Localize: Markets, Kites and Movies

Often with travel comes pressure to visit must-see sights and the frenzy of trying to fit it all in a few days. While we don't want to miss the well-known museums and monuments, there is another way to experience a new place: slow down and do what locals do. Here are three suggestions.

Markets
Many cities and villages have market days during the week where independent merchants set up their tables brimming with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish, breads, flowers and more. Discriminating locals come in droves and know exactly what they are looking for. Join the crowd and do some shopping. Markets are a great place to shop for a picnic meal.

Kinsale, Ireland
Bustling with activity as family and friends shop and socialize, the farmers market in Kinsale runs on Tuesday mornings on Short Quay in the center of town. We put together a picnic lunch of bread, cheese and fruit from several vendors and enjoyed it while sitting on a bench along the picturesque Kinsale Harbour.

Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix has several markets running in different places during the week. Check with the TI for a schedule. At the produce market, shoppers take away their purchases in stylish woven market totes. The flower market is an explosion of color and fragrance.

Paris, France
Browsing at markets is one of the many joys of Paris. Paris offers a variety of markets - the once or twice a week temporary markets, and permanent market streets where vendors are open every day (except Mondays). My favorite market street is Rue Mouffetard, a narrow cobblestone street that buzzes with activity when the market is open. There is always something delicious to find. The busiest time is Sunday morning when people are out not only shopping but also singing and dancing. Musicians set up and a singer with a microphone leads the singalong. Lyric sheets are passed around so you can join in if you don't know the words. Talk about joie de vivre! Even a little rain doesn't dampen the fun.

Leiden, The Netherlands
Located alongside a canal, Leiden's market offers fresh produce and flowers as well as clothing and household sundries. Market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays; locals arrive on bicycles with baskets attached. A bouquet of sunflowers purchased at the market adds a splash of color to the cozy apartment we called home for two weeks.

Kites
Just about everywhere we go, we can find a good spot to fly a kite. Many places have popular kite areas where groups of friends and families gather for some kite-flying fun. A fancy kite isn't needed. I recommend a parafoil kite for travel - it folds into a small bag for packing, the stickless design requires no assembly and it is very easy to fly. Many kite stores (such as Wind Power Sports)carry parafoils.

Seattle, Washington GasWorks Park on the shore of Lake Union attracts kiteflyers of all ages. The big hill (topped with an artistically sculpted sundial) offers fabulous views of the Seattle skyline along with good breezes.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
The esplanade outside of Castillo San Felipe del Morro is the spot for kite-flying in San Juan. We discovered it while strolling around Old San Juan on a Saturday morning during a long layover before our flight home. Our bags were already checked at the airport so I didn't have my kite with me. Fortunately, wherever there is kiteflying there are usually kites for sale nearby. I purchased an inexpensive kite from a kite-and-snacks vendor and when it was time to go back to the airport, we gave the kite to children playing nearby.

Cape Cod, MA and Harbor Island, Bahamas
Beach locales are great places to send up a kite. You never lack for wind for there are always ocean breezes to catch.

Scheveningen, Den Haag, The Netherlands Scheveningen is a popular seaside resort, complete with boardwalk, casino, pier, restaurants & bars, amusement arcades, and the usual tacky assortment of seashore shops. It would also be a good place to fly a kite... unless you do like we did and forget to pack the string. When the weather turned to rain, we knew our Dutch kite-flying spree was not meant to be. Some advice: for guaranteed fun, don't forget to pack both the kite and the string!

Movies
When you feel like you really need some downtime from a busy sightseeing schedule or the weather isn't working out for your plans, head to the movies! Since Hollywood's reach is global you won't have a problem finding english-language movies, especially big blockbuster films (though sometimes the titles are changed or foreign language subtitles are added).

You may notice small cultural differences in movie culture. For example, in Norway we discovered that movie tickets come with assigned seats. In the Netherlands the movie is stopped in the middle - regardless of plot or action - for an intermission while theater staff walk around selling snacks. In Paris we found our favorite movie theater innovation: seats made for two. There is an armrest in the middle that can be raised or lowered (as on airplane seats) so you have the option of snuggling close to the person you are with. Sit back and enjoy the show!