Travel Quote Tuesday | Vera Nazarian

Some places feel a lot like home, others far less so, but most of them are home to someone.

The exceptions I’m thinking of are the deserts and wildlife reserves I’ve visited in Southern Africa, the Galapagos Islands and the Falkands Islands, where there are few if any (human) residents.

But when I’m visiting somewhere where locals live, I’m a proper nosy parker, so I love the glimpse into other peoples’ lives, their culture and societal norms, the way they work and the way they spend their leisure time. I like seeing what’s the same as it is in my home town, region and country and what’s different. That’s probably why countries that are almost but not quite like my own (such as France and Scotland) interest me as much as those (like Japan and Peru) that are completely different.

One of my biggest pleasures when visiting an urban or suburban destination is to spend a happy hour or two browsing a local supermarket. Who else loves to do this? And what else do you like to do to gain an insight into the lives of the locals where you visit?

Since coming across this quote a few months ago, I’ve been reading author Vera Nazarian‘s work – some of her work is science-fiction, which I love, so it’s a great fit. Do check out her books yourself!

(c) Kavita Favelle - Vera Nazarian - Parma Italy

A few years ago I enjoyed a wonderful press trip to Parma to learn how Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese) and Proscuitto de Parma are made. We enjoyed some utterly delicious meals while we were there, and of course the chance to shop for a few edible treats to bring home. This is the Castello di Torrechiara (built in the 15th century by a local noble), located about 15 kilometres from the centre of Parma.

More Kavey Eats Travel Quotes. More quotes about Italy.

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22 Comments to "Travel Quote Tuesday | Vera Nazarian"

  1. Fiona Maclean

    I think most Londoners (and probably most people who live in a location with a lot of tourists) are very aware of this one. And, isn’t it wonderful when you get to meet some of those backyard people?

    Reply
  2. LaiAriel R. Samangka ( Thelittlelai: Beyond limits)

    This is truly a wonderful quote to read before embarking another journey again. yes, just like you I always wanted to delve in to a locals lives and what they do for a living. I also love to amble around the market where I get to see different things that a local could offer to a foreign visitor to their land. It is always something unelucidated whenever I do it. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

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    kaveyeats

    My pleasure, glad to see there are many like me who love that aspect of exploring how life is lived, how it’s the same and different from my own!

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  3. Joella

    What a fantastic quote and one I think on almost on a daily basis. As I explore far away and nearby places it is always good to remember that it is someones home. I love experiencing a location and its culture and learn from its people. Great quote to share.

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    kaveyeats

    Yes, I think it’s easy to forget and sometimes I cringe when I see people treat those who live a place like inhabitants of some exotic theme park!

    Reply
  4. Tania Mukherjee

    I love browsing through the supermarkets! I can understand why the Galapagos and Falkland Islands did not seem anywhere close to home for you. I get a deja vu whenever I land up in a place which is similar to home.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Yes, those places were not places where people generally live, so are quite an exception. In places where there are people living, then some feel more like home and some are more different! It’s an interesting difference in feeling but I enjoy both!

    Reply
  5. Nina Zara

    When I travel I always spend time with locals, find someone to show me around their place, and encounters like this oftentimes end up with invitation to their home for a meal. This way i see much more than the usual tourist.

    Reply
  6. Stella the Travelerette

    I like this quote a lot! I think it’s a good reminder to interact with locals, but it is also a good reminder to not be judgmental about other people’s countries. I am sometimes sad when I read travel bloggers calling places bad or overrated. That is someone’s home!

    Reply
  7. Sandy N Vyjay

    The quote is lovely, it is indeed a great truth that the places we visit are the homes of others, yes, learning about how other people live in a country we are mere tourists is like exploring a distant soul. It is a rejuvenation, rejoicing the alien people and their routines.
    Nice and inspirational.

    Reply
  8. Candy

    This quote is so true! I love checking out tourist areas, but I also love hanging where the locals are because that’s where I get a true glimpse of the country and its people 🙂

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    kaveyeats

    Yes indeed, and even if I don’t get a chance to socialise with some of the locals on a given visit, I love to potter around local supermarkets and parks and places of worship and just see and understand what life is like.

    Reply
  9. Nisha

    Nice quote. However one of the reasons of travelling is to learn and understand their culture. Only on talking to people we learn.

    Reply
  10. Glamorous Glutton

    My trips almost always start with a food tour, a real nose into the food and customs and often a chat with locals. I love to learn about a place through food and revel in the local flavours and people. GG

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    kaveyeats

    Me too, love learning the culture through the place’s cuisine and people!

    Reply
  11. Skye

    I absolutely agree, you haven’t really seen a place until you’ve experienced it through the eyes of a local. I love wandering around supermarkets too. It’s one of the first things I do. Local markets and health food stores are two other places I love. You really are mixing with the locals.

    Reply

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