August 2025
Hello Dear Reader// Hoi lieve lezer,
Thanks for subscribing to our Kaapsche Hollandsche Monthly Table Talk.
Last month (click Here) we talked about how to put together a fabulous Dutch Cheese Platter.
This August we table talk about venturing out into a different country/ province and adopt new ways & embracing another culture.
How good of a tourist are you?
Firstly being a tourist is a privilege. It means you have the means to travel from a foreign country to a new-ready-to explore country/city/area.
I bet you have read up a bit about the customs and places of your choice of destination.
But being a good tourist is so much more than ticking the box of “been there, seen that, done that”.
You actually have a chance to meet the other tourists as well. That is sometimes lovely or not.
Travelling, mind you is not for sissies.
You are thrown out of your daily routine and rhythm.
Things cost money; a lot of money…
Good tourists need to adapt and be positive. But also brave!
Not travelled on this kind of transport before?
Look and learn!
Nothing worse than a complaining tourist that is ungrateful and demanding. Don’t be this kind of tourist!
And nothing ever goes completely perfect, does it?
There is beauty in flaws. An unexpected turn of events may lead to the most incredible memories!
One gets the best experience when you go in with an adventurous heart.
Embracing the chats with other people in line, asking questions and smile at the locals.
One of the joys to travel is that you have an opportunity to meet new people.
Bad tourists are the ones that are self absorbed and socially unaware.
Also don’t just only stick with your little huddle. Go off the tourist path and see what the locals are doing.
Ask them where they hang out?
Eat some new food, try a supermarket and pick things from the shelves. Read the local paper.
What is going on in their world? You would not know if you had not asked.
For me travelling is (among many things) proof that people are not so different after all.
In every nation there are smilers & helpful people as opposed to complainers & selfish people.
So whether you go abroad try to be a good tourist smile and be helpful. Or whether you stay at home be nice and smile. The world will smile at you!
Start making memories around your table, it will make you truly rich.
Met liefde en groetjes,
Nelleke
