Traveling for Instagram pictures is one thing, but feeding your soul to become a better version of yourself is another story. Travel allows this personal growth because we meet a lot of people from different parts of the world, and unique cultures help us change our perception of the world. In simpler words, it makes us more positive and accepting.
Ranging from different forms of art to local cultures and historical sites, there is so much to see in the world. So, if you are going on a global expedition and want to touch cultural boundaries, we are sharing some of the most immersive cultural experiences one can have (and should have!). Before we start, let us tell you that these cultural experiences don’t include any royal voyages and climbing summits!
Coffee Farm in Jardin
If you are someone who needs coffee first thing in the morning, going to a coffee farm in Jardin will revitalize your soul. You will learn a lot about Colombian coffee and how it’s produced. Ranging from seed planting to sipping a freshly brewed cup of coffee, it will be an inclusive experience. People living in the coffee region are actually very serious about it.
You can sign up for an agricultural tour to enjoy coffee farm workshops. In addition, you can pick the coffee beans and indulge in drying, roasting, and fermenting processes. As far as the farm is concerned, we recommend going to Finca Florida or similar farms because they have organic farms, so you can have an authentic experience. In fact, while you are there, you can learn about how coffee farmers live (it’s pretty laid-back).
Go to the Day of the Dead in Mexico
This might not sound “fun,” but it’s important to know every side of the country. This festival is celebrated in different cities in the country, and some of them can be more culturally immersive. To enjoy the true essence of this day, we recommend heading to Oaxaca City. It takes place on the 1st and 2nd of November every year, but you can go early and watch Mexican people prepare for it.
This day has pre-Hispanic roots, and on this day, people celebrate their dead family and friends. In the beginning, it was only about remembering the dead, but now, it’s about celebrating with them because they believe that spirits of their loved ones come to the Earth. Many think that’s it’s focused on death, but there are street parties, festive celebrations, and parades too.
Buddhist Blessing in Siem Reap
Also known as the Temple Town, Siem Reap is a great place to visit if you want the blessing of Buddha. This city is actually more than the tuk-tuk tours, so you can enjoy the true essence of Buddhism. Buddhism is an important part of this place, which means receiving Buddha’s blessing at these temples is a great deal.
For this purpose, you’ve to offer something to the resident monks and sit when they allow you to sit cross-legged with them on the floor mat. After a few rituals, you will get a red bracelet, which symbolizes protection, good luck, and faith. It’s said that this red string will absorb all the negative vibes, and you’ve to keep wearing it until it falls off on its own.
During the blessing ceremony, there will be a lot of praying and chanting (you might even get a water anointment). If you want, you can talk to the monks to learn about Buddhist culture.
Tea Ceremony in Japan
Imagine liking tea to a level that you end up celebrating it. It’s needless to say that Japan has traditions from centuries ago, which they embrace and respect. Having a tea ceremony is one such tradition, and it usually happens in Kyoto. During this ceremony, you can learn about the purification process that’s used while creating utensils for tea and the art of whisking matcha powder. In fact, they teach you how to hold your tea bowl the right way. Also, people who have always had loud slurps will learn how it’s actually “polite.”
Herd Sheep at the Rettir
No one thinks about herding sheep on their vacation, but this is one of the most unique cultural experiences. Rettir happens in September in Iceland (fun fact, the sheep population is double the number of humans in Iceland). This tradition has been around for more than three centuries. During the summer season, the sheep are allowed to wander.
However, when the wind starts getting chilly, the sheep are collected in one circular field and given back to their farmers. Once farmers get their sheep back, it’s a celebration, and every visitor can take part.
Harvest Grapes in Georgia
If you love wine, you’ve to go to Georgia to harvest grapes. In particular, you’ve to visit during the autumn season because there is a huge Rtveli wine harvest. This is an eight centuries-old tradition and has been listed as a global culture by UNESCO. They see grapes with stalks, seeds, and skin attached – everything is fermented together in clay vessels (it all happens underground).
This process helps create a natural and full-bodied wine. During this tradition, more than ten thousand families come together in the vineyards to pluck the grapes and prepare them for the fermentation. In fact, there is a lot of music and feasting at this festival, which fills your heart with joy. It usually starts at the end of September and goes on till November.
Nomadic Camping in Kyrgyzstan
We all have lived in comfortable beds for as long as we can remember, but experiencing the life of a nomad is an experience everyone should have once in a while. That being said, you can visit Kyrgyzstan and sleep in a yurt (yup, it’s authentic), which is a dome-like room made from natural materials. You get a wooden stove, and the structure is covered in felt and wool, so you can stay warm during the cold weather.
The yurts are basically family homes in which families prepare dinner, tend to their livestock, and raise their children. We recommend going on a three-day tour to Song Kol Lake (go on a horse for a complete experience). You will see stunning alpine lake views on the way. Staying in these yurts will help you learn about nomad culture and experience nature.
Tend To the Rice Fields in Laos
Laos is loaded with rice fields because these people have been growing rice for centuries. Having said that, rice is actually an important part of their economy, and locals usually make rice-centric meals. With this cultural experience, you will learn how to cultivate rice. For the best experience, you should go to the Living Land Rice Farm.
This farm offers a comprehensive understanding of different production stages. To begin with, you will learn about plowing, and you’ve to work with a buffalo (nope, there are no tractors here). You’ve to be barefoot and waddle through the muddy fields. After this, you can start planting, threshing, harvesting, and grinding. The fun part is that they use traditional tools. Once you’re done with the field work, you get a rice meal that makes you lick your fingers.
