A That's series where we ask a Beijing-based somebody to tell us 5 Things specific to his or her life.
Sarah Keenlyside, founder of the Beijing-based Bespoke Travel Company, grew up with a natural sense of curiosity. So it’s no real surprise that traveling the world and experiencing different cultures has always piqued her interest. But when she moved to Beijing in 2005 she found herself to be slightly overwhelmed. Frustrated by the outdated information that existed in guidebooks and the run-of-the-mill package tours on offer, she sensed a gap in the market. So, she did what any savvy businesswoman would do. She started her own company.
Over the years, Bespoke Travel Company has transformed from a modest travel service into a one-of-a-kind company that organizes customized events and itineraries for both businesses and individuals who are interested in seeing a different side of China. It’s no doubt that Sarah is the expert when it comes to all things travel. So we asked Sarah how she manages to make the most out of her time living and traveling abroad.
1. Keep an open mind:
Because you can miss a lot if you don’t. It’s natural to compare places but trying not to project your assumptions onto an alien culture is harder. Your worldview is exactly that – your view. It's not fact at all. Every culture does things totally differently and we can learn something valuable from every place we visit if we’re open-minded and bother to understand the context of a place, as well as the culture. There are so many other cultures to learn about, so many different ways of doing things, that travel can only be inspiring and mind broadening. Quite simply, the more you learn about your world the more confident and happy you’ll be in it!
2. Look closely at what’s around you:
Stop thinking you probably already know ‘most places’ – trust me you don’t. There are so many wonderful things it’s easy to overlook them in a city you live and work in. If you go off the beaten track you’ll find all sorts of quirky stuff. Or revisit the touristy places at a time when it’s quiet, because you have the luxury of doing that, and you can rediscover them in a positive way. The Forbidden City is a good example of that in Beijing I think…
3. Step outside of your comfort zone:
In most cases [when traveling] you’re knowingly taking yourself out of your comfort zone and that’s almost always a good thing. Take it one step at a time. Push yourself to do one thing you wouldn’t normally do each day. And if all else fails just tell yourself you’re on holiday so you have nothing to lose!
4. Really delve into the local culture, especially the food:
Talk to locals and real people! Don’t ever just rely on articles for your knowledge. It’s not at all the same. I think trying to find out what ‘the kids’ are doing is one fun way to understand where a culture is headed. By the same token find out what the oldies are doing too. Right there is where you see how life has progressed for that place in the last few decades. For me food is everything. Which is funny because I grew up a very fussy eater, but China cured me of that! It’s often very telling. A typical restaurant in London versus Tokyo versus Beijing will be completely different – how easy it is to get a table, how formal it is, the ingredients, how they’re prepared, the atmosphere – but your experience in all three will help you understand the culture and way of doing things.
5. Get off the beaten path:
Because that’s when you can be surprised; when you can have serendipitous encounters and see a more authentic side to wherever you are. Whether or not you like what you see is not the point, because what you’re seeing is just more real. What’s the point of travel if you’re not learning and having your mind blown?
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