Nov

Webcam Wanderlust

by Meredith Mullins on November 10, 2015

A show that’s hard to beat: the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower
© Meredith Mullins

Virtual Journeys: Seeing . . . and Being Seen

Have you been waiting for the hourly light show at the Eiffel Tower?
Are you ready for a stopover in Sydney?
Do you want to see if the sun is sparkling over Niagara Falls?
Can you make time for a peek at the vivid autumn colors of New England?
Are you up for a climb to Machu Picchu?
Do you crave the energy of Times Square in New York?

All it takes is a click on a webcam link, and you are there.

Niagara Falls webcam fuels virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

A virtual journey to Niagara Falls via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

In the wonderful world of webcam wanderlust, you can visit places around the world whenever you want, without leaving your computer chair. There are webcams everywhere.

Real Places, Real Time, Real People

You can see the Northern Lights flash, watch pandas mate, hear the wind in the mist of thundering falls, check out gondola traffic on a Venice canal, or assess surf conditions at a Mexican beach.

Venice Grand Canal webcam inspires virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Skyline Webcams.)

Feel as if you’re floating on the Grand Canal in Venice via webcam.
Courtesy of Skyline Webcams.

Of course, a virtual journey lacks the vibrancy of being there, where all your senses come alive. And webcam resolution is not the best. You are sometimes looking through raindrops, suffering from shaky camerawork as winds rock the camera, or peering through the graininess of night.

But, at least, you can see, in real time, what’s happening in the world (even if you have to wade through a few ads to get there).

Times Square at night via webcam inspires virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

The energy of Times Square via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

What makes the webcam scenes especially interesting are the humans who enter the stage (often quite unknowingly). I wanted to be one of these webcam stars.

Star Power

Perhaps it was all those childhood hours practicing musical numbers in the living room after my parents went to bed. Perhaps it was the fact that I had little history of being on camera—there were no home movies in my family. Perhaps it was just an obsession with fame.

My “Oh, I see” moment was clear. I wanted to appear on webcams—as many as I could find. I wanted not only to see, but to be seen.

Turning the Webcam Tide

My first audition was in St Malo, France, during one of the “high tides of the century.” One webcam there faces the sea. You can watch the tides race in, faster than a galloping horse (well, a strolling horse). And you can appear on the boardwalk, with the ebbing and flowing tide as background.

Virtual wanderlust via the St Malo webcam. (Image courtesy of city of St Malo.)

Watching the St Malo tide roll in via webcam.
Courtesy of the city of St Malo.

I alerted a friend 6,000 miles away (nine hours difference in time) that I would make my debut on webcam at a certain time. Shortly before the appointed time, the wind was howling and the waves were crashing over the boardwalk. I sent a “postponement” text and opted for the warmth and safety of my hotel room.

My friend didn’t get my text message right away and watched the fuzzy webcam image vigilantly, thinking every bundled up figure might be me. When he found out my webcam premier appearance had been postponed, he created his own imaginative reality.

Wave crashing over Meredith Mullins in St Malo, virtual wanderlust inspired by a webcam. (Image © DMT.)

Creating a webcam reality
© DMT

Messing Around in Metz

I vowed to keep my next webcam appointment no matter what the challenges. The Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in Metz, France, provided the perfect opportunity. The webcam pointed at a large statue in the Place d’Armes. It would not be hard to position myself to be seen, and it would be easy for my viewer to see me.

Place d'Armes in Metz, virtual wanderlust inspired by webcam. (Image courtesy of the city of Metz.)

The Place d’Armes in Metz, a perfect place for a webcam debut
Courtesy of the city of Metz.

At the appointed time, I lifted my arms toward the camera. The visiting school group around me quickly backed away (as in “Step away from the madwomen.”). I held my pose and waited to be sure I was recorded.

Although I was just a fuzzy black speck on the webcam image, my moment had arrived. I was a part of webcam history. A successful (potentially award-winning?) premier.

