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Discussion on: Iā€™m Kristen Palana, Teacher, Author, and Artist. Ask Me Anything!

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Kristen Palana • Edited

Dear Jess,

Great questions. Hmmm... I'm starting to forget what international travel is thanks to the pandemic, but let me try and remember.

Maybe this sounds boring, but I do try and always have a first aid kit and certain essential medicines for upset stomach, headaches, fever, etc. The last time we traveled in Malawi, we were 4 hours away in the mountains from the nearest village and sure enough, my older son (age 11) got food poisoning. The only thing that kept us calm and sane was my little portable pharmacy.

I also LOVE to learn at least 10-30+ worlds of the local language wherever we are going. You'll find speakers of the more popular languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc. may roll their eyes at your clumsy attempts. But... when you take some time to learn a bit of Burmese, Hindi, Chichewa, or whatever the language is in the country you're visiting... you will have made friends for life just by attempting to make a nice greeting, say please and thank you in the local tongue, etc. I find it's really appreciated, especially where the language is less known in the wider world outside that country. It can also save you money! When we lived in Myanmar, the taxi drivers always gave me a local fare because I asked in Burmese. (Sending my love to Myanmar right now.)

I hope I've answered your question.

Best wishes,
Kristen