Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ies, entire towns can be shut down to watch the local team or hero compete. Similarly, local
festivals can reach grand proportions, and if you decide to participate, you'll want to re-
search the practical details and make definite plans before arriving. If you happen to catch
a train into Siena, Italy around the time of the bi-annual horse race known as the Palio, as
I did once, you might face the possibility of spending the night on the street. In this last
case, I was thankfully spared from a night of homelessness by the kindness of an elderly
innkeeper, but I wouldn't wish the same stress on you during what's supposed to be a trip
of a lifetime!
Lastly, regarding the quirks that are certain to exist in your host country's culture,
a very good series of books that provides helpful—although sometimes stereotypic-
al—information is the Culture Smart! series. Knowing in advance, for instance, whether
everyone queues up for a line, as they do in most of western Europe, or whether it's every-
one for themselves, as it can be in parts of eastern Europe, can spare you aggravation later.
There's no sense in trying to impose an American way of thinking on a non-American situ-
ation; the sooner we open our minds to alternate ways of approaching life, the sooner we
let the travel experience affect us on a deeper level. In fact, there was a time when travel
was considered a requisite part of life education. Allow yourself to become immersed in
your planning and preparation process, and you'll find that this trip will transform you in
deep and unexpected ways.
