Kiss or Kiss Kiss...That is the Question

I am advocate for embracing different cultures and I have definitely mumbled the words "when in Rome" from time to time. However, its not easy keeping track of numerous cultural traditions. Therefore, when you do like the locals but you are not a local, you run the risk of...doing it wrong. 

The most difficult cultural tradition for me to remember is the kiss on the check greeting. Some countries prefer one cheek, others prefer two cheeks, and then there is me who kind of lingers in between the one and two cheek kiss. I always wonder if my greeter feels as uncomfortable as I look. These customs usually leave me wondering things such as: How loud should my kiss be? Or, do I actually kiss the cheek or just make a kiss like motion in the general vicinity of the cheek? Quite honestly I can't really answer these questions because I haven't figured it out myself. Hopefully, however, I can clarify which countries prefer which technique. 

One Kiss

• Argentina - One kiss on the right cheek but only if you have already met the person. If its your first meeting, you shake hands. This applies to both men and women.
  
• Chile - Women receive and give one air kiss on the right cheek as a greeting and as a form of goodbye. 

Kiss, Kiss

• Austria - After you get to know someone it is common to greet someone with an air kiss on each cheek. 
  
• Brazil - If you are a woman and you are greeting your friends, you most likely will exchange air kisses on both cheeks, maybe even multiple times depending on how close of friends you are. 
  
• France - When greeting friends and family the French usually kiss each check starting with the left side. Its usually a good idea not to initiate a kiss but be ready to respond if someone greets you this way. 
  
• New Zealand - The typical greeting in New Zealand is a handshake. However, the traditional greeting amongst Maori people is called a hongi. Women are kissed once on the cheek and men press noses together with eyes closed while making a "mm-mm" sound. When in doubt just go with the handshake! 
  
• Turkey - Close friends of either sex may kiss on each cheek in addition to giving a two handed handshake. When you greet elders it is customary to kiss their hand and touch it to your forehead. 
  

Kiss, Kiss...and then Another!

• Belgium - If you know someone well, expect air kisses in the pattern of right cheek, left cheek, right cheek. 
  
• Morocco - Members of the same sex often kiss their friends once on one cheek and twice on the other. 
  
• The Netherlands - Close friends, although never two men, will kiss each other three times starting and ending with the left cheek. 
  
• Switzerland - Always assume you are going to greet with a handshake. However, if you are greeted with a kiss on the cheek, expect three kisses. 
  

So there you have it! If you feel like this post opened the door to a million more questions then you are not alone. Trust me, I feel the same way! I left out some Western European countries because they don't have a specific kiss protocol.  Usually a handshake will suffice but amongst friends it is common to give multiple kisses. When greeting someone in the United Kingdom it can get awkward. Much like in the United States, people are introducing the one or two kiss technique. Therefore, there isn't a salutation norm so no one really knows if they should shake hands or go in for the kiss. 

My resource for this post is one of my favorite guidebooks, Behave Yourself! The Essential guide to International Etiquette. If I forgot a country, please leave a comment! 

Dine Out and 'Veg Out'

I love the thrill of dining out while traveling and searching through tantalizing menu items, anticipating the tastes and flavors of previously unknown dishes. I am lucky in that I am able and willing to try just about anything. 

Lets see there was the sea urchin in Japan (tastes like tuna tartare,) bone marrow in New York City, and the unidentified object in Thailand. However, I find it a tad intimidating and frustrating trying to search for that perfect restaurant while traveling. Therefore, I can only imagine how difficult it is to search for restaurants abroad for people who have dietary restrictions or preferred dining habits. In addition, being a vegetarian must especially difficult in countries where meat is the main ingredient i.e. Brazil or Argentina. 

So for the vegetarians or vegans out there I found two online resources that hopefully will make it a little easier to find the perfect restaurants while traveling abroad. 

Happy Cow - In my opinion this is the best site for searching international vegetarian or vegan restaurants. It is very user friendly, covers a vast range of destinations, and the recommendations are authentic, good eats. You can also submit your own recommendations for veggie eats as well as join the community of vegetarian travelers. I also found their Facebook Fan Page to be a valuable source if information. 

VegDining.com - I am not a fan of the design of this website. However, it seems to be very popular. It isn't as user friendly as Happy Cow. However, I think it houses more content and resources than Happy Cow. VegDining.com features travel destinations and their vegetarian delights as well as extensive profiles of various restaurants. You can also access recipes, special offers, and join their VegDining rewards program. Their Facebook Fan Page has over 6,000 fans so apparently they are doing something right.

Two Peruvian Secrets - That's All You Need to Know

I was fortunate to have visited Peru right before it started to become the talk of the travel world. I fell in love with everything about Peru and I came back feeling like I had just discovered something. I am capable of giving you a detailed description of Peru and all its highlights but thats best left to the guidebooks. My personal push for the destination would be to just say: When you visit Machu Picchu and are standing at the top of the Andes Mountains, glancing up at Huayna Picchu and gazing down on the Urubamba Valley, you cannot help but to be astounded by the existence of something so inexplicable. 

My experience in Peru lead me to the discovery of two Peruvian secrets. So far these are proven secrets since no one has contested them yet. I honestly believe that the two statements you are about to read can truly maximize your cultural experience in Peru. 

1. Peruvian Cuisine is One of the Best Cuisines in the World

Most people think of guinea pig when they think of Peruvian cuisine. However, the guinea pig is mainly a tourist stunt. Peruvian food is heavily influenced by Asian cuisine. Peru actually had a Japanese president up until the year 2000. Are you a fan of Nobu Matsuhisa? Well the food you eat at one of Nobu's restaurants is considered Peruvian and Japanese fusion cuisine. Nobu actually began his culinary studies in Peru. Peruvians also use a lot of spices but are very careful to make sure that one spice never overpowers an another. You can also expect that your food will be as homemade as your own grandmother's cooking (expect a wait for your food but its worth it.) Peru is definitely a place that you should not hesitate to stumble upon a new culinary find. 

2. It is Better to Stay in the Town of Aguas Calientes Rather than on the Machu Picchu Grounds

This is the toughest secret to convey to travelers. Everyone wants to stay at The Sanctuary Lodge since it sits on Machu Picchu grounds. This hotel is always sold out, which results in so many disappointed people. However, there is no reason to be disappointed. The alternative to staying at the Sanctuary is staying at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes (a 20 minute bus ride down the mountain.) The last bus to town leaves when Machu Picchu closes. Therefore, you can stay for the sunset and leave the park at the same time as the travelers who are staying at the Sanctuary. There is also a bus available to take you up the mountain before the sun rises. Therefore, you will enter the park not a minute later than anyone else. Many people think the benefit to staying at the Sanctuary is that you have views of Machu Picchu from your room. Well, this is not completely true because during the day you most likely are in the park and at night, well, its dark. Also, once the last bus leaves the mountain you are stuck...you have no one where to go. Aguas Calientes is a quaint and charming town, slightly touristy but at least there are a few things to do.