culture
Get the authentic cultural experience on your next foreign jaunt. Wander like a local; here, there, and everywhere.
Rolling The Dice On Vietnam
February, 2017 Phu Quoc, Vietnam Earlier in 2017 I had a three week vacation coming up. I was getting off a ship in Singapore and had to be in Sydney for my next assignment. I was pondering where in Asia to spend my long vacation. Unable to make a decision I took to a strategy I had read about in a book a long time ago. I rolled the dice on it! First I asked my colleagues on the ship to suggest 6 countries in the area and we appointed a number to each country. The dice fell on Vietnam and my decision was made.
Anna BalogPublished 6 years ago in WanderCultural Differences - Hosting Etiquettes
Have you ever gone to a place and felt out of place? Have you ever met anyone from a different background or culture from yourself?
Fatima SumarPublished 6 years ago in WanderCulture Shock in Practice
According to Google, culture shock is “the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes”.
Grand Canyon & Ancient Mythology
Grand Canyon & Ancient Mythology The Grand Canyon in Arizona has long been a source of beautiful mystery. The age of this stunning site has been a debate for about 140 years among scientists. It is estimated to be around 80 million years old, when the sea was last present there. As recently as 2012, studies of its age have broken down segments of it into five parts. Each segment was then analyzed to see how long ago each took to be carved. Only two segments, Marble Canyon and Western Grand Canyon, are less than 6 million years old. Hurricane Canyon is aged at approximately 70 million years, and the Eastern Grand Canyon is aged about 25 million years. The Colorado River first emerged from the Rocky Mountains about 11 million years ago, according to river sediment found. Where the river flowed before the Grand Canyon, and how exactly it began to flow there, are still mysteries among Geologists. They all agree that 6 million years ago, the Colorado River began carving its path through the segments, linking them together to form the Grand Canyon. Just that portion of its journey is 277 miles long. The Colorado River begins in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and it stretches 1,450 miles, to the Gulf of California. The Grand Canyon is so huge, there is a completely different weather condition at the top, than at the bottom. Canyon rock on the bottom has been dated to 1.8 billion years old.
Lady SundayPublished 6 years ago in WanderCulture Identification Series: What Exactly IS Culture?
What exactly is culture? For centuries we always identified culture as something unique to a country. How unique is culture exactly?
How a Trip to Mexico Changed My Life
Oh, Mexico, you beauty. Mexico is such an amazing country. Whether it's the scenery, the culture, or the people, Mexico has all the good that you could ask for. When I left for Mexico, I didn't have a clue that this vacation would be so much more than a relaxing getaway from the cold Michigan winters. This trip proved to be eye opening in such a way that the experience will stay with me lifelong.
Are You Experiencing Reverse Culture Shock?
Re-entry. It feels like living on another planet in another time. Truly. Especially when you first get home. Everything is different, everything is weird. Your time is thrown off and you’re not sure what is happening. I know it sounds crazy, but everything really is different: the air, your skin, your bed, your friends and family, hell, even the sunlight feels slightly off. It’s not just jetlag, because you’ve had that before and it was never like this. Unlike jetlag, this feeling lasts for a while, at least. Slowly things start becoming more... ‘normal’ but this could last days, weeks, months or years and it’s hard, it actually is.
Acasia TuckerPublished 6 years ago in WanderCoffee That Deserves a Ceremony
Any Starbucks fans in the house? What's your favorite drink there? Maybe it's a cappuccino that they whip up, maybe it's a mocha, or a latte. Perhaps you like yours served black without all of the extras. Let's see how well we know our Starbucks history. When did the store first open its doors? According to Starbucks' website, their first store opened just under fifty years ago in Seattle's Pike Place Market. The company grew to fifty-five stores by 1989 and went on to have over twenty-two thousand stores as of 2015. That's a lot of coffee!
Jamie WallinPublished 6 years ago in Wander‘You Only Lose What You Cling To’
I was front row in the Shrine Room, eyeball to spectacle lens with the chief nun and her big spongy microphone. The setting could scarcely have been better: a beautiful gold Buddha, scent of the Gods, a lovely warm room full of eager acolytes.
