Episode #137
Five International Traveling Tips with Carmen Micsa
Season Three, Episode 137 Join your hosts, Carmen and Sophia Micsa, to learn how to become a savvy international traveler in five easy steps. On this Seeds of Sunshine: I share a guide on traveling internationally "like a local" to foster empathy and growth, based on my family's recent trip to Singapore and Bali. The primary goal is to move beyond being a regular tourist by immersing yourself in local customs, cuisine, and community. Research Destinations and Timing: Identify the best time to visit to ensure favorable weather and avoid off-season pitfalls. Utilize Diverse Information Sources: Use books, blogs, vlogs, and social media to learn about customs and traditions, while treating hotel reviews with a "grain of salt" unless safety concerns. Prioritize Flight Booking: Book flights first to secure reasonable pricing - I recommend direct flights for convenience. Immerse in Local Culture: Visit local markets and grocery stores, and ask taxi drivers for restaurant recommendations to avoid tourist traps. Interact Respectfully with Locals: Follow the principle of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" by abiding by local laws and customs, such as the ban on chewing gum in Singapore. Local Experience Recommendations Dining: Seek out "Warungs" (local family restaurants) for authentic, fresh, and reasonably priced homemade meals. Activities: Visit local libraries to appreciate architecture and understand national priorities, such as Singapore's program to fight "brain rot" through daily reading. Mindset: Approach travel with curiosity and kindness, recognizing the spiritual or cultural foundations of the region, such as Balinese Hinduism's emphasis on kindness to others, self, and nature. Travel Anecdotes - Bali Monkeys - listen to hear what happened. Personal Growth and Reflection, final seeds of sunshine: the importance of "Ma" (the Japanese concept of space/silence), practicing listening without interruption to better understand others. Emotional Takeaways: Travelers are encouraged to look beyond photos and focus on the memories, historical facts, and cultural lessons they carry home in their hearts. To connect with me and buy my books, please follow me: https://www.instagram.com/carmenseedsofsunshine https://www.facebook.com/cmicsa To purchase my tennis book Change Your Grip on Life Through Tennis and my poetry books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01N0RWHPQ/allbooks?ccs_id=d9dfb474-711b-4bfc-95ed-d20fd089fcfb To buy or sell your home with me and receive the best service, putting my 26 years of experience to work for you, check out my website and feel free to email or call me. https://dynamicsacramentohomes.com Support the show Full editing credit & art design to my daughter Sophia Micsa. There are three ways to support our podcast: 1. You can become a monthly subscriber to our podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1999885/support to help us continue our journey of sprinkling as many seeds of sunshine your way. When you become a subscriber, we will also give you a shout-out on our next episode and promote your business! No strings attached and you can cancel at any time. 2. Please donate any amount at https://ko-fi.com/carmenmicsa . 3. To follow me on social media, buy my books, or contact me about real estate, please visit https://linktr.ee/carmenmicsa , or email me at carmenmicsa@yahoo.com
