When can you say know a place?

When can you say know a place? -

People always want to discuss the supposed difference between the travelers and tourists. Tourists are in and out of the cities quickly, make a few shots, and following their leader to overpriced restaurants. Travellers on the other hand tend to be slower to move. We see a lot of sights like tourists, but the beaten path, stay in the cities to rise more, and make more effort to learn about the place. Or as we like to try. And then we left saying "we've seen a place" happy in our efforts not to be a tourist.

But we have really seen something? At what point can you leave a place and say, "I saw and know something about life in the city X." I do not think we ever really do. No matter how long we stay, small markets, we are exploring, or non-touristy things that we do, as travelers, we are never quite a placement only know someone who has lived, there can say that.

I 'm currently in Stockholm, where the weather is much colder than I like. Stockholm itself is small and beautiful. It's been years since I've seen the fall colors and the beautiful changing of the leaves makes for a nice compliment to Stockholm beautiful buildings. The small islands connected by bridges and surrounded by small boats reminds me of Venice ... if someone put Venice in the middle of Maine. If they found a way to get rid of the winter, I would live here.

But because of the weather and cost here, I did not have many tourist things. I just went to. I saw two bad museums. I walked around a little more. I observed people. I found a cool little supermarket. But I have not seen the royal palace still or Noble Museum. I did not make a boat tour. I have not been to the Vasa Museum. In short, there is still left a lot to see.

But does that mean I have not seen or experienced Stockholm? Or did I really see Stockholm, when I eat went shopping with my friends, sitting and relaxing with a few movies, went to a few bars and clubs, was taught naughty Swedish words, explains the Stockholm atmosphere, and taken to some restaurants in the area?

long-term travelers looking for a deeper understanding of the places they visit. They have come to learn a place by more than know only a few pictures. But we often do the same things, the three days tourists often that victims of many travel are joking. We go, we go shopping, we visit museums. And while we had a few off the beaten path places to visit, at best, we expect only to be able to say that this place is beautiful or ugly, this or that. I have been to Melbourne. I can advice on what to see and do and what I liked, but short visits provide only a superficial sense of a place.

But despite my short stay here and lack of "real" sightseeing, I feel like I know Stockholm a bit more than I otherwise would have normally. Because the heart of each place can not be found walking or sightseeing, it is found in the locals. To any understanding of a place that you require, as cliché as that sounds, like a local living. And here for my short time I lived like the locals did. I shaded a few groups of friends and did what they did. I have to find places where I was the only foreigner. I have to see the daily life (and some good nightlife!). And I'm not sure, armed only with a guide, I could have done any of it.

It is not until we begin to live like a local, that we get there really a recognition of the rhythm of life. Therefore CouchSurfing is such a great thing. You can stay with locals, see, where to go, go with them, and sit in the local rhythm. After all do not we all just want to "hang out with locals" only? I One of the greatest ironies of the trip is that we are going to explore cities and to meet the locals, but we usually stay only to backpackers or travelers at the end we met.

So despite my lack of "sightseeing", am happy with my time in Stockholm. I would never say I do, Stockholm, but by my friends, I have to see how the locals live and at the end of the day, that's what traveling is.

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