1. Your drinking game of choice was Kings.

Casual drinking usually meant cramming into the 5’x7’ shoebox of a bedroom in whoever had the biggest apartment, or whoever’s parents weren’t around. Space for beer pong or flip cup was basically non-existent, so smaller, easier games — like Kings, Spin the Bottle, or Never Have I Ever, usually sufficed.

2. Drinking anywhere outside of New York is a huge pain in the ass.

We groan and gripe in places like South Carolina, where the liquor stores are completely closed on Sundays, or London, when the pubs do a last call at 10:50pm. These little eccentricities make zero sense to us, especially because anywhere outside of New York alcohol is considerably cheaper. We’re spoiled with bars that close at 4am (or don’t close at all), which stock unique liquors and craft beers, so our expectations are just super high once we leave the metro area.

3. You collected body stamps.

Everyone always knew where you had been the night before based on the red ink stamp or black permanent marker X on the top of your hand. A blue smiley face signified you were at a dive bar somewhere on Avenue A. A neon yellow wristband showed you were dancing at a gay bar around Chelsea. Eventually you found places like Pacha where stamps were doled out to anyone who looked hot, young, and stupid enough to spend money to be surrounded by other hot, young, stupid people who didn’t mind the amateur DJ of the week.

4. Your bodega salesman had your back.

Amir jokingly wagged his finger at you when you put a case of Natty Light on the counter, but as one of his best customers, he always let it slide. Selling alcohol to underage minors is nothing new in New York City. Is it completely illegal? Hells yeah. Dangerous? Probably. Something to be proud of? I’m not sure. But it’s hard to raise a fuss when almost 75% of the borough bodegas participate in this practice. We considered it a contribution to the astronomically-priced rent encroaching upon anything north of 80th Street.

5. You RSVP’d to every Bar Mitzvah, Quinceañera, and Sweet 16.

These parties were full-blown catered affairs at places like Villa Russo, or Giando on the Water, resulting in pitchers of soda for the kiddies and an open bar for the adults. If you couldn’t get an obliging drunk auntie to pass around some Jack and Cokes, you had an emergency flask on hand to make your own. It made the dry chicken fricassee taste better, and loosened you up for doing the Electric Slide.

6. You had a fake ID at age 14.

Kids from around the area come to NYC specifically to purchase false identification. You knew which sketchy “10-cent Copies” centers made the best scannable cards, and as long as you were with a few other teenagers, being led to a secret door at the back of the store was a rite of passage. Four IDs or more, and you got a discount.

7. You made it a mission to score free drinks.

$12 cab fares, $15 cover charges, and $8 cocktails adds up. You worked your whiles as much as you could to get free drinks from friends or strangers. Sure it was slutty, but it saved you precious cash that went towards buying MAC cosmetics, new heels from a no-name shop on 7th avenue, and clubwear from Strawberry.

8. House parties were like, next-level.

Unless you happened to make friends with a trust-fund Dalton kid, movie-style drinking parties were almost exclusively held away from home. But every so often someone would rent a beach house for a week and invite all of the neighborhood families to come along. Then shit would get real. Those few times when you made it out to a party in Flushing, Marine Park, or a cousin’s place on Long Island, where someone had an actual backyard bigger than five-people’s worth, seemed like a dream.

9. You tried drugs before everyone else.

When the thrill of underage drinking ran out at approximately age 16, you experimented with drugs. Most of it was innocent — a few joints on the fire escape at 2am, or uppers prescribed to you by the family shrink — but scoring angel dust, ecstasy, crack, and other ridiculous chemical substances was never difficult. Someone’s mom always had cocaine “to make it through the day,” and if anyone ever asked, you could tell them exactly where they could buy heroin, and for how much. Some of your friends became drug addicts, but most of the time it was an, “I’ll try anything once” situation that was overrated anyway.

10. The night always ended with drunk food.

A $1 slice of pizza, disco fries, or pancakes at the diner, falafel from a guy who shaved meat for a living, a ginormous pastrami sandwich from Katz’s Deli, a hot dog that snapped when you bit it from Gray’s Papaya, or — if you were really drunk — something off of the Dollar Menu at McDonalds, was a must when the booze got to be too much for you to handle. Sitting in Washington Square Park at 2am, you didn’t care about how terrible the styrofoam container holding your chicken and rice with white sauce was for the environment; you were just fucking hungry.