Small black figure in the Place d'Armes in Metz, virtual wanderlust via webcam. (Image courtesy of the city of Metz.)

My webcam debut. I’m the black speck with arms raised.
Courtesy of the city of Metz and DMT.

In Pursuit of a Dream

I will continue my quest to appear on the webcams of the world. Wanderlust of the best kind.

Will I see the Big 5 on safari in Africa?

Virtual wanderlust via Tembe Elephant Park webcam. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

The cast of characters at the Tembe Elephant Park in southern Africa (via webcam)
Courtesy of Earthcam.

Should I toast my Irish heritage at a Dublin bar?

Virtual wanderlust via webcam of a Dublin bar. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

Dublin in the rain via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

Will I vacation near an azure sea on the beach at St Bart’s?

Virtual wanderlust via the St Bart's Island webcam. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

A dream vacation via webcam, with white sand and turquoise sea
Courtesy of Earthcam.

I hope so. But, in the meantime, I can make a virtual visit any time.

And I will caution those who may be unwitting characters in a webcam drama. Be aware. A webcam may be focused on you anywhere, anytime. The whole world could be watching.

Thank you to Earthcam, Skyline Webcams, and Africam, as well as the cities of St Malo and Metz.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins Comments

Art of Travel/Worldwide Sites

Jun

At Lunch in the World—How to Stay Out of the Soup

by Sally Baho on June 29, 2015

The continents depicted in cream in a bowl of tomato soup, illustrating that people at lunch around the world have different cultural do's and taboos. (Image © eyegelb / iStock)

Places to eat, and people to meet. Do you know what’s taboo?
© eyegelb / iStock

10 Cultural Do’s & Taboos at the Table

When you travel the world, there’s much more to dining than tasting the food. In fact, it’s the cultural dimension of the dining table (or mat) that often makes or breaks the meal. Here are 10 cultural do’s and taboos to keep you out of the soup when you’re at lunch in the world.

#1 Chile: Respect the Mealtime

In many places in Latin America, the working lunch just doesn’t work. On a business trip to Santiago, Chile, a colleague suggested that we save time by continuing our meeting over lunch.

Much to her surprise, a Paraguayan man in the meeting stood up, puffed out his chest, and insisted that lunch was the time to socialize with his colleagues, to learn about their families and their health, and actually eat his meal in peace.

We followed his lead and enjoyed the people and the pisco sour at lunch that day.

Two business colleagues at lunch in a restaurant in Santiago, Chile, enjoying each other rather than working over lunch, a cultural taboo in Chile. (Image © Sally Baho )

Taking time for people at lunch in Santiago, Chile.
© Sally Baho

#2 Romania, France, and Spain: Wait for the Cue

In Romania, only when the host(ess) says pofta buna may you begin eating. Similar wishes to enjoy the meal are common signals in other countries, too. In France, it’s bon appétit. In Spain, it’s buen provecho. And it’s taboo to start before the wish is spoken.

#3 Morocco: Be a Grateful Guest

A friend and I stayed with a family in Morocco. When it came time to take a meal, we all ate off of one central plate. The family would not eat the meat from the platter, and instead pushed it to our side.

We pantomimed that they eat the meat, too. They refused. We were their guests, and we soon learned that our role was to show how much we enjoyed and appreciated the dish, their company, and the environment.

Many cultures may wish to honor the guests by giving a toast, serving them first, or insisting they eat the best food. Graciously accept.

#4 Korea: Offer and Accept with Both Hands

In Korea, when offered or offering something—whether it be a cup, a dish, a napkin, money or pouring a drink—hold the item with both hands or at least touch your second hand to the arm carrying the item to show full intention and dedication to the act you are doing.

