areas and find restaurants that serve
>meals at common tables.
You really do not need to go so far. Just start talking to someone.
> My wife and I met nice people in Mexico, Czech
>Republic and Austria this way.
--
Marie Lewis
writes
>First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
>to be a rather boring trip.
Why just Europe?
> Tourists have been running around Europe for
>hundreds of years. Those areas which are not tourist areas are such because
>they have very little to attract a tourists.
Or do not appeal to mass tourism. Or have not been publicised. Or are
places that inhabitants wish to keep to themselves.
>N. Moravia in the Czech Republic and neighboring Salisia in Poland are good
>examples. Although both areas have occasional gems they are largely dull
>industrial areas. One such Gem is Promnice in Salisia.
> I have read that Moravia has
>some interesting parklands for hiking.
You cannot judge one country, or one area of one country by another.
>By analogy, if one wanted to avoid tourist areas in the United States one
>might go to Salina Kansas. No offense to the good people of Salina, but it
>wouldn't be a very remarkable trip.
There are many country areas in the USA which are lovely, not tourist
areas and which we have preferred to tourist places.
>I do have some recommendations for meeting locals.
>Wander away from the main tourist areas and find restaurants that serve
>meals at common tables.
You really do not need to go so far. Just start talking to someone.
> My wife and I met nice people in Mexico, Czech
>Republic and Austria this way.
--
Marie Lewis
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:17 pm
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
"Marc" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Marko" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hello hello,
> If you look
> > at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> > don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed
> to
> > "meet the locals"?
> >
snip
Think of things that are of particular interest to you. Then look for local
organizations that are related.
snip
I have a passion for the game of 3 cushion billiards, known in France as
trois bandes or French Billiard. On past trips to Paris I have played at
various billiard halls and had a wonderful time meeting and playing with
local players. In 1996 I decided to try a new place on Sebastopol. I went
there one morning to find it closed, not opening until 3 PM. As I peered
through door to get a look at the place I saw a gentleman walking down the
hall toward the door. When he saw me he opened the door to let me know they
would be open later. As my French is very minimal he began to speak english
and asked where I was from. I told him California and he began asking if I
knew this player and that player. As it turned out I knew many of the same
players he did. We finally got around to introducing ourselves and the
gentleman was Richard Bitalis, many times French National Champion and a
name very familiar to the world-wide billiard community. He asked if I would
still be in Paris in ten days because he was going to have a two day
exhibition match with another well know player from Belgium, Ludo Dilius
(sp). Fortunately I was able to attend this match and to my surprise the
morning of the first day I walked into the room and there two fellow
Americans that I have known for years, one from California and the other
from Illinois that actually flew over just to see this match and get in a
few games. I even bought a cue from Richard that I use to this day. This was
just one of those simple pleasures that make being a "tourist" very
rewarding.
Tim
Livermore, CA
news:[email protected]...
> "Marko" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hello hello,
> If you look
> > at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> > don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed
> to
> > "meet the locals"?
> >
snip
Think of things that are of particular interest to you. Then look for local
organizations that are related.
snip
I have a passion for the game of 3 cushion billiards, known in France as
trois bandes or French Billiard. On past trips to Paris I have played at
various billiard halls and had a wonderful time meeting and playing with
local players. In 1996 I decided to try a new place on Sebastopol. I went
there one morning to find it closed, not opening until 3 PM. As I peered
through door to get a look at the place I saw a gentleman walking down the
hall toward the door. When he saw me he opened the door to let me know they
would be open later. As my French is very minimal he began to speak english
and asked where I was from. I told him California and he began asking if I
knew this player and that player. As it turned out I knew many of the same
players he did. We finally got around to introducing ourselves and the
gentleman was Richard Bitalis, many times French National Champion and a
name very familiar to the world-wide billiard community. He asked if I would
still be in Paris in ten days because he was going to have a two day
exhibition match with another well know player from Belgium, Ludo Dilius
(sp). Fortunately I was able to attend this match and to my surprise the
morning of the first day I walked into the room and there two fellow
Americans that I have known for years, one from California and the other
from Illinois that actually flew over just to see this match and get in a
few games. I even bought a cue from Richard that I use to this day. This was
just one of those simple pleasures that make being a "tourist" very
rewarding.
Tim
Livermore, CA
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:31 pm
#22
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Following up to Marc
>First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
>to be a rather boring trip.
In London there are "locals" bars and restaurants within a few hundred
yards of major tourist attractions. I dont actually understand why I
dont see tourists in them. Or perhaps there are, but they are not the
type of tourists that you notice.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is going
>to be a rather boring trip.
In London there are "locals" bars and restaurants within a few hundred
yards of major tourist attractions. I dont actually understand why I
dont see tourists in them. Or perhaps there are, but they are not the
type of tourists that you notice.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:31 pm
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Following up to Marko
>Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
>"meet the locals"?
learn the language, then go to a bar away from tourist areas.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
>"meet the locals"?
learn the language, then go to a bar away from tourist areas.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:48 pm
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Marie Lewis writes:
> You do if you do your research first.
You learn a lot about the culture that way, but not generally about the
locals, since this latter information usually isn't well documented.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> You do if you do your research first.
You learn a lot about the culture that way, but not generally about the
locals, since this latter information usually isn't well documented.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:57 pm
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
The Reid writes:
> I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
> in them.
About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
nothing but locals.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
> in them.
About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
nothing but locals.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Jun 3rd 2003, 9:37 pm
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
go to bars and chat to random people 
of course this works better if you're a girl...
