By
Victor Avila, Jr.
INTRODUCTION
Many of us would like to travel to places that are exotic, have historical significance – maybe our parents or grandparents were born there – or we would like to learn about a new culture or a language. Can we afford it? Do we have time to get away? Are there family circumstances which keep us close to home? Certainly, we all have situations that inhibit our ability to travel.
You may have heard the term ‘transformational travel’ thrown around recently. It’s a growing term in the world of globe-trekking because so many of us, whether having accumulated thousands of miles under our belts or just a few, can attest to how transformative an experience travel can be. I think all of us, despite our means or constraints, should be able to embark on journeys of cultural and, more importantly, personal discovery on a regular basis.
Well, I am here to tell you that you can learn of new cultures and places of historical significance and not even have to leave your country or even your local area!
What is Transformational Travel?
Transformational travel is any experience that empowers people to make meaningful, lasting changes in their life: Travelling with intention, openness and mindfulness, engaging in challenging physical and/or cultural experiences and taking time for personal reflection and meaning-making.
Now, can you have Domestic Transformational Travel? Yes, you can! I’ll share with you how I did it and how you can too!
The beginnings
Several months ago, I met 28 people from 18 different countries, while spending six days in my nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. I did it and I am no world traveler! It takes a smidgen of curiosity, a teaspoon of politeness, a dram of patience and, most importantly, a willingness to wear a smile. Some decent shoes may help, too!
It’s as simple as seeing someone in your city who is wearing something foreign (to you), speaking in a foreign language, singing/whistling a different song or eating something you have no prior knowledge of. Just go up to that person and politely ask, “Can I ask you a question?” That someone will usually say, “Why, yes”, or “Oui”, “Sim”, “Ken”, “Ndiyo” or “HaaN.” This begins the process. You don’t know where it will go, but that is the fun part! It’s an adventure! It gets you out of your own backyard and into “their world,” which is likely thousands of miles away.
How does Domestic Transformational Travel transform you?
- You may realize that you are more fortunate and, perhaps, more prosperous than you thought you were. It will help you to better “count your blessings.”
- You may find new, creative ways to make those blessings count in ways that not only benefit you, but others too!
- Relatedly, you may stop taking things for granted that you may have previously:
- Clean drinking water
- Food readily available
- Shelter
- Family
- And shoes!
- You may increase your empathy for marginalized societies around the globe. The “marginalized” outnumber the “un-marginalized”, unfortunately, and their stories are worthy of being heard!
- You may realize that you want to continue to explore the unknown
How do you meet people from other cultures?
You can volunteer at community organizations or advocacy groups which help immigrants in various ways:
- Tutor an immigrant who needs help to learn or improve speaking your language.
- At a local court house. Many immigrants have difficulty understanding local laws and immigration policies. You can help direct them to seek legal help or resolve problems.
- At a nearby airport information desk. You’ll meet travellers from all over the world.
- If you are multi-lingual, volunteer at a community organization that works with immigrants. You will meet many travelers with many stories and enhance your ability to communicate cross-cultures.
- At a local hospital, where you can meet immigrants and foreign travelers. They get tummy aches, too!
You can get a job as a:
- Seasonal worker at national parks, tourist attractions, famous museums and historical places across the globe.
- Tour guide: Walking tours, bicycling tours, motorcycling tours, kayaking tours and bird-watching tours.
- Hop On – Hop Off Bus driver or narrator in any major city where tourism is rampant.
- Car rental agency clerk, where you will find where the world’s best (and worst) drivers come from
- Hotel or hostel employee at well-known lodgings, where many foreigners work and international travelers stay. You will meet people from everywhere.
What you may learn that you didn’t know before about the world
What is unique about a foreigner’s name – what does their name mean? For instance, Bachir means “the one who brings good news.” (Now a good friend of mine from Ethiopia)
Is social media common in all countries? (Some countries have their own version of global brands and ban certain popular sites)
What kind of transportation systems exist globally? How do people commute? By car, donkey, camel, horse, train, boat, ferry, walking… unicycle?
What kinds of unique food are there around the globe? How do people prepare their food? Are their cuisines spicy? Decadent? How do they sit around the dinner table? Do they use a table?
What kinds of music are popular in their cultures?
How do their medical systems run?
What conflicts exist there? How does it affect their communities? Their families?
What different forms of government exist?
What different types of languages or colloquialisms are spoken in various countries?
Popular Belfast Colloquialism
You many learn how much commonality you may have with other people across the world. HINT: There is a lot if it!
Who will you learn it from?
(The names of these individuals have been replaced by native names from their country, to respect their privacy):
Well, here’s who I learned from on my recent trip:
- Joao, Ethiopia: What is unique about Joao? He is generous! He offered for my wife and I to stay at his mansion back home in Ethiopia, even though he hadn’t been able to travel home in a long time.
- Nagnouna, whose father had to flee their country for fear of his life. He was a government employee who went to France after the government was overthrown. Eventually, Nagnouna, made her way to the US.
- Bachir, who drove for Uber and had a dog named Gopher (is there a better name for a dog?), lived up to his name too (see above), by taking us safely and swiftly across Washington, D.C., down alternate routes through heavy traffic, as if he had lived there his whole life!
- Dembe, from Uganada, who comes from a country crisscrossed by rivers, but cannot swim. I have profusely offered swimming lessons (It’s an important survival skill!). I don’t know if Dembe will take me up on my offer, but it won’t stop me from trying!
- A gentleman with the last name, Laughter, who was full of it!
- Iman Eufrasia, whose Godfather took him to Yankee Stadium regularly, despite baseball not being native to Egypt.
- Elizabeth, whose dog, Champ, was chased by a stag in her own backyard (Our family dog [below] was also named Champ… he was only good at chasing his tail. Ain’t he a cutie!)
Our beloved dog, Champ
- Your next door neighbor! How well do we know our neighbors nowadays?! It’s very likely you have a lot to learn from theym. They are likely, more so today than ever, to have grown up in a very different environment. Bring them over some sugar… or a beer or two!
Where will you learn it?
ANYWHERE !! A big city, small town, on a bus or airplane, a kayak or on a Llama!
What will it do to you?
TRANSFORM YOU!! It will transform you in ways you would never believe!
Soooo… Get out there and do it and hopefully I will see you out there!