11. Pre-gaming was the game.

Because alcohol is so expensive in the city, the easiest thing was to hunker down at someone’s apartment and make uneven mixes of your favorite cocktails, or fill water bottles with straight-up vodka and wander the streets looking for celebrity parties to crash. Even if you did end up at a bar after midnight or something, you usually split drinks with your friends before complaining about being “tired” aka too poor to buy another drink.

12. There was always someone around to buy booze for you.

Finding someone older to purchase your liquor was never really an issue. There was always Enrico, the pothead down the hall, or Dejah, your best friend’s older sister who just graduated from City College. Rich kids had their nannies, maids, or the doorman. You always had a “go-to” booze buyer in your corner of the city.

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Featured photo by Alan

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AN AMERICAN FRIEND I had taught with in Taiwan beckoned me to Istanbul with tales of local men serenading Western women, luring them into love spells with baklava. Her descriptions of lunch by the seaside and bustling spice markets charmed me all the way to the travel agency.

“It’s my New York, but better,” she had said.

I got my suitcase and tea glass ready.

Upon arriving, a crowd of fake blondes congregated at the airport entry gates with the sort of urgency that says: “This is a great place.” Counting bright headscarf after bright headscarf, my first impression of Istanbul was part-Europe, part-Asia, and part hyperactive kid on the beach.

Now that I have been living and teaching in Istanbul for a few months, there’s still enough radiation to keep me feeling like a holiday girl, even teaching forty plus hours a week.

Considerations for teaching

Money

When contemplating a job here, it is important to remember that you are still the same old barking English teacher that you are anywhere else in Asia, but you will probably get paid decent money and have enough eager students to make it worthwhile.

Local Vibe

Be prepared to entertain your students as much as you teach them, and anticipate to be showered with home-cooked food from friendly students who appreciate the effort you put into your classes. Most will be willing to share their language and culture.

Culture

Should you tire of the workaholic schedule that English schools will likely impose, there is always the hammam (Turkish bath) to indulge in, where a burly masseuse or masseur, will scrub you like Hercules.

Cuisine

Culinary delights abound, including fish still squirming fresh on the market table, sold by boisterous men in rubber boots. Rice is most often replaced with a range of other, more inspiring carbohydrates, like flower-shaped herb bread, and cherry-filled baklava.

The mighty lamb is prevalent, sliced with grilled peppers and tomatoes, and served together with yogurt, cilantro, and pita bread.

Job Placement

For those seeking ESL teaching work in Istanbul, numerous jobs abound, and can be found simply by walking into the language schools themselves, or by applying with a resume, cover letter, photo, and scanned copy of qualifications and passport over the Internet.

While I have never heard of an English school here that doesn’t need teachers (which means you will probably be working some serious overtime) private language schools mostly hire people with a Canadian, British, Australian, or American passport, a TESOL certificate (or similar qualification) and/or a degree in any subject, from a recognized university.

First-time teachers are usually welcome, as are people of various ages. My current work staff includes everyone from ages twenty to fifty-five, and they are generally sane people, from various professional backgrounds.

Accomodation

Some schools provide accommodation, but most don’t. However, there are throngs of English teachers actively searching for roommates, and most language schools will offer some help in finding an affordable and comfortable place to live.

Prices

Costs for accommodation, food, and other necessities of life are comparable to Canada, the US, and some parts of Europe. As Turkey is in close proximity to several Middle-Eastern and European countries, you may also want to travel.

Depending on whether or not you choose to go by train, plane, bus, or car, prices can vary from the extraordinarily cheap to the staggeringly expensive.

Activities

Istanbul has no shortage of things to do. In the Greek Quarter, old women haggle over striped socks at the market and fruit vendors greet shoppers with heaping triangles of olives and figs. Speeding taxis with bashed-in fronts steer and skid amongst the crowds of pedestrians spilling over the curbs in the downtown districts.

Ladies selling flowers by the boat docks push stems of daffodils under your nose, commanding, in their hats and headscarves, a mere dollar a bundle.

One of my best moments so far in Istanbul has been taking pictures of stray cats in a historic graveyard at 7am, while men and women beat carpets, men prayed, and children chased pigeons. People were doing their everyday activities, but it was nonetheless impressive.

Nightlife

Numerous nightclubs in almost every area of the city provide a comfortable places for expats and locals alike to get their groove on. While going out is expensive, one will feel at the end of the evening, as if their money has been well spent.