"Lennart Petersen" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Marko" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hello hello,
> Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
> > "meet the locals"?
> > Thanks,
> > Marko
> >
> Sharing train compartments have been an opportunity for me to meet just
> average locals and many times I've had fun and interesting discussions
> onboard trains.
> L.P
of course this works better if you're a girl...
"Lennart Petersen" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Marko" skrev i meddelandet
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hello hello,
> Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
> > "meet the locals"?
> > Thanks,
> > Marko
> >
> Sharing train compartments have been an opportunity for me to meet just
> average locals and many times I've had fun and interesting discussions
> onboard trains.
> L.P
Jun 3rd 2003, 10:07 pm
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Following up to Mxsmanic
>> I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
>> in them.
>About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
>path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
>busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
>nothing but locals.
I think you must be right, presumably they get everything from the
guide books. The place I am thinking of only a matter of yards from a
major attraction but all the tourists seem to eat in the plasticy
tourist trap places immediatly adjacent, still, I wont complain, it
suits me.
Or perhaps visitors to London are not really interested in finding
good food.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
>> I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
>> in them.
>About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
>path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
>busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
>nothing but locals.
I think you must be right, presumably they get everything from the
guide books. The place I am thinking of only a matter of yards from a
major attraction but all the tourists seem to eat in the plasticy
tourist trap places immediatly adjacent, still, I wont complain, it
suits me.
Or perhaps visitors to London are not really interested in finding
good food.
--
Mike Reid
"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
Jun 4th 2003, 3:04 am
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Marko wrote:
> It is my belief you are not going to meet locals, because
> locals actually have things to do. You may meet your innkeeper, bartender,
> museum guide or bus driver (which are alll local). But you never learn
> anything about them, unless you stay there for months at a time. If you look
> at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
> "meet the locals"?
I almost like more being in a business trip then in a tourist travel, as
you get to actually *work* with locals. For my holidays, I like to go in
usual places year after year, ending up knowing a lot of locals.
Internet is a good way to know locals for future travels. No later than
this Sunday, I met by chance a US contributor to this newsgroup. In this
case, I was the local :-)
--
Luca Logi - Firenze - Italy e-mail: [email protected]
> It is my belief you are not going to meet locals, because
> locals actually have things to do. You may meet your innkeeper, bartender,
> museum guide or bus driver (which are alll local). But you never learn
> anything about them, unless you stay there for months at a time. If you look
> at yourself, how many tourists have you met in your home town (given you
> don't work in the industry)? Can someone explain to me how am I supposed to
> "meet the locals"?
I almost like more being in a business trip then in a tourist travel, as
you get to actually *work* with locals. For my holidays, I like to go in
usual places year after year, ending up knowing a lot of locals.
Internet is a good way to know locals for future travels. No later than
this Sunday, I met by chance a US contributor to this newsgroup. In this
case, I was the local :-)
--
Luca Logi - Firenze - Italy e-mail: [email protected]
Jun 4th 2003, 3:16 am
#29
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
Hi,
so true.
my regular in amsterdam while on a major tourist type street (damstraat)
has a large regular dutch customer base... probably averages 50% dutch
overall.
and over by the Cafe Hoppe (about 50' away) with it's mobs of tourists
is the Cafe de Zwart... last time I was there I was the only
anglophone... the time before our table had the only angolphones
the only thing the Cafe Hoppe has the Cafe de Zwart doesn't is longer
opening hours.
Mxsmanic wrote:
> The Reid writes:
>
>
>>I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
>>in them.
>
>
> About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
> path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
> busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
> nothing but locals.
>
>
--
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted,
and I won't be layed a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people,
and I require the same from them"
J.B. Books (John Wayne)
so true.
my regular in amsterdam while on a major tourist type street (damstraat)
has a large regular dutch customer base... probably averages 50% dutch
overall.
and over by the Cafe Hoppe (about 50' away) with it's mobs of tourists
is the Cafe de Zwart... last time I was there I was the only
anglophone... the time before our table had the only angolphones
the only thing the Cafe Hoppe has the Cafe de Zwart doesn't is longer
opening hours.
Mxsmanic wrote:
> The Reid writes:
>
>
>>I dont actually understand why I dont see tourists
>>in them.
>
>
> About 99% of all tourists seem to follow a well-defined, well-beaten
> path at all major tourist destinations. One café may be overrun by
> busloads of tourists all day long, while the café next to it may contain
> nothing but locals.
>
>
--
"I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted,
and I won't be layed a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people,
and I require the same from them"
J.B. Books (John Wayne)
Jun 4th 2003, 6:57 am
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Meeting the locals
"Marie Lewis" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article , Marc
> writes
> >
> >>
> >First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is
going
> >to be a rather boring trip.
> Why just Europe?
Because there are very exciting places in Africa, S. America and Asia where
tourism has not been develloped. getting there may be difficult and
expensive and in some cases dangerous. However, in Europe there is scarcely
any such place. Since 1991 most places in Europe that have an interesting
attraction will be well visited.
news:[email protected]...
> In article , Marc
> writes
> >
> >>
> >First of all if one is speaking of Europe, avoiding "tourist areas" is
going
> >to be a rather boring trip.
> Why just Europe?
Because there are very exciting places in Africa, S. America and Asia where
tourism has not been develloped. getting there may be difficult and
expensive and in some cases dangerous. However, in Europe there is scarcely
any such place. Since 1991 most places in Europe that have an interesting
attraction will be well visited.