A young lady using both hands to pour soju for her father at lunch, illustrating respect for cultural do's and taboos. (Image © Sally Baho)

Pouring a drink with two hands shows respect.
© Sally Baho

#5 Chile: Always Use Utensils

In Chile, it is considered rude to eat with your hands. Use your utensils for everything, even something you may think of as finger food, like French fries.

#6 Ethiopia: Never Use Utensils

Ethiopian meals are served on a big central platter over injera bread—a sour, porous flat bread that is made from teff flour and used to scoop the dishes that are served directly on top of it. Individual plates and cutlery are not used.

A traditional Ethiopian meal served on injera bread, illustrating different cultural do's and taboos at lunch around the world. (Image © Tendur / iStock)

A traditional Ethiopian meal—the injera bread serves as
both the dish and the utensils!
© Tendur / iStock

#7 Spain: Acknowledge Other Diners

In the US, it’s not unusual to enter a restaurant, isolate your party at a table, and leave as a group. But when you exit a restaurant or are leaving a meal in Spain, wish the other diners who are still eating buen provecho.

#8 Japan and China: Make Some Noise

Making noises while you eat, considered rude in some cultures, is a sign of meal appreciation in most Asian countries. Slurping soup and noodles in Japan and belching in China are compliments to the chef.

A woman slurping a noodle from a soup bowl, demonstrating different cultural do's and taboos at lunch around the world. (Image © Sean Barley / iStock)

Listen for the slurp—it’s a compliment!
© Sean Barley / iStock

#9 China: Leave a Little on Your Plate

By leaving a little bit of food on your plate in China, you are signaling to the hosts that they have provided you with plenty of food—a sign of abundance—which is considered a good thing.

#10 France and Spain: Don’t Rush the Coffee

You may like to have a coffee with dessert after your meal. But asking for coffee and dessert together in Spain or France signals that you’re in a rush. Wait for the coffee, and you’ll fit right in with friends who value the long after-dinner linger in France and the sobremesa, the slow conversation that carries on at the table after the meal in Spain.

A plaza full of diners at dinner enjoying the slow, post-meal conversation, illustrating how cultural do's and taboos vary by country. (Image © JackF / iStock)

Whether at lunch or dinner in Spain, the end of dessert is never the end of the meal.
© JackF / iStock

Dining Around the World Is Easy!

Sharing a meal is one of the most beautiful experiences about traveling. All you need is an appetite and the savvy to navigate each country’s cultural do’s and taboos. A little research before you visit a new place will likely increase your worldwide dining wisdom. Surely, it will lead to some “Oh, I see” moments and a good time at lunch!

For more tips on navigating lunch around the world, see these infographics from Chef Works and Foodbeast. For broader information on different cultures, see the country guides at Everyculture and Kwintessential.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Sally Baho Comments

Crossing Cultures/Cultural Do's & Taboos/Worldwide Sites

May

Cultural Differences of the Fast Food Kind

by Meredith Mullins on May 18, 2015

Desserts in a Paris McDonald's restaurant, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

McDonald’s: From Le Croque McDo to McSpicy Paneer to Matcha McFlurry

Yummm. Rows of macarons in their inviting soft pastel palette. Rich chocolate cake. Little canelés rising like flour fortresses. Tiramisu. Cheesecake. Cookies. Lemon tarts.

Where are we?

In a sweet dessert dream? In a prominent Paris patisserie? In the restaurant of a Michelin-starred chef?

We could be. But, in fact, we’re at a McCafé, a part of the McDonald’s ambiance in France that brings all the lusciousness of French pastries and desserts to its fast food counter. From croissants to muffins to traditional French pastries, they’re all here for the (fast) taking.

McCafé at a Paris McDonald's restaurant, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Changing Times

I remember when a McDonald’s finally came to our town (somewhere around high school for me). The golden arches rose majestically and seemed to be lit from within. We looked on in awe.

Fifteen cents for a hamburger. Ten cents for a drink. The brightly colored restaurant quickly became an after-school hangout, and our parents’ carefully-planned healthy cooking became a distant memory usurped by an all-beef patty on an oh-so-soft roll.

