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Yes, we do. Take my city of Orlando Fl for example. There are a couple hundred of us who have hosted or couchsurfed.
A couple hundred who have couchsurfed, out of a couple million in metro Orlando? For every one who has couchsurfed, there are 9,999 for whom that is not living "like a local". In Orlando, traveling like a local is traveling like the other 9,999. Not couchsurfing. There are a couple of hundred people in Orlando who travel in an executive jet. I wanna travel like those locals.
I'm more the "Travel, do as i please and don't care what other people think" kind of guy.
Which is good, until you step into the wrong area of a city or do something weird. I mean in your own country it's fine, but in a foreign country, especially any one that is developing or worse..you have to take precautions.
Would I couch surf in the US? Yeah maybe. I mean I can afford nice hotels, but if I had to, I wouldn't have a problem with it. However, would I couch surf in say....Albania? No..
Which is good, until you step into the wrong area of a city or do something weird. I mean in your own country it's fine, but in a foreign country, especially any one that is developing or worse..you have to take precautions.
Would I couch surf in the US? Yeah maybe. I mean I can afford nice hotels, but if I had to, I wouldn't have a problem with it. However, would I couch surf in say....Albania? No..
I don't know if wanting to see Tirana, or any other part of Albania as a local outweighs the possible dangers that come with couchsurfing. But then again, it does seem like a pretty tight knit community.
Traveling like a local? Isn't that an oxymoron? By definition, locals don't "travel" in their own city.
I think what Anthony Bourdain does is see the other side of cities that tour buses tend to miss. But does that reflect the life of most locals? I've never seen Bourdain eat at a chain restaurant, for example. But chain restaurants and fast food are the most popular places to eat - with locals - in many cities today.
The best way to experience a place like a local. Talk to locals. Strike up a conversation, in many countries you'll be surprised at how quickly some sort of greeting can turn into a invite to have dinner at their house.
Two things that I do in order to see the parts of the cities I visit that are outside the normal tourist areas...
First, I find an Apple Store. Not one in a mall, but a re-seller in a neighborhood. Generally speaking they will be in good, safe, residential neighborhoods full of local people going about their days and great cafes where the locals eat.
Second, I find a university. Not the huge campus university, but a smaller campus or school and walk around--again in an area where people are going about their business. There are usually inexpensive places to eat for the students and great things to see.
I won't couch surf or stay in a hotel or a private home. My danger radar clicks on at the mention of doing so.
I prefer to eat where the locals eat, use public transportation, etc. I've even rented flats in the past for longer stays. Bottom line, I am a tourist, a guest in their city, and I'm never going to be a "local," so there is just so far I'll go in trying.
10-06-2013, 02:55 PM
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Travel like a Local:
1. Online Research. Read about the place before traveling there. Google, Wikipedia websites, this CD website, especially in the World, Europe, Asia forums.
2. Don’t go to only the major tourist attractions. Visit more local places away from major tourism sites where there isn’t always so many tourists.
3. Meet some people living there, and travel with them in the place. Tell those people you want to travel like a local, and not just a tourist.
4. Appreciate the culture, and cultural immersion. Don’t be too stubborn with the familiar routine, such as the place you live in when you are not traveling. Visit the places you want to visit the most, and love the culture, life, and scenery there.
5. Get to know the most amazing, interesting local places away from the major tourist sites, and know travel interests, lifestyle, and the kind of local places you want to be for plenty of hours in life of your life.
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