Geographic Trip around the World

Europe 

Days 1-4 

I had just timed my trip to Munich, Germany to coincide with one of their biggest festivals, Oktoberfest. I arrived in Munich at the end of September from Salzburg, Austria where I had spent the last one week. The train drive from Salzburg to Munich was less adventurous since I commuted at night. I spent the better part of my trip sleeping. The scenic beauty of Munich on arrival indicated to me that I had chosen the right place to enjoy my autumn. I had packed the right items to help me enjoy my time in Munich including a scarf, umbrella, and t-shirts. World famous Oktoberfest is a festival celebrated to mark the end of tourism season. Therefore, there was a drop in prices of transport, accommodation, and attractions. This was the right time to enjoy the German cuisine, pumpkin boat races, book fairs, beer hall songs, and Ferris Wheel. I booked my hotel near the place of event, Theresienwiese (fairgrounds) in Munich. I learnt from my German contact that the Oktoberfest festival is the most important function in the Bavarian culture. It has been celebrated annually since 1810. The festival involved consumption of large quantities of Oktoberfest beer and a variety of traditional foods. I particularly enjoyed eating Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Brezen (pretzels). Schweinebraten is a specially prepared pork that is roasted with dark beer and onions. I found the pretzels delicious with beer. I enjoyed my meals and beer in the traditional beer tents while watching various competitions from Bavarian Sport Shooting Association. My beer tent was known as Marstall. It served traditional beers with waiters and waitresses constantly smiling to the hundreds of patrons that were cramped in the tents. The beers were served from steel kegs. At night, we got up from our benches and danced to the music. I also got a chance to witness and participate in the Oktoberfest parades. 

Images 

Map 

Beer Tent 

Oktoberfest Parade 

Roast Pork 

Pretzels 

Russia and the Near Abroad 

Day 5-7 

My next world trip took me to Moscow. I also had to pack my bag with warm clothes to ensure that I was comfortable in the cold Russian weather. My interaction with the Russians revealed that they place high value on homeland and family. On my second day in Moscow, I was invited for dinner by a close friend. Over the meal, I was told various stories about the Russian culture. The Russian people have mistrust for people who are outside their family. The culture was created by the communist rule where people became highly dependent on family support. I ate a traditional Russian food known as solyanka , which is a sour Russian soup made from beef and other ingredients. I noticed that most Russians practice Christianity under the Russian Orthodox Church. I had an opportunity to visit Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the northern bank of Moskva River, which is the biggest church in Russia. I also enjoyed the nightlife in Moscow. I attended the Circus of Dancing Fountains Aquamarine show. I noticed that majority of people who were in attendance usually come as a family. It demonstrated the strong familial relationships among Russian people. My visit to Russia would not be complete without a visit to an opera and ballet show. I attended a concert in Bolshoi Theatre where I watched two opera shows and a ballet dance. Bolshoi is Russia’s national theatre hence takes its performances seriously. The performances at the theatre were a symbol of the elitist bourgeois culture. I also got an opportunity to view the colorfully painted onion-shaped domes that were constructed during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Overall, my experience in Russia was awesome. 

Map of Moscow 

Solyanka 

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour 

Bolshoi Theatre 

Opera 

North Africa: Egypt 

Day 9-11 

Finally in Cairo, I had to forget about the cold weather that I had experienced in Europe. The weather was warm; most people strolled in sandals and Kanzu, a traditional Arab wear. Cairo is an overcrowded city mainly composed of Arabs. On my second day in Cairo, I visited the famous Giza pyramids, which are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids are a symbol of the great Egyptian culture. The Egyptians were ruled by monarchies. Kings were buried with their servants and all their belongings. Despite the heat and dust at the pyramids, I enjoyed visiting the place. I also sampled the Egyptian cuisines from a few hotels that offered traditional meals. My favorite meal was Fattah. It is a traditional meal commonly served in celebrations such as weddings as well as during birth of newborns. The meal is also taken as main dish on the first day of Eid-al-adha. The dish looked simple but also satisfying. I also visited Khan el-Khalili, a shopping district in Cairo. The district is crowded with metal workers and silversmiths. The cluttered workshops provided the best opportunity for a tourist to buy traditional products in Egypt. I also tasted the popular Arabic coffee and tea that are taken directly from a rapid fireplace. The place has gold and silver workshops as well as a spices market section. Although there is a wave of Western influence, most Egyptian still keep their traditional cultural practices that include clothing, food, and dance. 

Images 

Map of Cairo 

Pyramids of Giza 

Fattah 

Khan el-Khalili 

South and East Asia: Myanmar 

Day 12-15 

I moved from Cairo in Egypt to Naypyitaw in Myanmar. I found weather in Myanmar quite warm. Myanmar is dominated by the Burmese. I noticed that the family forms an important pillar in the culture of Myanmar people. The father is considered spiritual head of a family. A mother is supposed to take care of the family. Therefore, when a man earns his salary, he hands it over to the mother to manage the family. Families are closely knit together. I noted that clothing among Myanmar people is different from other parts of the world. They mainly dress in Longyi , which is a piece of cloth worn as a skirt. I had a chance to visit the Shwedagon pagoda , considered as the most religious sites for the local people. Due to the status of pagodas, people are supposed to put in attires that cover knees and shoulders. I also enjoyed traditional meals served in their hotels. Most of their foods are characterized by an oily and sweet taste. The meals also smell delicious. The Myanmar people value tea. Tea is offered to all visitors as a sign of revere. The tea is not only drunk, but also used to make food. Tea in Myanmar makes tea salad that comprises of sour and bitter leaves, sliced tomatoes, shredded cabbage, nuts as well as peas. I enjoyed eating another traditional food known as Mohinga. The food comprises a variety of local ingredients. I also noticed that people in the country are religious. The common religion in the country is Buddhism. 

