Why Older Adults Cruise - Cultural Enrichment

One of the greatest joys I experience when visiting a new country is greeting people in a way that is familiar to them. Studying up on simple greetings and local customs is such a fascinating part of the journey before I've even left my home! Before YouTube and Google came on the scene, we had to read books about a location based on one author's perspective alone. Now we are so fortunate as to be able to watch hundreds of videos on various topics around a destination, such as proper etiquette and word pronunciation, combined with many author's perspectives thanks to access to blogs, books and articles from around the world.

I learned about the importance of embracing a culture by traveling with my father to different countries. We would be looking at a magnificent building and my dad would passionately talk about the history behind it. We would go out to dinner and he'd try his hand at French with a smile of humility. I'd sit back and wonder why I hadn't taken the culture into as much consideration as I had given the packing of weather appropriate attire.

Thanks to his example, along with the expansion of access to information via the internet, I now happily research and absorb as much information about a location as possible before I've even left home. It helps me anticipate all that lies ahead of me, knowing that the people, the history and the different ways they experience life will hit all of my senses when I'm there.

My dad, fishing for fortune in Kawagoe, Japan.

Dad and I in China, fully embracing the culture. (Drinking boba before we knew what it was...that was an experience!)

Many older adults may feel as though they've been there and done than when it comes to seeing different cultures around the world. Others may feel it will no longer interest them. My hope is that someone who is reading this will open themselves up to the possibility of there being more. More people to meet, as well as more laughter and humility and awe to experience. My father and I have been to Japan a total of three times, each years apart, and every time was a completely different experience. This was not only based on the different people and places we visited, but also the amount of pre-trip information available to us. I also look at things through a more mature lens each time I go, and appreciate learning new things due to my interactions with the country.

We have now passed down this love of different cultures to my daughter, who reminds me at least monthly that she hopes there will be more Japan trips to come. That's the other magic piece of exploring the world...sharing that love with your family, developing a love of travel in them and creating meaningful memories to reflect on for years to come.

Whether you want to visit a different culture for your own growth and connection to the world or share that experience with family and/or friends, I'm here to help along the way.