In Istanbul, atmosphere is everything- clubs and pubs are usually “dressed to the nines” with plush velour, seaside seating, water pipes, hip music, and cheerful chatter in a multitude of languages.

For me, Istanbul is a spot to rest my rucksack while I’m turning the tricks of the English-teaching trade, but my respect for the place and its people now goes beyond my initial pinwheel of tourist images. It is now my temporary home, and one that I see myself returning to.

For aspiring and seasoned travelers, there is no other city that quite captures the glamor of a martini glass, the pizzazz of a belly dancer, and the wild imagination of two continents.

As for whether it’s “better than New York,” I’m hardly to judge, but surely, anyone who comes here to teach will not be disappointed.

This article was originally published on April 17th, 2008.

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There are thousands of ways to piss off a female, let alone a female bartender. We encounter sexism when we tell people what we do for a living and sexual harassment when we are just trying to do our jobs. Unfortunately, most of these people who piss us off just don’t get it and genuinely don’t know any better. We should all think about the way we treat bartenders, women, and other human beings in general.

The thing is, I would never quit being a bartender because I love love love my job. I enjoy serving people, listening to their problems and making sure they are happy and having a good time. Most of my customers are awesome and I wouldn’t let a few people who don’t know how to act ruin that.

Touch us inappropriately

We are bartenders, not escorts. Unfortunately it seems as though some individuals confuse the two. This is assault, and you will be forcefully evicted out the door.

Tell us to smile

Do people walk around your office telling you to smile while you’re sitting at your desk?

Snap or whistle

The same goes for waving your money, shouting, or literally anything else that you wouldn’t do out in the real world.

Say “Nice tits,” or any other derogatory comment

This behaviour is completely unacceptable. Sexual harassment makes me want to punch people in the face. The high road, however, is far more effective and worth the effort.

Assume we don’t have any structure in our lives

There’s a misconception that we are always all drunk, promiscuous, living paycheck-to-paycheck and this is simply not true.

Assume we are uneducated

Tending bar is a hard, dirty, working-class job and so many people seem to think that any bimbo can do it. Wrong! Not every bartender necessarily has a college education but a whole lot do. Sure, it’s often in something like Philosophy or History, but believe me, the person serving your drinks is more likely than not, extremely intelligent.

Body shaming

Apparently wearing a tank top, even though it can be hot as balls, is an automatic invitation for people to comment on our bodies. It’s not all men though — women are guilty of this, too.

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1. Wal-Mart is the hottest place to be on a Friday night.

When the movie theater and the mall are at least 40 miles away, the bright lights of Wal-Mart start looking pretty interesting. Folks gather in their pickup trucks, pulling out the coolers, lawn chairs, and occasional confederate flag to grace the night in drunken revelry. It ain’t fancy, but there’s enough room for everyone’s car and restocking the beer is as easy as crossing the parking lot.

2. You’ve loosened your belt loop.

It’s likely you’ve gained a little weight during your tenure; Indiana is one of America’s most-obese states. Fast-food joints outrank the number of churches, which is saying something for the bible belt. We take unhealthy to a new level: every year at the Indiana State Fair, people consume over 37,000 milkshakes and 10,500 deep-fried Snickers. Our eating habits, paired with an environment that encourages inactivity, is a recipe for all sorts of health problems. If you default to ordering fried, not grilled, you’re becoming one of us.

3. Light beer is the right beer.

Since most of our meals come from a drive-thru, light beer is the easiest way to cut down on calories (and cost). We can afford to throw back a few more when we’re hanging out with friends.

4. Your ego is proportional to the size of your pickup truck.

Pickup trucks are meant for trailers, firewood, and various other oversized items. However, repeated exposure to country music, extra-large parking spaces, and social pressure could have you buying into the extended-cab hype, even if you’ve never towed anything. Some say it’s worth getting only 15-miles per gallon as long as your truck looks bigger than your neighbors — and has a hemi.

5. There are two seasons: NASCAR and football.

In true Midwestern fashion, Indiana weekends are spent indoors, watching ESPN with a Keystone Light on a coaster within arm’s reach. From October through January, this is Colt’s Country. Since the Indianapolis Colts last won the Superbowl in 2007, we haven’t given up hope that this year could be it. Some of us in silence and some in great fits of testosterone, we beg the Lord for just one more yard or field goal so that the Colts will have another chance at winning the season. However, if our team is having a bad day, Indiana fans are happy to switch alliances to whoever has a chance to crush the Denver Broncos, more specifically hoping for an imminent injury to Peyton Manning.

