By jkichton
Hi readers! This week’s post is written while I’m lounging my worries away in my Airbnb host’s guest bed in Wien (Vienna), Austria. I have done a lot of traveling since my last post and because of that I have learned a trick or two. This post will explain the best things to do in order to experience the place you’re traveling around. Auf Wiedersehen!
The first thing I tell people when they come to DC is to go to all of the monuments at night because 1) no tourists will be there to ruin your Instagram worthy picture and 2) they are so, so, so much BETTER at night. Same for monuments in Europe! This also holds true for buildings, and especially cathedrals or churches. Have you ever been to a cathedral at like 8:00pm? Many will not be open, but I had the pleasure of seeing St. Stephen’s on Halloween night and it was awe inspiring. It really brought out the age of the architecture, and the darker side of such a beautiful piece of history.
Second thing to do is eat at grocery stores. But I want some traditional local foods! But the street food smells so good! But I have grocery stores at home! Yes, all of those statements are true. However, grocery stores in themselves are a window into a cultures food. They can be a place to explore too! Trust me, everything will be in a different language (with random English phrases spread throughout) and there will be brands that you have not even heard of. Additionally, it’s fun to see the difference in advertising and types of food that a normal family will buy. Lastly, eating here will be the cheapest place to eat abroad (if you are in a city).
Third is walking. Walking is the best way to see a city! Your speed is adjusted to how fast you want to walk, you can choose where to turn or when to stop, and you have a 360 degree view of the space around you. You have the power to turn down that cobblestone street lined with little restaurants. You have the choice to hike up the steep path leading to a view of the city. You have the option to take a seat on the bench under the pine tree or lay out on the chaise in the sun. You can walk any time of day, and you aren’t restricted to certain routes or places (unless of course the road is blocked off or it is a private area). Also, it’s free, and it provides good exercise!
Fourth, and this is something I just learned to do on this trip, is to read up on history of the place you are visiting beforehand. It is always wonderful to visit the monuments, statues, museums, buildings, cathedrals, palaces, and whatnot of the city you are in, but have you really experienced them if you do not know their history and significance, or even, their name? Obviously art and architecture and aesthetic and beauty are important and definitely play a factor in how you experience a city’s culture. But it is equally as important to realize why. Why is it painted in these colors? Why did the artist choose this brushstroke? Why was the palace built in this area? Why are the windows so small? Why is does this church have so much stained glass? Why does this church not have any decoration? Why is this old, dead guy’s name everywhere? These are the types of questions you must ask yourself in order to truly understand.
Fifth, did you get lost? Do you need to check your email? Do you need to see if certain train is running past midnight? Basically: do you need Wi-Fi? Step into a museum lobby or go to a café. Museums twill often have free Wi-Fi either in their lobby or throughout the whole museum. If you can’t access the lobby area without buying a ticket, then see if the museum looks interesting and take a shot at it! While you’re at it, don’t forget to use the restroom. Restrooms at museums are the cleanest around and also are free! Most cafés will have Wi-Fi, but it is polite to buy something and then use it. Take this opportunity to get away from Starbucks and go to a local café that looks just hipster enough. Pick a seat by the window and enjoy the time you have putting your feet up and relaxing!