Storytellers JB and Renée | WillFlyForFood.net
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
This week on Culture with Travel, an interview with travel couple, JB and Renée of Will Fly For Food, as they speak about culture and food in the Philippines.
Tell us a bit about yourself! Why do you love travel? How do you think travel unites us or teaches us more about the world?
We love to travel, because it’s the only thing you can buy that makes you richer. I know it sounds corny and cliche, but it’s true. The satisfaction you get from material possessions fades over time, but memories from trips last forever. It never fails to put a smile on our faces whenever we look back on our old trips.
Can you tell us something about the culture in your country and why did you decided to stay there?
We both lived a good portion of our lives in the US before moving back to the Philippines. The Philippines is a developing country with its share of problems, but we love it. It’s the only place in the world we can truly call home.
What surprising aspect of culture do you love about your country (or your specific town/city) that travelers may not be aware of?
Filipinos are some of the kindest and most warm-hearted people in the world. We treat visitors like family. I love how we can laugh about our problems, too.
Which dish do you feel best represents where you’re specifically from? Share a picture and tell us why you love it!
That’s easy, adobo! It’s unofficially our national dish. It’s damn delicious, especially with rice.
Growing up in your country, what’s something that you believe makes it unlike anywhere else in the world?
The people, and our sense of humor. We Filipinos love to laugh and joke around. We make the PUN-niest jokes ever. And oh yeah, our love for basketball. We aren’t that tall, but we love it with a passion. We can make hoops out of anything, even toilet seats!
Talk about the role of family in your life. What does family mean to you? Which family values are valuable to you?
Family is everything. You need trust and a good support system to thrive and only family can provide that.
How important is spirituality and religion in your daily life? What do you do to celebrate the two?
Not so important. We’re both god-fearing, but we don’t believe in organized religion. Too much hypocrisy and self-righteousness. We pray before every meal though, and thank god for every blessing.
Share about a custom/tradition you observe. What makes it special?
JB: This isn’t a custom but more like a quirky habit. I personally kiss our dogs Henry and Mona 18 times each when I put them to bed at night. They’re like our children and we love them to pieces. I do it for good luck and to give thanks.
Art and dance can tell a deeper story about local culture. Tell us the story of a specific artwork or dance that has a meaning for you. Share a photo, if you can. (It can be anything from street art to a festival to a painting to architecture to woven art work, to woodworking, a family heirloom, etc.)
It gives me pride to see Juan Luna’s Spoliarium. It’s arguably the greatest Filipino masterpiece. It goes to show that Filipinos are just as talented as anyone in the arts.
Languages not only give us the power to communicate, but also can unite us across cultures. What’s something you love about the multitude of languages spoken in your country? Share a favorite saying you have, or teach us something in your native language.
“Kung gusto may paraan. Kung ayaw, puro dahilan.” That basically means “When there’s a will, there’s a way.” Too many people make too many excuses. If you really want something, then you should just go out and get it. No excuses.
What local spot in your city/town do you love most? Why is it personally important to you?
Not sure if we have one favorite, but we do love good cheap eats and buckets of beer (many bars in Manila serve beer in buckets of 6 bottles). We always look for good but inexpensive places to eat and drink every Friday night. It’s the highlight of our week when we aren’t traveling. Haha!
Who is the most inspiring person in your life? In which ways does this person inspire you?
I like to think that we inspire each other. 😉
Have you ever met a stranger during your travels who made an impact on your life in a certain way, or maybe it was you who helped someone else? Share the story!
JB: When I was backpacking alone in Nepal 20 years ago, my guide Sarot in Pokhara offered to lend me money so I could buy a $300 thanka. It was a moving gesture considering that wasn’t a small sum and he didn’t know me. I had enough money left over so I declined, but I never forgot the gesture.
Before I left, he told me he wanted to study in the US, so he asked if I could call universities and ask them to send him brochures. I told him I would. I was just starting out at art school, and I remember picking up the phone to call one university, but I couldn’t get through. I told myself I’d call again, but I never did. I’ve never fulfilled my promise to Sarot, and it’s something I’ve regretted to this day.
Unfortunately, stereotypes exist in the world. What are some common misconceptions you’ve heard about your country? What is considered disrespectful in your culture that visitors should be aware of?
JB: That we’re a bunch of savages who eat dog. Some people do, but not many.
Personally, I don’t like loud obnoxious tourists who act like they own the place. To me, it’s important that you show respect and carry yourself with humility when visiting a new country. You’re like a guest in someone else’s home, so you shouldn’t act like an entitled jerk.
To learn more about JB and Renée, visit their blog, Will Fly For Food. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
