Posted in Grin , tagged food , travel on July 9, Leave a Comment Β». A further half of that time is usually spent on socializing or dining with local friends and colleagues. With the valuable time that remains, I am not prepared to stand in lines for the tourist attractions, only to mingle with visitors but the locals.
Trying to get a feel of the local culture and pulse is a must. It can be felt on the streets, in the local eateries, subway trains, neighborhood markets, grocery stores, or even convenience stores around every corner.
Take a step back, suck in the air, the sounds, and the sights on the streets, can be different enough. The key is maintaining an inquisitive mind at all times, and you will be nicely rewarded. The reason I mentioned age is because younger folks generally have a lot more energy to fill up their itineraries by visiting a dozen landmarks a day. Instead, I gave myself much less aggressive targets by taking light strolls on the streets, sitting down for coffee or tea, taking my time at the park, and to find my bearings using guide books and the all so convenient iPhone apps.
The only complaint I have when traveling for business is the absence of dining companions other than work colleagues.
This is when local food courts usually come to my rescue. Last month in Shanghai I discovered a newly opened food court right next to my hotel. To my surprise, the establishment was invested by Taiwanese and hence the entire mall is inhabited by licensed Taiwanese eateries. Read Full Post Β». Make your own judgement. For the full article and slideshow of why each of these cities are underrated, click here.
