You may recall that for my travel list I mentioned that wherever I go, I will have to have a meaningful experience. My friend Liana is completely responsible for this development, who will fight to the death over whether or not you have actually been to a place depending on your experiences. Some may call her crazy, but I think she might have a point, and I have an article to support it.
My friend Alicia, another travel lover and photographer, posted an article by the Huffington Post this week on "10 things to do in every city you visit." I had to check the byline because I was sure Liana had written this article, but no, just a fellow enthusiast who upholds the same values.
I started thinking, did I do these things when I traveled to Europe?
My friend Alicia, another travel lover and photographer, posted an article by the Huffington Post this week on "10 things to do in every city you visit." I had to check the byline because I was sure Liana had written this article, but no, just a fellow enthusiast who upholds the same values.
I started thinking, did I do these things when I traveled to Europe?
1. Sample the local cuisine:
From the delicious cheeses and muesli, to the baurenwurst, rosti and Gugelhupf mit nidle, I tried everything that was put in front of me. Most of it, I had never had before! I realized that I love all food from Switzerland, especially the cheese, wurst and the amazing beer. I fell in love with a beer in Lucerne, and I will never be the same again. As for Barcelona? It was TAPAS TAPAS TAPAS! All I have to say is..patatas bravas.
From the delicious cheeses and muesli, to the baurenwurst, rosti and Gugelhupf mit nidle, I tried everything that was put in front of me. Most of it, I had never had before! I realized that I love all food from Switzerland, especially the cheese, wurst and the amazing beer. I fell in love with a beer in Lucerne, and I will never be the same again. As for Barcelona? It was TAPAS TAPAS TAPAS! All I have to say is..patatas bravas.
2. Sip the countries signature drink:
Speaking of beer, I think I had a huge variety while I was in Switzerland, and I loved all of them. The beer I had in Lucerne was by far my favorite, and was made on site at the restaurant we were eating at. Which means I may never see it again. I have had a hard time finding any Swiss beer in the US in fact... anyone know why? I will just have to continue to beg for Kerry to bring me some when she comes back! And Sangria on Las Ramblas? Done.
Speaking of beer, I think I had a huge variety while I was in Switzerland, and I loved all of them. The beer I had in Lucerne was by far my favorite, and was made on site at the restaurant we were eating at. Which means I may never see it again. I have had a hard time finding any Swiss beer in the US in fact... anyone know why? I will just have to continue to beg for Kerry to bring me some when she comes back! And Sangria on Las Ramblas? Done.
3. Visit a museum
We hadn't known we would be visiting a museum in Glarus, but Kerry had arranged for us to meet with her friend Rolf to take us through the museum for the great fire that occurred in 1861, that basically destroyed most of Glarus. It was interesting because it showed how most of the city would be considered "new" for Europe's standards, as opposed to the U.S. where anything from 1861 is historic.
We hadn't known we would be visiting a museum in Glarus, but Kerry had arranged for us to meet with her friend Rolf to take us through the museum for the great fire that occurred in 1861, that basically destroyed most of Glarus. It was interesting because it showed how most of the city would be considered "new" for Europe's standards, as opposed to the U.S. where anything from 1861 is historic.
4. Watch a local craftsman at work:
This is something we saw a lot of in Barcelona along Las Ramblas. There were stalls everywhere with handmade goods (mixed in with plastic pieces made from China), but the one thing I liked watching the most were the spray paint artists. They would make the most amazing pieces from various cans of spray paint. Watching them start with a blank canvas and turn it into something remarkable was great to watch!
This is something we saw a lot of in Barcelona along Las Ramblas. There were stalls everywhere with handmade goods (mixed in with plastic pieces made from China), but the one thing I liked watching the most were the spray paint artists. They would make the most amazing pieces from various cans of spray paint. Watching them start with a blank canvas and turn it into something remarkable was great to watch!
5. Ride the local transport system:
This was basically how we got around in all of the cities we went to, because in Europe they are everywhere, they are safe and they are so convenient! Especially in Switzerland where the trains would actually run on time! They were comfortable and clean, and we rode them to Lucern and Zurich with ease! We even came along some very interesting people on there as well.
