Hi, I wrote this as a lead in to a essay I will write to explain why independent travel is the best for immersion into a country's culture.
The least effective way to grasp a glimpse of a foreign country is by taking a cruise on
a cruise ship. Cruises offer a six hour view of a city, without having to speak
a foreign language or integrate into the culture because the vendors speak
English.
Traveling by guided tour is also an
incubator experience, because the tour guide will help his tourists navigate
the streets, and communicate with the locals. He is their lifeline to keeping
their American style without having to immerse themselves in a foreign language
and culture.
However, when traveling independently,
the tourist becomes a traveler. The traveller must learn the language quickly,
or be served the wrong dish, a destination they did not ask for, or pick a
“surprise” food at the grocery store. The adventure has ups and downs, but in
return, the traveler receives a true
cultural immersion. Traveling independently is truly an eye opening experience.
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