McDonald’s turned 75 last week (May 15). The company has grown from a single BBQ stand in San Bernardino, California, to more than 35,000 restaurants that reach out to local tastes around the world. From a single burger to the Big Mac to the Quarter Pounder to a range of new offerings, the menu changes with the times and tastes.

Man with McDonald's quarter pounder, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © David Taggart)

Fast Food with Cultural Roots

In the McDonald’s restaurants around the world, the menus adapt to the culture and tastes of the locals. Traveling Americans like to have a familiar place to eat—a place where the lingo is known and where there are reminders of “home.”

The familiar burgers and fries are available in 119 countries. But when the menu relates to the culture and traditions of the country, the flavors appeal to the locals, as well as to the visitors.

The McFalafel from McDonald's in the Middle East, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

The McFalafel
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

Far Flung Flavors

Looking at McDonald’s menus across cultures is a travel adventure in itself, as well as a lesson in diversity.

From Le Croque McDo in France to the McSpicy Paneer in India to the McSausage Burger in Germany to a little sprinkle of seaweed on the fries in Japan, each menu adapts to the tastes of the country.

A McDonald's in Israel, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Mark Sebastiani)

There is a kosher menu in Israel. There is a vegetarian menu in India. And there are creative recipes in every country that provide good clues as to what local folks like to eat.

The Ebi Burger or Ebi Filet-O in Japan, Singapore, and other Asian countries—a whole-shrimp crispy patty, served with lettuce and a spicy sauce in a Big Mac bun.
The very round Le Croque McDo
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s
Le Croque McDo in France—a very round croque monsieur, a French sandwich with emmental cheese and ham melted on toasted bread.
The McArabia in Arab countries—two grilled chicken patties with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic sauce inside a pita.
Burbur Ayam in Malaysia—a breakfast porridge with chicken, spring onions, ginger, shallots, and chilies.
McSpicy Paneer in India—a fried curd cheese patty with tandoori sauce, red cabbage, and lettuce on a sesame roll.
McLobster in Canada and Maine—lobster salad on a long bun.
The Italian spinach and parmesan McNuggets
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

McLaks in Norway—salmon filet on a bun.
McPinto in Costa Rica—the traditional gallo pinto (black beans and rice) with fried plantain, eggs, and vegetables.
Gazpacho in Spain, spinach and parmesan McNuggets in Italy, McFalafel in Israel, and Bacon Rolls in the U.K.

Chicken Maharaja Mac at a McDonald's in India, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

From McDonald’s in India: The Chicken Maharaja Mac
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

More Clues to the Culture

McDonald’s adapts its menus, but there are other customizations as well. The buildings can show individual style, and the ordering process is also different in some countries.

The McDonald's in Deagu, Korea, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image courtesy of McDonald's)

Modern times at the McDonald’s in Deagu, Korea
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s

The McDonald’s in Times Square hosts a marquis with glittering lights. The Taupo, New Zealand McDonald’s, is inside an old DC-3 airplane. And the McDonald’s in Sedona, Arizona, had to change its golden arches to turquoise at the request of local leaders (a better fit with the palette of the city).

Wooden McDonald's in Paris on rue St Lazare, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

The ordering processes go from high tech (with a wall of touch screens to take orders and payments) to home delivery in many Asian countries. The fast food chain consistency concept seems to be changing into promoting individuality and personality.

Touch screens at McDonald's for ordering, showing cultural differences in fast food. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Oh, I See

There are many ways to learn about cultural differences in the world. The McDonald’s story tells us that food offers a way to connect to another culture.

The next time you’re in another country looking at a McDonald’s fast food menu, you can go one of two ways. You can have a “stay-at-home” familiar burger and fries, or you can choose one of the local menu items. Either way is an adventure—a taste of culture a long time in the making.