Travel Etiquette for Dummies

Have you ever found yourself in the course of one of your travels, unintentionally offending a member of the host country? Frantically using sign language to get your point across, only to receive blank looks or sugar instead of towels? Here's the truth: we've all been there.

Whether it comes to communication difficulties, a lack of sufficient knowledge of the culture, problems with maps and directions, every tourist has at some point in time encountered a hindrance during their sojourns. How can one avoid it, you ask? While we don't guarantee you a 100% faux pas free success rate, we can help you avoid some major disasters.

1. Research, research, research: It's the key to a (relatively) hassle- free travel. A simple Google search on the customs of the place you're visiting and on the Dos and Don'ts  will tell you nearly everything you need to know.

2. Be nice to the locals: Not that we need to tell you that. Just the brainwave of my brilliant colleague sitting next to me.

3. Know how to tip. Different places have different customs on tipping the waiter.

4. Carry a guide book: You'll be surprised to see the number of things listed in one of the guide books that you may not even have thought of while embarking on your journey.

5. Know how to dress: I've personally seen scores of men and women alike being turned away at the gates of the Vatican City simply because they picked that day to wear bottoms that ended above the knees. Knowing when to wear what saves you from embarrassment and the trouble of having to go back to the hotel and change.

6. Learn basic greetings: Knowing how to say 'Good morning', 'Thank you', 'Excuse Me', 'Sorry' and 'Goodbye' will always bring a smile to the local's face, who will recognise that you are making an effort to understand their culture. This seemingly small gesture will definitely go a long way. Thanks to my valiant efforts at Italian, a tiny old lady even gave me her bus ticket and refused to accept money for it!

So, just follow these few and simple guidelines to make your travel memorable and less foot-in-mouth. Of course, one minor drawback would be fewer embarrassing stories to tell when you're back home. Enjoy your stay!

- Mansi Sheth

The Tiger's Nest

As I sit here before my laptop, all I can think about is how much I want to simply switch it off and literally take a hike. And then I find myself thinking about my most memorable trek in Bhutan, to Paro Taktsang. My college had organised a trip to Bhutan in 2010. We were an eclectic bunch of around 25- some were adventure seekers, some were skilled shoppers, some nodded off during meals and others griped about being so far away from their fluffy pillows. Nevertheless, we were all up early in the morning and had our bus drop us to the base of the mountain. Then our journey of over 2300 feet began.

The group took off, mostly walking in pairs and chattering enthusiastically all the while. I took the opportunity to distance myself from my friends and take in my surroundings as I walked. I could see the monastery, a small white structure with brown roofs, partially hidden by a thin veil of mist, from where I stood. I started my climb. It was the first time in my life that I felt as though I had truly left everything behind. No phone calls plagued me and nobody heckled me with incessant talk, allowing me to go ahead and leave civilization as I knew it behind.

I had never seen leaves looking as fresh as they did here. The flowers were painted with such clarity that it seemed as though someone had put an extra lens in front of my eyes and told me that I needed new glasses. I could make out each petal, which stood sharply against the brown and green background. The plants and the little beetles and even the rocks looked so happy breathing in the utterly unadulterated air. The air was untouched. Accompanying me part of the way were only two massive dragonflies. The only time I could actually discern their red and golden papery wings was when they paused to perch on a stem. When they regained their strength after a minute’s rest, they took off and zipped around each other as though on a miniature roller- coaster. Presently, they took leave of me and shot off into the distance. Those tiny, beautiful creatures were truly free.

I walked ahead, pausing to run my fingers along the tiny streams that skipped over smooth grey rocks. After about an hour and a half, I came upon a precariously built bridge. It looked as though it had been through a lot. But I saw monks and even little boys crossing the bridge with about as much fear as one would have while walking on a mattress. So I crossed it, occasionally looking down to see the infinite stretch of green. And then began the real climb. A stairway was fashioned out of the steep rock, each step being at least a foot high. I ploughed on and soon lost count of the number of stairs I climbed. Behind me, I could hear a faint chanting of ‘toned thighs, remember, toned thighs’.

We finally reached the monastery. Perched atop a cliff, it threatened every bit to fall right off it. But I can think of no better place for a monastery to be situated at. Below us were expanses of tiny trees and rocks and ground. Thin, cottony clouds zipped around, past and through us as we watched, all in silence. The breathtaking glory of nature compelled us to watch, breathe and listen in awe. The air was full of sounds of the wind swirling, of crickets chirping and of the fluttering of the colourful flags.

-Mansi Sheth


P.S.- Our next trip to Bhutan is happening on the 8th of December, 2013. To sign up, write to us at theexplorersindia1990@gmail.com or give us a call on 022-22004774/5.

 

We're here, there and everywhere

Hello and welcome to our new blog. Here, at The Explorers' blog, you'll find everything you need to know about travelling, and travelling wisely. Find out about roads less travelled, avoiding social faux pas, how to take off at a moment's notice and about our past trips among other things.

Here's a little bit about us: we like to travel. We organise trips with a twist. Open trips, cultural tours, adventure camps, weekend treks and getaways- you name it. A recently opened division of The Explorers, called I-xplore specialises in study tours for schools and colleges. We try and include something different in every trip of ours- a unique element in each outing. Travelling with a group of people opens up a plethora of possibilities- of meeting new people with different perspectives, of sharing opinions, of making new friends and of making your journey that much more memorable, and we at The Explorers like to design trips that cater to such adventure- seeking travellers.

Tune in regularly or follow us to read our latest posts. If you have a story, ideas, pictures or food to share with us, drop us a line at theexplorersindia1990@gmail.com. We'll be happy to feature you in one of our posts. 

So that's it for today. Have a nice day and keep reading our blog!

-- Mansi Sheth