By the time the Superbowl is over, we’re ready to move on to our next sport that is simple enough for anyone to follow: watching cars drive in circles, otherwise known as NASCAR. Most outsiders know Indiana for hosting the Indy 500, but few people in the state care about Indy car racing. Indiana folks remain loyal to the true American sport of stock-car racing. This gives reason to tailgate through the spring, summer, and fall until the season ends in November — although most of us have already switched back to football by then.

6. You’ve forgotten how to use public transportation.

Cars, trucks, and the occasional tractor speckle the roads, but you almost never see a bus. Indiana’s cities aren’t densely populated enough or designed in a way to make public transit a viable option for most people. Unfortunately, the only kind of subway that exists for us is the sandwich shop.

7. You have camouflage everything.

If your camo clothing makes an appearance outside of a hunting trip, you might be giving yourself away.

8. If God isn’t on every corner, it’s not a neighborhood you want to be in.

From small towns to big cities, God is everywhere. There’s a church on every block and as long as you subscribe to Christianity, your spiritual needs will be met. Churches are the epicenter of community and social activities, always doing their best to keep the flock out of trouble. Although the cross may deter Buddhists, atheists, and Pastafarians, consider it a sign that it’s safe to walk around at night.

9. You’re a nicer person.

Waiters, salespeople, even drivers on the road are more considerate and pleasant to deal with in Indiana. We’re a state full of courteous people who go out of their way to hold open doors and make you feel a little more welcome. You can’t help but reciprocate their amiable attitude. It’s a gift to bring with you to your next destination.

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1. Wandering amid sculpted stone in the Valley of Fire

As the name suggests, this scenic state park — Nevada’s oldest and largest — can get rather warm during the summer, and by warm we mean temperatures up to 120 degrees. Best to take in its stunning sandstone formations, ancient rock art, and winding trails during the cool season. Pack a picnic lunch for a day trip, or load up the car and snag one of 72 campsites for an overnight among the park’s undulating rocks and canyons. At less than an hour’s drive northeast of downtown Las Vegas, you’ll have no trouble getting there.

2. Warming up at Gold Strike Hot Springs

Every hike needs a rewarding destination, and it doesn’t get much better than this canyon scramble on the way to a relaxing soak in one of the state’s finest natural hot springs. Take note: The 6.5-mile round-trip route is no casual stroll. Small sections require basic climbing and rappelling, with ropes attached to ease the journey. Stop along the way to bathe in various pools — try to find the secret Cave of Wonders — or hike to the bottom and take a break on the bank of the Colorado River. The trailhead is along Gold Strike Canyon Road, just off US 93.

3. Flying the friendly skies

Sure, you can jump out of a plane any time of year, but winter’s bright, clear skies make it prime time for killer views on the way down. Skydive Las Vegas takes rookies up for tandem jumps, each pair free-falling for up to a minute at well over 100mph before pulling their parachute and coasting back to solid ground. Resist the urge to put it all on black while the adrenaline is still pumping.

4. Unplugging at Mt. Charleston Cabins

If you think winter days are best spent surrounded by snowy pines in a woodsy lodge, grab your Pendleton blanket and head for Mt. Charleston Cabins. Located at 7,717 feet in the thick of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and just 45 minutes from downtown Las Vegas, this rustic retreat is a serious escape, albeit with amenities like jetted tubs, fireplaces, and the nearby lodge where you can grab a hot toddy and an elk burger while gazing out over the snow-dusted trees. And since cell reception is spotty at best (and there’s no cable, wifi, or land lines in the cabins), you won’t feel pressured to live-tweet the weekend. Rates start from $118.

5. Scaling the cliffs at Red Rock Canyon

Glowing in terracotta tones on the western edge of the Vegas Valley, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is home to some of the best rock climbing in the US, as well as stunning geological formations, hiking trails, petroglyphs, and even a few fossilized dinosaur tracks. Winter brings cool days and plenty of sun — a great combo for climbers looking to take on the park’s sandstone cliffs with sport climbs or multi-pitch ascents. Check out routes with names like Epinephrine and Sour Mash, or go straight for the Original — a 14-pitch, 1,000ft route up Juniper Canyon’s Rainbow Wall.

