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Books

Expensive secrets

Lindsay Myron

23 Nov 2009

Mongolia

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If you’re looking for the book to read on ancient Mongolian history, be ready to fork over some cash. "The Secret History of the Mongols" is claimed to be the oldest and most accurate account of Chinngis Khaan and early Mongolian history. Igor de Rachewiltz’s latest edition remains the most critically acclaimed English translation, but at 1300 pages, the book sells for $200 or more. If you’re looking for a cheaper, briefer, albeit less accurate, account, check out Jack Weatherford’s "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World."

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Getting Around

Give your address in reverse

Melissa Sconyers

07 Dec 2009

China

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In Hong Kong, you can generally count on the taxi drivers to speak enough English to communicate with you. If they don't, they'll use their cell phone to call a special hot line, which has translators on call for these exact situations. However, when telling them an address, you have to say it exactly the opposite way you would it in the Western world. For example, in the U.S., you would say "30 Rockefeller Plaza in Mid-Town Central," but in Hong Kong you would have to say, "Mid-Town Central, Rockefeller Plaza, Number 30." To say it any other way is to completely confuse and frustrate the taxi driver. Take it from me.

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Festivals & Events

A day to NOT go to temples

Katrina Klett

24 Jun 2009

China

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There is a time to stay away from China's many beautiful temples: Spring Festival. There are so many people there that you can barely walk. My first week in China, I was taken to a festival and was in no way ready for the sheer volume of beings fighting for a place in line to get to the small snack stands they set up all around the temple grounds. It may sound tempting to see the Chinese population in full force, but trust me--it is a bit overwhelming!

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Culture Shock

Practice the art of being politely aggressive

Courtney Ng

10 Nov 2009

Peru

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The first time I got to the front of a line in Peru and moments later found myself at the end, I felt completely overwhelmed and frustrated. The reality is that Peru, and especially the city of Lima, is one place where being simply polite is going to leave you waiting for hours at every street stand, bus stop, and street crossing that exists. To avoid getting walked all over, try to turn up your aggressiveness a notch when you go out in public. That doesn't mean abandoning all civility, because many Peruvians are very kind and accommodating. But being very verbally clear about what you want and pushing ahead with a polite "permiso" never did a foreigner any harm.

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Must Do

Take refuge in a Sikh temple

Emily Strasser

26 Jun 2009

India

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If you arrive in Delhi, or any other Indian city in the wee hours of the morning after an overnight bus or train, head straight to the nearest Sikh Temple, or Gudwara. There you will find a safe, clean, bustling place where you can stay until the rest of the city wakes up. With their strong emphasis on service, the Sikhs offer resting places to travelers, free hostels, and free communal meals to anyone who comes. Do not be frightened by the long spears some Sikh men carry--I was so grateful for their friendly welcome when my friends and I arrived at the Gudwara in Old Delhi at 5:30 am. After checking our bags and removing our shoes, we went inside the temple and just sat, listening to the singing and watching the people.

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Etiquette

Taking your place at the table

Katrina Klett

12 May 2009

China

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The next time you are invited to a large Chinese holiday gathering or dinner party, do not simply sit at the table. Where you sit has significance and you should wait for your host to point you in the right direction. If your host offers you the seat at the head of the table, you should feel honored -- that means you are being given the most important seat. Do you best to practice some Chinese modesty: argue for awhile and offer the seat to everyone else, to show you know you are not worthy. Then, of course, concede and sit down. Pour those around you a drink and toast to everyone. But don't drink too much too fast, you will probably make 30 or so toasts that evening (just ask president Nixon how much the Chinese toast).

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Food

'Vegetarian' has a slightly different meaning

Geeta Aneja

01 Oct 2009

India

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In India, being 'vegetarian' means consuming milk products, grains, legumes, and vegetables, but not eating the flesh of any animal OR any eggs. It is not uncommon for a vegetarian to refuse food touched by meat, and because of the high Hindu and Muslim populations, asking for beef or pork in most areas is inappropriate, even offensive.

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Film

The Original

Chantal Panozzo

02 Apr 2009

Switzerland

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Most films are shown in their original language in Swiss movie theaters since the population speaks so many languages themselves. If the film is shown in English with German and French subtitles for example, it will be listed as E/d/f. Whatever letter is capitalized is the language the film will be shown in. Luckily for English speakers, very few Hollywood films are dubbed in Switzerland, with the exception of children's movies.

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Packing

Come for one season. Pack for them all.

Chantal Panozzo

02 Apr 2009

Switzerland

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Umbrellas. Sweaters. Hiking Shoes. Don't end up like one of those tourists in shorts standing on the top of a snowy mountain in July wondering why they're cold. The weather is unpredictable in Switzerland, even in the summers. It's like the month of March just keeps repeating itself all year round. Best bet in the summers is to invest in a pair of pants that can double as pants and shorts. Zipping off half your pants mid-hike is a popular activity in Switzerland, and you won’t want to miss out.

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Religion

Religious sensory overload

Anna Schwaber

27 Jul 2009

Malaysia

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In Malaysia, the prominent religions are Buddhism and Islam. In villages and cities, several different calls to prayer sound out from the many mosques in each neighborhood. The sounds will blend into the incense-laced air from Buddhists burning incense sticks at their personal alters.

