WHere?! Nomad Local Blog

I was surrounded by many 11-year-old kids, during my last day as an English teacher in a Slovak primary school. They were excited because it was the first time they met a Mexican guy, and people from other countries in a volunteer job from AIESEC.

So from all the souvenirs I got from Mexico, I still had candies, so I gave them to them as a present, and they loved them. To this day, it became a tradition: everytime I was leaving, when I wanted to show my gratitude to a person, I give a Mexican-spicy candy. because I realized this meant something to them.

Creating memories in a world cultural travel

It can be a travel chat, a trip, a coffee time, or even a candy that can make the difference when it comes to create memories. Honestly, I rather giving Mexican candies, because they can be for everyone. Who hates them! Although the question is, why are memories that important?

During world cultural travel, I have written about why money is not important, but the impact you and people get from sharing this experience together is.

“Inner sense of humanity lead us to… express our feelings such as gratitude, love, and respect.

When I traveled for the first time abroad, in Canada, seven years ago,  I remember a girl called Kaitlyin. I was headed to the University of Alberta to practice my English, I ended up lost. So I saw her and asked how to get there, surprisingly, she went with me. We talked all the way there while she was telling me about her goals and likes.

I don’t remember most of the conversation, but I have the memory of this kind and humble girl, who helped me find myself. After all these years, we haven’t met again, yet to this day, she’s such a good friend and we’re still in touch. Her impact in my life, small but meaningful, is still with me.

Also on WHere?!: Why did hosting travelers change my life? What to do before being a nomad

When you do cultural travel, you make family around the world, and this is important because they can become a great support during a long journey, which will help you when you need it, in the same way, you may do everything on your hands them when they need it.

Therefore, an important part of travel is creating bonds and connections with people, not because of any benefit, just because inner sense of humanity lead us to be social, to serve people, and to express our feelings such as gratitude, love, and respect, along the way. And those feelings, certainly are going to become memories too.

Meaningful travel adventure, the aim of a nomadic lifestyle

One of the best ways to express these feelings are with words (that’s the first way), although, they can be presents from your country if you like to go further, why not. 

Some people on Couchsurfing give postcards or souvenirs like local coins. Nevertheless, remember that you can only bring the lightest things you to a trip (I will tell you all this in a following article), but don’t worry, they can be many things, and they can be something it represents you too. When I host a girl even gave me a t-shirt. It can be anything, for real!

“Everyday we have the opportunity to leave something behind in each home that open us its doors.”

So as I enjoy showing my culture, and love food, with these kids from Slovakia, I discovered the smallest meaningful thing I can give were candies. And people are always happy with them. And I have the chance to create a last memory when they taste them. For most of them, it’s an unique experience.

In life, gratitude is essential for a cultural travel. People will join your journey, and they might be a great part of it, or a small,  it is not important. However, everyday we have the opportunity to leave something behind in each home that open us its doors. And It can come from anything, even from the smallest thing like a candy.

What is the best memory you have created through your travel?