Of course, I think that I’m the opposite extreme. Sometimes I try so hard not to be a tourist, I end up regretting not having any photos to share of my experiences or missing one of the main attractions of a city. There needs to be a balance between this idea of “tourism” and “integration.”
So, how do we balance the two? The easiest way to integrate is to start talking with locals, which can be done at the same time as all of the touristy stuff. Eat at the local restaurants and actually have a conversation with your waiter. Talk to the sellers in the market. Talk to other people staying at your hotel. Talk to the people you come across as you are walking down the street. You never know who you will run into.
When I arrived in Malta, I made it my mission to talk to everyone. I talked to the checkout clerk at the grocery store, I talked to the fruit and vegetable seller down the street, I talked to my neighbors when I saw them going in or out of their buildings, I talked to the bus driver on my way on and off the bus and I talked to the other teachers in my staff lounge. All of these people are used to their lives here already, so it was up to me to insert myself into their lives and get to know them. Of course, many of the people that I talked to initially are still just people I exchange basic greetings with, but now there is a fair number of people who have become some of my closest friends!
I also try to stay out of my apartment as much as possible. I arrive at work earlier and stay later than I need to. I work at local coffee shops instead of in my living room, I sing in the local choir and I am constantly hunting on Facebook for upcoming events and festivals.
