re: Vacation where you wish you would have spent more time as a "local"

Paris. I threw it into the middle of an Amsterdam to London trip. Lots of reasons I didn't do it differently, but I've traveled more since and I would like a Paris do-over.

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the distinction of “local” seems to strange to me. In many cases people often throw the word around to differentiate between “authentic” and “tourist trap” but most of the places I’ve lived there might be a few places locals don’t go often because of ease of access (traffic, parking, lines, etc) but for the most part there’s not a lot of off the beaten path/secret knock to enter types of places out there.

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When I think “local”, I don’t think secret or special: really, to me, it’s just the opposite. I’m looking for the everyday, ordinary life experiences that people often take for granted and don’t really think of as special. Esp when visiting another country/very different culture, a trip to the post office, supermarket, produce market, or laundromat can become a mini adventure where you encounter non tourists on their home turf.

I’m reminded of the couple hours I spent at a coin op laundry with a pair of ultra local south Londoners, a plump, blond, sweet older mother and twenty something daughter who lived in nearby council housing. They helped me figure out the diff between the old pound coin and the new one, we talked about local politics (the Southwark neighborhood was awash in campaign flyers, and they were happy to tell a stranger what they thought of the various parties competing for their votes), how this slightly shabby laundry provided a better value than the nicer one down the block, and where to get the best fish n chips in the area. We had a lovely chat, very different than we might have had at a pub.

Everything’s an adventure, if you take the time to see it as such. My worst vacation experiences have mostly been caused by rude tourists (so often Americans) who are tired, grumpy, impatient, and rushed. Slow your roll, smell the flowers (or fabric softener), and don’t look for perfection.

Thailand!!!!