May you find happiness in discovery.
Introduction
The idea for this book came from wanting to have the perspective of a local, and share it with others all over the world.
I'm the kind of person that when I travel, my favourite thing to do is take those walking tours. The ones that you find online or on phone apps, usually take about 2-3 hours, and show you all the amazing hidden gems all over the city. The best coffee shop, the stories behind the buildings, which famous historical person lived in which house. I love that stuff.
And that's how I wanted this book to feel - like you have your own pocket tour guide (or even a friend that you're visiting for the first time) take you around their city and show you all the best parts.
This book is made to feel very casual, and not like you're reading a travel textbook or encyclopedia. I had locals from different locations across the world send me content for this book, and I kept it as they wrote it as much as possible.
The second part of this book is for you.
Keep adding to it, help it grow, and share your experiences with others.
Sydney, Australia by Kelsey
What is your favourite local meal?
My favourite meal in the summer is definitely prawns (giant shrimp). We cook them on the BBQ and wash them down with Aussie Chardonnay or local gin.
Where is a good place to get a drink?
Ooh there are so many great spots! The Opera Bar is pretty special. It overlooks the harbour bridge, has amazing sunset views, and has live music in the summer. For a night time drink, Palmer & Co is very cool. It's a hidden prohibition bar with dressed up cocktail waitresses and a very fun, classy vibe.
What is your favourite time of year in Sydney?
Summer is magical. The entire city comes alive, work pretty much grinds to a halt, and the flowers (especially the frangipani trees!) perfume the air.
What do you do for fun?
I go for harbour walks, take my dogs to the puppy park, do lots of yoga and drink lots of gin. I paint and draw, make Kombucha, play in my garden and boss my husband around.
What do you do for work?
When I first moved to Sydney, I worked in a bar I managed a health cafe and eventually ended up working at Australia's largest production studio. It was super fun and always interesting, but I didn't want to sit in front of a computer anymore. Last year I quit my office job and went to Costa Rica to do my yoga teacher training. When I came back to Sydney, I started a business based on yoga and mindfulness, and have been doing that for the past year.
If your friend or family were only visiting for day, where would you take them and what would you do?
We would start the morning with an Aussie coffee - it is so good! Then we would see the sun rise on Manly take the ferry into the city and walk around the harbour bridge. We would walk to The Opera grab drinks and then grab dinner somewhere in The After dinner we would go to Palmer & Co for a cocktail and then either Retros or Marble Bar for a groove.
What is the most unique thing about Sydney?
The amount of public, natural space in Australia is incredible. There are thousands of kilometres of coastal walking trails and many large parks and beaches, all of which are free for all to enjoy.
What is your favourite hidden gem?
This one is tough! St Kilda Beach in Melbourne is quite cool. Penguins live right on the public beach in the wild at certain times of the year!
How long have you lived here?
I have lived here for years!
Why do you live here?
Canada is cold. Australia is warm.
Anything else?
Australia has a lot of creepy spiders. For some shivers, Google "huntsman spider". Those guys are harmless but very scary! Slang: People say "arvo" as slang for "afternoon". It doesn't make any sense but it's a real thing. Everything is shortened - brekkie, sunnies, bevvie, tanty (tantrum).
Dont worry about the world coming to an end today,
it is already tomorrow in Australia.
- Charles M. Schulz
Colombia by Carol
What is your favourite local meal?
"Arepa" with "suero costeo" and fried egg.
Where is a good place to get a drink?
A local coffee shop called Juan Valds.
What do you do for fun?
Go hiking.
What do you do for work?
I'm a Speech Therapist.
If your friend or family were only visiting for day, where would you take them and what would you do?
Go to the salt mine - Salt Cathedral of
What is the most unique thing about Colombia?
The people, mountains, and landscapes.
What is your favourite hidden gem?
Santander region.
How long have you lived here?
My whole life!
Why do you live here?
Friends and family ties.
Anything else?
Colombia should be a MUST to visit!
Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else.
Lawrence Block
Edinburgh, Scotland by Ben
What is your favourite local meal?
My favourite restaurant in Edinburgh is near Haymarket Train Its a Nepalese restaurant called The Khukuri, Ive had meals there with my family for years. The staff are friendly and the prices are fair.
The traditional Scottish meal is haggis, neeps (turnips or swede) and tatties (mashed potatoes). Haggis is traditionally made of: heart and lungs of a lamb; beef or lamb trimmings; onions, oatmeal, and seasoned with salt, pepper, coriander, mace and nutmeg. The ingredients are mixed up and cooked in a sheeps stomach. While it doesnt sound particularly appetizing it tastes good, and there are vegetarian versions.
Although not traditionally Scottish, curry is a popular dish in Scotland. For people who like curry, Edinburghs Mosque Kitchen does a range of basic curry. The portions are very filling at low prices (approx. 5). There are parts to the mosque kitchen: a restaurant and an outside seating area just beside the mosque - walk past the Mosque Kitchen restaurant as if heading to the mosque and youll see an outdoor seating area.
A Scottish delicacy (although thats debatable) is a deep fried Mars bar. Most fish and chip shops (aka a chippy) will, if you ask, batter a chocolate bar of your choice, and cook it in a deep fat fryer. A Mars bar was the first chocolate bar to be battered and fried and has since become known as a Scottish thing.
