Many people around the world have traveled within their country or have traveled abroad, but there are some who never, ever leave home! In fact, I feel sorry for these people because they never get to experience life outside of their cocoon.
Whether you’re traveling to the next state or somewhere not far from home, you’ll always find information about that place that will be different from where you live. We get to see how others live their lives and maybe we can learn something from our experience.
Traveling abroad to a different country and culture will really broaden your horizons. I will never forget my first trip abroad and it was to live in Singapore for a year! What a surprise for the system! The first thing that hit me was the heat and the smell of food at the airport. It was like nothing I had experienced before and it still has the same effect on me every time I go back there.
The city was so vibrant and alive and the one thing that stood out from the moment I landed was people going out to eat all night long! Coming from a western culture, this was completely foreign to me. When we ate at home it was a special pleasure, while I learned that the best places to eat were on the streets at the stalls of street vendors. The food was not only fresh but also cheap!
Singapore is a land of many cultures and they all mix beautifully. The three main cultures are Chinese, Malay and Indian, and each has its own culture and tradition that can be easily seen in all parts of the city.
Walk through Chinatown and you’ll be amazed by the pungent smell of Durian (a fruit) when it’s in season, or the herbs sold in Chinese herb shops, or the smell of chicken satays or spicy crab cooked in one of the hundreds. of street vendor stalls.
The Malay part of the city is where you will find the spicy smell of curry powder wafting through the air and the sound of the “call to prayer” that occurs five times a day in some truly beautiful mosques.
“Little India” is a well-known area in Singapore and the first thing that strikes you is the colour. It is not only the vibrant color of the sari worn by Indian women, but also the lavish displays of flower garlands that adorn most shops. The smell of many different spices greets you as you walk through the streets of Little India and it has a very impressive Hindu temple situated right in the heart of this area.
Whether traveling to a new vacation destination or moving in, the best way to meet people and get to know your country is to get out and explore, ask questions and immerse yourself in all aspects of their lives, including customs. and traditions. Being in their country, you must learn to respect their way of life and not inflict views on them about how you think they should live. Showing mutual respect will ensure that your time there is not only wonderful but also educational.
