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Interacting with locals is essential to any meaningful vagabonding experience, and that’s why I devote an entire chapter to the topic in Vagabonding. In a recent issue of National Geographic Adventure, Dangerous Places author Robert Young Pelton gives some great advice on meeting strangers on the road, which I’ll reprint here:
Looking for enlightened travel? Put yourself in the hands of strangers.
By Robert Young Pelton
Here’s a radical idea for your next trip: Limit prep work to booking a hotel room for the first night and buying a decent map. Once you reach your destination, set off to meet the locals. They’re the ones who will determine your itinerary.
The payoff for putting your plans in the hands of strangers? It leads to the kind of getaway where people are the adventure, personal relationships are the winding trails, and enlightenment is the summit.
Believe it or not, most people respond positively when I simply say, “I have come to your country to learn more about [insert subject here]. Can you help me?”
There are mullahs, professors, mayors, warlords, and nomads who await your earnest inquiries. That’s how I got to hang out with a snake charmer in India, call sharks in the Solomon Islands, and — most memorably — tour every square inch of Tingo Mar
August 20th, 2003 at 5:01 am
Glad to see you’re keeping up your blog this summer, Rolf!
Just an idea for travellers who have special interests: if you have a particular skill or hobby that can be shared with those in the country you’re visiting, bring along supplies, and try to do some online research beforehand. Sometimes you can make contacts before you go, and sometimes it’s serendipitous.
In March, I visited Haiti–Port-au-Prince–for a few days. I’m a painter, and had tried to get a list of schools to demonstrate a wax medium I use called encaustic, and donate paints and supplies. The American Embassy told me to wait till I arrived–they couldn’t give out information till then.
As I left the embassy emptyhanded and discouraged, a guy grabbed my arm on the street. Five minutes later, he led me to the Ecole Nationale des Arts, where I gave a presentation the following day in French and have been invited back to teach. And I plan to.
In SE Cuba, I found an enclave of artists in a lovely town called Baracoa, demonstrated encaustic and gave away paints and brushes. I never would’ve stopped there if I hadn’t found artists online. Those days in Baracoa were the most powerful portion of two weeks in Cuba, because of the people I met, and the stories told.
~Elizabeth Briel
Busan, Korea
September 20th, 2003 at 10:38 pm
To anyone but especially to anyone who has been to any of theccountries I am travelling through:
I am planning a overland trip from Morocco to Sierra Leone. I will enter Morocco sometime in late November. My main concern is how to carry my money, considering that devices for ATM or credit cards and travellers checks are unavailable in many places. Carrying large amounts of cash seems foolish and paranoia inspiring.
Hats off to all of you who seek to meet the people, this method is the best for travel and learning a language.
Will Dobbs
January 13th, 2004 at 9:08 pm
Hi,
I am a high school student. I am trying to get a hold of Robert Young Pelton. The reason is because my teacher has introduced me to the show called “The Worlds Most Dangerous Places.” I have become very interested in this show. I am doing a project in school on Robert Young Pelton and i wanted to try to one of his stickers. I only need one. The thing is that i wanted to know if he could send me one. Well thank your for ur time.
November 22nd, 2005 at 8:28 am
I am a student also doing a project on Robert Young Pelton, and I just have to say that that while I admire the unmatched quality of his journalism and courage I no longer agree with his methods. I lost alot of respect for the him while reading “Three worlds gone mad” because he became too intimate with his Chechen guides. He’s a human being and these things happen, but it also invalidated all of the positive things he said about them. In a way I cannot fully agree with this vagabonding thing unless you are trying to make bonds rather than be impartial and analytical. It’s a good activity for a traveller, but a bad idea for someone that take’s on the tremendous subjects Pelton does. Sometimes we shouldn’t think with our hearts alone, and keep a clear head. Pelton almost let himself become a cause of war and bloodshed because he convinced himself his side was right.