Michael ScottPublished 6 years ago in WanderSmall Town Lessons
People have a strange perception of what it is like to grow up in a small town. Some people believe that it is boring. Some people believe that there is this wonderful sense of community. And some people are just completely put off by the very concept.
Samantha ReidPublished 6 years ago in WanderThe Oldest Christmas Celebration in Southern Louisiana
My latest adventure goes back to 90 years ago. Natchitoches, LA has been known for their Festival of Lights since before I was born. In 1927, Max Burgdof thought it would be exciting to find a new way to celebrate Christmas. Mr. Burgdof was the superintendent of utilities at the time. He provided a 10 watt Christmas tree bulb to post along Front Street, which is in the downtown area of Natchitoches. Every year since then, Natchitoches adds a new piece to light up the Cane River. This year Natchitoches celebrated their 91st Festival of Lights. They decided to name it Christmas on the Cane. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of. Around 1 PM on Saturday, December 2, there was a parade prior to the concert at 4 PM-6 PM. There were several different artists, vendors, and people from different parts of Louisiana. This day full of activities was set up to welcome December and to celebrate the city's history. Unfortunately I missed the parade, but I was able to hear some awesome music from some of the artists they allowed to perform. Heads up, make sure while preparing to participate in the festivities that you try to make it there early; it helps the process of finding seating downtown and parking. The climate was hot, starting off in the middle of the day, but the darker it got I could feel more of a breeze, so a blanket would be nice to bring, and also a lawn chair. Many people including myself had to sit on the ground due to not bringing a lawn chair. OK! So upon arrival I had to park within the downtown neighborhood so that I would be walking distance to the downtown area where the light show would take place. The admission of the downtown area is $10 per person 12+ years of age and under 64 years old. In order to buy food from the vendors you must purchase food vendor tickets at the entrance of the downtown areas where you purchase your wristbands from. While I was enjoying the festivities I did remember how famous Natchitoches is for their meat pies, so I made sure that I purchased a meat pie from one of the food vendors that was located downtown, but I would honestly suggest for future reference visiting Lasyone's Meat Pies and Maggio's for a daiquiri. These two places are within the city but not downtown. The meat pies from the food vendors downtown were overpriced and the meat pie was fairly hard. However, the actual light show was AMAZING. When I was younger I came to see the lights, but I could barely remember anything. Visiting as an adult literally has left a mark on me in a tremendous way. While Louisiana is full of great places to see holiday lights, Natchitoches is known around the country for its festivities. The fireworks were paired to holiday music, which made the show that much more exciting. Right after the show, the city turns on all 91 lights that are showcased, and seeing the Cane River lit up made me feel like a kid again. I was more excited than I'm sure I was as a child. This year's theme was "Christmas on the Cane." I participated in the kickoff day which was December 2, the first Saturday of December. The Festival of Lights will display their show every Saturday until the last Saturday in December. Each Saturday they will have different live entertainment, art, food, and vendors. If you're looking for something exciting and fun to experience before Christmas this is the ideal event to attend. For more info you can visit their website here.
Krystal NorrisPublished 6 years ago in WanderFlint, Michigan
When I think of home, I think of where my family, friends, and roots are. And home to me is Flint, Michigan. What can I say about Flint? It is where I was born, where most of my family are, and where I have memories. I remember all the places I would go to with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I lived with my grandma for six or seven years, then I moved to Texas for a better life. But there are things that I miss about Flint. I miss the fun parks, visiting my family, and most definitely the places to eat there. For example, Angelo's Coney Island had the best coney dogs in the world. Especially when you wash them down with some pop (soda). Halo Burger, when I say they have some of the most delicious juicy burgers, MAN!! It gave me heartburn, but it was so worth it at the end. And last but not least, WHITE CASTLE!!! Those tiny burgers are the bomb. I can eat eight of them and still be hungry.
Shante HernandezPublished 6 years ago in Wander