Tips for venturing beyond your comfort zone
If you are lost, return to… Ask the front desk clerk at your hotel to write, in the local language: “Please take me to (your hotel name, address and phone number). » Thanks to this note, even if you get lost, a taxi driver can quickly bring you back to the hotel.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. At home, I start the day with a bowl of bran cereal. In China, congee (rice porridge) with fermented pickles was perfect for breakfast. Yes, when travelling abroad, some things will be different.
Know what the overseas country code for Canada is. Our friend John had a medical emergency in Shanghai. Although he had the telephone number of his insurance company with him, he did not know the overseas code for Canada. Also, keep important documents handy when you need them and in a safe place when you don’t. If you knew how many people I have seen in airports and hotels frantically searching for their precious documents!
Eat, drink and stay healthy. In China, tap water is generally good for locals but not for foreigners. The same goes for raw vegetables and fruits. Your stomach will let you know if you introduce it to a new bacteria. Surprisingly, roasted scorpions are a safer choice in Beijing than a fresh vegetable salad!
If in doubt, ask. Everywhere we go, we find that most locals are incredibly outgoing. When Hugh, our adventurous friend, gets lost, he looks for someone who is young or who wears business attire and is, therefore, more likely to speak English. When dining out, ask your waiter or waitress for help decipher the menu. They will most likely know which dishes are more likely to appeal to foreigners. For example, in a restaurant in Sichuan province, our waiter helped us choose words, then asked the kitchen to add a little less pepper than if we had been residents of the place.
Know what things cost in your country’s currency. Before leaving, I made a currency conversion table for my tablet. This came in handy when we shopped and haggled. It is possible to do the same with a smartphone application, but you must have an Internet connection.
Cross the streets with caution. In crowded cities overseas, you sometimes have to run to cross intersections. It takes a bit of practice before you know how to travel safely. Beijing’s corners are insane. We crossed in a pack with the locals before understanding the technique to do it safely.
Know some keywords. Take, for example, the predicament our friend Ruth finds herself in. She lives in Shanghai but does not speak Mandarin. She manages, however, as she at least knows the Mandarin words for hello, please, thank you, and washroom — which she says with a big smile!
Take a guided tour. A good tour guide can help overcome language and cultural barriers and share lots of exciting things with you about the place you are visiting. We had perfect guides in China, especially in Beijing, Yichang, Shanghai and Xi’an.
Request an upgrade. The view from our first hotel room in Hong Kong was pretty ugly. We got a room with a fantastic view of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island for a few dollars more. After dodging all day around the city, the sight and the space we had in our hotel room were welcome.
Don’t be afraid to try things. Be open to new experiences!
Don’t stress yourself out. Indeed, not everything will necessarily run smoothly during your trip. Just keep calm and keep going.
What worked for you when you ventured beyond your comfort zone? Let us know your tips in the comment section below.