May 9th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
Ok there seems to be a bit of confusion on the origins of Mr. Pelton. Was he born and raised and educated in Edmonton, or did he briefly attend Mt.Doug in Victoria? IF it is the latter, no one remembers him. I digress, I sincerely hope all that read tales of adventure in truly dangerous places do not feel that the third world is populated by happy drooling dog-people who can be charmed and proof helpful by a five dollar mini-mag bribe. That is a sure way to end up dead-dead-dead. This is just my two cents worth. Advice from a guy who spent way too many years dealing with the truly internationaly shifty….stay home. They will not differentiate between Yanqui or Canadian or Scandinavian or whatever. You white you Yank..period… “BUSH DIE BUSH DIE!”…those could be the last words you hear as you desperately try and offer up the trinket or Canadian flag pin to pacify the pissed ak-47 toting local. Here is a good one for ya…a friend of mine was riding his motorcyle down a back road in southern Mexico when a local farmer waved at him and then raised his rifle after he had passed, and attempted to shoot him off his bike..he missed. When he arrived at the next village, he reported the incident to the police…who roared with laughter. They told him “old Pablo hadn’t hit a gringo traveler in months, and was getting worried that his eys were starting to go. Thats how much your life is worth in most places on this planet. I am now happily retired from world of risky buisness, and am truly grateful that I did not venture forth as a half or poorly-informed civilian. Be safe, have fun..enjoy your kids, don’t make them nervous or suspect you are stupid. There was a time that quiet diplomacy and blending in could get you by, but in these terrible times, you are not welcome. IF you think it would be cool to travel to dangerous places, make sure your will is up to date and your obit sounds cool. Of course someone will get all snarky and ask why I have such a low opinion of shitty places and those who go there for thrills. Because I acually signed up for that crap. After 25 years and 266 days I can vouch for all those who would love to take your wallet, blackberry, ipod, watch, whatever. They can spot (and smell) you a mile away. No matter what clothing you think is local, they will see you buying it..they watch you the second your plane lands or your boat docks or you vehicle crosses the border. Makeup, tanning beds or trying to “localize” your features at a local salty, wind swept beach will be to no avail. They know..they always do. Just because you arent being stared at does not mean you “pulled it off”. Even if you Spanish, Hindi, Farsi or other second language is flawless they will find you out. If you think that Mr. Pelton and his ilk are truly swinging a huge set and that is why they have survived you would be wrong. Even intimate knowledge of all things international survival, even posetion of all of Hemmingways works will not save you from torture most horrid if someone has a bone to pick with you, or western culture in General. Now just for a moment pretend you have a penchant for not only culture related danger, but journalism as well. Read this carefully http://www.cpj.org/killed/killed_archives/Intro.html and understand that these people had a sembalance of protection. You will not enjoy such protection, and in most situations no diplomatic immunity. If you do not believe me, call or email your countries’ department of foreign affairs, and be honest with you plans and listen to their response and advice…carefully.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
hey robert i have the same last name as you and would like to get in contact
August 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
‘Black Flag Cafe forum’ is the place to hook up with Pelton & co.
It used to be a site for harcore adventure travel types. A good number of people there DO travel to ‘Way out of the way places, but the site has cooled down some in that regard. Prepare for a good amount of anti-American sentiment…
Some of the older hardcore ‘Flaggers got annoyed that the edgy travel was replaced with more political and current event discussion, along with the expected arguments. There are other forums there for those with multiple interests: discussions on equipment, entertainment, paranormal experiences and humor to name a few.
It’s a lively site, no doubt (you will NOT be bored), but you’d best have some chops: i.e. travel to places like China, Haiti,
the Balkans, Peru, the Middle East, etc under your belt if you want to get deep into the discussions. I have limited overseas travel, but am still alive and have all my limbs.
Some of the BFC crowd also attend at Polosbastards.com
Peltons’ Mr. DP laughing skull stickers can be purchased off the Black Flag Cafe site.