6. Exploring the Mojave on horseback

Steer through canyon narrows cut by water and wind and see Red Rock’s bluffs painted by the sinking sun on Cowboy Trail Rides’ sunset excursion ($169), a leisurely exploration of the Mojave’s wonders. Keep an eye out for burros and coyotes along the trail, then head back to camp for a steak dinner followed by s’mores and a campfire song or two. Like everything else in the desert surrounding Las Vegas, this trip is most comfortably taken during winter.

7. Getting behind the wheel of a dune buggy

Your 4WD SUV has nothing on these rough and rugged desert warriors that are perfectly suited for tackling sandy dunes and other off-road gnarliness. Just outside the city, SunBuggy runs relaxed, scenic drives ($149+), as well as the Mini Baja Chase ($199+), an edge-of-your-seat mock race where you’ll be blasting over challenging terrain in the driver’s seat.

8. Tearing down Bootleg Canyon’s mountain bike trails

This Boulder City canyon just outside of Vegas has 36 miles of single track, ranging from beginner-friendly cross-country to white-knuckle downhill (how about the Elevator Shaft’s 22% grade?), all cutting through a seriously scenic southern Nevada landscape. All Mountain Cyclery runs shuttles to the top for $5 a trip, as well as trail tours ($179 including rental) and bike rentals, so you can tackle an epic ride without lugging your gear from home.

9. Soaring over the desert by zipline

Take in the southern Nevada terrain from a bird’s-eye perspective along four ziplines ($159+) that zoom over a mile and a half of canyon landscape just south of Las Vegas. The tour at Flightlinez Bootleg Canyon kicks off with a brief hike to the top of Red Mountain, where you’ll harness up for a burly 1,852ft first run that can reach speeds of up to 60mph. The progressive lines stretch up to about half a mile, giving you a chance to absorb the view, if not to catch your breath.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for bighorn sheep on the morning tour, or go for the full-moon ride for a totally different experience.

10. Scoping out a ghost town

Rich with metals and minerals, southern Nevada mines brought big money and big crowds to the region in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But when the mines gave out, the miners moved on, leaving behind homes, roads, and communities to slowly decay in the baking heat. These days, those eerie, abandoned towns are tourist attractions that make for great places to catch a glimpse of the past. Check out Goldfield, Nelson (population 37 as of 2010 census), or Rhyolite for some classic examples, or visit St. Thomas, a town that was submerged by Lake Mead in the 1930s and has reemerged in recent years as the water level has dropped.

11. Strolling through Springs Preserve

Las Vegas was named for spring-fed meadows in the middle of the Mojave Desert, and this outdoor attraction in the middle of the city was built around the town’s original water source. Today’s Springs Preserve ($18.95) is home to sprawling gardens featuring cacti and other native plants, and family-friendly walking and biking trails that are best enjoyed when the valley isn’t blistering in the sun. You’ll also find the Nevada State Museum here, with some stellar natural history exhibits.

12. Cycling the River Mountains Loop Trail

This 34-mile loop around the River Mountains is a favorite among locals, who hit the paved trail for casual rides as well as serious training. Take it in sections — along the shore of Lake Mead, up the Three Sisters hills, or through Boulder City where you can stop for a pint at Boulder Dam Brewing Co. — or pull on some bike shorts and ride the whole damn thing. Just be sure to pack plenty of water…it’s a desert out there, winter or not. Find trailheads in Boulder City, Henderson, and Lake Mead NRA.

13. Not frying in Death Valley

“Hottest, driest, lowest,” brags the website for this national park straddling the border of Nevada and California. Highs average 116 degrees in July, putting something of a damper on exploring outside the air-conditioned confines of your vehicle. In contrast, winter is hiking season, with polished canyons, rolling sand dunes, and snowy peaks to traverse. Even the Badwater salt flats, nearly 200 miles of barren landscape that sits 282 feet below sea level, can be downright pleasant. The gateway communities of Pahrump and Beatty are 1 hour and 1:45 from Vegas, respectively.

14. Shredding the slopes at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort

No one pictures alpine sports when they think Vegas, but less than an hour from downtown the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort has three lifts and 30 trails with options for everyone from noob to pro (bring your avalanche kit and expect to hike for the latter). Located in the Spring Mountains district of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the slopes at LVSSR receive an average 212 inches of snow annually. And with Vegas a short drive away, you can spend the day working your turns and then be back at your hotel in time for happy hour — or a well-earned soak in the hot tub.