Images 

Map of the Myanmar 

Longyi 

Shwedagon pagoda 

Mohinga 

Oceania and Antarctica: New Zealand 

Day 16-18 

I was excited about visiting New Zealand due to its adventure and compelling destinations. I had a number of places to visit thus making it difficult for me to choose specific ones. The weather in Australia was also warm thus making it suitable to walk around and visit various places. I first visited Abel Tasman National Park. In my previous travels, I had not toured any park. However, I was convinced to do so in New Zealand due to the rich diversity of New Zealand. I enjoyed hiking and kayaking in the beautiful waters. I was lucky to spot a dolphin in the waters. I also created time to visit Te Papa Tongarewa art museum in Wellington. The visit enabled me learn much on the Maori culture as well as other significant aspects of the New Zealand society. Maori culture forms a distinctive part of the New Zealand’s people’s culture. To get more of the Maori culture, I visited Canterbury where I was offered a traditional Maori welcome onto marae. The Maori people provided speeches, songs, and dances. I also enjoyed the hangi feast where food was cooked in earth ovens. The heat and steam helped to cook slowly to perfection. The meals were then served where people ate in groups. 

Images 

Map of New Zealand 

Abel Tasman National Park 

Te Papa Tongarewa art museum 

Hangi Feast 

Sub-Saharan Africa Kenya 

Day 19-21 

Kenya is located in East Africa. During my visit, the weather was warm. I thus enjoyed walking in the streets and meeting local people. I visited Narok, a town about 70 kilometers form the capital city, Nairobi. I got an opportunity to experience the traditional culture of Maasai people. The group has maintained most of its traditional practices including clothing and ceremonies. At the time of my visit, the Maasai people were conducting initiation ceremonies that marked the passage of a boy from childhood to adulthood. They were involved in traditional dances while carrying spears and shields. Their faces were covered in red ochre. The ceremony climaxed with circumcision of initiates in river early in the morning. I enjoyed eating nyama choma and ugali (roasted meat) served after the initiation. While in Narok, I visited the Maasai Mara National Reserve where I saw a number of animals that included lions, leopards, hyena, and elephants. I also visited Mombasa to enjoy the warm weather and beaches. Mombasa is mainly inhabited by the Waswahili. Due to the warm weather, most residents cover themselves with lesos instead of normal clothing. The popular food served at the coast is pilau. I found the people at the coast welcoming. Most sat under tree shades sipping coconut milk and listening to their traditional songs commonly referred to as Taarab . My time in Nairobi was summarized by nightlife in the Nairobi streets. There are many clubs in the central business district that mostly play western urban music. The town had activities throughout the night. 

Images 

Map of Kenya 

Maasai 

Nyama choma 

Pilau 

Taarab 

Latin America: Brazil 

Day 22-25 

I had been waiting for the moment to visit Brazil, which is home to people of various descents. Walking in Rio de Janeiro is risky since there are criminal groups that roam the streets. The criminal gangs mainly target foreign nationals, especially tourists. Despite the little scare, I still had time to enjoy my time in Brazil. My visit to the country coincided with the Carnival. It is a major festival celebrated before beginning of Lent. The biggest celebrations are held in cities of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. On my second day, I witnessed parades snaking through the streets with a huge following. There were people dressed in traditional Brazil festival costumes. The parade also included music bands that played traditional Brazilian songs. The festival climaxed at the Copacabana Palace Ball. Most people gathered to watch performances by the Samba School the whole night. The streets were closed for traffic. People also got to energize themselves with street foods that dotted the pavements. I particularly enjoyed picanha where meat was roasted over hot charcoal. The meat was seasoned using rock salt. I also enjoyed eating the cassava chips. The chips are sold as an alternative to potato chips. It is available throughout the streets. I also sampled the Brazilian beaches at the coast. I enjoyed the warm sunshine and hospitality of local people as well as the beaches’ beauty. I also got involved in the traditional samba music. My visit to Brazil was fulfilling. It felt like each day was a festival. 

Images 

Map of Brazil 

Carnival 

Picanha 

Cassava Chips 

United States of America 

Day 27-30 

The United States is a globally known nation. I thus chose to visit islands of Hawaii and experience their local culture. The first thing that I noted in Hawaii was that almost everything was expensive. However, I was informed that locals have become used to it since no one complained. I also noted that traffic in the island is unbearable. There are many cars that result into gridlocks. However, getting stuck in traffic helped me appreciate the Honolulu scenic view and listen to local tunes. Hawaii is usually warm hence, common clothes worn by people were mainly shorts and shirts. Another common clothing was the Aloha wear characterized with floral prints. The prints are mainly inspired by nature. I also enjoyed canoe paddling, which formed part of lifestyle of most local people. Canoeing is part of the Native Hawaiian culture. I enjoyed traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Common foods included poi, laulau, and lomi salmon. Poi is a traditional filler starch dish. It is thick paste derived from taro root, which is either baked or steamed. Laulau food cannot miss in the traditional Hawaiian cuisine. It comprises pork wrapped in taro leaves. 

Images 

Map of Hawaii 

Poi 

Laulau 

Lomi salmon 

Aloha Wear