Make History While You Travel

March is Women’s History Month, which makes me ask the question about leaving your legacy when you travel. How will you be remembered after you leave your travel destination?  Tourists are notorious for enjoying themselves at the expense of the locals who remain there long after they depart back to their home country.  Below are a few suggestions about how to leave a positive legacy for not only yourself, but others while traveling. 

Do Your Research

Spend a little time with a guidebook or the internet to get an idea of what to wear, how to act, and what to expect when traveling for the first time to a new destination.  If questions come up on the plane, ask a flight attendant.  Upon arrival, the hotel concierge is a good resource for information on customs if you are short on time.

Use the Best Friend’s Grandmother’s House Test

When traveling to countries where religion, food, and even dress are different, use the “best friend’s grandmother’s house” test.  Would you go over to your best friend’s grandmother’s house and insist on eating certain foods, wearing a tank top, and not even bowing your head at grace?  Likely not. Be respectful when traveling abroad, and be sure to put others in front of yourself when it comes to longstanding customs. 

Travel Softly

When dining out in local restaurants look around and consider ordering what the locals are eating.  Not only will you likely enjoy something much fresher and tastier than your favorite hometown meal, but you are much more likely to use fewer natural resources such as fuel or water to prepare your meal.  The same can be said for transportation.  Why hire a car when you can ride the bus with the locals and save a little gas?

Take Notes

Carry a small journal with you and take notes of your observations as you move about the day.  How are people lining up for the bus?  What are the women doing differently from the men?  Jot down your observations and pull your notes out before you return – or share them with a friend who may be visiting soon.

Ask the Locals

Many locals are happy to share information about their favorite places to visit, dine, and even give you the inside scoop on what is happening away from the tourist locations.  Not only will you get an authentic experience, you may end up being invited into someone’s home for a genuine home cooked meal with stories to boot!