Traveling Abroad in Your Back Yard

One aspect of American life that is relatively unique in this world is that we truly are a blended society. We are, after all, a country of immigrants, with almost all of us able to trace our roots to an ancestor that made their way across one pond or another to land on these shores.

Today the wave of immigration continues and provides us with a diverse array of ethnic neighborhoods that we either live in or near. Getting out and discovering some of these gems is not only an enjoyable pastime, but also rather addictive once your taste buds get involved.

Everyone has heard of New York City's famous Chinatown where you must go for a weekend dim sum experience and perhaps even a little shopping for a new purse or pair of sunglasses. In Boston we have our very own Chinatown, as do many other cities nationwide. But it is not just large cities that host foreign communities in their midst.

Now that you're in a new neighborhood ask around and I'm sure you'll find your own treasure of new cultures minutes away from your local grocery store. Get out there and explore with a friend or family member.

I live in an area that seems to attract Brazilians. Lucky for us, even the local grocery store recognizes their influence and stocks Goya products and guarana. But even luckier for us, Brazilians seem to be very entrepreneurial. Within five miles of my home there are at least a dozen Brazilian restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores. Once I tasted churrasco, the national Brazilian fare of barbequed meat, I couldn't bring myself to ever go to Bugaboo Creek again.

Another fun activity that will truly expand your horizons is stepping into an Asian, Greek, or Indian market. There is no doubt that this can be an overwhelming experience with endless rows of foods that look and smell different, and labels that are illegible.

One way to make it more manageable is to first go to a restaurant that offers this type of food. Pick one dish you particularly like and would like to replicate at home on a regular basis. Either ask the restaurant owner, or even better (especially if there's a language barrier) check on the internet for the recipe. Then take the recipe to an ethnic food market, and ask for a little help finding the ingredients. While you're there, ask other shoppers or the owner for some other items that you might try that are easy to prepare at home. After all, frozen food is not just an American phenomenon. Get some foreign frozen goodies, some foreign drinks, and some foreign snacks. If you're really up for some adventure, go to amazon.com and listen to some foreign music and order a couple of CDs.

Bring it all home, tie on the apron, put on the music to match the country being celebrated that evening, and you're off on a special adventure. The best part, is that you can do it all again with another country the next week!

Also not to be missed are the various international cultural opportunities that await us at local universities, symphony halls, and museums. I was recently surprised to see that the local art museum was offering international movie nights featuring select films deemed the best of the best from a few European countries. Whether you enjoy flamenco dance or African music, you are sure to find the opportunity in a city close by.

Of course, if all else fails, there is always the joy of actually traveling to another country. Many of us do not have to go far. Canada, our friend to the north, is close to many American cities and an easy flight for those further south. Vancouver they say is stunning, although I have never been. I myself prefer Montreal and Quebec which are not far, but make you feel as if you've landed in Europe. Fortunately for me, most Quebecois speak at least some English but it is also a nice way to test out your high school French. Ottawa, Canada's capital city, is also very charming and has so much to offer even for weekend visitors-fantastic museums, a lovely old market area, and their very own "Big Ben" and Houses of Parliament to rival those across the pond in London.

No matter where you are or what stage in life you've reached, there are plenty of ways to travel abroad in your back yard. Whether you're a food or an art aficionado, grab your sense of adventure, and go out and explore the other side of your new neighborhood.

Article provided by Homesteader.