Travel Tips from the Natives

Travel Tips from the Natives             
As the school year winded down, things got very busy around here.  Training camp was unreal.  I have been packing, getting last minute items, taking some small road trips, and getting caught up on rest.  One of my little projects included interviewing the parents’ of current and former students who are from the countries we are planning on working in.  Here are their travel tips that they gave me for getting around in their homelands.
 
Ireland: from Patrick Brennan from my dad’s work
·                     The Irish have very quick witted tongues called “slagging.” Trust is formed in a firm handshake and steady eye contact. The Irish love storytelling and have astrong dislike for superiority complexes.  They will usually be silent before saying no; there is no words in Gaelic for yes or no.
·                     Visit the Blarney castle in Cork, the castle in Kilkenney, and go swimming in Bali Bunyon. 
·                     Don’t eat the black pudding!! (blood)
·                     If you’re in Kilkenny, find the taxi driver Billy Brennan.  His brother’s name is Phillip Brennan, and  they will take you on an awesome tour.
 
Ukraine: from my student Juliette’s mother and father
·                     August will be relatively hot with lots of rain.
·                     The currency is Grivna with about 8 Grivnas=$1.
·                     Be especially careful with your money in the airport, piazzas, and subways.
·                     A meal could cost $15-$20 in a large city like Kiev to $3-5 in the smaller towns.
·                     A bottle of water costs between 60 and 70 cents.
·                     If traveling in a taxi, negotiate a flat rate with the driver before getting in the cab. Otherwise you may be taken on a scenic joyride.
·                     When ministering to others, give them the impression that it doesn’t matter in which way they worship.
·                     Kiev has very interesting old religious caves called Pechersk Lavra. Also recommended is the city gate of Vladamir and the World War 2 museum.
·                     Lviv is home of the theaters and considered 2^nd in beauty in the Soviet Union.
·                     Chernivtsi is the home city of my interviewee; it has the Old Orthodox headquarters and a large university.
 
Russia: from my student Juliette’s mother and father
·                     Speak Russian: hello-zdravstvujte (strah-sta-voy-tea-yeah) or priviet
How are you? Kak dela (day lah)
I’m fine, thanks.- spasiba horošo (ha-row-show)
My name is-menya zavut (minya zah-voot)
Good day-dobryj dyen (doe-bree-dee-en)
Good luck-Uda�i (oo-da-chi)
Have a nice day Xaroševo dnja (ha-rowsh-eva-dnya)
Where is the bathroom? Gde tualet (g-day-twa-let)
I love you. ja tebya lyublyu (yeh-the-beh-loo-bloo)
Goodbye- dasveedAnja (dad-vee-dan-ya) or poka (pah-kah)
·                     Currency: $1=about 30 Rubles
·                     Food: eat borch- the salads are sparse, they eat a lot of potatoes, order meat at most restaurants, but most celebrations are done in the home: buy your food in the market
·                     In Moscow, visit the Kremlin and the many churches.
·                     In St. Petersburg, visit the Winter Palace and the art gallery
·                     Bathrooms can be confusing: Men is marked with a capital M and women with an asterisk: you might have to pay $1 for a public restroom and carry toilet paper with you
 
Kenya: from my student Nicole’s mom, Monica

• $1=approx. 85 Kenyan shillings
• The Bantu tribes of Kikuya, Luhya, and Kamba are in the central and southeast parts. The Nilotic tribes of Luo, Kalenjin, Turkana, and Maasai tribes are in the west. The Cushitic tribes of the Somburu, Turkana, and Rendile tribes are in  northeast.
• The official languages are Kiswahili and English. There are 13 ethnic groups and 27 smaller tribes.
• There are one half Christian peopleand one tenth Muslims.
• “Harambee” is the word for group/community cooperative effort.
• Independence was gained by the first president Joma Kenyatta.
• Eat and shake hands with the right hand; use the left for toilet duties.
• Use lengthy greetings with everyone before getting to business.
• There is a strong respect for education and teachers.
• Bring sugar or tea as a gift in the rural areas.
• Wait to drink until after the meal; eat everything on your plate.
• The people use a lot of analogies, stories, and metaphors to communicate; avoid bluntness.
• You can buy a mosquito net in the local shops in Nairobi.
• The best wildlife park is the Maasai Mara park.
• If you are in Nakuru, visit the lake and national park.
• There is a national election in December and things will be chaotic in the cities in the months leading up to it.
• If in Mumbasa visit the Portuguese Fort Jesus and the Indian Ocean beaches. They use formal English in this city.
• Try the foods chapatti, mandazi, and samosa, as well as the instant coffee.
• In October, things are starting to get warm, but the rainy season has come and gone!!
• The government is corrupt and many officials have to be paid off for the people to get results.
• The pharmacy supplies come from England and will be different from the brands you’re used to.
• The bible in different languages: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/.