This post is proudly produced in partnership with our friends at TravelNevada.

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Alabama: We may be 49th in everything, but thank God for Mississippi.
Alaska: No, you can’t see Russia from here.
Arizona: Our main exports are heat stroke and rabid xenophobia.
Arkansas: Literrasy ain’t everything.
California: Where American dreamers settle for doing porn.
Colorado: Laughing at your altitude sickness since 1876.
Connecticut: We’re kinda close to the places you really want to be, like Boston and NYC.
Delaware: The first state, and that’s about it.
Florida: A wonderful place to enjoy some pain pills and die of old age. Or vice versa.
Georgia: Without Atlanta, we’re Alabama.
Hawaii: Haka Tiki Mou Sha’ami Leeki Toru (Death to mainland scum, but leave your money).
Idaho: More than just potatoes. Ok, maybe not, but the potatoes are real good.
Illinois: Where a politician’s term in office and prison sentence are roughly the same.
Indiana: Dan Quayle’s favorite country!
Iowa: Counting down the days until an election makes us relevant again.
Kansas: Come for the corn, stay for the tornadoes.
Kentucky: 5 million people, 15 last names.
Louisiana: We’re also thankful for Mississippi.
Maine: Stephen King really likes it here!
Maryland: If you can dream it, we can tax it, hon.
Massachusetts: We hope you enjoy both of our seasons, Winter and Construction.
Michigan: Where lake effect snow will bury you alive 10 ft. from your front door.
Minnesota: 10,000 lakes and 10,000,000,000 mosquitoes.
Mississippi: We make slightly less shitty states look GOOD.
Missouri: We love company.
Montana: The birthplace of the letter bomb.
Nebraska: Where the majority of the population has been intimate with a corn cob.
Nevada: Helping degenerates part with their money since 1864.
New Hampshire: A great place to stop for gas on your way to Canada.
New Jersey: Hope you like traffic, asshole.
New Mexico: Breaking Bad was the best thing that ever happened to us.
New York: If you have it, we’ll tax it, and if it’s fun, we’ll regulate it until it’s no longer fun.
North Carolina: Despite being North, we’re still as redneck as South Carolina.
North Dakota: All the weather or Canada without any of the health care.
Ohio: We like to swing.
Oklahoma: One tornado away from being Mississippi.
Oregon: Still a 50/50 chance you’ll die of dysentery.
Pennsylvania: Our Amish can beat up Pennsylvania’s Amish.
Rhode Island: If we were any less significant, we’d be Delaware.
South Carolina: We secretly pledge allegiance to the Confederate flag.
South Dakota: Closer than North Dakota.
Tennessee: Leading the nation in fat dudes who die while taking a dump.
Texas: Heaven if you are a high school quarterback. Hell if you are gay, black, an immigrant or a woman.
Utah: A great place to raise a couple of families.
Vermont: 75% hippies, 24.999% rednecks and .001% who came for the foliage.
Virginia: Southern enough to suck for northerners and northern enough to suck for southerners.
Washington: Where more things are legal and everything is damp.
West Virginia: Our obesity problem can be explained in two words: pepperoni rolls.
Wisconsin: Way too cold to be sober.
Wyoming: Where men are men and sheep are scared.

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IT’S BEEN 6 YEARS now and I’m no longer fresh off the boat from the Philippines. I’ve traded in “ehh, ano…” for “uhm, like…” I’ve stopped taking the hands of seniors to my forehead and touching my cheeks to the cheeks of strangers I meet. No hotdogs in my sweetened spaghetti, no tabo (a water dipper) in my bathroom, and no plastic wrap for my college textbooks. I’ve lost quite a few of my Filipino habits in the process of assimilating into the lifestyle of the everyday American.

1. I have long talks with strangers.

I moved to San Francisco a few years after living in Los Angeles. I was new to American public transit and had to take the Caltrain every day. I employed all techniques taught to young, privileged girls like me in Manila to ward off the rapists, kidnappers, and thieves out and about. I’d wear earphones without an iPod and unwelcomingly opaque sunglasses. I’d always snag the seat next to a pleasant-looking lady or a fellow college student. At times, I’d even pretend to be on the phone when I felt a little unsafe while waiting by the tracks for a train.