This was basically how we got around in all of the cities we went to, because in Europe they are everywhere, they are safe and they are so convenient! Especially in Switzerland where the trains would actually run on time! They were comfortable and clean, and we rode them to Lucern and Zurich with ease! We even came along some very interesting people on there as well.
6. Learn some basic phrases in the local language:
Switzerland was tough for this, because what they speak is a mix of everything from German to Italian, with regional differences mixed in. Just how people in the south may say "coke", while people out west say "pop", and people everywhere else say "soda". We all know what someone means if we hear it spoken somewhere else, but a foreigner (like me in Switzerland) could get very confused. Not only that, but I don't know any German for that matter, so we relied on Kerry mostly, but I was fascinated with learning swiss-german and learned a few things. Grüezi (hello), Merci vilmal (thanks a lot), Tschüss (good bye), Proscht (cheers).. My favorites: shurn (cute) and mine fette sow (my fat pig). The last one Jake and I started calling each other, affectionately, but some of the locals didn't understand our humor and scolded Jake. Oops!
Switzerland was tough for this, because what they speak is a mix of everything from German to Italian, with regional differences mixed in. Just how people in the south may say "coke", while people out west say "pop", and people everywhere else say "soda". We all know what someone means if we hear it spoken somewhere else, but a foreigner (like me in Switzerland) could get very confused. Not only that, but I don't know any German for that matter, so we relied on Kerry mostly, but I was fascinated with learning swiss-german and learned a few things. Grüezi (hello), Merci vilmal (thanks a lot), Tschüss (good bye), Proscht (cheers).. My favorites: shurn (cute) and mine fette sow (my fat pig). The last one Jake and I started calling each other, affectionately, but some of the locals didn't understand our humor and scolded Jake. Oops!
7. Have an experience in nature
Our entire trip in Switzerland we pretty much lived in nature. Hiking the alps? I think that pretty much covers this item on the list. Oh, and spending the day at Klöntalersee? Also amazing.
Our entire trip in Switzerland we pretty much lived in nature. Hiking the alps? I think that pretty much covers this item on the list. Oh, and spending the day at Klöntalersee? Also amazing.
8. Befriend a local:
We met so many amazing people while we were in Europe, but we made long lasting friendships with two of Kerry's close friends, the Craigies. Although originally from Scotland, Margaret and Andrew came to Switzerland over 15 years ago and bonded with Kerry when she moved there. On our first night in Switzerland, they took us in and served us delicious food and we drank amazing amounts of, i mean amazing tasting wine. I hope they both do decide to come visit this summer!
We met so many amazing people while we were in Europe, but we made long lasting friendships with two of Kerry's close friends, the Craigies. Although originally from Scotland, Margaret and Andrew came to Switzerland over 15 years ago and bonded with Kerry when she moved there. On our first night in Switzerland, they took us in and served us delicious food and we drank amazing amounts of, i mean amazing tasting wine. I hope they both do decide to come visit this summer!
9. Browse a local market
Jake and I definitely got our fill of local markets in both Switzerland and Spain, but I have to say the famous market in Barcelona was by far the most amazing! The Mercat de la Boqueria is famous for its amazing fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and seafood as well as local candies, wine and spices. It has everything! We explored the market, bought a few things, and even ate lunch at a tapas place right in the middle of it! A definite must if you are ever in Barcelona!
Jake and I definitely got our fill of local markets in both Switzerland and Spain, but I have to say the famous market in Barcelona was by far the most amazing! The Mercat de la Boqueria is famous for its amazing fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and seafood as well as local candies, wine and spices. It has everything! We explored the market, bought a few things, and even ate lunch at a tapas place right in the middle of it! A definite must if you are ever in Barcelona!
10. Watch a cultural tradition or ceremony
This was probably the only thing we did not experience in either Switzerland or Barcelona. However, I think we had plenty of experiences while we were there to make our trip a meaningful experience.
Suffice to say, I think that if you complete any of the things on this list, you can say you have been to a place. Am I right Liana?
Is there anything missing from this list? Do you think you have to have an experience to say you have been to a place?
This was probably the only thing we did not experience in either Switzerland or Barcelona. However, I think we had plenty of experiences while we were there to make our trip a meaningful experience.
Suffice to say, I think that if you complete any of the things on this list, you can say you have been to a place. Am I right Liana?
Is there anything missing from this list? Do you think you have to have an experience to say you have been to a place?