• Speak Swahili:
• Hello: Habari or Hujambo
• My name is: Ninaitwa_____________
• Bye: Kwaheri
• Drink: Kunywa
• Eat: Kula
• Friend: Rafiki
• Excuse me: Samahani
• Good: Nzuri
• Thanks: Asante sana
• 1-10: Moja, Mbili, Tatu, Nne, Tano, Sita, Saba, Nane, Tisa, Kumi

India: from my student Dev’s and student Arshita’s moms
Speak Hindi: Excuse me?- Maaf kijiyeh (mahf key-g-yay)
                        Please -Merhebani (mer-ban-e key-g-yay)
                        Thanks- Shukriya (shoe-cree-u)
                         Yes and no-jee haan and jee nahin (hah and nÅ�)
                         How are you? Aap kiaseh hain (ap kay-say ho)
                         My name is-meraa naam your name hai (mair-na nom ______ hey)
 Foods to try: paneer and sabji (sub-G) and sweetsop in Mumbai; dals are rich in proteinPlaces to visit:  Jaipur, Rajsthani is the “pink city” largest city in the state; very historical with many palaces; visit the jaisalmer tent resorts in the deserts
Jodhpur, Rajsthani is the “blue city” and ”sun city” -second largest in the state; has palaces, forts, and temples
Mumbai or Bombay home of India’s Bollywood and famous actors, dancers, and icons such as Mohanlal
Agra– Taj Mahal
New Delhi-capital
Goa-best beaches

 Fast facts: 100 % of people in the south (Keraloa) are educated.
A nice Indian dress/outfit should cost you between 200-400 rupees.
If you contract malaria, go to the pharmacy and get a larigo tablet.
 When you go to the temples, pay $1 at the shoe check (get a token) or your shoes might be   stolen.
 Indians use mantra for meditation and healing.
A new baby ceremony called the Chola is performed on the 13^th day (Punjab).
Each state is different and unique!
January Holidays: Kite festival on January 14^th and Republic Day on January 26^th  
Currency-$1=50-55 Rupees
 

Nepal: from Lucky who worked at my student’s store

• Currency is rupees also. $1=about 75 rupees
• The political system is not good. Always be careful of kidnappers.  Don’t tell strangers you’re from the USA-make up a pseudo-country. You can usually trust females, children, and older people.  Do not trust many of the young, middle-age men.  Men that have long hair and beards are dangerous.  Don’t trust the rickshaw drivers; negotiate a price first.  Try to eat rice and dal.
• Places to visit: The tea garden of Nepal at Ilam in the far east near Darlingjing.

 
Cambodia: from my student Bunlee’s mom

• Saving face is important.  Be gentle in interactions; pushiness is a turnoff. Anger, impatience, and frustration should be hidden. Speaking with bravado is considered boasting. Be punctual and avoid prolonged eye contact. If someone disagrees with you they will usually remain silent.  Don’t hug or touch the members of the opposite sex.
• The Lucky store usually carries American goods.
• 24 waters is about $10.
• $1=4,000 Riel
• Pol Pot=Khmer Rouge killing field (1975)
• Angkor Wat-world’s largest religious building
• March has very hot weather.
• Former WR’er tip: Stay at the Phkar Chouk Tep 11 hotel; it has good a/c, it’s affordable, and it close to the mall and Olympic stadium.  The Blue Pumpkin on the riverside has great food and had the best wifi on this girl’s race. Also she said take a 4 hour bus trip south to Sihanoukville (Serendipity Beach) to get some nice beach time and good Western food.
• Speak Khmer (come-eye)

Hello formal-chum reap soo uh
Hello-Informal-Sue us day
My name is – k’nyom ch’moo-ah
Bathroom-bon-tup thk
Please Som
Thank You Aakoon
Too expensive Tlai Payk
Cheap Taok
Good-bye-chum reap lee ah