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Politics

Politics as usual

Matthew Hintsa

10 Feb 2009

Chile

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Chileans are constantly complaining about their political situations and discussing the political situations of the major world players. In the conversations I was a part of, Obama and the promise of change in the US was always a topic. Domestic political issues ranging from healthcare to pension plans to public transportation funding are always making headlines and thereby fueling conversations. There are no major political struggles that directly impact the well-being of visiting foreigners, although during my visit, all public sector workers stopped working for a period of four days, which caused some disruptions.

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Music

Two scenes: take your pick

Emily Strasser

29 May 2009

India

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For traditional and modern Tibetan music and dance, try to attend one of TIPA’s (the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts) shows. For a very different but equally fun and vibrant scene, go to the restaurant KhanaNirvana on Temple road in Dharamsala for one of their open mic or world music jam nights. Mostly hippie tourists are in attendance here -- the highest density of dreadlocks I have ever seen in one room. It may not be authentic Tibetan or Indian, but this scene is an undeniable part of life in Dharamsala.

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Sports

Weekend sports

William Hardy

12 Aug 2009

United Kingdom

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Saturday morning football games on the local park pitch are usually pick-up, and walk-ons are welcome! Just don't forget to bring your cleats, or "boots" as they are known. Sundays tend to be reserved for a more refined game. Cricket anyone?

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TV

Ross and Rachel live on

Matthew Hintsa

10 Feb 2009

Chile

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Friends, the universally popular American sitcom, is -- not surprisingly -- popular in Chile. My host brother got HBO on his TV so he was often watching Arrested Development or other similar shows that I don't even get at home in the US. I didn't watch too much Chilean television because almost all of it (even weather reports on the evening news, with seriously fake-tanned and fake-blonde women) would be categorized in the 'trashy' category, in my book. I couldn't stand to ever finish even a half-hour telenovela (soap opera).

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Fashion

Try a tailor on for size

Rebecca Jacobson

24 Nov 2009

Malawi

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If you arrive in Malawi and find yourself despairing at your wardrobe, fear not. Either hit up the market (‘80s-era tees any Goodwill-prowling hipster would love) or set off for the tailor. You supply the cloth — Tanzanian textiles are nicer than Malawian fabrics and run $2 or $3 per yard — and the tailor will do the rest. Choose from a set design or supply your own (my friends have had great success with hand-drawn sketches) and the tailor will take your measurements on the spot. Cut a hard bargain and you can get a full outfit made for $10 or less. Now the tough decision: what to order? A boldly patterned tube top? Or perhaps a full suit emblazoned with Obama’s face? (Oh yes, even his visage graces fabrics here.) Anything is possible.

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Dating

Be mindful of local dating taboos

Anna Schwaber

20 Nov 2009

Malaysia

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Going on a date? You might want to leave that tank top in your suitcase. A bare-armed Western girl drinking in a bar with a guy is not a normal sight in this majority Muslim country, and may be considered offensive.

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Health

Purchase altitude medication to conquer the heights

Courtney Ng

19 Dec 2009

Peru

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Seeing the Andes was one of the reasons I chose to travel to Peru, but being at high altitudes also presents a lot of problems for those who, like myself and most Americans, who aren't accustomed to living in places where the oxygen in the air is thin. Heading to high-altitude places, such as Cusco, without taking altitude meds and/or taking a day or two to rest and adjust to the altitude, can lead to severe reactions such as vomiting, fatigue, and diarrhea. Therefore, it's important to talk to a doctor about getting altitude medication beforehand. Look at the bright side, though -- when you have trouble walking uphill, you can always blame it on the altitude!

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Slang

Beer is not cerveza, work is not trabajo

Melissa Thetford

18 Mar 2009

Peru

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"Chela" is apparently the appropriate word to use when ordering beer in Peru, if you want to avoid being immediately labeled as a tourist (I come from a rare bloodline that allows me to blend into about 25 different southern hemisphere countries without standing out), and you never go to work, you go to your "chamba." Cool and confident is not "fresco y confidente," it's all "chevre." All those wasted vocabulary words, replaced by their shorter "ch" cousins!

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Nightlife

Nurse that beer

Patrick McCue

10 Feb 2009

Norway

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Be prepared for a light night of drinking in Norwegian clubs. With beer averaging over 60 kroner ($9) for a half liter—and it can be much higher depending on the venue—it is hard to find many finishing their drinks quickly. College students start the night at home and make the most of Thursdays nights when there's no cover charge.

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Being an American

The locals don't hate you, even if they're staring

Steven Schwab

21 Jul 2009

China

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The boy had just rounded the corner when he saw me. Immediately, his eyes grew wide. “Laowai! Laowai!” (foreigner! foreigner!) he exclaimed. Moments later, they began to appear--men and women, young and old...half of the village had gathered to look at and whisper about the foreigner. Any visitor to China can tell you about the gazes, mutterings, and "special" attention that accompanied their stay. But never fear, the locals don't hate you. Average Chinese people just rarely have contact with outsiders, so happening across one is almost like meeting an alien. So try to take it in stride “laowai” is often no more than an acknowledgment of your specialness--you're someone they want to meet and understand.

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