One day, I forgot my earphones. A Caucasian man in his mid-30s asked for help with figuring out the train schedule. I remember my eyes widening, wondering why no one nearby was swooping in to save me. I thought back to Manila where there were separate trains for men and women for our public transit — this wouldn’t have happened if I was on the lady train, I thought.

Hesitantly, I answered his question out of fear that he would stab me if I ignored him. He chuckled in relief once I told him that he just had to run his finger down the timetable to know what time he’d arrive at his stop. I thought that would be it, then he went on to ask me where I was going. This is where he follows and kidnaps me, I thought. So I lied and said that I was actually getting off at the next stop and that I had to wait by the doors now.

He must have sensed my reservations. He proceeded to talk about how he was catching up with his wife and kids for a Giants game at AT&T Ball Park and how he couldn’t wait to have clam chowder bread bowls by the pier — and how I definitely needed to try those bread bowls! This must be what Americans call “small talk,” I thought to myself. I got off at my fake stop and he thanked me and told me to “Take care!”

Now, while I’m not inviting strangers I pick up off the street for brunch on a daily basis, I am at a point where upon observing a friendly-looking stranger wearing a cute pair of flats, I’ll ask her “Where’d you get those?” Bumping heads with someone in Books, Inc. while reaching for the same, obscure title will lead to a lengthy, intellectual discussion.

Overhearing tourists wondering which way the Asian Art Museum is, I’ll happily jump in to give directions, and even suggest a stroll through Yerba Buena Gardens on the way over. Though in Manila, you’ll be likely to get a smile back from a passerby, it’s not likely that you’ll string out a long conversation with someone just because you’re both wearing Giants jerseys, like in San Francisco.

2. If I want an extra helping, I don’t refuse it.

When you’re an invited guest at a dinner party in Manila and you finish your first plate, it’s customary to play a little game of “Oh no, I can’t” and “Oh please, don’t be silly. Have some more!” with the host as she tries to serve you another helping. Even if you are hankering for more chicken adobo, you are somewhat expected to play along until the second or third time she insists.

This is a game that I’ve tried to play as a guest in American home, which doesn’t usually end up with an extra serving on my plate. Instead, I’d get a respectful “Okay, then!” and the host would move on to the next guest. My American host never realized that I was just playfully refusing. When I said that I was on a diet and therefore could not possibly have had another bite, I was actually waiting for her to tell me that I was already too skinny — so skinny that I needed more mashed potatoes to fill in my scrawny, little arms.

The game ends similarly when it comes to fighting over the bill. A wealthier friend would invite me out to lunch at fancy, Mediterranean place by her house and I would just assume that she’d know that we’d either split or she’d pay, seeing as she made more money. But I’d slip my card onto the bill and tell her that “I’ve got it!” just out of habit and much to my dismay…she’d let me pay. My Filipino friends would at least attempt to start a bit of lively banter over the bill, but Americans tend to thank you and take you up on what they assume is a sincere offer.

Filipinos value a sense of propriety, which ties into the Filipino term hiya, which is our embarrassment over being too outspoken or feeling like we’re imposing ourselves on others. Americans, on the other hand, value directness. If you want something, do something about it. No sense in beating around the bush, as they say.

Being a Filipina, I came to America thinking that people knew that I was being coy and that it was impolite to tell anyone what I want directly. When an American would, god forbid, express to me exactly what they wanted to do, I was taken aback every time. Learning to be straightforward was definitely a transition that I had to make living in the US.

3. I’m happy to wait in line and even let people go ahead.

A few years after moving to San Francisco, a friend of mine visited from Manila. I decided to take her sightseeing along Market Street. We planned to take the BART there, and so I showed her how to buy a ticket at the kiosk and we walked to the platform where we waited for our train. I compared the San Francisco BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the MRT (Metro Manila Rapid Transit) which she and I used to ride back in Manila.

Our train to Pittsburg / Bay Point approached and started to stop, then I watched as my friend instinctively rushed over to stand directly in front of the door. There were plenty of doors opening up and there wasn’t much of a crowd to fight through. I suppose she didn’t notice that most people were standing by the sides so that commuters on the train could step off before we boarded. I tugged on her shirt and led her aside so that those commuters could do just that.

In Manila, it’s standard to fight your way through when commuting. With at least 12 million Filipinos concentrated in the urban metropolis of Metro Manila, it feels logical to fight for yourself in every situation. Understandably, when taking the MRT or even entering a mall, crowds can set you off into a kind of survival mode.

I cleared up the confusion for my dear Filipina friend, explaining that Americans generally line up and take turns. They don’t tend to worry about finding room on the train, because there is usually a spot to sit or stand without having to fight for it. It’s simple experiences like these that make me realize how far I have come from Manila.

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It takes a hardy traveler to visit a place in the depths of winter — snow, cold, winds, and long stretches of darkness are the main culprits. But as these images below will show you, winter can be the most beautiful time to visit some destinations, not to mention you might be the only traveler around. Just remember to wear layers!

All images and photographer notes below come courtesy of our friends at Global Yodel, an online travel community spreading the message that “one’s home is another’s destination.” Check out their brand-new site design at GlobalYodel.com.

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1. Battery life

You know that 20-hour bus ride where you suddenly realize that you forgot to turn off the wireless and the battery of your e-reader has suddenly drained out? Me too. Here’s the big discovery: this scenario will not happen if you’re reading a real book. Of course, you can always bring a portable battery, the respective chargers, the cables… But wasn’t this whole e-reader thing supposed to be about packing light?

2. An e-book draws more attention

This is sheer mathematics. How much does an e-reader cost? Around USD 150, even more in certain countries. How much does a book cost? Ten times less than that, even less in certain countries. While neither the e-reader nor the book is theft-proof, the former will clearly draw more unwanted attention than the latter. I’ve met a lot of travelers who had their e-reader stolen or who lost it and never found it back. I have yet to meet one who complained about their book having been taken away.

3. Read like a local

The mantra goes: travel like a local, eat like a local, go to the places locals go to. What about reading like a local? Nobody ever talks about that part. True, it is a bit more tricky because it requires you speak the language of the country you’re going to. But if you do, why not check out the local bookstore? Why read what you would read at home and not take advantage of the unique opportunity to discover something different? You might gain surprising insights on the place you’re visiting, you might fill your mind with new ideas, you might even discover your next favorite writer. After all, reading is one of the gateways to a culture as well.

4. Boost your language skills

My Spanish level at the beginning of my nine-month trip to South America: intermediate.

My Spanish level at the end of my trip, after more than a dozen books bought while I was there: advanced (and that includes my writing skills).

That difference not entirely attributable to the books, of course. But they did play a major part.

5. Connect with locals

If you’re like me, chances are that the winks you get during that inevitable stage in the conversation when you boast about your nation’s drinking habits and list the craziest swear words in your native language are not exactly the types of personal connection you’re after.

What are the other ways to make local friends, then?

I once met a girl in Bolivia who had almost the same taste in literature as I had. Our bond became special once she discovered that I had read a book written by one of her friends. You can connect with people from everywhere if you share the same tastes in literature. But the likelihood of having favorite authors in common increases if you know the local book scene. And you will be greeted with a warmer smile. And no, a lot of the books around the globe are not available in an electronic format. Yet.

There are other ways you can interact with locals through books as well: asking the shopkeeper for a recommendation, taking your book to local book exchange events, visiting a local book fair, giving your book as a gift to a local host, even leaving it on a bench in a park for a serendipitous encounter. The list could go on — just use your creativity.

6. Connect with fellow travelers

One of the benefits of an e-reader is that you’re not supposed to carry around all those books that you have already read until the end of your trip. And if you’re traveling long-term, this can make a difference. But who says you that if you have regular books you should carry them with you anyway?

Sometimes the most interesting part of a book’s travel life cycle is when you finished it. You cannot take all that paper in your luggage, so you have to get creative about discarding it. You can swap the book in a hostel or give it as a gift to other travelers. It’s a good reason to start a conversation. And an even better excuse to keep in touch.

7. One of the best travel souvenirs you can bring home

In the end, travel is about moments. You may end up liking a book too much to let it go, you may want to keep it in your luggage. That’s perfectly fine. It will remind you of the moments you shared. Of the day you spent in a hammock immersed in its chapters, a warm breeze blowing from behind, of the time you had an hour-long conversation with the woman next to you on a bus who liked the author, of that moment you found the book in a hostel book exchange, realized that it had an autograph and congratulated yourself for not taking your e-reader on your trip. Because you would never have found an autograph on an e-book.

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